MMRG’s Apple Tree Grafting Workshop set for April 14

Jared Kane collecting scions from a very old heirloom apple tree for the upcoming tree grafting workshop; photo by Kari Lygren.On Saturday, April 14, MMRG and Branch Hill Farm/Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust will offer an apple tree grafting class from 10 am to 12 pm at the barn at Branch Hill Farm, 307 Applebee Road in Milton Mills. The class will be taught by Jared Kane, owner of Jug Hill Orchards, and will take place rain or shine.Jared Kane started his own cider specific apple orchard in Milton Mills and has won national awards for his hard cider. For this workshop, Kane will teach the art of grafting apple trees and the basics of pruning and care. The workshop will include an introductory slide presentation as well as hands-on training. By the end of the class, each person will have completed grafting their own small apple tree to take home in a pot, with a scion collected from an heirloom tree that bears excellent apples for fresh eating or cider. If time and weather permit, the class will take a short walk to see some wild apple trees growing at Branch Hill Farm.The workshop cost is $10 to cover supplies. Pre-registration is required by April 11 and earlier registration is advised since class size is limited to twenty. To pre-register, call MMRG Education Coordinator Kari Lygren at (603) 978-7125 or email info@mmrgnh.org.Branch Hill Farm/the Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust works to protect open space and working forests and to educate the public about sound forestry, conservation and agricultural practices; see www.branchillfarm.org.