STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Given this week’s negative temperatures, it may be difficult to envision that spring is right around the corner.

But the calendar says it’s on its way. And with that in mind Arborist Linda Ries is offering an online workshop titled “The Art of Fruit Tree Pruning” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24.

Ries will describe when and how to prune different types of fruit trees to promote strong branch structure and increase fruit size on the Zoom discussion hosted by the Hailey Public Library.

“As winter gives way to spring, many gardeners know it’s time to get out and prune fruit trees so they’re more productive come summertime,” said Kristin Fletcher, the library’s programs and engagement manager. “Correct pruning can make a huge difference. Linda is a highly qualified arborist with extensive experience working with fruit trees in community settings.”

Ries has a BS in Forest Biology from Colorado State University. She is a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture since 1996 and is chair of the Hailey Tree Committee.  She is the former community forester for the Sawtooth National Forest and was the Conservation Education Coordinator for the Forest Service’s Intermountain Region.

In 1996, she established the Native Plant Arboretum, located near the intersection of the Wood River Trail bike path and Fox Acres Road in Hailey.

To receive a link to the workshop, RSVP to Kristin.fletcher@haileypubliclibrary.org