Pruners Give Back to the People of Japan

BEFORE: The Pinus thunbergii (Japanese Black Pine) in Japan Town's Peace Plaza.

Armed with ladders, sharpened pruning shears and hearts of gold, members of the Aesthetic Pruners Association and Merritt College Pruning Club hosted a fund-raiser May 28 at Peace Plaza in San Francisco's Japan Town.

Grateful for lessons learned from the Japanese tradition of garden pruning, they volunteered their time and talent toward beautifying the plaza, a city landmark and home to Japanese varieties of maple, cherry and pine.

The event not only spruced up the space, it also served as a way of giving back to the people of Japan, raising nearly $1,500, all of which will be donated to the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. 

As a special favor to the cause, internationally renowned aesthetic pruner Dennis Makishima was on hand to give a rare public demonstration of his art, applying his unique skills to a mature Japanese black pine planted in an enormous stone vessel. Makishima thinned the pine significantly, which will encourage new growth to take on a more beautifully distinct shape.

Grant Foerster, an APA and MCPC member (and friend!), took the "before" shot above. The "after" photograph below is my handiwork. I look forward to many return visits to the plaza to see the fruits of these wonderful organizations' labor of love.

If you were unable to attend the event and would like to donate, please make checks payable to:

Northern Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund

and mail them to:

Chris Ingram
3934 18th St.
San Francisco, CA 94114

You can also make a donation through the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California Web site.

AFTER: Same tree, thinned out to reveal the beautiful trunk and stimulate new growth and a more elegant shape.