A Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop hosted by University of Illinois Extension continues to produce results months after participants left Christ Orchard in Elmwood. Twenty-one people attended the February 2026 program to learn how proper pruning can improve tree health, structure, and fruit production. Participants practiced pruning techniques under the guidance of orchard owner Kurt Christ.
The workshop's impact reached beyond home orchards. After attending the program, workshop participant Dr. Jon Fisher of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria applied the techniques he learned while caring for fruit trees in the college's food forest and orchard. Fruit harvested from the UICOMP site also supports community efforts, including donations to Sophia's Kitchen.
The UICOMP orchard became a learning site again in June when 17 Master Gardener trainees visited as part of the fruit tree education session. Trainees observed pruning concepts in practice and discussed methods that support healthy, productive fruit trees. The site is expected to provide future opportunities for education and volunteer engagement.
A follow-up survey showed participants are continuing to use and share what they learned. Seventy-five percent of respondents reported pruning fruit trees after the workshop, accounting for at least 50 trees. Participants reported helping manage orchards, sharing pruning information with others, and demonstrating pruning techniques. One participant applied workshop knowledge while helping manage a friend's orchard and working at a fruit farm. Another used the information to answer customer questions about fruit tree selection, pruning, and care while working at a local nursery.
One participant reflected that, “Knowing when a tree can benefit from pruning is as important as knowing how to make the cut.”
Master Gardener Deanna Kennedy shared, “The information from the pruning session helped me learn how to manage fruit trees for production. I highly recommend it.”
What began as a single afternoon workshop has grown into ongoing learning and stewardship. Participants are improving fruit tree care in home orchards, supporting community food production, and sharing research-based information with others throughout their communities.
Photo caption
Dr. Jon Fisher of University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria attended a Fruit Tree Pruning workshop hosted by Illinois Extension at Christ Orchard. He then applied his new skills to the food forest and orchard at College of Medicine and also shared it with the Master Gardener trainees at their summer education course.
Meet the Author
Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle is a Agriculture and Natural Resources (Horticulture) Educator for Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell counties. She completed a bachelor of science degree in crop science at the University of Illinois, and a master’s of science degree in agronomy with an emphasis in weed science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has also worked at Montana State University as a research associate where she worked on weed control in sugar beets and barley. She taught high school chemistry and other science classes where she was able to teach students in both the school garden and greenhouse. She works with both the Extension Master Gardeners and Extension Master Naturalists.
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