Pruning Program Courses

Ornamental Pruning Program

Established in 2019, the Ornamental Pruning Program is designed for gardeners and landscape professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of pruning techniques that promote both plant health, plant aesthetics, and landscape aesthetics. Each course highlights specific aspects of pruning, focusing on different plant types and materials to help students build a well-rounded skill set in the garden and horticulture industry. Explore the current and upcoming list of courses below, and check back regularly as new courses are added throughout the year.

Note for Licensed Gardeners: Select courses are approved for continuing education credit by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB).

2026 Courses

Maryann Lewis: Instructor

Maryann Lewis is an APA Certified Aesthetic Pruner® and a co-founder and past president of the Aesthetic Pruners Association. She began teaching in 2005 as an adjunct instructor at the Academy of Art San Francisco and in 2012 began teaching various aesthetic pruning classes with the Marin Master Gardeners Pruning Guild. Maryann was a guest instructor for the Fresno Central High School Agriculture Department in 2015 and was a lead instructor for two North American Japanese Garden Association pruning workshops in 2014 and 2015. In 2022 she was one of three pruning instructors for the International Japanese Garden Training Center’s Waza to Kokoro seminar. Maryann has taught workshops and given presentations for the Aesthetic Pruners Association, the American Conifer Society, The Hoffman Center for the Arts in Manzanita, Oregon, the JM Winery in Woodinville Washington, and now the Gresham Japanese Garden.

Spring Candling of Pines: Sunday, May 3, 2026, 1-3pm: $45

Learn all about the why’s and how’s of candling pines. When should you remove the whole candle, and when should you break the candles. Laura will candle, needle, and prune a variety of pines at the Gresham Japanese Garden.

This workshop is in person. Bring your gloves. Laura may turn the class into a collaborative session.

This workshop is certified by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board. Licensed landscape construction professionals receive three Continuing Education Hours (CEH).

Laura Dufala

Laura Dufala has been in the nursery business for over 40 years working with Iseli’s Nursery for five years, and then with a local high-end retail nursery for 25 years. Meanwhile, she and her husband Tom, own and operate a niché cloud-pruned pine tree nursery in Boring, Oregon.

Laura is also experienced in bonsai, and aesthetic pruning of maples and other landscape plant material.

Workshop Cancellation Policy

We do not issue refunds on workshop registrations. 

If you register for a workshop and later become unable to attend, we will gladly offer a credit for your registration amount to use toward any future event if you notify us at least 24 hours before the workshop.

To cancel and request a credit, please email us at administrator@greshamjapanesegarden.com. Workshop credits are not redeemable for cash. Please note: Credits cannot be given for registrations for workshops hosted by visiting/out of town instructors. Due to the nature of these one-time-only workshops, all events hosted by special guests are subject to this policy. Thank you for understanding!

In the event a class is cancelled or rescheduled due to inclement weather, or any incident where GJG or its instructors are at fault, you will receive a credit to take another class at a later date.

About Our Policy

Our workshops require a great deal of pre-planning, including ordering supplies and tools, booking staff, and making commitments to pay our instructors — all based on the number of students who register. In fairness to all of our customers we are unable to make exceptions to our policy, including for reasons of illness, travel, or work hours. If you are unable to attend a workshop at the last minute, we suggest giving your spot to a friend!

Thank you for understanding!

The GJG Team