Five Year Plan
There are so many wonderful concepts within aesthetic pruning but the concept that ties it all together for me is the idea of a five year plan. It feels like pruning is thought of as a singular seasonal task, not one that is in perpetual refinement. The idea of a multi year plan is also missing from most design fields. Sure there is iteration but usually projects have an end point.
For pruning, time is a unique design tool we can use to our advantage.
The world of business and organizations are very familiar with five year plans. Often called “A Five Year Strategic Plan”. You can get templates, higher consultants or designate a committee on your board to create a roadmap that outlines long-term goals, the vision and how to achieve them over a five year time period. They analyze, create mission statements and a whole host of other objectives intended to give people focus and direction for a period of time. Sure things may change year to year but it keeps the organization on track and helps them make strategic decisions along the way.
For the pruner a five year plan incorporates an assessment of the garden context and type of tree, defines a goal for the tree and then develops a multi year plan to achieve it. A multi year plan respects the tree by making health a priority. The goal for the tree can be accomplished over time and takes advantage of the tree's responsive growth instead of fighting against it.
Its often a huge relief to realize all the cuts don’t have to happen all at once. A five year plan allows for decisions to be made thoughtfully instead of under pressure. It allows for serendipity and personal growth. It frees us from mundane task pruning and makes room for pruning with design intent.
Books
Mr. Omoshiroi, Dennis Makishima, Notes from a Baby Boomer Sansei AND Bonsai Sensei, with Jennifer Hasegawa
It can be found on Amazon or order it from your favorite bookstore.
Reading Dennis’ autobiography makes me feel like I am back in Berkeley sitting in a cafe listening to Dennis talk story. On page 74 he talks about multi year pruning plans and advises “Don’t prune to perfection. Prune so trees can grow to perfection.”
Podcast
August 18th, 2025 Debbie Millman, Design Matters. Listen to the 20th Anniversary celebration episode (One of Three) with highlights from creative people she has interviewed over the years. Of the three I enjoyed this one the most.
Going ons
Conference
Its not to late to register for the North America Japanese Garden Association 7th International Japanese Garden conference October 15-18, 2025 in St. Louis, MO. I will be giving a presentation about pruning language as well as leading a hands-on pruning workshop. If there is anything you want to know about Japanese Gardens this is the place to be.
Presentation
Hoffman Center for the Arts in Manzanita Oregon
Pruning with Maryann Lewis - October 24th, 2025 4:00pm to 5:30
I don’t have all of the information at the time this newsletter is published so check their website for details.
Workshop
Hoffman Center for the Arts in Manzanita Oregon
Pruning demonstration and workshop October 25, 2025
Morning and afternoon sessions. More details to follow on the Hoffman Center for the Arts website. Check their calendar of updates.
Workshop
Pruning Conifers for Health and Aesthetics
I will be teaching a course for the Gresham Japanese Garden pruning program in person on November 15th, 2025 from 1:00-3:00. Register with the Gresham Japanese Garden.
Did a friend forward you this newsletter and now you want to sign up too? Click hear to subscribe!
Newsletter Archives
As a subscriber to the newsletter you have access to all past issues. Click Here to go to the newsletter archives.
FYI, Your privacy is important to me. Your email address is kept secure through my mailing list software provided by Kajabi. Your information will never be sold to anyone and you can unsubscribe from this newsletter anytime simply by clicking UNSUBSCRIBE at the bottom of this email.
Responses