Falling in love with the process and not the outcome is not only a healthy perspective on life but an operational strategy that many growers adopt year-round. The rarely discussed yet extremely important task of winter pruning comes under the microscope in this segment, as Rainier Fruit Company pulls back the curtain on an essential practice.
“Growing fruit is a year-round endeavor. Winter signals the start of a brand-new growing season with much to do before the trees awake in spring. The main focus is pruning the trees to prepare them for a healthy start; each tree is evaluated and then carefully pruned to achieve ideal yield and quality. The main objective of pruning is to remove wood and branches from the tree to open the tree structure and allow for better sunlight penetration, which increases photosynthesis and leads to higher-quality fruit. We are also trying to decrease the amount of fruit that a tree can grow as overloaded trees grow small, soft, and poor-eating-quality fruit. We could not accomplish this without the help of many talented and wonderful people who brave the elements and make it possible!”
“While things on the ranch slow down in winter compared to harvest time, we’re still busy prepping for the next growing season. Pruning determines both crop load and quality because apples grow stronger on older wood and cherries grow larger on newer wood. Pruning is definitely an art. How you cut will impact not just the next crop but the two after, so it’s really important to do it right. Everyone helps get the job done down to the irrigators, so it’s definitely a team effort to finish before buds start opening in March.” 
