New Home Orchard Maintenance - Ask Extension
Where can I receive training on how to prune and manage pests/ diseases for my new home orchard? Alternatively, I am also happy to hire a fruit tree ...
Knowledgebase
New Home Orchard Maintenance #923733
Asked January 17, 2026, 8:01 PM EST
Where can I receive training on how to prune and manage pests/ diseases for my new home orchard? Alternatively, I am also happy to hire a fruit tree arborist to train me 1-on-1 in the orchard. My young orchard is in Linden and contains the following fruit trees: pear, plum, peach, sour cherry, and serviceberry. Beehives are on site. Thank you.
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Greetings,
I do not know of any classes scheduled yet. Check out Growing Franklin or the OSU Extension Franklin County website periodically as that is where they would be listed.
We have a ton of information to share. Our online repository is called Ohioline and you can search it by species or variety. For example: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1401
If you want to go deep into this, there is both a printed copy and online copy of the Midwest Fruit Production Guide. Here is the PDF: https://plantpathology.mgcafe.uky.edu/files/mw_home_fruit_productn_b591.pdf
The book can be purchased through OSU Extension Publications.
We also have YouTube vids of pruning schools https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb_Ti6vLPEE
That should all get you where you need to be in terms of online content. If you wish to hire an arborist for one on one instruction, you can find them at the ISA website.
Hi Timothy,
I did see that book and wanted to purchase the physical book. Unfortunately, the only delivery option is shipping, and my neighborhood (less than one mile from OSU Columbus) is notorious for porch piracy and general theft. Is there any chance I can buy the book at a bookstore or pick it up from a print shop? Thanks.
~Christy
On Jan 20, 2026, at 6:40 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Christy,
Contact the admins at the Franklin County office to see if that can be done.
franklin.osu.edu
Thanks,
Tim
Contact the admins at the Franklin County office to see if that can be done.
franklin.osu.edu
Thanks,
Tim
