The Gardener is a depiction of God the father (John 15:1) tending to the Tree and its branches assuring that fruition takes place by pruning and training the branches that bear fruit and lopping off the branches that do not.
Affirming Verses:
Romans 8:28-29 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Philippians 1:6 (NIV) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Let us allow God to continue to train us to be like Christ!