Sheltering-in-place has resulted in mixed results in gardening as a hobby. I recently learned from a friend that she has lost interest in gardening. I wondered what she's been feeding herself. She normally plants a lot of vegetables. She has dozens of fruit trees. I suppose she's been eating a lot of fruit, and meat and other things one can buy at the supermarket. It made me sad.

But all is not in vain, I recently received a text message from my uncle who lives south of San Francisco, asking me for advice on how to prune his young loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) trees. I was excited to be asked for advice, and that there is one more gardener in my family.

He sent me some pictures and I gave him some suggestions on what he can do.  He lives in a city lot where the only spaces for trees are against the fence.  One loquat is growing behind prolific chayote (Sechiumedule) vine, which doesn't give it much room at all. I suggested that he train them to grow flat against the fence, or espalier them.

I also sent him a couple of helpful links to help him with the process.

https://ucanr.edu/sites/ccmg/files/320922.pdf

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG27300.pdf.

I do hope that's enough information to get him started.