Whether you’re caring for a single backyard apple tree or a small neighborhood orchard, fruit tree care is both a skill and a relationship. The Certificate in Fruit Tree Care is a self-paced online course designed to help you understand your trees, respond to their needs, and care for them confidently through every season.
Built by Susan Poizner of Orchard People and hosted by The Giving Grove, the course pairs practical instruction with thoughtful observation, so you can grow healthier fruit trees and stronger connections to the land.
The Fuirt Tree Care Learning Course and book package are on pre-sale right now. The online course will become available in March 2026. Purchase now to receive your Growing Urban Orchards book by Susan Poizner via mail, and the course credentials will be emailed to you at the beginning of March.
What You’ll Learn
This course is organized into five clear, approachable modules that build your knowledge step by step. Each module blends practical guidance with opportunities to pause, observe, and apply what you’re learning.
Learning Module List:
Why Research Your Fruit Tree?: Learn how understanding your tree’s variety, rootstock, and growing conditions sets you up for long-term success.
Planting and Young Tree Care: Get your trees off to a strong start with best practices for planting, watering, and early care.
Winter and Summer Pruning: Understand when and how to prune to support healthy structure, airflow, and fruit production.
Preventing Pests and Diseases: Learn proactive, sustainable strategies to reduce problems before they take hold.
Soil and Nutrition Management: Build healthy soil and nourish your trees so they can thrive season after season.
Designed for Real Life
This is a fully self-paced course, so you can move through the material on your own schedule. Watch videos, revisit lessons, and follow along with your trees as the seasons change. You’ll have access to the course for 2026, giving you time to absorb the material and put it into practice.
When you complete all five modules, you’ll receive a Certificate in Fruit Tree Care to recognize your learning.
Included With Enrollment…
When you enroll for $50, you receive:
Full access to the online Fruit Tree Care course ($250 value)
A hard-copy of Growing Urban Orchards by Susan Poizner mailed to your home ($20 value)
Guided video lessons and supporting resources
A course completion certificate
A learning experience grounded in both expertise and care
Ready to Grow with Confidence?
If you’re ready to deepen your understanding of fruit tree care and build a lasting relationship with your fruit trees, the course is for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for home orchardists, gardeners, and community growers who want to better understand how to care for fruit trees. Whether you have one backyard tree or help steward trees in a shared space, the course meets you where you are.
Do I need prior experience with fruit trees?
No prior experience is required. The course starts with foundational concepts and builds step by step, making it accessible for beginners while still offering valuable insights for more experienced growers.
What’s included with my purchase?
Your purchase includes a copy of Growing Urban Orchards by Susan Poizner and access to the Certificate in Fruit Tree Care online course, which includes five self-paced modules and a course completion certificate.
How long do I have access to the course?
You’ll have full access to the course from the date of purchase through the end of 2026, giving you time to learn at your own pace and revisit materials as your trees and seasons change.
How does the course work?
The course is fully self-paced and includes video lessons and supporting resources. You can move through the five modules on your own schedule and return to lessons whenever you need a refresher.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Once you complete all five modules, you’ll receive a Certificate in Fruit Tree Care recognizing your completion of the course.
When and how will I get access to the course?
Course login details will be emailed to the address you provide at checkout shortly after your purchase is complete.
Is this course appropriate for community or school orchards?
Yes. While the course is ideal for home orchardists, the principles and practices taught are also widely used in community orchards, school projects, and nonprofit growing spaces.
Can I share the course materials with others?
Course materials are protected by copyright and are intended for personal use only. Sharing or distributing the content without permission is not allowed.
Have another question?
Respecting the Roots of Knowledge
All course materials, including videos, handouts, and readings, are protected by copyright and intended for personal use only. Like caring for a young tree, learning works best when we respect the roots that support it.
By enrolling, you’re joining a community of learners who value stewardship, curiosity, and care for both trees and the people who tend them.