Advanced Pruning Techniques

Learn the what, when, where, why, and how of pruning to keep plants healthy and strong. Includes hands-on practice in Rutgers Gardens!

Main Content

Close up of gloved hands pruning a branch

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Advanced Pruning Techniques
Course Code: AL0235CA24
Date of Most Recent Offering: April 3, 2024 (Canceled)

Date: April 3, 2024 UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (Check-in time: 8:30 am) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Location: Holly House, 130 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08816 (Directions & Map) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Format: Classroom course with hands-on pruning practice UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Fee: $270 per person UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Early Bird Discount Fee: $245 per person (expires March 27, 2024) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Closes: April 1, 2024 UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

There’s no substitute for true hands-on learning, and this class has plenty of it. Steve Kristoph, owner of Steven Kristoph Nursery, will guide you through classroom (minimal) and field demonstrations (mostly) to ensure you gain a strong understanding of how, what, where, when, and why to prune.

Please dress for fieldwork. Please bring hand pruning shears and a small pruning saw to class with you.

Who Should Attend?

It is strongly recommended that you take Introduction to Pruning or have a strong background in pruning prior to taking this course. Past participants have included:

  • Arborists
  • Department of Public Works Employees
  • Gardeners
  • Landscape Contractors
  • Landscape Designers
  • Property Managers
  • Recreation Maintenance Workers
  • Tree Trimmers

Photo Slideshow

Catch a glimpse into the hands-on portions of the Advanced Pruning Techniques course to see how the participants practice their new pruning skills.

Meet Your Instructor

Steve Kristoph, Steven Kristoph Nursery

Headshot of instructor Steve Kristoph

Steve Kristoph is widely known for his encyclopedic knowledge of plant material. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in horticulture from Rutgers University, and he has been an adjunct instructor at Rutgers for over 25 years. He also owns and operates Steven Kristoph Nursery in Monmouth County, NJ, where he grows many types of ornamental trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials. The landscaping division of his business, P. Steven Kristoph Garden Design, serves both residential and commercial customers and offers a full range of services, including design, installation, maintenance and seasonal color. Steve is passionate about plants and enjoys sharing his passion with others.

Student Reviews

“The opportunity to go out and prune a variety of different sorts of plants with professional guidance being provided was invaluable.”

– Past Participant

Most useful aspect of the course: “Learning which plants to prune at different times.”

– Past Participant

“[I learned] How to cut a branch with three cuts to prevent branch tearing.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Advanced Pruning Techniques was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Advanced Pruning Techniques course (5.5 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 6 Technical Contact Hours (course #DLGS-RUCPE23-45) 

NJ Licensed Tree Experts (LTE/LTCO): 4.75 CEUs

NJ Urban and Community Forestry (NJUCF): 5.5 CEUs

World map icon International

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): Certified Arborist: 5.5; BCMA – Practice: 5.5

Meals

No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only.

NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least one (1) week in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.

Course Requirements and Policies

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Please visit our policies page for the latest information.

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Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

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Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

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A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Attention U.S. Veterans

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This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Advanced Pruning Techniques, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Joe Canzano

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

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Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Landscaper pruning a bush with pruning shears

Introduction to Pruning Techniques

Two women in a garden surrounded by small trees, potted plants, and a watering can

Caring for Ornamental Plants

Person in protective gear using chain saw to prune a tree branch

Tree Pruning

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