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Join landscape architect Matt Whitaker to learn the art and science of pruning. Matt has been pruning since the age of 10 when he decided to “clean-up” the yard. Since that day, he has spent four decades studying plants and practicing the art of pruning everything from azaleas to peaches. Matt practiced landscape architecture in Virginia for 9 years where he studied pruning under world-renown fruit expert Tom Burford. Topics will include an overview of plant anatomy and physiology, different pruning cuts and plant response to the cuts, and differing approaches for different plants.

About Matt Whitaker:
Matt is the founding principal of WMWA Landscape Architects. After working twelve
years at award winning firms in Virginia and Washington, DC, Matt returned home to
start his own firm.

When Matt was 17, his high school art teacher took notice of his interests in art and
nature and suggested that he study landscape architecture. Landscape architecture is
his third profession after working as a butcher during undergrad and managing the
production of cutting-edge drug delivery polymers shortly after he graduated. His
bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from the University of Alabama in Huntsville
centered on the macro and micro characteristics of plant ecology. Building on his
interests, Matt applied his love for ecology and plant communities to a rigorous design
curriculum while earning his Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of
Georgia’s School of Environmental Design. As a lifelong student, his passion for
ecology and natural systems heavily influences his work as a landscape architect.
Matt loves the outdoors, good food, and is fascinated by plants. Matt’s friend Tom
Burford, a world-renowned apple and fruit expert, told Matt to go to Chattanooga and
start a firm. When Tom Burford tells you to do something, you do it.