with Gordon Mackay

Course participants will be introduced to pruning fundamentals and concepts for fruit trees, including apple, pear and the stone fruits. We will look at summer versus winter pruning and pruning old, mature trees versus young newly established trees.

Tree planting and early training will be covered along with various methods of growing fruit trees e.g. tall spindle, dwarf pyramid, ufo etc. and also the choice of tree rootstocks. These terms will be explained along with many more.

There will be ample opportunity to ask questions in this class and participants will have an opportunity to spend some time in the garden looking at fruit trees and viewing demonstrations of the various pruning cuts recommended for fruit trees.

HCP Members $40/Non-Members $50
Register ONLINE or call 250 479 6162

Instructor Bio: Gordon Mackay
Gordon grew up in the city of Glasgow, often called the ‘dear green place’. Inspired by his father at an early age to pursue horticulture, he was fortunate enough to be able to follow in his footsteps and completed the 2 year Diploma program at Threave School of Gardening in southwest Scotland. It was at Threave that his love and deep appreciation for all things plant related was fully realized. Working under the head gardener and plantsman Magnus Ramsay, it was soon to become apparent that pruning trees and shrubs was going to play a large part of this obsession. Further training was sought on the 3 year Diploma program at Pershore College of Horticulture in England. Since emigrating to Canada in 1994, Gordon had developed and established his own arboriculture business specializing in fruit tree pruning and tree care. He works part-time at a local retail garden centre; this somewhat helps to satisfy his plant obsession! He is also an instructor here at the Pacific Horticulture College. Gordon is also an avid beekeeper.