11/02/2026
Tree Talk: Weiser was prune country. 🌳
A December 1900 newspaper report counted about 1,000 acres of orchards around Weiser, and said a new fruit dryer in town ran 600,000 pounds of prunes that season alone. In August 1910, the first carload of Idaho prunes that season left from Weiser, headed for Chicago. That same report expected about 40 cars of prunes and more than 150 cars of apples to ship from Weiser that year.
A lot of those old fruit trees are long gone, but plenty of yards from Payette to Weiser still have an old apple, pear or plum out back.
Tip for this time of year: once the leaves drop, the tree is dormant, and that's the best time to take out broken, dead and crossing limbs. University of Idaho Extension says to hold off on big cuts (over about 3 inches across) until the hard winter cold is past.
Not sure what your old fruit tree needs? I'll come look at it with you and leave a written price the same day. The look is free.
Tree Talk is a Pioneer Tree Service series about the towns we work in. Questions? Call (208) 741-2678.
Travis, Pioneer Tree Service · ISA Certified Arborist