Citizen Pruner Training

After the workshop, you’ll be prepared to help Canopy maintain hundreds of recently planted trees in schools, parks, and public spaces in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and surrounding communities.

Pruning trees early, during their first few years, is critical to the trees’ long-term health and vitality. By joining our team, you can provide an invaluable service to the community, laying the groundwork for a healthy, vibrant urban forest that will benefit the community for decades to come.

Next Workshop

Held 2-3 times throughout the year.

Our last workshop was held in June of 2017. Check back soon for upcoming dates!

Workshop Description

Join Canopy’s Citizen Pruner Team! In this free, interactive workshop you’ll learn the art and science of young tree pruning with Canopy’s Program Director Michael Hawkins and other local experts. You’ll also join a dynamic team of Citizen Pruners that help maintain young Canopy trees throughout the community.

In the classroom, you will learn what defines “good structure” for a young tree and how to achieve this goal through pruning. You’ll practice assessing individual trees, determining where to cut, and how to make cuts without injuring the tree.

In the field, you will have hands-on pruning practice and on-the-spot coaching from skilled arborists.

Tools: We encourage participants to bring their own gloves and pruning shears if possible, but several sets of tools are always available to share.

No prior pruning experience is necessary; we welcome all skill levels, from beginner to professional.

Note: This workshop is intended for ages 14 and up.

Do you have questions about the Citizen Pruner Workshop, contact Education Manager Natalie Brubaker at [email protected].