The City Arborist, Matt McCaw, talks about the benefits of pruning your fruit trees during a demonstration on an old, almost-never-been-pruned apple tree aat Melissa and Brendan Haney's home in Upper Arrow Heights on Wednesday. The demonstration was sponsored by Bear Aware and program coordinator Penny Page Brittin said the public response to the demo was so great she had to turn people away. David F. Rooney photoFirst you make a cut beneath the branch. Sawdust flies as McCaw makes his first cut on an old and very large branch. He then cut through from the top. The purpose of the first cut beneath the branch is to ensure a clean cut without any bark and wood peeling away. When that happens it takes the tree longer to recover. David F. Rooney photoAnd now for another cut. Spectators watch intently as McCaw makes another cut with his saw. David F. Rooney photoThe end result was a pile of branches and much lighter and well-trimmed tree. To find out more about Bear Aware and its programs please click on the Bear Aware button at the bottom of The Current. David F. Rooney photo
