Pruning old fruit trees
Learn how to improve the health and productivity of old fruit trees by appropriate pruning
Choose either:
Online-only option: 6-13 January 2027
Online course plus two days outdoor practical: 6-31 January 2027
Course Content
Fruit trees that are not properly cared for often become unproductive and diseased, and frequently die prematurely.
You will gain an understanding of pruning to improve tree health, longevity and fruit quality.
We will focus on apples, but will also look at pears, plums, cherries and other species.
Online theory sessions
Every old tree is different. A tree that is putting on vigorous new growth should be pruned completely differently from a tree that has few new twigs. The theory sessions on Zoom will give you an understanding of:
- Why we prune
- How to ‘read’ your tree
- What to look out for
- Deciding what to cut
- How to make cuts
- Tools
- Pruning other fruit trees, including pears and plums
We will have plenty of time for discussion and questions.
It is essential to understand the theory first, before starting to prune.
Practical sessions
This part of the course will provide you with practical skills through hands-on experience of renovation and ongoing pruning of old apple trees. These skills are essential to anyone caring for mature fruit trees. The tutors will discuss various trees and demonstrate pruning. But the majority of these sessions will be devoted to practical hands-on experience with guidance from the tutors.
By the end of the course, you will have the practical skills necessary to carry out the pruning of old fruit trees without supervision.
The practical sessions are only open to people who have attended the online theory sessions. The theory sessions provide essential information for the practical days. If you have previously attended this course and want to attend the practical sessions for a refresh, then please get in touch.
Two booking options
Full course: two online sessions plus two days of hands-on learning and guided practice in the orchards at Stanmer Park
Online-only: two online sessions covering all the theory
Who is this course for?
This course is open to anyone aged 16 or over. No prior knowledge of pruning is needed. Due to its specialist nature, the course will be of interest to experienced gardeners and professionals as well as complete beginners.
The practical sessions are very hands-on. If you attend this part of the course you should be willing and consider yourself physically able to ‘have a go’. Most participants are likely to want to use ladders to gain access to taller trees, but access to some of the smaller trees is feasible without leaving the ground. We will be entirely outdoors so you must also be willing to be outdoors whatever the weather.
Why do we teach this course?
Mature fruit trees provide a valuable habitat for wildlife and can produce food for up to 100 years. Pruning is essential for maintaining the health of the tree, but the expertise to carry out this work is not very widespread or accessible. Our Pruning old fruit trees course teaches traditional skills, connecting people with nature, supporting local food production and biodiversity.
Recommended introductory material
This book is recommended but it is not necessary for those attending to buy/read it.
RHS Pruning and Training, Christopher Brickell and David Joyce (Also available elsewhere)
Tools
We would strongly advise that anyone who intends to prune trees should have good tools. Poorer tools are a false economy; they are harder work, give inferior results and do not last. Please bring your own tools if you have them but we do have a small supply of tools to lend to people on the course. We recommend the following tools, which are not available from the shops and are best bought well in advance:
- A good quality pair of secateurs – we recommend Felco secateurs, model number 8 is Bryn’s favourite, but model numbers 4 and 5 are good and are cheaper (left-handed people should buy model number 9). A leather holster is also recommended.
- A good quality pruning saw – we recommend Silky saws. The Gomtaro 300 models are most universally useful and come with a holder that attaches to your belt, making them safer to carry when not in use, especially up ladders where the saw can easily be accessed with one hand while the other hand holds the ladder. The fine toothed blades (13 teeth per inch) make better quality cuts than the large toothed ones (8 teeth per inch) but are a little slower to use; replacement blades are available.
Course Tutors
Bryn Thomas
Bryn will lead both the theory and practical sessions.
He is an experienced tutor and trainer who has been teaching permaculture since 1994. A co-founder of the Brighton Permaculture Trust, Bryn has a lifelong passion for fruit and everything fruit-related. His work champions the vision of an “orchard city,” where communities are enriched by abundant, productive trees. His areas of expertise include fruit growing, pruning, forest gardening and green architecture.
Bryn has been pruning old fruit trees since the mid-90s.
Becca Mann
Becca will be assisting on the practical days. Together with Bryn she will be providing guidance to you while you prune. Becca is an experienced gardenter who has run courses on fruit tree renovation. She has also designed gardens, run a market garden, consulted on community projects, and organises permablitz events, bringing people together to grow, learn, share food and build community.
Course reviews & feedback
2027 Courses
Full Course: 6-31 January
Online-only option: 6-13 January
Full Course
Two evening onllne sessions:
Wednesday 6 and Wednesday 13 January
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Two outdoor practical days:
Saturday 30 and Sunday 31st January
11:00am to 3:30pm
Home Farm Orchard
Stanmer Park (near University of Sussex)
Brighton
Map & Directions
Fees
Fees include tuition, refreshments, and online resources after the course.
Full Course
Standard Rate
£240
Benefactor Rate
£295
Supported Rate
£140
Online-Only Course
Two virtual classes on Zoom:
Wednesday 6 and Wednesday 13 January
7pm – 9pm
Fees
Fees include online tuition and online resources after the course.
Online-Only Course
Standard Rate
£65
Benefactor Rate
£85
Supported Rate
£40
ACCOMMODATION
If you intend to book accommodation, please check availability before booking a place, as accommodation in Brighton can be hard to find, especially over the summer months.
Get details of local accommodation and Brighton Permaculture Trust supporters who can provide accommodation in their homes.
BOOKING
Booking is essential, as most of our courses/events are fully booked weeks in advance. However, if places are still available, then bookings can be made until midday the day before the course/event. A place is not secured until we have received the requested payment.
If you have completed the booking process but you haven’t received a confirmation email from us please contact us to check your booking has gone through.
If you are booking within two weeks of the event, or the event is nearly full, you will not have the option to pay by BACS. Instead, you will need to pay immediately using a credit/debit card or PayPal.
ACCESSIBILITY
This is a very hands-on practical course. You should be willing and consider yourself physically able to ‘have a go’. Most participants are likely to want to use ladders to gain access to taller trees, but access to some of the smaller trees is feasible without leaving the ground. You must also be willing to spend most of the weekend outdoors.
If you have any accessibility needs or concerns, please contact us in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Have questions?
For any enquiries or if you need further information, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help!