Spring Pruning (The New Farmer's Almanac, 2021)

Authors: Rob Jackson

Spring Pruning

I shape a plum tree first,

leggy in its second-year growth,

clipping the central leader a foot or two

above the first ring of branches,

in turn trimming each of those

a shoe's length from the main stem

just past a bud and at angle instead of flat

to ensure water drains.

Where disease struck the apple and peach trees, I cut more,

severing branches stricken with fungal rust,

fire blight, or virus, disinfecting the pruning shears

with alcohol between cuts.

I trim extra to be safe, mindful

of things newly pruned by virus from our lives:

unnecessary flights, shopping from boredom,

nights playing music with my son,

our elders and begetters.