Tea Garden Tours

The regional high-temperature drought that began in June 2022 caused varying degrees of damage to tea trees in some areas of our country. During the drought, we recommended not to carry out field operations such as picking, pruning, fertilizing, spraying pesticides, tilling, and weeding. However, with the recent drop in temperature and the arrival of autumn rains, the drought situation in the tea gardens has been significantly alleviated. With the onset of autumn, tea garden management needs to be stepped up, and the main task at this stage is to restore the vitality of the tea trees. Pruning Dead Branches It is now September, and the time for new shoots to grow on the tea trees is extremely limited; therefore, try to prune less and retain more in tea garden management. For those affected lightly, such as only partial leaf scorching, no treatment is needed, allowing the tea tree to self-repair. For severe cases where branches of the tea tree have died, prune off the withered, yellowed, and scorched branches and leaves to reduce water evaporation and the spread of necrotic tissues. Prune 1–2 cm below the dead parts to minimize energy consumption and transpiration in the tea tree. Light…

Pu'er tea mainly originates from areas in Xishuangbanna, Pu'er, Lincang, Baoshan, and other places in Yunnan Province. Pu'er tea is a geographical indication product, and its protected region includes 11 prefectures (cities) and municipalities, 75 counties (cities, districts), and 639 townships (towns, subdistrict offices) across Pu'er City, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Lincang City, Kunming City, Dali Prefecture, Baoshan City, Dehong Prefecture, Chuxiong Prefecture, Honghe Prefecture, Yuxi City, Wenshan Prefecture. Main Origin of Pu'er Tea 1. Xishuangbanna Among these, the production in Menghai County and Yi Wu in Mengla in Xishuangbanna is the most substantial. Menghai County's Mengsong, Nannuoshan, Pasha, He Kai, Bulang Mountain, Old Man'ao, Bada Mountain, and other areas are all important origins of Pu'er tea. Many villages and mountains within these origins have significant reputations. Among them, Bao Tang, Da Manlü, and Naka in Mengsong, Menghai; Banpo Village and Maidong Village in Nannuoshan; Manlong and Bangpeng in He Kai; Old Ban Zhang, New Ban Zhang, Old Man'ao, Manxinglong, and Man Nuo in Bulang Mountain; Zhanglang in Bada Mountain are all well-known in Pu'er tea origins. The Yi Wu tea area, with Goufengzhai, Dingjiazhai, Luoshuidong, Yishanmo, Machhei, Gaoshan Village, and others as representative famous villages, is highly sought after. 2. Pu'er…

Great tea is grown, but it is also well-managed. As the saying goes: "One-third planting, two-thirds management." After three seasons of growth and harvesting in spring, summer, and autumn, the tea plant has expended a great deal of nutrients, and the soil between rows becomes compacted. As winter approaches, proper garden management becomes particularly important for the quality and yield of next year's tea leaves. For this reason, the Tea Industry Development Working Group, in collaboration with Guizhou Broadcasting Station's Ecology & Rural Channel, has produced a teaching video on tea garden management during autumn and winter for reference and learning by tea companies and farmers. The video received strong support from the Guizhou Tea Research Institute and covers four parts: fertilization principles and recommendations, pruning techniques for tea plants, pest and disease control, and cold prevention measures. 1 Winter Fertilization According to the growth and development patterns of tea plants, as they enter autumn and winter, the above-ground parts will gradually stop growing and enter dormancy. However, the underground parts become increasingly active and enter the peak period of root activity throughout the year. At this time, the plant's root system significantly strengthens its absorption capacity and has a…

In the midst of winter, the winter cherry blossoms covering thousands of mu sway in the wind at the peak of the tea mountain.Jingmai Mountain is located within Lanchang County, a region inhabited by the Lahu and other ethnic groups in Puer City. To its east lies Menghai County in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, and to its west is Myanmar. It is one of the famous six major Puer tea mountains and is home to ancient tea forests that have been cultivated for thousands of years, which are among the most intact in the world. Cherry blossoms in full bloom on Jingmai Mountain The area boasts vast seas of clouds, rolling mountains, lush ancient trees, and clusters of traditional villages. In addition to these, this place, listed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List, also has a breathtaking pink spectacle that captures the heart at first sight. Cherry blossoms in full bloom on Jingmai Mountain Cherry blossoms in full bloom on Jingmai Mountain The ancient tea mountain consists of nine traditional villages inhabited by the Bulang, Dai, Hani, and other ethnic groups, including Jingmai, Mangjing, and Manghong. Here, the people are simple and respectful of nature. Apart from living examples…

On November 29, 2022, the project "Traditional Chinese Tea Processing Skills and Related Customs" submitted by our country was reviewed and approved by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO and has been included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO. To enhance public awareness of traditional tea processing skills and related customs, increase understanding of the importance of protecting intangible cultural heritage related to tea, boost national pride, and strengthen cultural confidence, we will be sharing 44 items of intangible cultural heritage (including 39 traditional tea processing skills and 5 items of folk-related intangible cultural heritage) with you in due course. The Green Tea chapter of traditional Chinese tea processing skills has already concluded. Today, the editor will begin explaining the production techniques of black tea, starting with Qimen Black Tea. Qimen Black Tea, also known as "Qi Hong," is one of the top ten traditional Chinese teas and one of the world's three most fragrant black teas. It is named after its place of origin, Qimen County in Anhui Province. In the first year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1875), Qimen Black Tea…

"This is the largest cultivated ancient tea tree in Lianfu. It has large buds and a good shape, with purple-red tips, which is why we locally call it the Purple Dragon variety. Drinking it yields a high level of sweetness, a strong aftertaste, and a strong salivation effect." Looking at the ancient tea tree filled with tender shoots in the courtyard of Xiong Julan, a villager from Xiaocun Village in Zijia Slope, Wang Huipeng, the Party Secretary of the Lianfu Village Committee in Mangshui Town, said. Mangshui Town's Lianfu Village borders Lianjiang Village to the north and Mangshui Community to the south, but compared to places like Chaishan River, Yangquan Slope, Huangjiazhai, and Dazhulin in Mangshui, it lacks a significant "presence," with many people unaware that there is tea here. Only in recent years have some people discovered by chance that this place also has a lot of very good tea. "The tea industry has always been our village's pillar industry," Wang Huipeng explained. Lianfu Village has abundant ancient tea resources and high-quality tea. The village has over 7,300 ancient tea trees, with an annual output value of more than 5 million yuan; the tea industry has a solid foundation,…

Menghai boasts a superior reserve of tea resources. The region encompasses expansive, fertile plains such as Mongzhai, Monghun, Menghai, and Monga, along with continuous mountain ranges. Each mountain is covered with trees, and every ravine has water, making it a verdant home. Tea mountains are scattered throughout, adding vibrant color to the landscape. Menghai County is rich in ancient tea tree resources, which include wild, cultivated types, and related species. Ancient tea trees can be found across all 11 towns in the county, mostly at altitudes between 1,300 and 2,060 meters, in areas with excellent natural ecological conditions. They are distributed in places like Laobanzhang and Laomane in the Bulang Mountain Township, He Kai in Monghun Town, Manxi in Daluo Town, Hesong, Manmai, and Zhanglang in Xiding Township, Pasha and Pazen in Gelande Township, and Nanuoshan, as well as Huazhuliangzi, Banglong, and Sanmai in Mengsong Township. These ancient tea gardens are concentrated and contiguous, with trees over 2 meters tall, strong growth vigor, gray-white trunks, and most have mistletoe and birdlime. Eco-friendly tea garden (photographed by Qiu Kaibei) The tea resources of Menghai not only include wild and cultivated ancient tea trees but also high-quality tea gardens cultivated after the…

For the average consumer, few have a comprehensive understanding of the entire pile fermentation process for ripe tea, mainly because the stability of the microbial community in the fermentation workshop is so valuable that it is often treated as confidential by tea factories and strictly off-limits to visitors. Secondly, even if one could enter for a tour, it would be difficult to conduct a follow-up study of each step, as the entire pile fermentation cycle lasts several days and includes different stages such as watering, turning piles, and ditching, making it a complex system. Moreover, since the decisive role in pile fermentation is played by invisible microorganisms, it does not resemble modern manufacturing with standardized procedures and quantifiable metrics but is more like a technology guided by empiricism. From controlling the temperature in the workshop to timing the turning of the piles, many steps in pile fermentation lack quantifiable standards, and the success or failure of each fermentation relies heavily on the experience and adaptability of the fermentation master. Today, Lu Li will take fellow tea enthusiasts through the general process of pile fermentation. Selecting the Fermentation Site The site is crucial for pile fermentation. As water is applied during…

A tea garden in Ningde is listed among the first “China’s Most Beautiful Tea Mountains” Recently, the results of the "China’s Most Beautiful Tea Mountains" selection organized by China National Geography - Guocha Geography were announced. The Tianhu Mountain Organic White Tea Garden of Hengchunyuan in Fuding stood out from the participating tea mountains across the country and was included in the 2023 recommended list of "China’s Most Beautiful Tea Mountains," becoming the first tea garden in Ningde to receive this honor. Image source | Hengchunyuan Organic White Tea Tianhu Mountain Organic White Tea Garden of Hengchunyuan The Tianhu Mountain Organic White Tea Garden of Hengchunyuan is located in the village of Zhoushan, JiaYang Township, Fuding City, at 27 degrees north latitude and 120 degrees east longitude. The tea garden covers nearly 2,000 acres with a peak altitude of 838 meters. It is an independent, concentrated area with a good ecological environment characterized by "forests around the tea mountains, trees along roads and ditches, and grass on terraces." Image source | Hengchunyuan Organic White Tea The tea garden is renowned for its "Four Seas." Each season has its unique beauty, captivating visitors throughout the year, immersing them in their splendor.…

There’s a folk saying: “When the hoe digs deep, there’s no lack of gold or silver.” Winter management of tea gardens is crucial for laying the groundwork for a bountiful harvest the following year, ensuring high-quality tea based on the “heaven, earth, human, and seed” foundation. The tea garden should be pruned into a cockscomb shape or uniformly flat, with the choice of heavy pruning or light trimming of side branches depending on the growth status of the garden. The appropriate height of shrub-like tea plants benefits both their growth and the ease of picking fresh leaves. After pruning, the old leaves can be buried through deep cultivation to ferment into organic fertilizer, which loosens the soil and promotes the growth of tea plants. Weeds along the edges or nearby can also be used to cover the garden, providing insulation, water retention, nutrient conservation, and support for microorganisms. Once these weeds decompose, they too become organic fertilizers for the tea garden. Many tea gardens in my hometown are terraced in ridges. For those with low embankments, adding a layer of turf and garden soil can help reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss, maintaining the vigorous vitality of the tea plants.…

Jingmai Mountain has become intertwined with us. Time and again, we have made the journey up the forest-lined cobblestone path, delving deep into the mountain’s fabric. We have counted the towering green trees of Dapingzhang that reach towards the sky, contemplated beneath the Bee God Tree, stood in solemn silence before the golden pagoda bathed in morning light, and felt a profound sense of awe as we pondered its ancient history. Ai Wen, Ai Ken, Yan Kan... familiar names and vivid faces are imprinted on our hearts. Every person we met on our trips through the tea mountains presented us with a new facet of this place. We welcomed many sunrises amidst the misty clouds from the terraces of their modern homestays, which seamlessly blend living spaces. And we listened to the simple stories, little known to outsiders but shared openly with us, told with heartfelt sincerity. Over time, this tea mountain has moved from being a picturesque rural landscape to a place of refuge within our hearts. Bit by bit, these experiences have resonated like echoes, much like those heard in an echo chamber, responding to the glittering lights of the city. This is the bond that the editors…

Yongchang has a long history of tea planting, processing, and drinking. This established the historical status of the ancient city of Yongchang as the first to come into contact with and inherit tea culture in Western Yunnan. Moreover, Yongchang has always been a major town on the southwestern ancient Silk Road and the Tea Horse Road, serving as an important stopover between China and Southeast Asian countries and the first major town for Southeast Asian countries entering China. It was bustling with merchants. Naturally, tea, this ordinary commodity, became widespread among common households. At that time, the most famous tea in Yongchang was called "Taihua Tea." Four hundred years ago, the great traveler Xu Xiake recorded in his travelogue one of his happiest and most unforgettable experiences in Yongchang. In early August 1639, when he wanted to cross the Lancang River to Lushi, "the elderly innkeeper surnamed Mei comforted me very well and specially brewed Taihua Tea for me to drink." The tea had a long-lasting aftertaste, clear green color, strong aroma, and refreshing flavor, making one feel carefree and ethereal. Yongchang has unique natural conditions suitable for tea growth, a rich variety of tea resources, and a long history…

It is often said that within the entire Lincang tea region, Yongde lies to the west and Bangdong to the east, with Mengku situated right in between. For the "two mountains flanking a river" topography of Mengku, the Bingdao tea area is located along the Mengku River, precisely in the middle of the eastern and western mountain slopes. Perhaps it is due to its central location that this region enjoys a unique natural climate, giving rise to Bingdao – a star in the world of Pu'er tea. In this article, we will have a brief chat about the Bingdao Five Villages. Nuowu Old Village Traveling from Lincang to Bingdao via Nanmeng direction, after driving for about two and a half hours on a fully paved road, you reach the administrative territory of Bingdao village. The Bingdao Five Villages refer to five natural villages under the jurisdiction of Bingdao administrative village, divided into two halves by the Mengku River. Strictly speaking, Bingdao Old Village, Dijie, and Nanpo belong to the western mountain slope, while Bawai and Nuowu are located on the eastern mountain slope. However, the Pu'er tea produced in these five natural villages is generally referred to as Bingdao tea…

Let's start with a chart of the Longjing family relationships. The head of the family is Hang Jiahe, who has a daughter named Hang Pan with his former wife Fang Xiling. In the previous article, we mentioned the love at first sight between Hang Pan and Nationalist pilot Cao Jiayuan. Hang Pan is in charge of overseeing hundreds of acres of tea garden, including the famous Lion Peak Hu Gong Temple area. By "overseeing," it mainly means managing the garden rather than preventing others from stealing tea leaves. During the month or so when Longjing tea is picked and processed, there are many people bustling about on the mountain, making it difficult to steal tea. If it's not the picking and processing season, stealing tea would be pointless because the resulting tea would taste terrible and couldn't even be sold as vegetables. Hang Pan's oversight is essentially garden management. The People's Liberation Army took over ten days to capture Hangzhou, officially announcing its liberation on May 3, 1949. The first third of "Looking South of the River" describes the winter and spring before the liberation of Hangzhou. In her diary, Hang Pan wrote: "The fighting has started again, and everywhere…

"Yunnan Rock Tea" is a precious variety that has recently emerged in the world of Pu'er tea in the 21st century. "Yunnan Rock Tea" refers to tea produced from tea plantations and tea trees located in the core area of Bangdong Township and Matai Township in the Linxiang District, as well as Dazhaoxi Town in Yun County (formerly Dashixiang). These areas are at an altitude ranging from about 800 to 2,000 meters and radiate outwards to surrounding regions. It is well known that the renowned Wuyi Rock Tea is highly valued for its irreplicable growing environment. Wuyi Rock Tea is a small-leaf variety; can we find rock tea in the large-leaf tea region of Yunnan? After extensive searches by tea enthusiasts, large-leaf "Yunnan Rock Tea" was found in the middle and lower reaches of the Lancang River, in Bangdong Township and Matai Township of the Linxiang District, as well as Dazhaoxi Town in Yun County. In fact, for thousands of years, locals have coexisted with tea and rocks, with tea sprouting between the crevices of stones. Upon being "rediscovered," "Yunnan Rock Tea" immediately garnered widespread attention and became popular among tea lovers. What makes "Yunnan Rock Tea" especially precious is…

You are natively born to the mountain and self-directed toward the distance.On September 17, 2023, the ancient tea forest cultural landscape of Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er successfully gained World Heritage status. With this achievement, the world now knows its splendor, marking a new chapter in time. From here, you journey from China to the world, becoming the world's Jingmai Mountain. "We are grateful to nature and thankful for everything our ancestors have left us. The ancestor Paaileng left us tea, which has sustained generations upon generations. We must protect every plant, every tree, and every brick and tile on Jingmai Mountain for generations to come." Upon hearing that the ancient tea forest cultural landscape of Pu'er's Jingmai Mountain had successfully been listed as a World Heritage site, Zhou Tianhua, a resident of Mangjing Village, expressed his thoughts with deep emotion. The ancient tea forest cultural landscape of Pu'er's Jingmai Mountain consists of five ancient tea forests, nine ancient villages, and three buffer protection forests. The harmonious relationship between humans and nature embedded within it allows forests to be utilized, tea forests protected, and villages to endure. This highlights the wisdom of our ancestors in following nature and preserving the ancient…

On September 17, good news came from Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia: The 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee adopted a resolution to inscribe China's "Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape of Pu'er Jingmai Mountain" on the World Heritage List! This is the world's first tea-themed cultural heritage site and China's 57th, Yunnan Province's 6th entry on the list. What is it about Pu'er Jingmai Mountain that captivates the world? What value does it hold that has earned it the favor and recognition of the World Heritage Committee? What experiences have been had since the application process began in 2010, over these 13 years? All these questions can be distilled into one: Why Jingmai Mountain? A Book of Mountains: What is the Ancient Tea Forest of Jingmai Mountain? The Ancient Tea Forest of Jingmai Mountain is located in Lancang County, Puer City, covering a total area of 19,095.74 hectares, with 7,167.89 hectares designated as the heritage zone. It encompasses two villages, Jingmai and Mangjing, in Humin Town, Lancang County. Five ethnic groups reside here: Dai, Bulang, Hani, Wa, and Han. Before the arrival of the Bulang and Dai peoples, Jingmai Mountain was covered by dense primeval forest, where…

First Article: The Coordinate Varieties and Three Aromatic Types of the Yiwu Tea Region (click to read); Second Article: Dongguan Warehouse, Kunming Warehouse, Hong Kong Warehouse, Flavor, White Frost, and the Issue of "Warehouse Making" (click to read); Third Article: The Warehousing Cycle for Yiwu Green Bud Tea (click to read); Fourth Article: Storing Pu'er Tea: Pursuing Famous Mountains or Quality (click to read)? Fifth Article: What Are the Differences Between Small Heap Fermentation, Large Heap Fermentation, and the Pu'er Evolution Theory's Ripe Tea Technology? The following is Part Five, focusing on small heap fermentation, large heap fermentation, and the Pu'er Evolution Theory's ripe tea technology. Li Yang: Next, let's talk about ripe tea. Because the last tea we tasted has taken us into another context, jumping into ripe tea. I'm not saying that this is necessarily historical fact, but we can view ripe tea as an attempt to mimic aged tea. If we have the opportunity, we can taste some very old teas and find them excellent, but when you try to make something like that, you realize it would take a lifetime. In such a situation, can we use technical means to directly present certain aspects of aged…

In the depths of Brown Mountain, Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, lies a village brimming with historical charm and natural beauty—Ban Zhang Village. “Red wine is judged by its chateau, Pu'er by its mountain origin.” Photograph of ancient tea tree branches in Ban Zhang by Zhang Hongping Ban Zhang Village, a large family composed of five natural villages—Old Ban Zhang, New Ban Zhang, Laoman'e, Dakalong, and Dakanuan—each preserving unique cultural traditions of the Bulang, Hani, and Lahu ethnic groups. Here, ancient tea trees coexist with the forest, known for their great age and superior quality, earning Ban Zhang the title of "China's No.1 Pu'er Tea Village." Tea farmer Tu Mei has been involved with tea since childhood. Her life is closely tied to tea, and she holds deep feelings for it. She reflects, “The techniques for making tea have become increasingly sophisticated, allowing the tea to retain more of its essence and aroma, resulting in higher-quality tea production.” The unique geographical and climatic conditions here make the Pu'er tea a favorite among countless tea enthusiasts. Photograph of the ancient tea mountain trail in Brown Mountain by Zhang Hongping The unique natural scenery and rich cultural heritage of…

"Before the spring rains after Qingming, we pick the fragrant smoke with our hands. The tender green barely fills the baskets, and the clear and harmonious days easily turn to dusk." From Qingming to Guyu, it's a season of rejuvenation for all things, and also the busiest time for picking spring tea. The tea trees, which have accumulated their essence throughout the winter, transform the breath of spring into wisps of fragrance, as if countless flowers are blooming across the mountains. The scenery on Nino Mountain, known as a "famous mountain" for tea in Changning, is becoming increasingly verdant. In the mist-like green rows of tea bushes, it's common to see tea farmers wearing straw hats and carrying bamboo baskets, their fingers moving swiftly as they carefully pick fresh spring tea shoots. "Most of the tea on Nino Mountain was planted around 1986, when Changning was named one of the first four major high-quality tea base counties in China. The varieties are all seedlings of the Mengku large-leaf tea, transplanted and grown as a population. Located at the boundary where cool mountain areas and subtropical climates meet, creating a unique climate suitable for tea cultivation, this has resulted in its…

"The Discovery of the Bangwei Ancient Tea Tree and Its Implications for the Origin and Evolution of Tea Trees" is an article published by Qiu Hui of Yunnan Pu'er Tea Industry Company in the 1993 issue of Agricultural Archaeology. The article posits that: 'This large tea tree is a transitional type between primitive wild and cultivated tea trees, and it has been named the “Bangwei Ancient Tea Tree,” with an age of over a thousand years." This article provides a comprehensive discussion, which readers may find informative and educational.

The people of Shennongjia have had a tradition of drinking tea since ancient times, with green tea being a household staple. Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica records: “Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs and encountered seventy-two poisons in a single day, only to be saved by tea.” The Chinese tea sage, Lu Yu, also stated: “Tea as a beverage originated with Shennong.”The discovery of tea by Shennong is recounted in multiple versions, with the most widely spread ones including: Shennong was poisoned and collapsed under a tea tree, whereupon water dripped from the leaves above into his mouth, reviving him. Another account says that while boiling water, leaves from a tea tree fell into Shennong’s pot; after drinking this concoction, he found that these bitter yet sweet leaves could invigorate one’s spirit, thus uncovering the medicinal properties of tea. Cloudy Mist tea plantation at Qingtianpao with chrysanthemums Cloudy Mist tea belongs to the category of famous green teas. Cloudy Mist Chrysanthemum Tea is a type of tea made using Cloudy Mist tea. Its shape resembles a chrysanthemum flower, hence its name. It primarily grows in an area of Qingtianpao between 1,300 and 1,700 meters above sea level. Qingtianpao is located between…

According to Lu Yu’s “Tea Classic,” the source of tea is described in terms of sunny cliffs and shaded forests, and it has long been said that high mountains and famous lakes produce fine teas. The fresh leaves produced by a tea garden are the most crucial foundation for a good cup of tea. For the Zhoushan tea industry, our tea gardens are a source of pride. Just the poetic scenery of spring warmth and blossoms facing the sea allows one to feel the spirit of the ocean and the blessings of spring. In addition to this, Zhoushan's tea gardens that face the sea have unique natural endowments.Characteristic One Located at 30 degrees north latitude, some say this line of latitude is mysterious; however, for Zhoushan's tea gardens, there is not only a mysterious aura but also numerous characteristics. Firstly, it forms a climate with distinct seasons, possessing all the attributes of this region in southern China. Here, tea gardens sprout in spring, grow in summer, harvest in autumn, and rest in winter, giving the tea plants an almost complete growth cycle. It is warm in winter and cool in summer, yet cold air and sea breezes still bring a…

Tea picking requires a large amount of labor and is highly seasonal. With urbanization, there has been a significant loss of young and able rural labor, increasing the demand for mechanized tea picking. However, we have gradually discovered that mechanically harvested tea gardens often quickly develop chicken claw branches and experience a rapid decline in the quality of fresh tea leaves.In late April 2023, I conducted a pruning and revitalization experiment in my family's tea garden in Enshi, Hubei, primarily attempting to replicate the tea garden management practices of the West Lake Longjing region in Hangzhou. This involves heavy pruning of the tea plants in late April to early May, followed by fertilization, and another heavy pruning in mid-to-late July to promote the growth of more productive branches, with a light pruning in November. The goal is to maximize the benefits of spring tea production. Figure 1 shows the result of my pruning at the time, preserving the main branches. Figure 1 However, out of laziness, I wanted to see what the effect would be without fertilizing or pruning again in mid-to-late July, so I only performed the initial pruning. During my visit home for the holidays this year, I…