Originally planted in the mid-90’s, the Prusch High Density Orchard provides a public demonstration of pomme fruit gardening, showing local gardeners how to maintain reasonably sized trees, and how several varieties can be grown in a small garden space.

Located in San Jose at the intersection of highways 280 and 101, the entrance to Emma Prusch Park is on South King Road. To visit the orchard, make an immediate left after entering the park.

About the Orchard

The orchard consists of 85 trees consisting of 57 known varieties (some trees are unmarked). Types of trees are primarily apple (almost 70%), pear, and quince.

The Master Gardeners maintain the orchard, with responsibilities including pruning, weeding, mulching, etc. Work continues year round, with seasonal bursts of activity: winter and summer pruning, building water basins at the start of summer, mulching when needed.

Spring and summer work:

• Fire blight patrol: weekly rounds to identify and eliminate fire blight.
• Summer pruning when needed. It’s a constant battle to keep the trees at a reasonable height, this work begins no later than July.
• Irrigation: hand watering in a park setting! Building and filling watering basis during the warmer months.

Fall and winter work:

• Dormant season pruning: the best time to shape the tree because you can see the entire structure.

Year round:

• Preventing weeds from gaining the upper hand.
• Talking to interested park visitors — yes, that means you, please stop by some time!

The Orchard in Photos

Two trees planted in the same hole. The orchard has examples of as many as four in one.	A row of (mostly) pears waiting for winter pruning.
Late December and the apples stubbornly hold on to their leaves.	Pear branches in front of an apple during pruning season.
Apple blossom close-up.	More apple blossoms, with a visitor this time!
Pear blossoms in early March, they start as early as late January.	A pair of quince blossoms in early April.
Pear leaves showing blister mite damage.	Bacterial blast on an apple .
A knotty protrusion on an apple, with fire blight.	Fire blight on pear. This disease can be devastating for the trees.
A warm summer day with the jacaranda blooming over the apples.	Every season requires weeding, here we're cleaning up the border of the orchard.
Warm weather means the trees need water. Here we're filling a basin around a quince	Mid-summer apples in need of some thinning.

Revised: 25-Feb-2007