New Year, New Us?

I have been informed by my teenager this is a common phrase used this time of year for couples who have broken up and are wondering if they should get back together again in the new year. Has this always been a thing? I think its fascinating since the new year’s action plan I am familiar with usually focus on the individual.

But I like the idea of thinking in pairs. Or a group. Or my relationship to goals and projects that didn’t pan out the way I thought they would.

My relationship to the profession of architecture falls into this category. I am a registered architect but I have not worked on buildings since 2009 when I was laid off during the Great Recession. Instead I dove deep into aesthetic pruning, focusing on developing the Aesthetic Pruners Association and growing my aesthetic pruning business. It appeared as though my relationship with architecture was “Over!”

I know the skills I use in the practice of architecture help me reach my pruning goals but I have always struggled to explain how my architectural background connects to my aesthetic pruning future. But this year I think I have figured out how architecture and myself can be a New Us. Or at least admit an important part of "us" has been together this whole time!

The part that never left "us" is design.

This became apparent as I worked on my presentation about pruning language for the October 2025 NAJGA conference. I started out thinking the aesthetic pruning terminology Dennis Makishima came up with was unique. It is, but only in the sense that it is a design language that applies to pruning. Something we don’t have in the western world. Other design professions have developed their own language to describe their phases of design. Graphic designers, architects and engineers all have favorite vocabulary they use. For example at the beginning of a project graphic designers talk about a “Creative Brief”. Architects have a “Schematic” phase and engineers simply ask “What’s the problem?” Then they move on to the next phase of design. By following the phases of design, professionals make sure they are accounting for all of the variables inherent in a project.

Dennis may not have structured his terminology into phases but when applied, this is exactly how they help pruners make decisions they can live with long into the future. 

I am revamping all of my presentations and handouts to include a new graphic explaining how I see the design phases of aesthetic pruning and this year the newsletter will dive a little deeper into each design phase. The 2025 April newsletter talks about the phase called “Find The Good”. If you missed that one or need a refresher take a look! If you are a subscriber you have access to all of the old newsletter issues.

Cheers to the new Us!

Maryann

Happenings 

In The Classroom - Registration is open!

Aesthetic Pruning Philosophy and Fundamentals

On January 31st from 10:00am to 11:00 I will be teaching a 1 hour class at Garden Fever in Portland, Oregon. They have an indoor classroom where we can stay warm and dry while learning all about aesthetic pruning. (This class will include a copy of my new graphic explaining the aesthetic pruning approach as well as some other resources.)

We will review some fundamentals but also take a dive into the philosophy of the aesthetic pruning approach. What a great way to start the new year! Space is limited. Register on my website here.

Zoom Webinar

Chris Roddick will be giving a webinar for the Gresham Japanese Garden about “The Science and Biology of Pruning”. He gave a presentation for the APA and it was fantastic. Even if you think you know a lot, there is always more to learn. If you are new to the tree science world this would be a wonderful foray. Register with the Gresham Japanese Garden.

February 11, 2026 -  5:30pm to 7:30pm $20.00

Workshop, The Pruning Lab - Rescheduled for March 14th, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Open for registration.

Hoffman Center for the Arts in Manzanita, Oregon

In the morning I will be demonstrating on various plants in a private garden and in the afternoon we will prune the pines and juniper in the Wonder Garden. Bring your sharp, clean hand clippers, gloves and weather appropriate gear. Register here!

If you did not previously register you can register here with the Hoffman Center for the Arts. The Pruning Lab workshop is eligible for The Hoffman Center for the Arts scholarship program.

YouTube Videos

For the conifer aficionados out there, I posted a short video showing how I remove the leaders from a large Abies koreana ‘Kohout’s Ice Breaker’.

I also make an appearance in NAJGA’s video from the conference on St. Louis last October!

Newsletter Archives

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