ETHAN TAPPER, Forester, Digital Creator, Author

How can principles of forest ecology inform arboriculture? Join Ethan Tapper—a forester, digital creator, and the bestselling author of How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World—for a workshop about forest ecology designed for arborists. We will walk in the woods and talk about wildlife habitat, natural history, forest ecology and forest stewardship, and discuss how to incorporate these principles into our work.

For more than a decade, Ethan Tapper has been recognized as a thought leader and a disruptor in the worlds of forestry, conservation, and ecosystem stewardship, winning multiple regional and national awards for his work. His message of relationship, responsibility, and hope reaches millions of people each year through his writing, his social media channels (@HowToLoveAForest) with tens of thousands of followers, and the dozens of walks, talks, and keynotes that he delivers across North America each year.

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

Monday, November 3
12:30 – 4:30 pm

Fee: $105

MICHAEL DUNN, Associate Director of Urban Forestry, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

This course provides an in-depth look at how Pennsylvania municipalities can modernize their tree ordinances to meet today’s environmental, social, and regulatory challenges. Participants will explore how ordinances can support MS4 compliance, stormwater management, and climate resilience while promoting equitable canopy coverage across communities. Emphasis will be placed on Pennsylvania-specific legal frameworks, including the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), and how local governments can strengthen protections for public and private trees. Case studies from Pennsylvania townships and boroughs will illustrate innovative approaches
to ordinance design, implementation, and enforcement. Ideal for municipal officials, planners, arborists, and landuse professionals working within the Commonwealth.

This course has been submitted to carry 2 CEUs from ISA, LA CES, and the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts.

Friday, December 12
1:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $50 | Non-members: $55

Dan Cathcart, Registered Consulting Arborist; ISA Certified Arborist

Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ School of Arboriculture is pleased to offer an instructional training session for the Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification (TPAQ) through the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA).

If you want to build a foundation on the fundamentals of tree and plant appraisal rooted in excellence, register now to attend our TPAQ training. This event will utilize both instructor-led discussions and case scenarios to illustrate concepts allowing participants to become familiar with the relevant methods and techniques used to approach plant appraisals and the ability to make reasoned judgement about the value of trees and landscape plants.

Upon completion of this course, you will:

- Understand basic appraisal concepts
- Define the tree and plant appraisal process.
- Understand tree and plant appraisal approaches, methods, and techniques.
- Apply tree and plant appraisal approaches, methods, and techniques.
- Present assignment results.

The training will culminate with an exam on the afternoon of the second day of the program. Each TPAQ student must attend all education sessions and then successfully pass the exam with an 80% or above to receive the TPAQ certificate. 

For important information on eligibility and requirements click DETAILS, or email education@morrisarboretum.org.

This course has been approved to carry 14 ASCA CEUs and 14 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=4, P=4, M=6).

Monday, September 29 and Tuesday, September 30 

 ***RESCHEDULED ***
Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31, 2026 
8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Fee: $1,200 for qualified ASCA Members | $1,500 for qualified non-members