The Aesthetic Pruners Association (APA), a member organization of the North American Japanese Garden Association (NAJGA), is conducting an intensive, hands-on pruning workshop from November 3 to 5, 2016 at the Gardens at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California. Experienced teachers will present aesthetic pruning principles and practices and guide workshop participants in applying these techniques in Lake Merritt’s seven acres of beautiful themed gardens. Participants will come away with pruning skills and concepts which will both challenge and enhance their existing knowledge. All horticultural professionals regardless of specialization and level of experience are welcome to attend.
The difference that aesthetic pruning can make.
Curriculum Highlights
Day 1 – Aesthetic Pruning Basics– morning lecture, hands-on pruning in the afternoon
- Defining pruning
- Assessing a tree’s health and history
- Learning the three pruning cuts and knowing the tree’s response
- Making a seasonal plan
- Pruning coarse to fine and up and out, finding the good, considering context and environment
Day 2 –Aesthetic Pruning Principles: Focal Point, Essence and Garden Context- morning lecture, hands-on pruning in the afternoon.
- Identifying and enhancing a tree’s essence using structure, texture, hide-and-reveal and branch definition
- Finding the good, making space and creating a sense of age
- Reading a garden using style, flow, topography and viewing points
- Separating background, mid-ground and focal point using movement, line, flow and perception
- Achieving scale and proportion.
For more information and to register to attend the workshop, please visit the APA website: aestheticprunersassociation.org.
Moments of Ma 