Summer 2026 Schedule

This series will be held in person at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens Center for Urban Horticulture with classes held weekly on Mondays from July 13 to August 17. Classes run 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Each lecture is approved for 2 CEUs.

https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/education/adults/professional-continuing-education/pa-pruning-series/

Monday, July 13

9:30-11:30 a.m. – Tree Pruning I – How Trees Grow and Respond: Learn about the science and biology behind successful tree pruning. Understand the structures, functions, and natural defenses of trees and how those affect plant responses to pruning. Taught by Ellie Bender.

12:30-2:30 p.m. – Shrub Pruning I – the Friendly, Fearless and Forgiving: This class covers basic cuts, basic plant habits and what Cass Turnbull called the “pruning budget”. It also covers five plants that are relatively easy to prune:  nandina, evergreen azalea, lilac, camellia, and yew. Taught by Christina Pfeiffer.

Monday, July 20

9:30-11:30 a.m. – Tree Pruning II – How, When, & What to Prune: Learn about ANSI standards and best management practices. The four basic pruning cuts and their uses will be discussed in detail. Timing and pruning budgets will also be covered. Taught by Ellie Bender.

12:30-2:30 p.m. – Shrub Pruning II – Shearables, Hackables, and Untouchables: There are some plants that are cut to the ground each year, but there are others you barely touch and it’s pandemonium! Find out which ones are which, as well as which plants are appropriately sheared every year. Taught by Kristin Jackson.

Monday, July 27

9:30am-11:30 a.m. – Tree Pruning III – Specialized Pruning Strategies: Learn how to prune trees for various purposes.  Included will be guidance on training young trees and maintaining mature trees, along with discussions of specialized tree pruning techniques. Taught by Ben Mark.

12:30-2:30 p.m. – Japanese Garden Pruning: Creating and maintaining a Japanese Garden requires a high level of pruning skill and dedicated annual maintenance. This class covers the pruning of Japanese maples (upright and weeping), bamboo, cloud pruning pines, and shearing masses of lower story plants. Taught by Bess Bronstein.

Monday, August 3

9:30-11:30 a.m. – Shrub Pruning III – The Puzzlers and Consequences: Learn how to prune Rhododendron, Hydrangea, Callicarpa (Beautyberry), Viburnum bodnantense, and Abelia. Included in this class are basic pruning techniques, common pruning mistakes, and some corrective pruning. Taught by Ellie Bender.

12:30-2:30 p.m. – Corrective Pruning (also known as Rehabilitative Pruning): Learn restoration strategies for trees and shrubs that have been mal-pruned. Mal-pruning may include topping, over-thinning, inappropriate shearing, and more. Included is discussion of watersprouts, suckers, radical renovation techniques, and crown restoration. Taught by Christina Pfeiffer.

Monday, August 10

9:30-11:30 a.m. – Renovate & Prune the Overgrown Landscape: This is one of PlantAmnesty’s most popular classes and offers an introduction to pruning and other approaches for landscape renovation. Learn how to undo overplanting errors, when and how to transplant, and how to clean up a neglected landscape. Taught by Ellie Bender.

12:30-2:30 p.m. – Hedging Your Bets: Pruning Art or Pruning Horror? Instances of mal-pruning and good intentions gone awry are sometimes explained away as “pruning art.” From improperly sheared hedges to ineffective design and training, this class will contrast examples of mal-pruning with bona-fide forms of pruning art and show how to use them to best effect. We’ll cover hedges and topiary, espalier, coppicing, pollarding, and pleaching, ending with a humorous note with slides from Cass Turnbull’s “The Good, The Bad, and the Bizarre” collection. Taught by Christina Pfeiffer.

Monday, August 17

9:30-11:30 a.m. – Fruit Tree Pruning: Learn the basics of fruit tree pruning and how seasonal growth differences and specific goals affect when you use different pruning approaches. Apple, cherry, plum, and pear pruning will be addressed. Taught by Ingela Wanerstrand.

12:30-2:30 p.m. – Vine Pruning: This class covers pruning and management of some of our most common ornamental vines: wisteria, common varieties of clematis, Boston ivy/Virginia creeper, trumpet vine, and honeysuckle. Taught by Laura Watson.