Volunteers prune apple trees at Murrysville reserve

Staff and volunteers with the Westmoreland Conservancy gave some apple trees a seasonal pruning on Saturday at the Morosini Reserve in Murrysville.

Conservancy President Shelly Tichy said the trees at the reserve, off Morosini Farm Court near Delmont, are left over from an old orchard on the property.

“Some of them are a little younger, but they’re all a crop of older trees, and for the most part, they’re not producing (apples) anymore,” she said. “By pruning them, we have an opportunity to revitalize them.”

Crews of volunteers help out at the 182-acre reserve each winter in an effort to learn about the trees and help them flourish. Pruning allows more sunlight and oxygen to reach the branches.

Volunteers met up in the morning at the reserve with work gloves and other equipment to listen to Rob Malley, former master gardener and Morosini committee head,demonstrate the best way to prune apple trees to maintain their health.

“Through the event, we can get our trees pruned and also teach people the proper way to do this, so they don’t destroy their own trees,” Tichy said. “Rob loves sharing his knowledge and showing people the best way to keep from stunting or damaging the trees.”