Each year we’re asked, “What do you do during the winter when you’re closed?” Well, we do a lot! In fact, it is a very busy time of year. Each winter machinery and buildings are repaired and painted. Apple bins are fixed and crops for the coming year are decided upon. This year saw the added time and expense of installing about 2 miles of deer fencing. This was necessary, as the local deer population continues to grow. Deer love to eat the young branches and buds of apple trees. This activity destroys the new crop. The fencing, over 8 feet in height, prevents the deer from gaining access to the orchards.

The other major work of the winter is pruning. Westward Orchards has over 8,100 apple trees. The pruning is done by hand using pruning saws, long-handled clippers, and chain saws. Because we have so many trees, only about 1/3 of them are pruned in any given year. This is hard physical work. The men have to climb each tree in order to do a complete and thorough job.

before pruning

after pruning

The two photos show the before and after of a tree when pruned. In the first, the branches lift up toward the sky. After pruning, the tree is more opened and horizontal. This opens the tree to sunlight and rain, thus ensuring the apples will have good size and color. After the pruning is completed and the snow has melted, the apple brush is pushed out of the orchard where it will dry and later be burned.

As you can see, the long New England winter doesn’t give the farmer time to relax. It provides a whole new season of challenges and hard work.

Note: Peach and Plumb trees are pruned later in the spring.