Shepton Mallet Horticultural Society were treated to me talking about the winter pruning of apple trees! A short presentation about “knowing your buds” and “understanding what is a good strong shape” was followed by an interactive session pruning two apple trees that I took in. Pub staff were entertained by us ‘crazy gardeners’ carrying apple trees about in the dark whilst the small group of keen gardeners who attended, went home sure of the difference between fat flower buds and flat leafy buds; aware of competing leaders, wedge cuts, tapered leaders, bending down branches to encourage fruiting…