BUTLER TWP — The Woodland Owners of Clarion-Allegheny Valley will host a Saturday pruning workshop from 9 a.m. to noon March 11 at Preston Park.

Those attending will learn proper techniques, tools and planning. The event will start inside the maintenance garage but will move outside for a demonstration on apple trees. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to dress for the weather.

Clarion County Forester Dave Cole will conduct the workshop, his first in Butler County.

“We had one last year in Clarion,” he said. “We were planning on 20 people and 47 showed up.”

He went on to say that if 50 people show up for the event in March, that would be a good number.

The workshop will teach pruners how to keep a tree’s proper shape and to maintain its size.

It’s important to think ahead before pruning, Cole said. “What are your goals? Why are you going to prune this tree?” he said. “You can really screw up a tree.”

The workshop is free, but registration is required, either by calling 814-226-1901 or sending an e-mail to davcole@pa.gov.