Kevin Shay Johnson aka Good Work Slim

Pruning shrubs & small trees

Good Work, Slim ~ keeping it lean and green.

Proper pruning brings out the natural beauty of your home landscape and keeps plants healthy. A well-cared-for garden can be a place of harmony and sanctuary, an outdoor living space, a bird magnet, a family fun zone.

When you hire me to prune, I like to start with a walk through. We talk about your aesthetic values — how you want your yard to look. Are there areas that need to be opened up? Areas where we can encourage density to create more privacy? Are there poorly-pruned plants that need to be renovated? We establish a budget, and I get right to work.

Pruning by hand

Quality pruning is basically done from the inside out, opening up the plant so light and air can freely circulate. By using hand tools I can be more precise, making the right cut in the right place for the right reason. And, I'm not using electricity or fossil fuels to do the job.

Although plants are pruned one at a time, I pay careful attention to how each plant fits into the "whole" of your landscape. As with healthy human relations, the plants in your yard should relate well to each other, not smother or overpower one another. Artful pruning enhances the beauty of a tree or shrub, while improper pruning can ruin or greatly reduce its value in the landscape.

What people say:

"Kevin's work is first rate. I consider him to be a true partner in my garden. He's conscientious, considerate and careful. I would not hesitate to recommend him."
—Lee Knightly, customer

"Kevin has worked as an ornamental pruning practitioner for my company for many years. His work is excellent! He has an artistic eye and treats the plants under his care creatively and with respect. He's a trained and experienced professional. Additionally he is fun and easy to do business with (sometimes he sings.) And he cleans up thoroughly. You’ll be glad you hired him!"
—Kathryn Leech,
   River City Gardens

"Kevin Johnson is my go-to-guy for all terresterial pruning jobs! Whenever one of my landscape design customers needs pruning I always refer them to 'Kevin the Genius Pruner.' Kevin has a brillant eye, a sure hand, and a fine sensibility for pruning like no other. I feel lucky to know Kevin and have a chance to work with him. My customers are always pleased with the results and so am I!"
—Marina Wynton,
   Olivine & Associates

To schedule pruning

Please call 503-654-7905 to set up a time for me to come prune at your place. I work throughout the Portland metropolitian area.

If you'd like to learn some of the skills needed for proper pruning, we can arrange for you to work alongside me. I enjoy sharing my knowledge. If you know others who'd like to learn, let's schedule a DIY pruning workshop for you and your friends, in your yard.

Note: Good Work, Slim is not a lawn care service. There are some great lawn specialists in our area. I'm also not a high wire acrobat. If you need a large tree pruned, I'll be happy to recommend a certified arborist.