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If you’ve ever spotted a group of volunteers carefully shaping young trees along Atlanta’s streets and parks, you’ve likely seen a Trees Atlanta Certified Pruner at work. With the right tools, thoughtful decision-making, and a lot of care, these trained volunteers help young trees grow strong, safe, and healthy in the City in the Forest.

As we prepare for the Certified Pruning Training Program to start up in 2026 with the first class on February 7, we’re excited to spotlight Joyce and her journey to becoming a Trees Atlanta Certified Pruner.

Joyce’s Pruning Journey

Joyce first connected with Trees Atlanta by volunteering at the Annual Tree Sale, where she enjoyed learning more about the organization’s work and discovering native plants. What started as a fun way to support the mission soon sparked a deeper curiosity about trees.

Her journey to becoming a Certified Pruner began in Fall 2024. A longtime gardener, Joyce found herself wondering how best to care for the trees at her home. “I had always wondered how to take care of small trees, like avocado from seed, finger lime tree, and others,” she shared. That curiosity ultimately led her to pruning training. 

One of Joyce’s favorite parts of the program was learning how pruning techniques shift depending not just on species, but on the needs of each individual tree. She also valued learning from multiple instructors who each had their own pruning philosophy and style. As Joyce put it, pruning is “an art as well as a science.” 

While learning about different types of cuts was fascinating, she shared that the real challenge came when it was time to prune. 

“Pruning is like a puzzle. You have to justify why you want to make a certain cut with someone else and sometimes you disagree. You both go through the logic and then try to figure out how to best solve this puzzle. If you enjoy puzzles and love trees, go prune! You learn so much and the trees need it, a great win-win!” 

 Now a Trees Atlanta Certified Pruner, Joyce can often be found on weekends pruning young trees across the city. This work is made even more meaningful by the community of fellow pruners working alongside her, and the confidence she’s gained to care for trees at home through informed pruning. 

When asked if anything surprised her about the class, Joyce shared, “I cannot look at a tree the same way anymore and it’s super cool. I love that I have a better knowledge and relationship with trees!” 

Her advice to anyone considering the program? “Trees Atlanta is just awesome, and you are never too young or too old to learn.”

“I always enjoy having Joyce at pruning projects! She has a great can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and is always eager to learn more about trees and how best to prune them.” 

                                                                                                — Angela McTigue, Plant Health Care Supervisor

“We are so grateful for Joyce and the more than 75 volunteer hours she has spent supporting our urban forest. The trees are healthier and looking better thanks to her hard work!” 

                                                                                 — Susan Pierce Cunningham, Associate Director of Volunteer Services

What is a Certified Pruner?

Trees Atlanta Certified Pruners are trained volunteers who help care for young trees across the city by pruning them according to best practices that support long-term health, safety, and structure.

Certified Pruners receive training through a combination of virtual learning and three in-person, hands-on sessions that cover:

• Pruning basics and tree biology
• Proper tool use and pruning safety
• How pruning needs differ by species and by individual tree
• Urban pruning considerations, such as sidewalk and street clearance
• How to make thoughtful cuts that avoid unnecessary canopy loss

Pruning is a skilled volunteer role and requires completion of the full training series. Once certified, volunteers are invited to assist at pruning volunteer projects throughout metro Atlanta.

About the Author: Joyce Shi Sim

Joyce Shi Sim was born and raised in Malaysia and came to the United States for undergraduate studies, where she has stayed since. In her free time, she enjoys foraging for mushrooms— an interest that led her to tree identification and learning more about forest ecosystems. She also expresses her creative side through pottery.

Posted on: January 20, 2026