Thermal Pruning: Burning Maine Blueberry Fields [VIDEO]

Burning Maine Blueberry Fields: It’s called thermal pruning and it’s awesome! You see it in Maine in late autumn and April.

A flail mower gets the job done in grand fashion. The burn is used to manage fields and stimulate production for higher yields.It also helps with insects, pests, disease, weeds and fungus in the fields. This process creates a two year cycle – a vegetative cycle in the first year and fruiting in the second year.

Bluebery fields turn red late in the year:

After harvest, blueberry fields change a beautiful color:

Blueberries are a big part of Maine. They're as identifiable to the Pine Tree State as potatoes, lobsters and L.L. bean.