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Apple expert shares tips on growing trees

Warm weather and planting season might seem like a pipe dream as we come out of one of the coldest Februarys in history, but green thumbs were thinking spring Sunday at the Garfield Farm Museum's 28th annual Antique Apple Tree Grafting Seminar.

Apple tree expert Dan Bussey led the seminar, which taught participants hoping to grow apple trees in their yards the important grafting process that is key to having any success.

Bussey, who serves as orchard manager for heritage apple varieties for Seed Saver's Exchange of Decorah, Iowa, has been recognized over the years for his work. He has been the seminar's instructor since its inception.

Located near Campton Hills, Garfield Farm is a 374-acre, historically intact former 1840s farm and teamster inn that's been restored as a working farm museum by volunteers and donors from around the country.

  Apple tree expert Dan Bussey shows the two ends of a graft during a seminar Sunday on how to prepare apple trees for planting at Garfield Farm in Campton Hills. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Matt Schuhow and T.J. Sennstron of Batavia work on grafting apple trees Sunday during a class led by expert Dan Bussey at Garfield Farm in Campton Hills. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Lona Sweet of Elmhurst works with apple tree expert Dan Bussey on grafting apple trees during a class Sunday at Garfield Farm in Campton Hills. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
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