Pruning is one of the most common — and most daunting — questions that gardeners bring to OSU Extension. Knowing when and how to prune can be overwhelming, and while long videos or technical guides exist, they can be difficult to find, navigate and apply without a significant time investment.
In winter 2021, a request posted to the Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener Facebook page asked for shorter, more accessible information on pruning. The request highlighted a broader need: clear, concise guidance that demystifies this essential gardening task.
The collaboration turned expert knowledge into simple, accessible tools — helping thousands of gardeners prune with purpose and confidence.
To meet that need, the OSU Garden Ecology Lab launched a seasonal social media campaign called #PruneBetter, designed to deliver approachable, science-based pruning information directly into the social feeds of gardeners across Oregon and beyond. The campaign ran from mid-winter to early spring 2022 — the peak season for pruning many trees and shrubs.
The team produced a variety of content, including short videos demonstrating pruning techniques, posts with simple how-to steps, and links to deeper resources for those seeking more detail. Experts featured in the campaign included Neil Bell, professor of practice in community horticulture with OSU Extension, and the late Bernadine Strik, professor emeritus with OSU Extension.
To ensure the content was well-suited to each platform, short video clips were posted individually on Instagram, while Facebook users saw longer, combined versions. Instagram Stories included interactive quizzes and prompts to help viewers test their knowledge and stay engaged.
The campaign also promoted Pruning with the Pros, a separately produced video series coordinated by Nicole Sanchez, OSU Extension horticulture faculty in Klamath County. The series featured professional arborists discussing a range of topics and was made available on the OSU Extension website and YouTube channel.
Additionally, the campaign incorporated content developed in partnership with Pacific Power, addressing safety tips for pruning near power lines — a topic of growing interest for homeowners and gardeners alike.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. On Facebook, 11 posts — including videos and photos — reached more than 105,500 people. On Instagram, 11 posts and over 30 Stories reached 27,700 users. In total, the campaign reached more than 133,000 people. Gardeners engaged by liking, commenting and sharing — and many offered enthusiastic feedback. One viewer wrote: “This was the best, most succinct, and informative apple tree pruning video I have ever seen. Thanks so much. Now to go out & attack those watersprouts.”
The Garden Ecology Lab team behind the campaign included Mallory Mead (research), Nicole Strik Bell (writing, video, photography), and LeAnn Locher, Extension Master Gardener outreach coordinator (creative direction). Their collaboration turned expert knowledge into simple, accessible tools — helping thousands of gardeners prune with purpose and confidence.
