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What's New at Fedco Trees |
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I visit many dozens of old trees every year, mostly apples. Frequently the owners ask me if they should cut down their tree and plant a new one. “It doesn’t fruit much anymore, ” they often say. “And all the fruit is way up high on the top of the tree where we can’t get it.” That the reddest fruit sometimes hangs in the least accessible spot is certainly true. But it is not Murphy’s Law; rather it’s that the pruning hook has not been at work. The pruning hook was designed long ago to remove the old and dead wood from the tree. It was designed to bring light and air to all parts of the tree, to stimulate young vibrant shoot growth thus triggering the formation of fruit buds. Prune the tree and “new wood ” grows, then fruit buds appear, then flowers and fruit. The reason that big old neglected tree produces only a little fruit up on the top is pretty simple: that’s the only place getting any sun. Consequently it’s the only place getting any new growth, the only place getting any fruit buds and the only place getting any fruit. No pruning? No fruit. The pruning hook is designed to bring life. It is the life-giver. The spear, as we all know, was designed for the opposite purpose. It is the life-taker, the life-destroyer. If the pruning hook brings light, the spear brings darkness. What might the world look like if the spears were all pounded into pruning hooks? What might my world look like if just one of my spears were pounded into a pruning hook? Is there a blacksmith in the house? We reorganized the catalog this year. We’ve been noticing how plants love to interact and collaborate with people as well as with one another. We wanted the organization of the catalog to reflect that thinking. We’ve made some other changes. We added dwarf and semi-dwarf trees, not because they are better than the good old standards, but because some people want them. They can play a valuable role. We added three “edible landscape ” collections and a map of our Palermo yard. We hope this might inspire you as you tear out your lawn and compost the turf. We planted a new 40-tree orchard on our farm a year ago and, with the help of our MOFGA apprentices, we are designing an integrated functional orchard system. Our goal is to minimize or eliminate all spraying —even organic. Look on pages 16 –17 for diagrams and maps and everything. We have identified 80 companion plants which we will plant in the spring. Check our website for the list and for progress reports and more information. And we do still spray our orchard. This year we have published our spray schedule. You’ll find it just inside the back cover. We also bought a new warehouse! Actually it’s an old warehouse but new to us. It’s a mile from the old place and should give us enough space to run the business for years to come. We had run out of room. Seeds and Moose and OGS will stay on the Bellsqueeze Road. We’ll be closer to the highway. The office will move from Waterville to join us there. We will lengthen the Tree Sale in the spring. We hope you’ll come see us then. To accompany the new warehouse and catalog structure we’re trying some other improvements to our systems: a larger discount for larger orders, a later discount deadline for your convenience, and a “small & light ” shipping option for those who desire only items that are less expensive to ship than our giant boxes. All of our trees are unconditionally guaranteed. If your tree or shrub does not grow to your satisfaction during the first growing season, please let us know! We’ll send a refund or you can order a replacement the following year. We don’t have a huge staff or a fancy set of offices. If we don’t respond quickly, don’t hesitate to remind us; we are in business to serve you. Enjoy the catalog! Please share your experiences growing plants with us. Many of our selections originated from your suggestions. If you know of something growing near you we should be offering, or if you are interested in growing for us, please write to us. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and ideas. So now it’s time to get out the old spear and start a-pounding. There’s nothing more fun than picking a few plants and collaborating. Dig and plant and fertilize and pick. And of course, prune. Time to learn a little blacksmithing. |
Welcome to Fedco Trees’ 28th annual order. Our goal is to
provide the hardiest and healthiest plants available for cold climates,
while supporting small-scale, local agriculture and a fair, cooperative
and responsible workplace. Our no-frills operation and volume discounts
help keep plants affordable. Consider ordering in a group with co-workers,
friends or neighbors to further minimize your costs. “…And
their spears into pruning hooks.”
We do special orders. If you wish
to buy large quantities of any item, larger or smaller plants than
we are listing, rooted cuttings, or unusual items we’re not listing,
please write with particulars.
Fedco Seeds, PO Box 520, Waterville, ME 04903
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Copyright
Fedco Seeds Inc.
September 27, 2011
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