‘Soil! – What it is and How it Works’
2023-06-19 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom, 219 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR
It’s ALL about soil! Most people only have a vague idea of what soil is and how it works. You will learn more than you ever thought possible about soil, including why you are alive, what nutrients are, and how soil stores water and nutrients, all fundamental information important to your landscape.
James Cassidy: Instructor
GJG instructor, James Cassidy has been a teacher of Soil Science at Oregon State University for over 18 years. He teaches a similar introductory class to over 100 students each term and it’s very popular.
This lecture will be recorded and available for two weeks afterwards. Underwritten by Bartlett Tree Experts.

Summer Pruning Workshop
2023-08-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Vanport International, 28590 Wally Road, Boring, OR, 97009, United States
The workshop will be limited to 12 participants with two instructors for an optimal learning experience. Bring pruner, snippers, gloves, and a bag lunch. Be prepared to work all day. Students can take breaks when needed, and a lunch break is built into the time.
A restroom is available onsite.
Driving Directions: Once you turn onto Wally Road, continue down the road, go through the gates and you will dead end at a parking area with a pond and tea house in your view.

Pine Pruning for Character
2023-10-14 12:00 - 14:00 | GJG Tsuru Island, 124 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97030, United States
Watch Laura Dufala with Bentwood Tree Farm unlock the hidden character of pine trees, both for the aesthetics and the health of the pine tree. Laura will work on black, white, and shore pines on Tsuru Island.
Laura Dufala
Laura arrived in the Willamette Valley after growing up on the family’s potato farm in Southeastern Idaho, the last of fourteen kids! She loved the beauty and solitude of the farm and nearby mountains. Those connections are expressed in her trees, her art, and her gardens.
Laura feels very fortunate to live in the Pacific Northwest where the soil so rich and fertile grounds, because of the Glacier Lake Missoula Floods.
She has work in it the industry for many years. She has shared her extensive plant knowledge and creative energy with retail and wholesale nurseries in the Portland area. It was upon finding choice ground in Boring, Oregon that she began pouring her artist talents into Black Sheep Nursery, focusing on Bonsai and Niwaki. When not sculpting pine trees she’s in a studio sculpting clay or carving wood.
Her other passions center around her family, veggie gardens, and fine food.

Structure Pruning Your Upright Japanese Maples
2023-11-18 12:15 - 14:15 | Kyoudou Center, 219 S. Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97080
TIME CHANGE: 12:15PM – 2:15PM
This course is offered when the Japanese maples have lost their leaves and they are in silhouette. It’s the best time to see the structure of your multi-stem upright maples. In this course with instructor Lincoln Proud, we will focus on the fundamentals of pruning as it pertains to this variety of tree. The class will begin with a short lecture in the Kyoudou Center on basic botany and growth habits of upright maples.
After the short lecture, students will go into the garden where Lincoln will prune various upright maple and teach how the fundamentals are applied in various circumstances. And, how can you apply this information to your own maple trees.
There will be time at the end of the course for questions and answers.
Meet in the Kyoudou Center which is the building farthest south in Main City Park.

Fundamentals of Pruning Course - Zoom
2023-12-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Zoom, 219 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR
In the Fundamentals of Pruning course students will cover more than just how to make cuts and shape plants within the landscape. Topics discussed will range from why we prune, what tools should be used, and even some basic plant biology—all of which form the foundation and provide the necessary background knowledge needed to prune woody plants correctly. After covering these synergistic topics, the course will discuss how to approach a variety of plants found in landscapes.
Sign up for Lincoln’s maple pruning courses too!

Winter Pruning Workshop
2024-01-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Vanport International, 28590 Wally Road, Boring, OR, 97009, United States

Fundamentals of Conifers
2024-02-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Zoom, 219 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR
In this course, instructor Maryann Lewis will cover a variety of pine basics. She will also touch on pruning Hinoki cypresses and other cultivars. She’ll have lots of visuals in her Zoom course.
There will be time at the end of the course for questions and answers.

Pruning Conifers in the Garden
2024-02-11 13:00 - 15:00 | GJG Tsuru Island, 124 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97030, United States
This class will build upon the knowledge gained in the ‘Pruning Fundamentals for Conifers’ offered on Zoom the 8th of February. If you missed it, email administrator@greshamjapanesegarden.com to purchase.
In this in-person class, we will look at various small conifers in and around Tsuru Island and apply useful techniques and strategies that can be used in any garden style.

Pruning lace-leaf maples for character
2024-06-22 12:30 - 14:30 | GJG Tsuru Island, 124 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97030, United States
Many people care for Japanese maple trees on their property, especially lace-leaf maples. One of the most popular, Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Crimson Queen’. This pruning course is offered after the trees new growth has flushed out to get maximum learning opportunities. Lincoln Proud will focus on the fundamentals of pruning as it pertains to lace-leaf maples and other dissectums.
The class will begin with a short lecture on basic botany and growth habits as it pertains to dissectum Japanese maples in Gresham Japanese Garden’s newly remodeled Kyoudou Center. After that, students will go into the Japanese garden (Tsuru Island) to learn how the pruning fundamentals are applied to various circumstances, and how to apply this information to your own trees.
There will be time at the end for questions and answers.

Hand-on Lace Leaf Maple Pruning
2024-06-29 13:00 - 15:30 | Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 W Powell Blvd, Gresham, OR, 97030, United States
For the intermediate pruner. You will have the opportunity to prune alongside one of the most experienced pruners in Oregon, Francheska Snyder. On the property of Bateman Carroll in Gresham, OR sits a overgrown, unattended lace leaf acer palmatum. Limited to five students for an optimal pruning experience you will work with Francheska to get this lace leaf maple back to a beautiful focal point on Powell Blvd.
To gain more knowledge, GJG recommends students to participate in Lincoln Proud’s instructional class on pruning lace leaf maples. He will teach you a number of techniques and concepts of 2-3 mature lace leafs maples on the property of GJG’s.
https://www.greshamjapanesegarden.org/calendar/pruning-lace-leaf-maples-for-character/

Pruning Flowering Shrubs
2024-07-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Kyoudou Center, 219 S. Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97080
Find out the perfect time of year to prune the different flowering shrubs. Some flowering shrubs flower on old wood, while others flower on new wood. Jonathan Faith will explain what shrubs like to be pruned in the Spring to produce flowers, and what shrubs need to be pruned in the winter to produce flowers. It gets confusing. Jonathan will explain and he will demonstrate how to prune; roses, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and more to get the most flowers. Fertilizing will also be discussed in the class.
This class will take place in the Kyoudou Center of GJG’s at the south end of Main City Park
219A S. Main Avenue
Gresham, OR 97030

Summer Pruning at Vanport International
2024-09-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Vanport International, 28590 Wally Road, Boring, OR, 97009, United States
For the intermediate pruners, a hands-on opportunity to prune a variely of plants at a Japanese garden in Boring, OR to learn alongside a professional aesthetic pruner trained in Japan and owns her own business, Niwa Method.
This is the Gresham Japanese Garden’s fourth opportunity to prune at Vanport International. There are still many plants that need to be pruned and brought back to the vision the original garden designer Hoichi Kurisu.

Propagating Conifers from Cuttings
2024-11-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Kyoudou Center, 219 S. Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97080
Learn how to successfully propagate Chamaecyparis, Cryptomeria, Tsuga, Thujopsis and other suitable conifers by rooting cuttings. Instructor Norm Jacobs will decode plant physiology, explain the selection of containers, soil mixes, and the role of rooting compounds. Norm will demonstrate, and you will prepare the cuttings from branches and sticks. Last Norm will share experience about aftercare and future transplanting of your cuttings. Class includes all the propagation materials: pots, soil, rooting compound, and plant tags.

Assessing and Pruning an Overgrown Landscape
2024-11-23 13:00 - 15:00 | OR
Knowing where to begin managing an overgrown garden can be overwhelming. This workshop will take place at a residential home in Fairveiw, OR that speaks to the issues around this workshop. The address will be sent to you in an email after payment.
Instructor Francheska Snyder will walk you through first how to prioritize the tasks, how to prune based on the space and hardscape around. You will have the opportunity to observe while Francheska prunes a shrub and a specimen tree in this overgrown landscape. There will be time for questions too!

Winter Pruning Japanese Garden at Vanport Int'l
2025-01-11 10:00 - 16:00 | Vanport International, 28590 Wally Road, Boring, OR, 97009, United States
For the intermediate pruners, a hands-on opportunity to prune a variety of plants at a Japanese garden in Boring, OR, learning alongside Francheska Snyder, a professional aesthetic pruner trained in Japan who owns her own business, Niwa Method. This will be the Gresham Japanese Garden’s 6th opportunity to prune at Vanport International. There are still many plants that need restored to their size and brought back to the vision of the original garden designer, Hoichi Kurisu.

Pruning Fruit Trees
2025-01-25 13:00 - 15:00 | Kyoudou Center, 219 S. Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97080
Late winter pruning is a good time to prune fruit trees because of dormancy and invigorates growth; removes dead, weak, or crossing branches, focusing energy on fewer, stronger branches for a better harvest. Instructor Jonathan Faith will bring an apple tree, pear tree, nectarine tree, and a plum tree to demonstrate how to prune each for fruit production.
In addition to demonstrating how to prune each variety of fruit tree, Jonathan will discuss cross pollination, fertilizers, fungicide and insecticide sprays.
This seminar will take place in the Gresham Japanese Garden’s Kyoudou Center at 219A S. Main Avenue, Gresham, OR 97030
Instructor: Jonathan Faith
Jonathan come from a deep history of being around a copious array of plants. For sixteen years, Faith helped manage his family’s small orchard in Hubbard, Oregon. They had many different varieties of fruit trees.
Jonathan is currently the store manager at Al’s Garden & Home in Gresham.

Fundamentals of Conifers Webinar
2025-02-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Zoom, 219 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR
In this online course, instructor Maryann Lewis will cover a variety of conifer basics, from identifying their cultivar, growth pattern, and pruning approach. Learn fundamental pruning techniques for your favorite conifers including pines, spruce, hinoki and others, and how to interpret each cultivar. This class will help you feel comfortable making pruning decisions so you can enjoy conifers even more. We highly recommend taking Maryann class on Sunday the 9th, Pruning Conifers in the Garden.
This course will be recorded and available for two weeks. The link will be sent out Friday morning.

Fundamentals of Conifers - Onsite
2025-02-09 10:00 - 12:00 | GJG Tsuru Island, 124 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97030, United States
This class will build upon the knowledge gained in ‘Pruning Fundamentals for Conifers’ on the 6th. It will be beneficial to take the Zoom class. We will look at various small conifers in and around Tsuru Island and apply useful techniques and strategies that can be used in any garden style.
This class will meet at GJG’s Tsuru Island.

Introduction to the Aesthetic Pruning Approach Webinar
2025-03-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Zoom, 219 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR
Aesthetics are integral to the stewardship of trees in our gardens. In this online course learn to apply the aesthetic pruning approach to trees and shrubs, including how to assess your plant material, identify the role they play in your garden, and develop a pruning plan to achieve your goals. Aesthetic pruning works in any garden style.
This class will be recorded and available to view for two weeks after class. The link will be sent out Friday morning.

Spring Candling and Maintenance on Pines
2025-05-03 13:00 - 15:00 | GJG Tsuru Island, 124 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97030, United States
Learn all about the why’s and how’s to de-candle different cultivars of pines. Instructor Laura Dufala with Bentwood Tree Farm will explain the benefits and ramifications of de-candling several pine cultivars on Gresham Japanese Garden – Tsuru Island. This workshop is in person. Bring your gloves, Laura may turn the class into a collaborative session.

Spring Pruning at Vanport International
2025-05-10 10:00 - 16:00 | Vanport International, 28590 Wally Road, Boring, OR, 97009, United States

Hands on Pruning a Japanese Garden - Summer-25
2025-09-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Vanport International, 28590 Wally Road, Boring, OR, 97009, United States
For the intermediate pruners, a hands-on opportunity to prune a variety of plants at a Japanese garden in Boring, OR, learning alongside Francheska Snyder, a professional ornamental pruner. This workshop will focus on vine maples and upright Acer palmatums. You must be comfortable on tall ladders.
The Gresham Japanese Garden’s prune the Japanese garden at Vanport International three times a year. There are many shrubs and trees that need restored to their intended size and brought back to the vision of the original garden designer, Hoichi Kurisu.
This workshop is certified by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board. Licensed landscape construction professionals receive five Continuing Education Hours (CEH).

Pruning Lace-leaf Maple Trees
2025-11-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Gresham Japanese Garden
This is a hands-on workshop where students will receive pruning techniques, instructions, and personalized feedback as you prune two overgrown lace-leaf maple tree at the Gresham Japanese Garden’s complex.

Pruning Conifers for Health and Aesthetics Course
2025-11-15 13:00 - 15:00 | GJG Tsuru Island, 124 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97030, United States
Pruning Conifers for Health and Aesthetics course will start on Tsuru Island, GJG’s Japanese garden nestled within Gresham’s Main City Park and home to a diverse collection of conifers including spruces, hinoki, firs, pines, and more.
Limited to 15 students, so register early to reserve your spot!
Workshop Overview
This in-person class is designed to deepen your understanding of conifer pruning through an aesthetic lens. Maryann will guide participants in:

Understanding conifer growth biology and seasonal rhythms
Applying pruning techniques to maintain plant health and desired size
Enhancing landscape aesthetics through thoughtful pruning
Recognizing and preserving the natural form of various conifer species

Whether you’re a home gardener or a landscape professional, this workshop offers valuable insights into the art and science of conifer pruning.

Structural Pruning Pines
2025-11-16 13:00 - 15:00 | GJG Tsuru Island, 124 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97030, United States
Watch instructor, Laura Dufala unlock the hidden character of pine trees through strructural pine pruning. She’s captivating to watch her approach to cloud pruning, and through her artistic eyes make decisions regarding which branches to keep and which ones to remove. She has a tendency to turn the class into a hands-on practicum, so bring gloves and sanitized pruners.
The class will take place at the Gresham Japanese Garden. We will meet in front of the Mural garden/Barn.

Pruning Fruit Trees
2026-02-15 12:00 - 14:00 | Kyoudou Center, 219 S. Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97080
Late winter is an ideal time to prune fruit trees. Pruning during dormancy helps invigorate growth, removes dead, weak, or crossing branches, and focuses the tree’s energy on fewer, stronger limbs for a healthier structure and better harvest.
Instructor Jonathan Faith will bring an apple tree, pear tree, nectarine tree, and plum tree to discuss their different growth habits and forms, and to demonstrate proper pruning techniques for fruit production. In addition to pruning, Jonathan will cover cross-pollination, fertilizers, and common fungicide and insecticide sprays.
This seminar will take place at the Gresham Japanese Garden’s Kyoudou Center, located at 219A S. Main Avenue, Gresham, OR 97030.
Instructor: Jonathan FaithJonathan comes from a deep background in horticulture. For sixteen years, he helped manage his family’s small orchard in Hubbard, Oregon, working with a wide variety of fruit trees. Jonathan is currently the store manager at Al’s Garden & Home in Gresham.

Pruning Conifers for Health and Aesthetics Course
2026-10-31 13:00 - 15:00 | Gresham Japanese Garden
Pruning Conifers for Health and Aesthetics course will start at Ebetsu Plaza, the garden nestled in front of the Kyoudou Center inside Gresham’s Main City Park, home to a diverse collection of conifers.
Limited to 15 students, so register early to reserve your spot!
Workshop Overview
This in-person class is designed to deepen your understanding of conifer pruning through an aesthetic lens. Maryann will guide participants in:

Understanding conifer growth biology and seasonal rhythms
Applying pruning techniques to maintain plant health and desired size
Enhancing landscape aesthetics through thoughtful pruning
Recognizing and preserving the natural form of various conifer species

Whether you’re a home gardener or a landscape professional, this workshop offers valuable insights into the art and science of conifer pruning.
Licensed landscapers can earn 2 CEUs.

Structural Pruning Pines
2026-11-15 14:00 - 16:00 | GJG Tsuru Island, 124 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97030, United States
Watch instructor, Laura Dufala unlock the hidden character of pine trees through structural pine pruning. She’s captivating to watch her approach to cloud pruning, and through her artistic eyes make decisions regarding which branches to keep and which ones to remove. She has a tendency to turn the class into a hands-on practicum, so bring gloves and sanitized pruners.
The class will take place at the Gresham Japanese Garden’s Tsuru Island. Licensed landscapers will earn 3 CEU credits.
