Growing healthy trees

Fruit trees need various types of care to produce beautiful, healthy results. Today’s apple, plum, pear and cherry trees are the product of observation, research and experimentation over the past few centuries. This scientific work never stops. It is developed to meet specific needs, such as resistance to certain diseases or new insects, or longer shelf life.

The first task to be carried out in caring for fruit trees is tree pruning, which begins in April.

Pruning fruit trees –  Enjoy this video with a transcript

The growing season has begun in the orchard, and work continues right up to the end of the last harvest. The orchard is then meticulously cleaned. Leaves and fruit lying on the ground must be picked up to avoid contaminating the trees with fungus and attracting small bugs and other problems.

Caring for trees – Enjoy this video with a transcript

Diseases and insects are among the worst enemies of fruit trees.

Pesticide spraying at the beginning of the 20th century at the École d’agriculture de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière

At one time, growers applied an incredible number of fungicide (antifungal) and insecticide treatments. The effects on humans were unknown, both for those who ate the fruit and for the growers who came into contact with the chemicals. Fortunately, knowledge has evolved. Today’s growers are subject to regulations. Pest control techniques are used to determine whether intervention is necessary. What is more, many growers are moving towards organic production

Towards more responsible agriculture – Enjoy this video with a transcript

Soil quality, watering in times of drought and attracting insects to pollinate flowering trees increase the chances of growing a successful orchard. In fact, fruit growers like to have beehives in or near their orchards.