As major focal points of a garden planting, trees often define the character of the home landscape and a well-pruned tree enhances the curb appeal of a residence.

While many homeowners leave tree work to the professional landscape maintenance crews, there are many small pruning tasks that can be performed by the home gardener. This is especially true of the young tree, which benefits from corrective pruning early on.

Environmental horticulturist Don Hodel will talk about the why, when and how of tree pruning, with special emphasis on deciduous fruit trees, on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, from 9 to 11 a.m. at California State University, Northridge. Hodel is an environmental horticulturist with the UC Davis Cooperative Extension – Los Angeles County and has authored numerous articles and books on ferns, trees and palms. He is a favorite speaker at local fern, palm and horticultural groups.

“Understanding the basics of tree pruning enables the homeowner to perform some maintenance pruning throughout the year,” said Brenda Kanno, manager of Cal State Northridge’s Botanic Garden, which hosts the CSUN-al Gardening series. “This approach minimizes the occurrence of overcrowded or unsound growth, leading to a healthier, more attractive tree.”

Registration for the free class began Saturday, Dec. 15, and is required. Email botanicgarden@csun.edu to request a space in the class or to request more information. Driving and parking instructions, as well as the class meeting location, will be sent upon registration.

The Cal State Northridge Botanic Garden is operated by the university’s Department of Biology, and serves as a field site for botany, entomology, photography, painting and other classes. In addition to outdoor landscapes and natural botanic environments, the garden also features greenhouses where noteworthy botanical specimens are grown. The garden is open to the community.

For more information visit the website www.csun.edu/botanicgarden/.

College of Science and Mathematics, Community