Fruit tree workshops slated Feb. 3 in Cherokee County

Joe Daniel, horticulturist with the Texas Cooperative Extension will conduct two fruit tree care workshops in Cherokee County on Saturday, Feb. 3. The first will be 10 a.m. till noon to be held at Guinn Plant Farm located on U.S. Highway 69, just north of the Cherokee County airport. The second will be 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Courtyard Garden at Joe Smith Plant Farm located on U.S. Highway 79 east of Jacksonville.

At each workshop, the production of blueberries, blackberries, figs, grapes, pomegranates, persimmons, pears, peaches, apples, plums and pecans will be discussed. The selection of adapted varieties, planting, training, fertilization, and pest management of each of the fruits and nuts will be outlined.

There is no fee to participate in these workshops and questions will be answered throughout the events. For additional information, contact the Cherokee County Office of the Texas Cooperative Extension at (903) 683- 5416. Persons who can take off on a weekday can get great fruit production information by attending the 2007 East Texas Fruit and Nut Conference Tuesday, Feb. 20.

The day-long program will be held at the Tyler Rose Garden Center and will give 2.5 Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator CEU's. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and the first session at 8:30 a.m. This program has a $20 fee which includes lunch.