Instructor: Melissa Finley

No image available Melissa Finley is the Thain Curator of Woody Plants at the New York Botanical Garden. She holds a Master?s of plant pathology from the Pennsylvania State University, where she researched the ability of Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight, to parasitize apple fruit tissues. She also holds a Bachelor?s of sustainable crop and landscaping systems with an emphasis in environmental horticulture from the University of Idaho. She is an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist and a qualified tree risk assessor. Her previous roles include: forester for the city of New York Department of Parks and Recreation, commercial arborist, and many various gardener and laboratory technician positions.

Classes by this instructor


This user-friendly intro course surveys the major plant groups-flowering plants, conifers, ferns, and bryophytes-focusing on their form and structure. Become botanically literate and gain practical experience in dissecting and analyzing plant structures.
252HRT300AO 10/15 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Finley
ONLINE

Learn to prune like NYBG! In this two-week course, our plant experts will guide you through essential pruning techniques for woody plants like small trees and shrubs, and more.
252PLT140B 12/04 We 12:00am-11:59pm Finley
ONLINE-FLEX

Soil compaction, construction damage, and land development practices can lead to tree decline and early tree mortality. Examine the biology of trees, and learn how they respond to changes in the urban environment. Explore techniques for assessing and preserving tree more...
253HRT426 03/01 Sa 11:00am-2:00pm Finley
NYBG