Cornell Cooperative Extension has announced a class on managing Fruit Trees has been set for Thursday, August 22nd, from 4 to 6 pm.

Market growers as well as the general public are invited. The class will be led by Michael Basedow, Cornell Cooperative Extension Tree Fruit Specialist with the Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program.

Attendees can learn how to grow better-quality apples, pears, or cherries without breaking the bank or using toxic chemicals. Integrated Pest Management incorporates cultural and biological strategies for longer-lasting control, as well as pesticides as a last resort. Topics will include monitoring for key pests and diseases in the orchard, rootstock selection for minimizing damage, bioinsecticides and mating disruption for key orchard pests, and rapid fire blight diagnostic tools.

The class will be held at an orchard near Canton; directions will be provided when you call to register.

The class is $5, and light refreshments will be provided. Register by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County at (315) 379-9192, or email ph59@cornell.edu.