Image by Joseph OBrien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Join local professionals on Tuesday, 4/14 from 5:30-7:00 pm to learn to about prune trees.

Citizen Pruner Training: Tree Pruning

Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Ithaca’s City Forester, Jeanne Grace, will explain best practices for pruning small and large trees. Using the correct techniques will ensure long term health for your tree so it will be a strong part of your landscape for years to come. Each spring, CCE-Tompkins offers a multi-part training series for individuals who want to learn best practices for selecting, planting, caring for, and pruning ornamental trees and shrubs. The classes are part of a 3-part hybrid series, with a final hands-on workshop - take one or all. There will be a separate registration link for each class.
This class series gives the basics to start as a Citizen Pruner Volunteer. Citizen Pruners are stewards of trees in the City of Ithaca and the Town of Ulysses. Throughout the warm months, interested folks gather with experienced foresters at weekly volunteer sessions to prune.

"Tree Selection and Care" Tuesday, April 7th, 5:30-7:00 pm
"Shrub Pruning" Tuesday, April 28th, 5:30-7:00 pm
"Hands-on Workshop" Tuesday, May 5th, 5:30-7:30pm

Instructor's bio: Jeanne Grace has worked as City Forester for the City of Ithaca for 15 years. She previously worked on the Asian Long-horned Beetle Eradication program in NYC and holds a BS from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse and an MS in Horticulture from Cornell University. She is a certified Arborist, a Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Arborist (TRAQ) and a DEC licensed pesticide applicator.

This class is being offered both In-person or Via Zoom.