The "Aomori Prefecture Apple New Year" tournament was held on January 7 in Hirosaki and Ishikawa districts. Sponsored by the Aomori Apple Association.

The tournament to learn apple pruning technology. This year's event was held at the apple plantation in the same region as last year, and about 1300 apple farmers gathered from both inside and outside the prefecture. It is said that some people came from Yamagata in the distance.

Pruning of apples takes place from January to March, which is the beginning of a year's work for apple farmers. It is said to affect as much as 70% of the yield and quality of apples, which is the most important work.

At the venue, eight instructors explain the technique of pruning while cutting branches. The farmers who gathered watched the work of the instructor with a serious look.

One of the apple farmers who participated said, "The height and the place where fruits can be easily worked are decided by pruning, but the other person is a living thing. It does not go as expected."

Hisashi Yonezawa, who served as a lecturer, studied pruning technology for more than 10 years with Masami Saito, the parent who raised the "Fuji" variety. Mr. Yonezawa says, "If you look at the branches, you can see all the pruning before last year. There is unexpected growth depending on the weather, but it is prudent to grow apples as expected."

Another apple farmer said, "It's said that it will take three years to prepare the plants, and this is the second year to see pruning in the area. I'm looking forward to how practitioners' seniors prune next year." show.