In this episode of the NAJGA podcast, Shayna discusses the art, craft and heart of Japanese garden design with Tim Gruner, who shares his extensive knowledge and experiences related to pine trees and pine pruning in Japanese gardens. They explore various aspects of pine shaping, training, pine pruning, the differences between bonsai, niwaki or garden trees, the importance of space in Japanese gardens and placement of pines and how to create a cohesive effect in a Japanese garden.

Tim Gruner emphasizes the significance of achieving the right scale, transparency, and the role of pines in creating space. He also discusses techniques such as candling, cleaning the bark, and needle pruning to enhance the aesthetics of pine trees in the garden.

The conversation delves into the challenge of helping visitors connect with and appreciate Japanese gardens fully, especially when unfamiliar with the style. Tim suggests that turning off distractions and observing in silence can help individuals better appreciate the gardens' beauty.

Finally, they touch on the different shapes of pine trees, with Tim expressing a preference for compositions that involve multiple trunks functioning as part of a harmonious whole, particularly in combination with deciduous material, which offers a dynamic and invigorating experience.

To explore the world of Japanese garden design further go to our website at www.najga.org for all the resources available from the North American Japanese Garden Association.