Pruning Program
GJG is thrilled to offer pruning workshops taught by skilled, professional pruners.
The pruning program is designed for gardeners and landscape professionals interested in pruning for the health and aesthetics of the plant and landscape, while advancing your pruning and plant knowledge and skills.
Each course focuses on different aspects of pruning in regards to different plant material. See below. Check back often. New courses are added all the time.
Spring/Summer Courses
Hands on Pruning a Japanese Garden – Saturday, Sept. 6, 10am – 4pm
This workshop will focus on vine maples and upright Acer palmatums. You must be comfortable on tall ladders.
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. Trained in Japan, Francheska brings a wealth of knowledge and skill set in pruning and garden building as well. She owns her own business, Niwa Method
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. You will have the unique opportunity to enjoy your lunch in Vanport’s authentic, handcrafted tea house.
This workshop is certified by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board. Licensed landscape construction professionals receive five Continuing Education Hours (CEH).
Francheska Snyder
Originally from Pennsylvania, Francheska Snyder is the current owner/operator of Niwa Method, a landscape contracting business specializing in Japanese gardens in the Portland area. She has previously worked in public non-profit gardens such as the Portland Japanese Garden, Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, and Wyck Historic House and Garden. She has participated in work-study opportunities assisting Japanese garden builds across the United States, in Italy, and in various regions of Japan. Francheska earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2009. She holds a certificate in Ornamental Horticulture from Longwood Gardens, a 3rd Term Master Level certificate from the Ohara School of Ikebana and is a recognized Chanticleer Scholar. She also uses her time and talent on the board of Leach Botanical Garden, and consulting and teaching for the Gresham Japanese Garden.
Pruning Conifers for Health and Aesthetics Course: Onsite, Saturday, November 15, 2025: 1:00-3:00pm – $45
Join us for an immersive, hands-on workshop: Pruning Conifers for Health and Aesthetics course, led by GJG pruning instructor Maryann Lewis, an APA Certified Aesthetic Pruner, CAP #19 with the Aesthetic Pruners Association. This session 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.
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.
Instructor, Maryann Lewis:
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.
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
Upcoming Workshops & Classes
2025 The Art of Bonsai-June-Thurs
June 19, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm2025 The Art of Bonsai – June-Saturday
June 21, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pmIntroduction to Ikebana – July
July 8, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm2025 The Art of Bonsai-July-Thurs
July 17, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm2025 The Art of Bonsai – July-Saturday
July 19, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm2025 The Art of Bonsai – August-Saturday
August 16, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm2025 The Art of Bonsai-August-Thurs
August 21, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pmHands on Pruning a Japanese Garden – Summer-25
September 6, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm2025 The Art of Bonsai -Sept-Thursday
September 18, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm2025 The Art of Bonsai – Sept-Sat
September 20, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pmPruning Conifers for Health and Aesthetics Course
November 15, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pmWreath Making Workshop & More: Dec 1st
December 1, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pmWreath Making Workshop & More: Dec 7th
December 7, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm