Classes, Seminars & Workshops
PlantAmnesty founder and pruning expert Cass Turnbull and other expert guest instructors
teach topic-specific pruning techniques in this series of in-depth classes. The entire series consists of 14 classroom presentations,
which are given on the second Sunday of most months (no classes in August or December, or on national holidays). The presentations are
held at Sandpoint/Magnuson Park building #406 (the Brig). The Magnuson Park address is 7400 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle 98115. Classes
are open to the public, master gardeners, landscapers, gardeners, horticulture students, and members of PlantAmnesty. No preregistration
is required in Seattle.
People who join PlantAmnesty at the 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. Preregistration is required at the Snohomish site. See
www.snohomish.wsu.edu (click on the right panel) for more details.
See specific class listings for costs and class descriptions. Among the presentation titles: Roses, Fruit Trees, Difficult Plants To Prune,
Rehabilitative Pruning, Tree Pruning, The Hackables, the Shearables, and the Untouchables, Vine Pruning and Japanese Garden Pruning.
The classes are just $15 each for the general public; $10 for
PlantAmnesty members, $5 for horticulture college students and native Spanish speakers.
No pre-registration 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
2012 Master Pruner Seminar Series
Sunday, Jun 10, 2012 -- 10:00am - noon
Rehabilitative Pruning
Where: Sand Point Magnuson Park; Building 406 (The Brig)
For more information: Email us or call 206.783.9813
The three most common forms of mal-pruning (tree topping, overthinning of trees and shrubs, and inappropriate shearing) and how to fix trees and shrubs that have been mal-pruned. Included is discussion of watersprouts, suckers, radical renovation techniques, and crown restoration.
Taught by Cass Turnbull.
Sunday, Jul 08, 2012 -- 10:00am - noon
Tree Pruning 1
Where: Sand Point Magnuson Park; Building 406 (The Brig)
For more information: Email us or call 206-783-9813
This is the science and biology behind the pruning of trees. Bess Bronstein, honored hort teacher from Edmonds Community College, will give us the inside story on how trees grow and survive to become the longest-lived, most massive species on the planet. Famous arboriculturalist, Dr. Alex Shigo, taught us that all pruning wounds trees. Find out how to minimize that damage and work with the tree’s natural defenses. Students will gain an understanding of compartmentalization, included bark, branch collar identification, and more.
Taught by Bess Bronstein, Edmonds Community College
Friday, Aug 31, 2012 -- No August Class
No Pruning Class in August
Where: Sand Point Magnuson Park; Building 406 (The Brig)
For more information: Email us or call 206.783.9813
Sunday, Sep 09, 2012 -- 10:00am - noon
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 22, 2012 -- 10:00am - 3pm
Fall Renovation Workshop
Where: A landscape somewhere in King County
For more information: Email us or call 206-783-9813
The Renovation Workshop is 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 are 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 include pruning, transplanting, and landscape maintenance. The group will move through an overgrown landscape while on-the-spot evaluations of plants and demonstrations of pruning are given. Workshop participants will then cycle between jobs to learn what the landscape has to offer.
The workshop takes place at a private residence within King County selected for its neglected state and diverse plant material so as to provide class instruction on a wide variety of topics. A pruning DVD and handouts on various pruning topics will be provided to all participants.
Fee: $75 ($65 for PlantAmnesty members).
Preregistration required. Space is limited so register early!
Click here to download a registration form for this workshop.
If you think your yard might be an appropriate site for a Renovation Workshop, click here for Site Requirements.
Friday, Oct 12, 2012 -- 8:30am - 3:30pm
Renovation Workshop in Spanish
Where: A landscape somewhere in King County
For more information: Email us or call 206-783-9813
This class and hands-on field day is designed for Spanish-speaking landscape professionals. The morning lecture will be presented in Spanish by
George Ortiz, CLT. In the afternoon everyone will assemble for hands-on practice on common landscape trees and shrubs. Participants will work in small groups with experienced teachers. Students will earn a PlantAmnesty certification of completion.
The workshop takes place at a landscape within King County selected for its neglected state and diverse plant material so as to provide class instruction on a wide variety of topics. All participants will receive a pruning DVD and handouts on various pruning topics.
Fee: $30, which includes handouts and DVD.
Preregistration required. Space is limited so register early!
Click here to download a registration form for this workshop.
If you think your yard might be an appropriate site for a Renovation Workshop, click here for Site Requirements.
Sunday, Oct 14, 2012 -- 10:00am - noon
Vine Pruning
Where: Sand Point Magnuson Park; Building 406 (The Brig)
For more information: Email us or call 206-783-9813
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 Cass Turnbull.
Saturday, Nov 10, 2012 -- 9:30am - 12:30am
Tree Pruning in Spanish
Where: Sand Point Magnuson Park; Building 406 (The Brig)
For more information: Email us or call 206.783.9813
A two-hour lecture (en espanol) on basic tree pruning followed by an outdoor demonstration.
Taught by George Ortiz, CLT.
Monday, Dec 31, 2012 -- No December Class
No Pruning Class in December
Where: Sand Point Magnuson Park; Building 406 (The Brig)
For more information: Email us or call 206.783.9813