Mason Bees and Fruiting Trees

11-1: bees.  Mason bees are soli
tary bees, meaning they don't form col
onies and aren't susceptible to the hive coll
apses that threaten the global food supply. They are more active in cool, moist mornings tha
n honeybees, and their remarkable lifecycle meansthey gather a year's supply of food -and&nbs
p;do all their pollinating -in the spring w
hen fruit trees are flowering.  Learn how totend them and increase your flock and buy some fa
rmgrown bees at a discount (if you wish).

2-4
: trees.  Fruit trees - especial
ly apples and pears, and to a lesser extent, plu
ms - thrive with yearly pruning to encourage fruitproduction and minimize bough breakage and
disease.  Late winter is the perfect time toprune for structure and fruiting; we'
ll discuss and demonstrate examples of how to trai
n and prune young trees, repair years of neglect
in mature trees, and how to maintain a balance offruiting wood and young growth.  Bring yourown sharp loppers or secateurs if you want to pra
ctice!