Woody Landscape Plant Identification with Executive Director Andrew Gapinski

Dive into a greater understanding and appreciation of trees and shrubs growing in planted and natural landscapes in Minnesota — and at the Arboretum! Executive Director Andrew Gapinski has years of expertise in arboreta and an infectious enthusiasm for plants that is sure to make this a memorable experience. 

Join other advanced gardeners, green industry professionals and Master Gardener Volunteers in this three-part series as you: 

• Learn the identification characteristics, common and scientific names, desired growing conditions and landscape uses of 40 woody plant species.
• Walk through the grounds with Andrew, identifying 12+ trees and shrubs each session.
• Engage in informal identification quizzes about prior sessions to help cement your knowledge.

Supplies/Equipment: Notebook and pen will be provided at the first class. Feel free to bring water bottle, phone or camera to capture study images, snacks as needed, or even a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe to see identifying characteristics in greater detail.

Note: Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Accessible paths will be prioritized on the walk.

Instructor Bio: As executive director of the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Horticultural Research Center since 2023, Andrew leads the entire organization, and works collaboratively across the arboretum community to create and implement a long-term vision and strategic plan. For the past 20 years, Andrew has spent his career focused on the role of public gardens in connecting people and plants through the art and science of horticulture to inspire positive impact for society and our planet.

Andrew’s past positions include roles at The Arboretum at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania, The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, and most recently director of horticulture at the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University in Boston, caring for the plants and landscapes of North America’s oldest public arboretum. He earned his master’s in Public Horticulture from the University of Delaware in Newark, as part of the Longwood Graduate Program and his bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His favorite Minnesota-native tree is bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) seen here.