Bruce Loyd of the West Virginia University Extension Service will be conducting a pruning workshop at the Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital (SJMH) Urban Orchard on Monday, March 13, at 5 p.m. The orchard is located behind the hospital.

The orchard is a result of the Hospital’s Community Assessment.  A major concern for local residents in the Assessment was increase of obesity and all of the diseases associated with it.  The Hospital took several initiatives to combat the trend by creating playgrounds for physical activity and the urban orchard for healthy eating.  The WV Try This Conference grant paid for 50 fruit trees and 20 fruit bushes that were planted in 2017 by students from Lewis County High School. 

Key to the orchard’s success is the proper annual pruning workshop led by Loyd.

“We have learned a bit about the upkeep of this orchard over the past several years.  We invited the public and interested parties to come out and see the proper procedure for pruning these trees.  There is a difference between pruning a cherry tree and an apple tree and that is one of my lessons.  This workshop will provide the information any hobbyist would need,” he noted.

Loyd has invited attendees to bring their pruners so that the group can prune the entire orchard under his guidance, or they can depart after the demonstration if desired. For any questions call 304-629-4660 or 304-517-8612.