Ornamental Pruning Program

GJG is thrilled to offer pruning workshops taught by skilled, professional pruners.

The ornamental 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 the courses offered below and check back often. New courses are added all the time. NOTE: For licensed gardeners: Some courses are now certified by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board.

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 Lace-leaf Maples for Character: Saturday, November 1, 2025: 10:00pm-2:00pm – $55

Many people care for maple trees on their property, especially laceleaf maples, Acer palmatum var. dissectum. These trees have a distinct growing pattern and can get unruly if they are not pruned regularly. This is a hands-on workshop where students will be learn pruning techniques, and receive instructions, and personalized feedback as they prune an overgrown laceleaf maple tree.

The workshop focuses on bringing a laceleaf back to scale to fit the location, and pruning for the health of the tree. The location for this workshop will be at the Gresham Japanese Garden inside Main City Park. There are two laceleaf maple trees on the CIty of Gresham’s property that are overgrown, and need attention.

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.

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