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["Sandra J. Repp" <sjr37 AT cornell.edu>]

Learn to Prune – become a Citizen Pruner volunteer!

 

Since 1991, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the City of Ithaca have collaborated to sponsor the Citizen Pruner volunteer program.  Because Ithaca has an active tree planting program, it made sense to start a volunteer pruner program  to provide proper training of new  trees.  By pruning trees when they are young, future structural problems are reduced and the longevity of trees is improved. 

                Citizen Pruner Training will take place during Monday evening classes from 7-8:30 PM held on April 1, 9, and 15 at the Cooperative Extension located at 615 Willow Ave.  The first class on Monday April 1 is being taught by Dr. Nina Bassuk of the Cornell Urban Horticulture Institute.  Nina will talk about dealing with challenging site conditions and selecting trees that grow well in difficult sites.  Many home construction sites are just as challenging for tree growth as street plantings. 

The next two classes will focus on pruning practices for trees and shrubs.  Training young trees and general tree pruning practices will be discussed on April 8 by City Forester, Jeanne Grace, along with arborist, Keith Vanderhye, owner of Limbwalker pruning company.  On April 15, Monika Roth, CCE Ag Educator, will talk about pruning shrubs in the landscape. 

                These classes are free and open to the public; and individuals who wish to become Citizen Pruner volunteers are highly encouraged to attend. 

Citizen Pruner volunteers get lots of hands- on pruning practice during weekly work sessions held from May to October.  Generally there is one early evening (5:30-7 PM) work session and one morning (8:30-10 AM) work session per week. Volunteers work throughout the City of Ithaca pruning street trees and in Parks.  For a volunteer job description and to register for the classes, call 607-272-2292 or email Monika Roth at mr55 AT cornell.edu.