 | | | Photo provided | | | | | | Volunteers are needed to remove fire blight-damaged branches from the 106-year-old pear orchard adjacent to Joaquin Moraga School in Moraga, at 1000 Camino Pablo at Canyon, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. The trees are doing better after several years of fire blight removal, treatment with an organic fertilizer last year, and winter rains in 2016. But unfortunately the winter rains promote the growth of fire blight, especially if it is a warm rain when the blossoms are open.
The fire blight infection threatened to kill this historic orchard, which is a source of great local pride and the impetus for the annual Moraga Pear Festival. In addition, each year the Moraga Park Foundation glean the pears for the Contra Costa Food Bank, supplying much-needed fresh produce for the hungry. This year more than 14,000 pounds of pears were harvested from the JM Orchard!
This event is sponsored by the Moraga School District, which owns the land, with the assistance of Republic Services. There will be instruction, tools, and a lot of fun. Bring gloves, sunscreen, hats and sturdy shoes. If you have them bring (labeled with your name) loppers, hand pruners and (especially needed) pole pruners and orchard ladders.
Heavy rain cancels this event. For more information, contact Bobbie Preston at (925) 376-8474 or barbarampreston@comcast.net. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA