In the 2017 survey of labor and mechanization of New Jersey’s nursery industry, pruning was ranked, the third most important operation, that needs mechanization the most (41 responses).  In spite of obvious benefits such as efficiency, quality, and consistency, lack of practical information about the mechanized pruning is delaying the rapid adoption by container nursery growers. This article summarizes inputs from Chris Ruske of (Cumberland Nursery), Donald Blew (Centerton Nursery) and Ed Overdevest (Overdevest Nurseries) on pruning mechanization, shared during the panel discussion at Clayton in Gloucester County in January 2018. [Read more…]