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).

Fall/Winter Courses

Pruning Lace-leaf Maples for Character: Early November 2026

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 an in-person instructional-based course where students will be learn pruning techniques, and receive continuous instructions, and personalized feedback as Snyder prunes the tree.

Information covered:

• Applying pruning techniques to create space specific to laceleaf maples
• The plant’s health and sun exposure
• How to manage a desired size
• Future growth and aesthetics
• Devising a plan

Whether you’re a home gardener or a landscape professional, this course offers high-level pruning techniques to prune laceleaf maples.

The location for this workshop will be at the Gresham Japanese Garden inside Main City Park.

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 Pines for Structure: Sunday, November 16, 2025: $45

Watch Laura unlock the hidden character of a pine tree by removing unnecessary branches and needles, both for the aesthetics and the health of the pine tree. Laura will cloud prune a variety of pine trees at the Gresham Japanese Garden.

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.

Spring/Summer Courses

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.

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