PlantAmnesty Master Pruner Series
& Certification
PlantAmnesty founder and pruning expert, Cass Turnbull, and other expert guest instructors teach topic-specific pruning techniques in PlantAmnesty’s Master Pruner seminar series. The classes in the series are open to the public, master gardeners, landscapers, gardeners, horticulture students, and members of PlantAmnesty. The series was designed to provide a solid base in the science and practice of selective pruning. Students are given access to a broad range of pruning information while attending a 12-part series of two-hour PowerPoint presentations. Topics include the following:
- landscape renovation,
- pruning roses,
- fruit trees,
- ornamental vines,
- artistic pruning,
- Japanese garden pruning,
- tree pruning, and
- species specific tutorials
To receive
PlantAmnesty’s Master Pruner certificate, students must attend all lectures and three hands-on, all-day workshops held annually in the King County, which are available through
PlantAmnesty. See the list of
upcoming classes and workshops below.
Students may take Master Pruner classes individually or complete the entire series. Students completing the seminar series and requisite workshops receive a Certificate of Graduation. The seminar series is available three ways:
- From PlantAmnesty, on second Sundays of the month at Magnuson Park in NE Seattle. Preregistration is not required for the Magnuson Park classes. The classes held at Magnuson Park are in building #406 (the Brig) at 7400 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle 98115. No classes are held in August or December.
- Through the Snohomish Master Gardeners in South Everett on second Tuesdays of the month. Preregistration is required at the Snohomish site. See http://snohomish.wsu.edu/garden/workshops/Pruning2012.pdf for details.
- Throughout the winter at the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture's ProHort program on the second and forth Thursdays of the month (two lectures per day). Preregistration is required. See http://depts.washington.edu/uwbg/education/prohort.php for details.
Seminars attended at any location count toward a Master Pruner certificate, but the programs are administered and priced separately by hosting organizations. See specific class listings for costs and class descriptions.
People who join PlantAmnesty at a Seattle Magnuson Park class get the first class free, receive an informational two-hour DVD on pruning, and get a discount on all future classes. Seattle classes are interchangeable with the Master Pruner series offered on weekdays at the Snohomish Master Gardener site.
The classes are just $20 each for the general public; $15 for PlantAmnesty members, $5 for horticulture college students and native Spanish speakers. No pre-registration for classes at Magnuson Park is necessary. Just show up and pay at the door. Questions? Email PlantAmnesty or call 206.783.9813
Download a printable PDF of the complete schedule of the
2013 Master Pruner Seminar Series
Sunday, Jun 09, 2013 -- 10:00am - noon
Master Pruner Series: Trees 2
Where: Sand Point Magnuson Park; Building 406 (The Brig)
For more information: Email us or call 206.783.9813
This is the HOW-TO class for pruning trees (not fruit or nut trees). How to prune a tree limb, how to find the branch collar, pruning of young and mature trees, pruning standards, crown restoration, and the basics of tree risk assessment will be covered.
Taught by Cass Turnbull
Sunday, Jul 14, 2013 -- 10:00am - noon
Master Pruner Series: Difficult Plants to Prune
Where: Sand Point Magnuson Park; Building 406 (The Brig)
For more information: Email us or call 206.783.9813
This class teaches how to prune Rhododendron, Hydrangea, Callicarpa (Beautyberry), Viburnum bodnantense and Abelia. Included in this class are basic pruning techniques, common pruning mistakes and corrective pruning.
Taught by Cass Turnbull
Saturday, Jul 20, 2013 -- 10:00am - 3:00pm
Fruit Tree Field Day
Where: An orchard somewhere in King County.
For more information: Email us or call 206.783.9813
First, in a morning lecture, an expert in the field will cover the basics of fruit-tree pruning. The lecture is followed by an afternoon of live fruit-tree pruning demonstrations in small groups. This workshop will take place at a site in the Seattle area.
Click here for a registration form.
Sunday, Sep 08, 2013 -- 10:00am - noon
Master Pruner Series: How to Prune and Renovate the Overgrown Garden
Where: Sand Point Magnuson Park; Building 406 (The Brig)
For more information: Email us or call 206.783.9813
PlantAmnesty’s most popular class, an introductory class on pruning and landscape renovation.
Taught by Cass Turnbull
Saturday, Sep 14, 2013 -- 10am - 3pm
Pruning and Garden Renovation Workshop
Where: A landscape somewhere in King County
For more information: Email us or call 206.783.9813
Renovation Workshops are a popular hands-on all-day event that features a rare 3:1 student-teacher ratio and real-world experience. Pruning and creative solutions for the overgrown garden will be taught as an entire yard is renovated during the class. The day begins with a lecture followed by hands-on experience out in the yard. Topics discussed will be pruning, transplanting, and landscape maintenance. The group will move through an overgrown landscape while on-thespot evaluations of plants and demonstrations of pruning are given. Workshop participants will then cycle between jobs to learn what the landscape has to offer. Location: TBD.
Pre-registration is required. Cost is $75 (PlantAmnesty members) or $85 (non-members); price includes a 2-hour pruning DVD and handouts..
Click here for a registration form.
Sunday, Oct 13, 2013 -- 10:00am - noon
Master Pruner Series: Tools
Where: Sand Point Magnuson Park; Building 406 (The Brig)
For more information: Email us or call 206.783.9813
Professional gardeners bring their pruning and gardening tools for this popular show and tell class. Common and uncommon tools will be featured, as will their care and sources for purchase. Bring your favorite tools that you have questions about.
Taught by Cass Turnbull
Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 -- 10:00am - noon
Master Pruner Series: Pruning Art or Pruning Atrocity?
Where: Sand Point Magnuson Park; Building 406 (The Brig)
For more information: Email us or call 206.783.9813
Class covers the three main forms of mal-pruning: tree topping, inappropriate shearing of trees and shrubs, and over thinning. We compare and contrast mal-pruning with bona fide examples of pruning art: pollarding, cloud pruning, topiary, pleaching, and coppicing. Class ends on a humorous note with photos of the Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre.
Taught by Cass Turnbull