Many residents in Louisville express interest in growing fresh apples or peaches, but few fully understand the level of care required for any tree—especially fruiting varieties. Fruit trees demand significant time and commitment before producing a harvest, with full-sized trees often taking up to 10 years to bear fruit. A critical aspect of their care is proper pruning to remove dead or diseased limbs and promote healthy growth. While dwarf trees can often be pruned with simple extendable shears, full-sized fruit trees typically require ladders and more advanced techniques to reach and manage the upper branches effectively.

In February 2025, the Jefferson County Master Gardener class visited one of their newest project sites—a Presbyterian church in the Crescent Hill neighborhood with multiple mature fruit trees on the property. Years of limited knowledge and inadequate maintenance had left the onsite apple tree severely overgrown.

Seventeen Master Gardener students of diverse racial, age, and socioeconomic backgrounds participated in the session, alongside nearly 10 additional fully certified Master Gardeners. Caroline Westfall, a certified arborist, partnered with Brad Stearman from SavATree to demonstrate proper pruning techniques and lead hands-on instruction. Students learned how to make appropriate pruning cuts, discussed strategies for managing invasive species and pests, and reviewed best practices for selecting and using pruning tools.

As a result of this session, the group established a multi-year tree care management plan aimed at restoring the apple tree to healthy, productive condition. Quantifiable outcomes of the event included:

• 17 enrolled students trained in proper fruit tree pruning

• Nearly 10 certified Master Gardeners providing mentorship and support

• 1 comprehensive tree care plan initiated for long-term site management

These measurable results support both the immediate goal of rehabilitating a community resource and the broader mission of expanding practical horticultural knowledge across Jefferson County.