Community Fruit Tree Pruning Day

Join us for a fantastic opportunity in a shared community orchard for a day of winter fruit tree pruning and orchard care!

The Forest of Avon is partnering with BSWN, the Western Forest and Green Action to offer this fantastic opportunity. We will welcome you for a fruit tree pruning day to the Daisy Field, Station Road, Shirehampton, BS11 9QH, on Tuesday 17th March 2026, from 10am to 12pm (noon) for this community experience.

Attendees will be taught the key principles of fruit tree pruning, and practical techniques in how to affectively care for both apple and pear trees. These invaluable, green skills can then be taken anywhere and used on fruit trees in your local community orchard or garden.

Time spent outdoors, connecting with trees and nature, has been shown to improve both mental wellbeing and physical health, so this is a great opportunity to join us maintaining this beautiful, productive site.

This will also mark some of the first fruit tree pruning events as part of the Western Forest – a new national forest spanning Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the West of England.

Who is this event for?

This event is part of BSWN’s environmental justice work, and it aims to offer opportunities for Black and racially minoritised individuals to access nature and benefit from the physical and mental wellbeing that the activity will provide.

What will be covered?

The event will involve approximately one hour of training in pruning skills and another hour spent in groups pruning the trees on site. All skills will be learnt under the supervision of our orchard manager.

What else do I need to know?

All health and safety provision will be covered in a safety briefing at the start of the session.

No skills or expertise required, all training, tools and personal protective equipment are provided.

Please just bring sturdy footwear and clothes you don't mind getting muddy, any snacks and water you might want.

Please note the following information:

• The activity is for over 16's only.
• There are no toilet facilities on site, so please plan before you attend.
• The orchard is right beside Shirehampton train station.

IMPORTANT

This event aims to increase people’s access to nature. For this reason, the Western Forest partnership is offering to pay and arrange for your transportation to get to the event location.

To request for your transportation to be paid and arranged for you, answer "yes" to the transportation question when you are booking on Eventbrite or email Chiara at chiara@bswn.org.uk to let us know that you would like to be counted as someone who wants their transportation arranged.

You will be sent further information closer to the event date.

If you have any questions, please contact Chiara at chiara@bswn.org.uk.

Notice of Consent

Please note that this is a new initiative and we are looking to collect pictures and videos with our participants to promote future similar opportunities. You can let us know at the start of the event if you would like not to be on camera/in pictures.

By registering for a ticket, you opt into the BSWN newsletter and give permission to be contacted regarding our future programme of events, programmes and opportunities. If you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please email us on blackswnetwork@gmail.com.