Boston Flora

Tag: pruning

  • Saturday, December 8, 9:30 am – 12:00 noon – Measure Twice, Cut Once: Introductory Tree and Shrub Pruning

    Put down the hedge shears! Through both classroom instruction and hands-on field training, this December 8 class at the Arnold Arboretum will include what’s, whys, and how’s of proper pruning approaches and techniques. Andrew Gapinski will focus on small ornamental trees, young shade trees, and shrubs with general approaches towards maintaining a plant’s natural form and encouraging health and vigor. Note: Pruning for fruit production will not be covered in this offering. Dress for indoor and outdoor learning. Class begins at 9:30 am in the Hunnewell Building. Fee $32 Arboretum member, $42 nonmember. Register at my.arboretum.harvard.edu or call 617-384-5277.

    Introductory Tree and Shrub Pruning

  • Thursday, November 15, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Pruning Basics

    Worcester Tree Initiative’s Community Forester Derek Lirange will cover the fundamentals of pruning woody plants, including what should be cut out of trees and shrubs and how to make cuts for both health and appearance. He will also address common pruning mistakes or misconceptions and simple tool maintenance so you can make sure you’re making the best cut every time. This beginner’s class will take place at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on November 15 from 10 – noon. Tower Hill member price $15, nonmembers $25. Register at http://www.towerhillbg.org.

    Derek Lirange began working at Worcester Tree Initiative (WTI) days after completing his Bachelor’s Degree, from UMASS Amherst, in Urban and Community Forestry in 2013. As WTI’s Community Forester, Derek’s primary role is to work with WTI’s partners coordinating tree plantings, education programs, and workdays.

    Image result for Derek Lirange

  • Saturday, October 20, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs

    Autumn is a great time to assess your woody plants for shape and structure.This Berkshire Botanical Garden demonstration/workshop on October 20 from 10 – 1 taught by Ken Gooch will focus on pruning, including when, why and how to shape, renovate, train or rejuvenate your woody plants. Learn about pruning tools, timing and specific techniques available to the home gardener. Pruning techniques for both evergreen and deciduous hedges will be covered. Wear waterproof outerwear and boots and bring pruners. $25 for BBG members, $35 for nonmembers. Register at www.berkshirebotanical.org.

    Ken Gooch, is a Massachusetts Certified Arborist and the former Forest Health Program Director for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation.

    Image result for pruning ornamental trees before and after

  • Tuesdays, October 2 – October 30, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Master Tree Steward Training

    Learn the skills essential to urban and community forestry and become tree stewards in your community at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Tuesday nights, October 2 – 30, from 6 – 9. Topics covered include basic pruning techniques and safety, tree identification and biology, proper tree planting and care, tree pests and diseases, tree health assessment, and urban soil challenges. To complete this program, participants must commit to at volunteering for at least 20 hours in the urban forest of Worcester or at Tower Hill Botanic Garden.

    Coordinated by Worcester Tree Initiative

    Session 1:
    Introduction to the program/Welcome
    Basic Pruning Techniques & Safety in the Field – Classroom Training
    The Value of Urban Trees
    Hands-on Indoor Pruning
    Field Tree ID

    Session 2:
    Hands-on Outdoor Tree Pruning
    Tree Biology
    Tree Diseases/Fungi
    Tree ID

    Session 3:
    How to Properly Plant a Tree
    Tree Establishment and Ongoing Tree Care
    Tree Health Assessment Intro
    Identifying Common Urban Trees

    Session 4:
    Community Pests/Diseases: How to Identify & What to do.
    Soil, Plant Nutrition & Urban Soil Challenges
    Tree Identification: Shapes of Leaves, Texture of Bark, Leaf Scars, etc.
    Identifying Common Urban Trees

    Session 5:
    Evolving Forest – Migration of Pests and Change in Agricultural Zones
    Tree Care Leadership in your Community
    Test
    Certificates/Volunteer Sign Up

    SKILL LEVEL: ALL LEVELS. THBG members $120, nonmembers $140. Register online at www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Tuesdays, July 10, 17, & 31, 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm – Horticultural Techniques

    Good horticultural practices form the backbone of any successful garden, and understanding how to apply these practices is the first step toward becoming a horticulturist. Learn how to select the right plant for the right place and how to plant and care for native plants. Participants in this three part New England Wildflower Society class at Garden in the Woods in Framingham will study the proper techniques for transplanting, preparing soil, mulching, watering, and pruning as well as maintaining, winterizing, and preparing the garden for the next growing season. The sessions will be held on Tuesdays, July 10, 17, and 31 (no class on July 24) from 12 – 3. $139 for NEWFS members, $163 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn/our-programs/horticultural-techniques

    Image result for horticultural techniques

  • Friday, April 6, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon – Get Ready! The Spring Garden

    Get prepared for a productive and creative gardening season. Join Cheryl Monroe at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Friday, April 6 at 11 am. Topics covered include: what to prune now and why, tool sharpening (demonstration and bring yours, too!), flower bed cleanup and evaluation, transplanting, lawn care, pest control (voles, winter moth, and scale), houseplant basics, bulb care and bare root plants. Get through this busy season informed, prepared, and ready for whatever Mother Nature throws your way.

    Cheryl Monroe is a licensed adult educator who follows the science, reading constantly and taking classes to stay current with the latest in plant research, new plant introductions and design trends. Cheryl is a gardener who follows the motto “Pretty it up!” and strives to have beautiful pest free gardens on her 1 acre plot in central Massachusetts where she grows close to 100 clematis species and hybrids, dozens upon dozens of ornamental vines, hundreds upon hundreds of perennials , and a large variety of both deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs. $10 for THBG members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at https://towerhillbg.thankyou4caring.org/pages/event-registration-form—get-ready-the-spring-garden

    Image result for spring garden

  • Saturday, April 7, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Pruning for Fruit Production: Pome and Stone Fruit Trees

    This Berkshire Botanical Garden demonstration/workshop on Saturday, April 7 from 10 – 3 will focus on the specifics of pruning stone and pome fruit trees and some small fruits, including cane fruits and ribes. Unlike for ornamental woody plants, pruning for fruit is a special science that is designed to maximize fruit production. Learn the principles of pruning for shape, size, and, most importantly, fruit production. Watch a structural pruning demonstration on newly planted fruit trees. Semi-dwarf orchard trees, including mature and newly planted trees, will be available for pruning.

    Steve McKay is the former Grape and Small Fruit Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension in eastern New York State. He owns Micosta, a fruit nursery located in Hudson, NY, and specializes in traditional and unusual fruit tree and small fruits. $45 for BBG members, $55 for nonmembers. Participants should dress warmly and bring pruners and work gloves; dress for the weather. Register at https://berkshirebotanical.secure.force.com/events/CnP_PaaS_EVT__ExternalRegistrationPage?event_id=a2m1Y0000033aC2QAI

  • Saturday, March 31, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Pruning Blueberries: A Hands-On Workshop

    This UMass Extension presentation on blueberry pruning will be held on Saturday, March 31 from 10 – 12. Blueberries are among the most popular fruits to grow in the home garden. They are healthful and well suited to grow in our New England conditions Come learn the basics for pruning blueberries for your home landscape. Participants will get some hands-on pruning lessons. We’ll learn about tool maintenance and sharpening, too. Bring your own tools or use ours. $35.

    The class will be taught by Sonia Schloemann at the Nicewicz Family Farm, 116 Sawyer Road in Bolton. Register and pay via credit card for any Mass Aggie seminar by visiting http://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/mass-aggie-seminars/mass-aggie-seminars-2018. You will be taken to a secure RegOnline site where you will be able to choose which seminars you wish to attend and to pay. You will receive an e-mail receipt of your transaction. This workshop will be partially out of doors so please dress appropriately for potentially wet, cold, and muddy conditions.

    Image result for blueberries Nicewicz Family Farm

  • Wednesday, March 28, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Dormant Pruning 101

    Dawn Davies, Staff Horticulturist at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, will teach you the basics of pruning small trees and shrubs in the dormant season, in this Tower Hill Botanic Garden lecture on Wednesday, March 28 from 2 – 3. Please dress for the weather since this will take place outdoors. Free with admission. For more information visit http://towerhillbg.org, or call 508-869-6111, x 124.

  • Saturday, March 24, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Home Orchard Pruning: A Hands-On Workshop

    This UMass Extension presentation on home orchard pruning will be held on Saturday, March 24 from 10 – 1. The joy of growing fruit in the home garden is enjoying a renaissance. One of the key steps in successful fruit growing is the act of pruning the trees. This can seem daunting and complicated, but it’s not! Not once you understand the principles involved. Come learn how to properly prune your fruit trees (apples, pears, peaches, etc.). Participants will have the opportunity to conduct actual pruning and gain both experience and confidence in pruning fruit trees in order to produce a bountiful crop. $35.

    The class will be taught by Jon Clements and Liz Garofalo at Windy Hill Farm, 686 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington. Register and pay via credit card for any Mass Aggie seminar by visiting http://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/mass-aggie-seminars/mass-aggie-seminars-2018. You will be taken to a secure RegOnline site where you will be able to choose which seminars you wish to attend and to pay. You will receive an e-mail receipt of your transaction. This workshop will be partially out of doors so please dress appropriately for potentially wet, cold, and muddy conditions.