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John Hodgkinson
About 25 local folk and garden committee members turned up to the half-day pruning workshop on Fathers Day 2024. The community garden is a verdant springtime treat at present, heightened by the sublime aroma of citrus blossom. Joe and I the facilitators shared the two and a half hours of theory and practice.
The garden in its present form is enchanting, with its intricate walkways and hidden nooks and crannies. Its eclectic mix of fruit and nut trees, weeds and ground covers is spectacular, most of them being exotic species, a dramatic counter to the current love affair with native bush food.
Almost all of the more mature – up to 16 year old – trees have never been pruned, so generally this is an ideal, if daunting, place to practise the “art”.
All the magnificent fruit trees approaching maturity and the occasional ornamental (e.g. a lovely spreading jacaranda near the “kitchen”) make this garden a special place.
It has a network of meandering informal paths, and for the observant and those with a modicum of botanical knowledge, it is wonderful to stroll through, noting and greeting numerous intriguing species at every turn.
So what of the pruning? After introductory words from Jess (Co-Chair of the garden committee), and ditto from myself and Joe (the tall guy in the photos), we spent time surveying some of the pruning which has been recently done (e.g. on a line of citrus trees); then to a discussion on untamed mulberries!
Do we acknowledge their rampant structure as being more or less untouchable and beautiful or carry out a “reset” or even a “stumping” prune? As is said of a bad or good haircut, the difference is only a fortnight, so might a radical prune right itself after a year or two? Mulberries are renowned to coppice attractive form very quickly, particularly in the sub-tropics.
By the time we reached the lime citrus for practical demonstration we were well aware of the decision-making burden of pruning: both major and minor decisions regarding what to cut at leave, especially when there is no single outcome to be sought.
Shapes suitable for a picnic/recreational venue?
A stereotypical notion of pruned beauty?
Fruit/nut/vegetable production?
Backdrop to events/performances?
A botanical garden – trees au natural?
Extending openings for more private veggie allotments?
Adding medicinal/culinary herbs for foraging?
All of the above?
Anyhow, in overtime (lots of Q & A!), we arrived at the demo tree and proceeded to make numerous “pruning decisions” as we reduced its too out-of-reach superstructure with saw and pruning shears. Later-on, I returned to coat the cuts with Biodynamic Agriculture’s Vine, Shrub and Tree Paste, a nurturing, protective and healing product which is strongly recommended as a pruning follow-up.
What a pleasure it was for me to share the workshop presentation with Joe. He is an inspirational pruner and communicator, and I feel sure that the Northbank Community Garden is set to benefit greatly from his energy and expertise.
It was a great little workshop, and I look forward to participating in more and varied events at this outstanding venue.
For more information on Northbank Community Garden go to:
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