John Janick, Owner, Good Host Plants Native Plant Nursery 

In the native plant nursery he runs out of his home in West Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, John Janick works to promote biodiversity by growing straight species native plants, indigenous to Philadelphia and the MidAtlantic region, using local-ecotype plants whenever possible, to promote genetic variability and healthy ecosystems. 

Join us onsite at John’s home and the site of his nursery. You’ll get a tour and learn from John about how he turned a weedy property covered with lawn and invasives into the healthy woodland, aquatic habitat, and thriving native meadow we’ll see together. John will show us his favorite plants for attracting pollinators and providing blooms throughout the growing season covering various site conditions.

This course has been submitted to carry 1.5 CEUs with ISA and LA CES, and 1.5 LTE/ LTCO CEUs for the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts. This course is an approved elective in the Morris Arboretum & Gardens' Certificate in Ecological Horticulture. 

Friday, September 25 
1:00 – 2:30 pm 

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Tony DuFour, Registered Landscape Architect, Anthony Dufour Gardens

Do you want to plant a tree in your landscape this fall? This program will give you the know-how you need to select and plant a tree that will thrive when planted. Participants will gain a solid understanding of handling and transporting trees, identifying the root collar and proper planting depth, and dealing with root defects such as girdling roots. We'll discuss the size of the planting hole, soil amendments (yes or no?), pruning (yes or no?), watering, and tools and equipment of the trade.

This course has been submitted to carry 2 CEUs for ISA and New Jersey Board of Tree Experts.

Saturday, September 26
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

Please go to our Horticulture & Design section to register for this course

Andrew Conboy, Certified Arborist & Founder, Community Canopy Project

McKaig Nature Education Center is home to some of the oldest forests in our region! These woods host a great diversity of plants, from interesting wildflowers to ancient trees estimated at over 200 years old. Join Morris Urban Forestry Consultant Andrew Conboy for an exploratory walk through these woods. Andrew will show you how to identify numerous trees and other plants, teach about their ecological value, and point out unique wildlife.

Participants will meet at McKaig; the meeting location will be emailed to all participants in advance of the class. This course has been submitted for 2 ISA and New Jersey Board of Tree Experts CEUs.

Saturday, October 17
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Todd Montgomery, Director of Public Projects, Indigenous Ingenuities 

In the modern urban landscape, stormwater is often treated as a liability; a problem to be piped away and hidden, out of sight and out of mind. But what if we treated it as a fundamental design driver for our public spaces? In this workshop, we will explore the opportunities and realities of green infrastructure, moving beyond traditional engineering to create landscapes that slow down and clean up water while simultaneously fostering vibrant community connection. We will begin in the classroom, diving into the design evolution of two West Philadelphia projects: the University of Pennsylvania’s Shoemaker Green and Drexel University’s Perelman Plaza + Korman Quad. 

Following our classroom analysis, we will move outside to walk the sites themselves to see how they perform in the real world — for water and for people. By reviewing the performance of these projects years after construction, we will address the essential role of ongoing care in keeping these systems resilient and functional and discuss how you can translate these high-stakes lessons into smaller-scale residential or institutional projects. 

Todd Montgomery brings sixteen years of experience from Andropogon Associates, where he led award-winning, largescale institutional projects grounded in the belief that landscapes must be creatively designed, deeply functional, and thoughtfully stewarded. Today, as the Director of Public Projects at Indigenous Ingenuities, Todd is applying that complex, systems-based expertise to a new model of practice.  In addition to his design work, he teaches courses at UPenn and Swarthmore in construction, professional practice, and design. 

Participants will meet at UPenn, the location will be emailed to all registrants in advance of the program. 

This course has been submitted to carry 2 CEUs with ISA and LA CES, and 2 LTE/ LTCO CEUs for the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts. This course is an approved elective in the Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture. 

Tuesday, October 20 
10:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Christopher Uhland, Owner, Harmony Hill Nursery, LLC

This afternoon of learning offers an immersive tour through a live plant production nursery, providing students with firsthand insight into the tree production industry. Hosted by Christopher B. Uhland of Harmony Hill Nursery LLC, a Chester County wholesale nursery specializing in high-quality trees and shrubs, the experience highlights every stage of the growing process—from planting field liners and structural pruning to harvesting and preparing plant material for installation.

Throughout the seminar, industry professionals with ISA Certified Arborist, RCA, and PA Certified Horticulturalist credentials will discuss the science and techniques behind successful plant production, including the biology of planting and digging nursery stock, the development and selection of cultivars and hybrids, and best practices for choosing plant material suited to various landscapes and environments. Participants will gain valuable knowledge of both the practical and scientific aspects of nursery operations while exploring the processes that shape healthy, market-ready trees and shrubs. A discussion on the low-bid process, contract growing, in-season purchasing and yard purchasing will evolve and be discussed with the sales team. This is a great opportunity for behind-the-scenes learning about many aspects of the plant nursery trade!

Participants will meet at Harmony Hill Nursery in Downingtown, PA.

This course has been submitted to carry 2 CEUs with ISA and LA CES, and 2 LTE/LTCO CEUs for the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts. This course is an approved elective in the Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture.

Tuesday, October 20
2:00 – 4:00 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Nicole DeLizzio, Stewardship Manager at the Willistown Conservation Trust

Create your own beautiful wood-burned artwork in this one-of-a-kind workshop! Discover different woodburning techniques, compare how different types of wood burn, and explore your artistic side by creating various textures, shapes, and designs with a simple-to-use wood-burning pen. All supplies are provided; just bring your creative spirit!

Nicole DeLizzio is the stewardship manager at Willistown Conservation Trust. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in agriculture and natural resources and a minor in wildlife ecology and conservation. With a combined passion for trees and art, she has delved into the art of pyrography and wood burns frequently.

Saturday, October 24
10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Please go to our  Creative Expressions section to register for this course

Ken LeRoy, Certified Arborist Representative, John B. Ward Tree Experts

Join us for a class on the identification of woody landscape plants for urban and suburban landscapes. The class will cover both deciduous trees and conifers. Arborist and horticulturist Ken LeRoy will show us how to use a dichotomous key to identify plants and he will explain the terminology used in keys to describe plant characteristics. He will also discuss the physical characteristics used to group plants into families. We will go on a tour of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens to see specimens of the plants we discuss. You may want to purchase the Sibley Guide to Trees, a good reference for tree identification that is available in the Morris’s Gift Shop.

Please dress for the weather.

This course has been submitted to carry 6 CEUs with ISA and LA CES, and 4 LTE/LTCO CEUs for the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts. This course is an approved elective in the Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture.

Monday, October 26
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Fee: $160

Michael Dunn, Associate Director of Urban Forestry, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

This course explores the design, construction, and long-term performance of urban tree wells in streetscapes, campuses, plazas, parks, and other constrained built environments. Intended for professional landscape architects, arborists, urban foresters, and allied practitioners, the course examines how soil volume, rooting space, drainage, compaction, pavement systems, utilities, species selection, construction practices, and maintenance influence tree establishment and longevity.

Participants will learn to identify common causes of tree well failure and develop practical strategies for improving tree well design, specifications, installation oversight, and post-construction care. Approximately half of the course will be spent in the field examining street tree wells on the University of Pennsylvania campus, using real-world examples to evaluate design intent, site constraints, tree performance, and opportunities for improvement.  We will meet at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens.

Emphasis will be placed on integrating arboricultural best practices with landscape architectural design to create tree wells that support healthy trees, functional infrastructure, stormwater benefits, and long-term urban canopy goals. This course will meet on the UPenn Campus; an exact meeting location will be emailed to all participants in advance of the program.

This course has been submitted to carry 3 CEUs with ISA and LA CES, and 3 LTE/LTCO CEUs for the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts.

Friday, November 13
9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $65 | Non-members: $75

Dr. Kevin Chase, Entomologist, Bartlett Tree Experts

Join us for a class on the biology and management of ticks and mosquitoes that can vector and transmit human diseases. While this topic might make you itch, it is important for arborists and other landscape professionals to know how to control ticks and mosquitos in the landscape. We will talk both about pesticide use to control ticks and mosquitos, as well as landscape and cultural practices to help reduce likelihood of infection.

This course has been submitted for PA Pesticide Credits, as well as 2 LA CES, ISA, and New Jersey Board of Tree Experts CEUs.

Monday, November 16
1:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Nicole DeLizzio, Stewardship Manager at the Willistown Conservation Trust

Laurel wilt is an emerging and highly destructive tree disease that is reshaping forests and landscapes across the eastern United States. Caused by a fungus spread by the invasive redbay ambrosia beetle, the disease affects members of the laurel family and has led to the widespread decline of several native tree and shrub species.

In this course, you will learn about the biology and history of laurel wilt, how the disease spreads, the tree species most at risk, and its ecological impacts on forests and natural ecosystems. We will discuss current research, monitoring efforts, and management strategies being used to slow its spread and protect vulnerable landscapes. The class will also explore the potential implications of laurel wilt for Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region, where the disease continues to expand its range.

This course has been submitted to carry 2 CEUs with ISA and LA CES, and 2 LTE/LTCO CEUs for the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts.

Friday, November 20
1:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40