Visit to Scott Smith Orchard!

Today I was honored to be able to visit @scottfsmith and the weather was nice enough to walk around between trees and see everything. I can not imagine a better utilization of space, especially hill side. I am very new to growing fruit trees, only two years into it. I was able to ask so many question on the spot and came back with very good information. After visiting and seeing everything I will be able to plant more fruit trees. I came back with some of Scott’s favorite Apples, Peaches, Plum, Apricots and Nectarines scions too :sunglasses: .
Took some pictures to share with you guys.

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Must have been a cold day. Our leader is really bundled up and hands in pockets.

Thank you for the pictures. That’s a very impressive planting…!!

Scott does have the first requirement of a good fruit site, excellent air drainage. I hope you guys out East don’t need it this yr. But it can be infectious and has been lurking in these parts.

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Now that’s an orchard! I didn’t realize how big it really was until these pics. Nice layout. No wonder you can’t keep the deer away, it’s fruit central. I wonder if you have issues with the two-legged varmits doing some “sampling”?

Is that second pic a big blueberry bush?

Always nice to see fellow forum members meet up. Looks like Scott really set you up with a nice selection of some scions.

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No its not I am sorry Scott told me the name but I can not recall its some strange name. I will ask Scott or if he read this please answer.

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Maybe a tart cherry bush?

Naeem,

Very nice photos of Scott’s orchard but a wrong tine to visit because it was not the harvesting time😁

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No worry I know where it is and not far from place :smiley:

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nice well tended orchard Scott! i thought mine was crowded but yours is obviously well managed! my hats off to you!

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Hazel.

Nice pics Naeem. Thank you so much! All our curious minds have always wondered what the elusive hillside really was, and it’s so well put together.

Dax

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You are correct, yes it is Hazel.

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Naeem,
Scott’s orchard is inspiring, isn’t it? The best use of space and is very organized.

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Yes beautiful, well managed, and best space utilization too . I learned a lot today.

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Always great to see! Amazing amount of work!

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I thought you live in CA. It is a long way to MD.

No I live in Maryland.

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Great post, thanks.

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I love it!

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It was nice to meet you in person Naeem!

It was a rare non-rainy non-cold weekend day today, I am starting to catch up on my pruning.

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Is that a batman style orchard utility belt made from an old weight lifting belt? If so, that is so nerdily awesome. I’m going to make one.

Your set up is amazing. Every time I see pictures of it, it makes me feel more confident moving forward.

I’m sure you have answered this many times and maybe you can just link to another post, but what is your pruning strategy? Are you doing most of your pruning now vs summer pruning. I seem to remember you mentioned you prune all year round, which makes sense with that much to prune. I was planning on summer pruning to try and get rid of so many water sprouts. It looks like you have so little branching on each tree, strange to see when I compare it to what I think a tree should look like. Thanks for everything Scott.

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I used to do more year-round pruning but now I do most of my pruning in the winter. The trees are generally mature enough that they don’t need summer pruning to get into fruiting shape. For younger trees though summer pruning helps get them into fruiting mode.

The belt is a leather tool belt, its very similar to a weight lifting belt in terms of the belt/buckle though. The back has pockets for nails and such which I have filled with parafilm, string, etc.

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