Friends of the Forest “Arbor Artist”

Friends of the Forest volunteers watched an artist at his craft recently in the long-neglected orchards at West Fork in Oak Creek Canyon. Gardener Bill Cook, owner of Harmony Gardens in Lake Montezuma and a new member of the Friends, began his work with a newly sharpened bypass lopper, a pole saw and a file.

Cook demonstrated his magic on an apple tree for his soon-to-be working audience of Friends and some members of the Red Rock Forest Service. Cook stressed the importance of keeping tools sharp for producing good, clean cuts, because they are more resistant to insects and diseases.

“Apple trees are more forgiving than other fruit trees when it comes to pruning. Good pruning is making the least number of cuts possible. Our first goal is to make these trees healthy by removing broken and diseased wood that are breeding grounds for problems. You may as well put up a flashing sign saying ‘Lay Eggs Here’ if your pruning isn’t nice and clean. Next we will work on the balance of the branches and then the detail work. Plus, good pruning yields more apples,” Cook said.

Jack Norman, a Forest Service Hydrologist and, according to his own description, a hobby arborist, gave volunteers a short history of the orchards. “Some of the trees in this orchard may go back as far as 1880. This area was home to the first big resort in Oak Creek Canyon, the Mayhew Lodge, which was the vacation spot of the rich and famous in the 1920’s-1940’s. It was also the setting of Zane Grey’s 1924 ‘The Call of the Canyon,’” Norman added.

Over lunch under a stunningly blue Sedona sky, Cook was asked about his background. “When I was nineteen, I couldn’t pick apples worth a hoot. When I dropped them into the picking basket, I was turning them into cider. A German immigrant we all called Wally taught me pruning tricks. Two of his rules were knowing ‘Ven to start and Ven to stop.’ Knowing when to stop is more important. Remember that old saying, ‘Never take off more than 1/3 of the tree? Well, what’s the point of having old sayings unless you follow them?” Cooked asked with a smile.

It could take up to three years before the trees will be properly balanced and bearing fruit at a good level for picking. In 2003, pheromone treatments were applied to 100 trees. It confuses the male codling moth and hopefully helps eliminate them.

As Cook moved around a particular tree, he would step back and get an overall view. He did this until he completed a circle around each tree. His love of his work cannot only be seen in his demonstration but can be summed up in one of his sentences. “Remember, trees are living things and you have to be nice to them,” he said.

If you’re interested in becoming involved with Friends of the Forest or for more information, you are invited to attend their meeting Wednesday, April 20 at 9:00 A.M. at the Keep Sedona Beautiful building on Brewer Rd, or contact the Red Rock Ranger Station at (928) 282-4119 or visit our website at www.friendsoftheforestsedona.org.

(Left to right ) Mike Ward, Travis Jones, Jack Deshida, Jack Norman, Bill Cook,
Frank Wirkus, Matt Kittle, Mike Vitek, Justine Kusner, and Dennis Cassett

Photo and Story by Susan Vitek