Pruning with Confidence: Small Trees and Shrubs
Date: Fri, Oct 16, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Venue: Duke Gardens–Pelham-Cullen Classroom in the Barnes Welcome Center, Durham
Price: $28
Category: Outdoors
Whether you've been nervously eyeing an overgrown branch or just want to keep your trees healthy and beautiful for years to come, this practical pruning workshop with Bobby Mottern, director of horticulture at Duke Gardens, gives you the knowledge and confidence to pick up your pruners. You’ll start indoors with a slide presentation on pruning principles, you'll learn: Why trees need pruning — and what happens when they don't get it When is the best time to prune for tree health What to remove — and just as importantly, what to leave alone How to make clean, proper cuts that help trees heal Which tools to use, how to maintain them and how to stay safe on the job Then head outside into the garden, where you'll see techniques demonstrated and get the chance to try them yourself. You'll leave with practical skills and the confidence to approach pruning in your garden. Fee : $28; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Location: Pelham-Cullen Classroom inside the Barnes Welcome Center. Accessibility: This will be a small group program that takes place partially seated indoors and partially outdoors, traveling on a combination of paved and unpaved paths with some uneven surfaces and moderate inclines. The indoor location is equipped with a hearing loop, which transmits sound directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants with a T-coil setting. Accessible restrooms are available onsite.
