Fruit trees are valuable assets, but to truly enjoy their bounty, proper care like pruning is essential. Beyond boosting productivity and making trees easier to pick, pruning has another critical role in our wildlife prevalent communities. By managing fruit trees responsibly, we can reduce the risk of attracting bears and other wildlife.
Boosting Fruit Productivity
Pruning encourages healthier growth and increased yields. It removes older, weaker limbs and stimulates new, productive branches, allowing for better air circulation and sunlight penetration. This, in turn, reduces disease and pest issues, resulting in healthier, more abundant fruit.
Easier Pickability
By managing tree height and density, the fruit is much more accessible. This increases safety by reducing the need for ladders and makes harvesting a more inclusive activity that can bring people of all ages together. This is especially important for our Apple Capture program because our volunteers that pick your trees range in age from school aged children up to seniors.
Reducing Bear Attraction In Kimberley & Cranbrook, BC
Fallen or unpicked fruit can become a powerful attractant, drawing wildlife closer to populated spaces and increasing the risk of bear-human conflicts. A social science survey conducted by WildSafe BC, revealed that many residents in Kimberley, BC, find it challenging to manage their fruit trees due to time constraints. This makes it difficult for them to prevent bears from accessing the fruit. The same survey showed that residents were already, or willing to:
- Promptly clean up the windfall.
- Prune trees to a height and density manageable for harvest and consumption.
- Learn how to manage fruit trees.
- Connect with a fruit gleaning organization to help with harvesting.
By utilizing the Apple Capture program offered by Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook, residents, who are prioritized by level of ability, can alleviate their personal stress by listing their trees on the tree share listing. During the 2024 harvest season, 20 Apple Capture volunteers picked 50 trees and nearly 2200 pounds of apples between the 2 communities. Over 10,000 pounds of apples have been harvested by the program over the last four years.
Managing fruit responsibly is part of keeping our communities safe, and as WildSafe BC points out, domestic fruit should feed people, not bears.
Local Food Systems and Reducing Waste
With easier access to the tree, more fruit is harvested before it falls or spoils, which reduces waste and supports local food security. Since 2021, Apple Capture has redirected over 3500 pounds of apple waste to local farmers as livestock feed. Additionally, 122 litres of freshly pressed apple juice has been donated to our local food banks and food recoveries. By working together, fruit tree owners and Wildsight volunteers have an opportunity to improve local food sustainability.
Pruning fruit trees is an essential practice that enhances productivity, pickability, community engagement, and safety. Not only does it create trees that are more fruitful and accessible, but it also helps reduce the risk of wildlife conflicts by preventing attractants. Through responsible pruning, our communities can enjoy the bounty of fruit trees while promoting harmony with local wildlife, fostering shared resources, and building a safer, more connected environment for everyone.
November is a great time of year to prune your fruit trees. Don’t have the equipment? We have a tool share program, check out the details here, or email our Apple Capture Coordinator directly: kimcranapples@wildsight.ca