Technique and deep thought are integral to Hubert Ebner’s approach.
In late autumn this enthusiastic organic farmer likes to think through the stages of his work and takes out his most important tool: the tree lopping shears. Tree pruning is like a fountain of youth for trees. When they are cleanly trimmed into a spindle shape the trees get even sunlight from all sides and the wood stays as young as Hubert’s attitude to life, i.e. four to five-year-old apple trees. His philosophy is that easy to summarise. “This way the apples develop their best flavour” – according to Hubert that’s his secret recipe for success. He tests, experiments, improvises. Every year he tries out something new so that he can bring the meadow closer and closer to his vision. During the cold months in particular he can be found striding tirelessly from tree to tree. His aim: to check and regulate the tree during winter in order to avoid overhanging as much as possible. But that’s not all: he employs mechanical pruning several times a year and considers pruning just before the harvest to be the most efficient method. At the same time he takes care to take into account the peculiarities and preferences of his varieties – Gala, Braeburn, and others. Hubert can’t hide his perfectionist tendencies: “There are a thousand and one options for pruning the trees. I have tried a lot out and finally find my method. Now I just have to perfect it.”
