Truk, the Tree Man

If you are a regular "Slight Detour" reader, you know that a man named Truk came riding by our place on his bike last week.  

We struck up a conversation that day.  During our discussion, Truk brought up our big apple tree that he had noticed in the north lawn. 

He offered to prune the tree in return for some fruit in the fall. 

Sounded good to me, so I said, "Let's plan for that." 

Truk came yesterday with his pruning tools and his vast array of knowledge regarding the needs of fruit trees. 

By the time he left, this ol' teacher figured she'd learned a thing or two about pruning.  Plus, that apple tree with the jungle top is now looking significantly more airy.  

Seems I've had some good luck in the pruning department, considering that Shingle Mill Blueberry Farm owner Fred Omodt came over last fall after he'd noticed our blueberries in need of some tender loving shears. 

While working at the bushes, Fred explained to us the intricacies of what needs to go and what needs to stay in the blueberry patch. 

The strategy is a little different, I learned, with fruit trees.

My first surprise seemed instantly logical when Truk noted that taking out some of the center growth opens up the tree to much more light. 

As he walked around the yard with Bill and me, checking out the quince bush, three of our plum trees and another smaller apple tree, Truk's fountain of knowledge flowed in an easygoing, informative and nonjudgmental way.  

Not once did he say a word about my "by guess and by golly" whack jobs of ridding excess growth from those trees and bushes. 

Yesterday I learned to look more closely at buds on limbs and that not all water sprouts need to go----just those that stick straight up.  Others may have potential depending upon the angle they happen to be pointing. 

I also learned, while Truk analyzed our tall, skinny plum tree in the west yard, that certain young limbs going upward could be trained toward the ground, helping shape the tree, cuz when those plums are hanging eight feet or higher off the ground, it's gonna be hard to get at them. 

Generally, trees need light and, like humans, limbs need their space.  

Basically, trees don't need limbs competing for space, sometimes causing them to rub together, even wounding each other.  Take out one of the competitors, and the other has more of a chance. 

Also, I learned that one probably shouldn't prune away more than 25 percent of the tree and that over-pruning can lead to less fruit.  

We discussed a variety of topics besides trees, and by the time Truk was ready to leave, I concluded that he's, indeed, a Renaissance man whose life passions center around food:  growing it, capturing or gathering it, preparing it and, of course, enjoying it. 

Truk will be giving some classes later this year in conjunction with the local Farmer's Market.  That's after he and his partner spend several weeks this summer in Southern France, where they sponsor a retreat, hang out with the local farmers and where Truk also serves as a chef. 

I have a jar of Truk's applesauce with ginger and honey (yes, tasty with a little zing) in my refrigerator, while he has a jar of my huckleberry, raspberry, blueberry jelly blend to sample. 

And, by the way, he did assure me that I could have all the apples I want off from that tree he pruned yesterday.  And, when I have my share, he'll take what's left over. 

Today he's off to Randy Poelstra's place to prune some more trees.  I told Bill that he's in for some good conversation just like he experienced here. 

If anyone is interested in having Truk work on their trees, he may just have some time in between all the other projects he's launched since moving here just last month. 

Send me a message if you need some contact information.   

Any diseased areas on limbs must go. 

Twas one fine day yesterday with cute pine squirrels scampering about, Liam putting in the miles around the barnyard fence, ZAGS winning handily and another lovely sunset over Schweitzer. 

An even better day awaits us today, here in the beautiful Selle Valley. 

Happy Friday.