Master Pruner Series and Certification

Each year PlantAmnesty expert instructors teach pruning techniques in our twelve-part Master Pruner Series. Topics include: artistic pruning, fruit trees, landscape renovation, Japanese garden pruning, ornamental vines, pruning roses, and species-specific tutorials. This series provides students with a solid base in the science and practice of selective pruning. Students are given access to a broad range of pruning information at each two-hour presentation. 

For a full description of the program, including class descriptions, schedule and fees, see our Full List of Classes and Workshops.  Classes are open to master gardeners, landscapers, gardeners, horticulture students as well as the general public. Students may complete Master Pruner classes individually or complete the entire series. 

Multiple Ways to Take Classes

PlantAmnesty holds classes on the second Sundays of each month (except August and December) in the Brig at Magnuson Park (6344 NE 74th Street, Seattle 98115). Preregistration is not required. Just arrive a few minutes early and pay at the door. Cost: $25 per class, $20 for PlantAmnesty members, $5 for horticulture college students. Join PlantAmnesty at any Magnuson Park pruning class and you will receive the following new member benefits: your first class free, an informational two-hour pruning DVD and a discount on future classes! The Master Pruner series is available two ways:

  1. The ProHort Program of the University of Washington Botanic Garden’s Center for Urban Horticulture offers the the Master Pruner Series on weekdays each winter. Preregistration is required.  Click here for details.  For a printable flyer, CLICK HERE

  2. We are collaborating with Bellevue Botanical Garden in 2019! We are offering 3 classes, the next class is Basic Tree Pruning on July 17th from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Click here to register. *Note: PlantAmnesty Members and Bellevue Botanical Garden Members receive a $10 discount!

To receive a Master Pruner Certificate of Graduation, students are required to attend all twelve lectures (at either location) and three workshops provided by PlantAmnesty. A graduation ceremony is held each fall. Seminars attended at either location count towards the Master Pruner certificate, but the programs are administered and priced separately by the host organizations. 

Workshops

Workshops are designed for home gardeners, landscape professionals, and students enrolled in the Master Pruner Series.  Complete details and materials are sent to students a few weeks prior to each workshop.  Do you know a yard that needs an Extreme Makeover? We are on the look-out for renovation workshop sites. 

Click here for 2019 site requirements.

altSpring 2017 Renovation Workshop

Upcoming Classes and Workshops 

   Difficult Plants to Prune   CLASS

 

  When:    Sunday, October 13, 2019 -- 10am - noon
  Where:   Sand Point Magnuson Park; 6344 NE 74th St (The Brig)
  Fee:        $25/class; $20 for PlantAmnesty members;
                  $5 for horticulture students 

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 Ken Tuomi

 Tree Pruning II   CLASS

 

  When:    Sunday, November 10, 2019 -- 10am - noon
  Where:   Sand Point Magnuson Park; 6344 NE 74th St (The Brig)
  Fee:        $25/class; $20 for PlantAmnesty members; $5 for
                horticulture students 

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 young and mature trees, pruning standards, crown restoration and the basics of tree risk assessment are covered.

Taught by Bess Bronstein