Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore announces antique apple & pear tree pruning workshop
From staff reports
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore hosts its popular pruning workshop in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District on Friday, May 1, starting at 10 am. The event will take place at the William and Charlotte Kelderhouse and Peter and Jennie Burfiend farms, which are located five miles north of Glen Arbor along M-22. Signage along the M-22 route to the sites.
No prior experience is necessary to join the workshop. The event is designed to instruct interested individuals in the essential techniques for restoring and maintaining antique apple and pear trees.
The morning session at the William and Charlotte Kelderhouse Farm is scheduled from 10 am. – noon. Instruction on caring for nurseries, planting new trees, and grafting will be provided. The afternoon session at the Peter and Jennie Burfiend Farm from 1-4 pm. will focus on pruning.
This hands-on training workshop is a collaborative effort, presented in partnership with the Leelanau Conservation District and the County Extension Master Gardener Program. Technical information is provided by experts from the county offices, ensuring that participants receive guidance grounded in local horticultural knowledge. The Lakeshore serves as the host for this annual event, offering a unique setting for attendees to learn and practice essential apple and pear tree maintenance techniques. Now in its sixteenth year, this partnership continues to support the community through education and preservation of antique fruit trees.
There is no cost to attend. All necessary tools and materials will be supplied by the Lakeshore. Participants should wear sturdy shoes and gloves for safety, while dressing appropriately for the weather. Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch.
Those interested in attending should phone the Lakeshore historical architect, Kimberly Mann, at (231) 326-4771 to register for the workshop. Registration is also available via email at: Kimberly_Mann@nps.gov.
