It’s a commonly held misconception that fruit trees are best pruned in winter. In most instances fruit trees should actually be pruned in summer. My Summer Fruit Tree Pruning workshop will give you the confidence to plan and undertake pruning and training of your fruit trees.

Summer pruning promotes fruit production rather than the excess foliage that winter pruning encourages. Summer pruning also helps your trees recover more quickly from pruning and reduces the chance of introducing disease.

"Very personable and knowledgeable presenter. Was more in-depth than any other pruning workshop I’ve been to. The five hours was enough to cover the information supplied. I tackled three fruit trees following the workshop, with new understanding of how to approach and carry out considered pruning.Thanks for a fun and interesting day."

Diane P.

Workshop participant

Come along to my next Summer Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop. By the end of the session you’ll have a much greater understanding of:

Tools used for pruning and their maintenance and care
Timing of pruning and consequences
Tree physiology and “why” a tree grows the way it does
Types of cuts we make in pruning and consequences for the tree
Different shapes to prune trees
How to prune different types of fruit trees to maximise fruit production
An overview of how to set up and maintain espaliers

My Summer Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop focuses heavily on understanding the science behind pruning and care. This enables you to better understand the consequences of your actions. It will give you the confidence to manage your fruit trees yourself.

"The session was excellent. Duncan obviously has a wealth of knowledge and presents in confident, interesting and engaging manner. I feel much more equipped with the why to understand when and how to prune, and when to leave well alone."

Katherine S.

Workshop participant

What I will provide:

A fun and entertaining workshop on summer fruit tree pruning
A comprehensive set of notes
Pruning equipment for you to use on the day
Fruit trees for you to practice on
Basic Tea and Coffee Facilities

What to bring:

Clothing appropriate to the weather (sun smart clothing, raincoats, warm clothes, hats etc)
Your own lunch and snacks

Please note: This event will be run entirely outdoors and will be conducted regardless of the weather forecast.

About the facilitator

I’m Duncan Cocking and I’ve been growing fruit and vegetables since I was four years old. I support others to grow food and reconnect with nature through my business Leaf, Root & Fruit. I'm passionate about reconnecting you to nature via gardening. I write about growing food and living sustainably. I'm a cool-temperate gardener and permaculture educator with 10 years of experience hosting workshops.

During my classes, I focus on the science behind how gardens grow. This gives you an understanding of the built-in resilience of plants. Rather than always finding problems to fix with sprays and other products, you will have a renewed focus on relaxing, observing your garden, and enjoying it. Understanding “why” minimises the amount of work you have to do in your garden.

"An engaging and informative workshop pitched at the various levels of those attending … not dumbed down and not overly “sciency” … something for everyone. The opportunity to ask questions along the way was appreciated and added immensely to the experience. I look forward to completing other workshops later in the year as Duncan’s style of both teaching and gardening resonates."

Corrina L.

Workshop participant

About the facilities

In 2019 my young family and I moved from Melbourne to make a tree change to Kyneton, a small town 80 km north-west of the city in Victoria, Australia. Since then, I have been busy developing a permaculture-inspired garden ecosystem.

The property has an onsite classroom, with heating supplied by a wood burner. A split system acts as a back-up source of heating and cooling. The light filled, colourful classroom is kitted out with a large screen for running presentations (I promise that these presentations are almost entirely pictures and rarely contain words). The classroom has basic tea and coffee making facilities, ample car parking and a dedicated toilet.

My demonstration orchard contained within a netted enclosure provides opportunities for workshop participants to explore all aspects of growing fruit trees, and contains many examples of espaliered trees. I have designed and planted an extensive berry patch, market garden beds and edible forest gardens. The kitchen garden demonstrates food growing in a more typical backyard setting.

Participants from all over the state attend my workshops. I look forward to hosting you at this exciting event.

Cancellation Policy:

If the workshop cannot go ahead due to unforeseen circumstances then an alternative date will be scheduled and participants will be given the option to attend on the new date or accept a full refund. Otherwise, to maintain viability of these workshops, there are strictly no refunds. Thanks for your understanding.