CAP Letters of Recommendation

Professional letters

I am applying to become an APA Certified Aesthetic Pruner® (CAP). As part of the certification process, I was asked to provide a referral from a Horticultural Professional who is familiar with my work. 

Would you please complete this Horticultural Professional recommendation form? Your honest observations will provide the Certification Committee with a professional’s perspective of my pruning work. 

Note to Professionals:

As part of the APA’s Certified Aesthetic Pruner® (CAP) certification process, all applicants are asked to provide a recommendation from a Horticultural Professional. 

A Certified Aesthetic Pruner® is recognized for their integrity, sense of public service, and mastery of the aesthetic pruning craft from fellow pruners and the public. 

To assist you with your recommendation, please see “Aesthetic Pruning Terms” below to help understand the usage of terms. 

Draw from your experience to evaluate the applicant in the context of your knowledge of professional pruning. 

Please make sure you have enough familiarity with the applicant’s work. 

In submitting this recommendation you are endorsing that the applicant’s overall pruning ability is at the CAP level. 

All responses will be treated confidentially by the APA Craft Standards Committee. This information will not be shared or distributed. 

Thank you for your efforts to sustain the APA Certified Aesthetic Pruner® program.  If you have any questions please email the Craft Standards Committee at: craftstandards@aestheticprunersassociation.org

Aesthetic Pruning Terms

Pruning with Design Intent

Having the garden’s design in mind while pruning.

Basic Art Principles

Unity, balance, emphasis, contrast, proportion, scale, visual mass, space, negative space, depth, texture, light, line, movement, transition, coarse to fine, shading, perspective, framing, repetition

Essence of a Tree

Identify the “It Factor.” What elements or aspects make the tree unique and of interest? All aspects of the tree must be in balance, helping to define and elevate the essence of the tree. Look for it in the following areas:
• Lasting features: trunk attributes, exposed root collar, location of branches, limbs and twigs
• Temporary features: flowers, fruit, foliage, exfoliating bark, foliar color, scent and light
• Relative strength or grace
• Motion and movement
• Lines: leading, guiding, framing
• Definition: an area, a space, a view, the entire garden
• Light: shadows and silhouettes
• Sound: leaves that catch the wind with a particular sound

Focal Point Pruning

In addition to pruning to bring out the essence of a tree, focal point pruning shows an individual specimen at its best through a high level of detail and expression. Focal point pruning includes:
• Tree should draw and hold the eye.
• Structure, coarse to fine, proportion and transition; flow and movement from the roots to the trunk through to the branch tips

• Ramification (see illustration below)
• Use of negative space
• Hide and conceal pruning cuts.
• Attention to detail; every inch of the tree is considered.
• Every aspect of the tree is in balance: essence vs. other aspects, primary vs. secondary, bold vs. subtle, wood vs. leaves, permanent vs. temporary, current look vs. future look, individual plant vs. entire garden.

• Prune for the primary viewpoint(s) and view time(s).

Winter Silhouette

The winter silhouette is enhanced by a proper background. In areas with mild winters, the winter silhouette can help to bring a sense of seasonality.
• Essence of the tree is clearly defined.
• Emphasis is on structural aspects such as: proportion, flow, transitions, movement and ramification.
• Visible root crown and roots
• Hide and conceal pruning cuts.
• Can incorporate the art of decay and deterioration in older material.

Garden Context

Garden context refers to those elements or features which surround or influence the garden environment. It is the big picture in which the garden resides. Influencing elements may include adjacent natural areas, structures and hardscape features. Think of "garden context" as an all-encompassing aesthetic term.
• The essence, style, intent and mood of the garden – Japanese, native, formal, informal, etc.
• The role of the tree in the garden; the surroundings and the tree’s relationship to them
• Establishing garden unity, harmony and interest through pruning and placement

Vignette

An intimate scene in a garden

Grove

A planted group of three or more trees pruned collectively