The Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project will be conducting a workshop on pruning trees and shrubs Sunday, July 13 at the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell. The workshop will be of interest to all those who work with woody plants. Proper pruning maintains and improves the health and value of plants, whether in a commercial forest, a watershed, a private woodlot or just around your home.

The workshop consists of a slide show on correct pruning practices, a discussion on tools and publications, and a hands-on demonstration where participants can prune trees of different species and ages. Participants should bring suitable weather gear, pruning tools (if available) and be ready to share their experiences with others present.

Almost any public place is full of examples of how trees should not be looked after - flat-topping mature trees under power lines, leaving branch stubs, cutting at the wrong angle. While it may look like the results of a particularly harsh winter storm, much of the damage that occurs on woody plants is actually the result of years of neglect or improper pruning. The slideshow and actual pruning on the Homestead will show how to get the best results and avoid future problems.

The workshop begins at 2pm at the Macphail Woods Nature Centre. There is no charge and everyone is welcome to attend. Please call 651-2575 for more information. The tea room at the Macphail Homestead is now open for the summer. It is a great place to stop for a bite to eat either before or after the workshop.

The workshop is part of an ongoing series of nature and forest-related events sponsored by the Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island and the Sir Andrew Macphail Foundation.