John R. Hosbach, Jr.
Consulting Arborist and President, Rockwell Associates, LLC

You may be the most elite and skilled arborist, horticulturist, or landscaper in your service area but without sound communication etiquette you are missing out on developing long-term relationships, future sales, building a professional reputation and most importantly, increasing your daily success. Being experienced and up-to-date in your field is only 10 percent of your responsibility. John refers to these service providers as the “ninety percenters.” John will provide you with a high level, interactive, hands-on class that will have you second-guessing your previous daily routine. The class will cover:

•    Improving your communication including emails, text, letters, proposals, and contracts
•    Managing your time
•    Dealing with high level clients
•    Creating the “perfect proposal” and closing the sale

John Hosbach is a high-energy registered consulting arborist, TRAQ /TPAQ qualified, urban forester and forensic arborist. He specializes in client management and exceptional client communication. John coaches green industry folks in managing their clientele for superior success. This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists. (S=0, P=2.5, M=4).  Lunch is included with registration fee.

Tuesday, September 24  
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Richard Buckley
Director, Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, Rutgers University

This course focuses on the insects and mites that pose the greatest threat to woody landscape plants in our region. You will learn about insect pests that are most prevalent and discuss how to identify them and the damage they cause. Richard, a plant pathologist at Rutgers University, will bring you up to date on best management practices. He will also discuss the latest findings on spotted lantern fly, viburnum leaf beetle, emerald ash borer, and walnut twig beetle as well as several other new invaders. This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=3, P=3, M=0.5). It also carries PA Dept. of Agriculture pesticide credits. Lunch is included with registration fee.

Thursday, September 26  
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Scott Sjolander
Certified TRAQ Instructor
The TRAQ training course was created by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). This training opportunity is sponsored by the New Jersey Chapter of the ISA. It is hosted by the Morris Arboretum at the New Jersey Forest Service’s Forest Resource Education Center, 495 Don Conner Blvd., Jackson, New Jersey. The course will provide a high level of training for arborists, landscape architects, and landscape management professionals in the fundamentals of tree risk assessment. This qualification promotes the safety of people and property by providing a standardized and systematic process for assessing tree risk. TRAQ is a two-day course followed by a half-day examination on Saturday that includes both a written and a field component. The course prepares the participant to take the TRAQ exam to become ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. It is required that you attend the course and successfully complete the assessment examination in order to receive the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. The content of this course will focus on the following areas: tree biology and mechanics, tree inspection and assessment, data analysis and risk categorization, and risk reporting. The Tree Risk Assessment Qualification is valid for five years from the date the exam is passed. The qualification holder is required to retake the course and pass the exam every five years in order to maintain the qualification. To be able to register for the course and take the exam, you must have earned one of the following credentials:
   • ISA Certified Arborist or BCMA
   • A national certification or certificate in arboriculture
   • Licensing or certification from an approved state program
   • SAF Certified Forester
   • ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist
   • A degree in arboriculture, urban forestry, traditional forestry, or horticulture from an accredited college or university.
Participants will receive course materials two weeks prior to the start of class. Read the materials before class and bring them with you to class.

The class takes place at the New Jersey Forest Service Forest Resource Education Center, 495 Don Conner Blvd, Jackson, NJ 08527.  Lunch is included with registration fee. 

This course carries 15 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=7, P=3, M=5). 

Registration deadline: September 9, 2019

Thursday and Friday, October 10 & 11
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 12- Exam
8:00 a.m.–12 noon
Fees: ISA Members:  $650
Non ISA Members:  $750
Exam retake only:  $150

Scott Sjolander
Certified TRAQ Instructor

The TRAQ Renewal Course is a one-day refresher with five hours of instruction and three hours to take the exam. Current TRAQ holders can complete the abbreviated course as early as four years into their qualification. You may complete the TRAQ Renewal Course as early as 18 months prior to your qualification expiration date. Once you have successfully passed the requirements, you will be given 5 years from the date of your previous expiration allowing you to take full advantage of the 5 year period granted with the credential. By applying to participate in a TRAQ event, you are agreeing to the terms, conditions, and policies outlined in the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Application Guide. Please review this document before applying for an event.

Prerequisites:
To be eligible for the TRAQ Renewal Course, candidates must have already taken the TRAQ course and passed the exam.

Special Testing Accommodations Request:
If you have a special need and require an accommodation for a course, please complete the Special Accommodation Request Form and submit it to qual@isa-arbor.com. Your request will be reviewed and you will be notified of a determination.

Confirmation Packet:
A confirmation packet will be shipped to you three weeks prior to the date the course begins.
Confirmation packets will be shipped using UPS to the address provided on the personal information registration page. Please provide a physical shipping address.

Participants should bring:

•    A government-issued photo identification card, such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID
•    Tree Risk Assessment Manual (included in your confirmation packet)
•    Risk Assessment Clipboard (included in your confirmation packet)
•    Hard hat
•    High visibility vest, coat, or other hi-vis attire
•    Appropriate attire and footwear for both indoor and outdoor activities
•    Writing utensil(s), including at least one #2 pencil

This course takes place at the New Jersey Forest Service Forest Resource Education Center, 495 Don Conner Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527.  This course carries 5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=1, P=2, M=2). 

Lunch is included with registration fee.

Wednesday, October 9  
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

John W. Munro
Professional Applied Ecologist
This two-day class considers projects in both urban and suburban settings. On the first day we will focus on understanding watersheds, streams, and river dynamics and the way that water carves the land in natural and built landscapes. On the second day we will consider designing for restoration, techniques, practices, plantings, and materials for ecological restoration of waterways. A variety of design approaches and strategies will be provided. Handouts will include professional level graphics and selections from installed projects. Published documents, materials samples, design formulae, and project reports will be available for inspection in the classroom. John has worked as a professional applied ecologist for over 40 years. His work on wetlands, waterways, and shorelines includes projects all over eastern North America. He has worked on many projects including inventories, design, permitting, installation, and monitoring. His design approach uses the most ecologically appropriate methods, structures, materials, and plantings possible. This course carries 13 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=5, P=5, M=3). This course also receives 12 Professional Development LA-CES credits for landscape architects.

This course meets at the Bloomfield Farm Horticulture Center.  Look for the paved road across E. Northwestern Avenue from the public garden entrance. Take the second right, park in the lot and follow the signs and paved walkway to the Horticulture Center.

Thursday & Friday, October 10 & 11  
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Rachel Brudzinski
Arborist, Shreiner Tree Care and the past New York  State Tree Climbing Champ, 2018
Women can be talented, successful climbers, even in a field traditionally dominated by men. This course, taught by ISA state champion tree climber, Rachel Brudzinski, will demonstrate climbing techniques geared to female climbers. It will also provide a basic understanding of tree biology that is critical for practicing arborists. The class will focus on teaching women with a passion for arboriculture how to create and maintain a safe working environment, develop fundamental arboricultural skills, and learn the professional techniques necessary to develop an approach for climbing a tree. You will learn some of the latest professional tree climbing advancements, and have the opportunity to participate in supervised in-tree climbing. Novice to advanced women climbers are welcome. Please wear appropriate clothing—long sleeves, flexible and durable pants, and high ankle/light weight footwear. If you have regulation climbing gear including a rope, harness, hard hat with chin strap, and eye protection, please bring it. You may also want to bring gloves. We will meet at Bloomfield Farm. Look for the paved road across E. Northwestern Avenue from the public garden entrance. Take the second right. Park in the lot and follow the signs to the Horticulture Center. This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists. (S=0, P=6.5, M=0).  Lunch is included with registration fee.

Saturday, October 12 (Rain date October 13)  
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

William Bryant Logan
 Author of Oak, Dirt, Air, and Sproutlands
William will assist us in understanding what coppicing and pollarding are, why this arboricultural practice is so important to the preservation of trees, and how it differs from the much discouraged practice of “topping.”  Once people around the globe did not simply live beside or under trees, they lived with them, taking from them and giving to them. People cut them back and they sprouted again. Whole woodlands were cut near the ground (coppiced), or cut at about six feet tall (pollarded).  Surprisingly, this was not an exploitative but a cooperative relationship. Proper human care for the woodlands increased their diversity and promoted the numbers and kinds of insects, birds, and other creatures who lived among the trees and the open understory vegetation. The trees themselves lived longer.  In return, the trees gave people wood, fodder, medicines, foods, rope, clothes, and ships, as well as beauty, fresh air, and cooling shade. Whole cultures were built around such woods. This talk evokes that ancient world, not as an idyll of the past, but as a model for a future, active relationship with our trees. This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists. (S=3, P=2.5, M=1). Lunch is included with registration fee.

Monday, October 14
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

In our urban forest, large and mature trees make the greatest impact on reducing atmospheric carbon and mitigating climate change effects.  The mature canopy makes our communities livable. See what Philadelphia is doing to encourage people to plant and care for trees and how tree-friendly land uses, such as parks, gardens, and cemeteries contribute to community canopy cover benefits. The conference also highlights select tree species for the future canopy, how plant exploration is adding pest and stress resistant species to our planting options, and what can be done to preserve our valuable veteran trees.    
Featured Speakers:
Christine Knapp, Director, Office of Sustainability, City of Philadelphia will discuss Greenworks Philadelphia, the City’s comprehensive sustainability plan, how this plan addresses climate change, and how encouraging citizens to plant and maintain trees is a critical part of the plan.
Wayne Cahilly, Owner, Cahilly’s Horticultural Services will share some of the techniques used to manage mature trees that do not always look beautiful or respond predictably, and discuss how and why their preservation is important to wildlife and the genetic diversity in natural and constructed landscapes.
Chloe Cerwinka, Landscape Planner, Office of the University of Pennsylvania Architect will discuss how gaining official arboretum status can elevate the profile of existing tree collections.
Anthony Aiello, The Gayle E. Maloney Director of Horticulture and Curator, Morris Arboretum will consider how plant exploration for non-invasive species can be used to introduce insect-resistant species that can tolerate urban stress.   
This conference carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists. (S=2, P=1.5, M=3).  This course also receives LA-CES credits landscape architects.
This conference will be held at Haverford College, Stokes Hall Auditorium.  Registration fee includes lunch, breaks and reception.

Monday, October 14
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Neil Pederson
Senior Ecologist, Harvard Forest
Tree rings provide precise annual and seasonal information on climate, ecology, and competition over several centuries. In this dendro-ecology workshop, participants will learn the methods that tree ring scientists use to learn the language of trees. By the end of the day, participants will learn how to interpret the information we get from tree rings over the long lives of trees and have experience coring a tree.
In this course we will:

•    visit a forest at the Morris Arboretum to discuss ecology, read the landscape history, and learn how to identify the external characteristics of old trees
•    core representatives of a few key genera so participants will be exposed to the main wood anatomies of trees in the region
•    understand all of the things that can be interpreted from tree rings
•    learn the laboratory techniques used to process cores
•    conduct lab work to age the trees and interpret their stories

Neil’s research focuses on climate/forest dynamics and disturbance ecology. Neil earned his Ph.D. in forest ecology at Columbia University. He has been a forester, professor, and research professor before working at the Harvard Forest. Neil focuses on the ecology of temperate, mesic forests including the eastern U.S., Spain, East Asia, and the Colchic Temperate Rainforest in Turkey and the Republic of Georgia.

This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=3, P=3, M=.5).   Lunch is included with registration fee.

Monday, October 21
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Vince Marrocco
Chief Horticulturist, Morris Arboretum
Pruning young trees for healthy structural development is cost-effective care. This class will explain how recent research on pruning has changed both practice and understanding. Pruning strategies for trees of different ages will be stressed to maximize tree longevity and structural health. In addition, techniques will be discussed to help tree managers evaluate the arboricultural work of others under their supervision. The morning will consist of a lecture and demonstration. The afternoon will feature supervised, hands-on pruning. Please bring a hand pruner and a small pruning saw. This course carries 5.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=2.5, P=2.5, M=0.5).   Lunch is included with registration fee.

Tuesday, October 22 (Rain date October 23)
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Robert Wells
Associate Director, Arboriculture Outreach
Join us for an overview of the native woody plants of the Philadelphia region. In recent years, books like Bringing Nature Home by Dr. Douglas Tallamy have made us aware of the importance of using native plants in landscapes that we design, install, and maintain in order to promote rich and robust ecosystems that supports a variety of life forms. The overwhelming number of plant species available in the nursery trade make it difficult to select the best plants to achieve these purposes. We will explore the difference between native and introduced plants and gain an understanding of how native plants perform in the man-made landscapes, and in the ecosystems around us. We will be using Sibley’s Book of Trees as our reference to compile a list of native trees that will be of help to you in designing and constructing landscape projects. There will be an outdoor component in the afternoon so dress appropriately. This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=3, P=3, M=.5). It also carries LA CES credits for landscape architects. Lunch is included with registration fee.

Friday, November 1
8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Jeffrey Ling
President, Arborwise Ltd.
From first-time customer visits to meeting longtime clients, in any setting, arborists are asked about trees and landscapes.  Sometimes these situations are more social, incidental, or off-hand. But, far too often, people desire knowledge, wisdom, and advocacy…and they don’t get it! Many are willing to pay up-front for the guidance…and never do because they are never asked!  How do you gain income from opinion? This session will expose the opportunities and teach you how.
Jeff Ling is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As a seasoned arborist, he has worked both as a practicing arborist with his own tree care firm and as a consulting arborist working with his clients to provide management solutions for the trees in their landscapes. He is currently a board member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA), a TPAQ instructor and Past President of the Indiana Arborist Association. He is a well-known author and lecturer in the arboricultural community. This course carries 6 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=0, P=2, M=4.  Lunch is included with registration fee.

This class will be held at Morris Arboretum's Bloomfield Farm Horticulture Center.  Look for the paved road across E. Northwestern Avenue from the public garden entrance.  Take the second right.  Park in the lot and follow the paved path to the Horticulture Center.

Wednesday, November 6
9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Ken LeRoy
Arborist, John B. Ward & Co Tree Experts
Fragmentation of natural areas due to urbanization results in isolated forest segments. Cut off by highways, rail lines, roads, and commercial and residential developments, these patches of green open space surrounded by the built environment are often neglected. These landscapes can be managed to develop a healthier, safer, functioning forest. The potential for the earth to support optimum tree growth and carbon sequestration can be realized by following basic forest management practices including vine control, preferred species selection, thinning for fewer more efficient trees, considering soil health, creating improved conditions for wildlife, and carving out access for people. Come and learn how to improve the health of our community forests. This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=2, P=2, M=2.5).  Lunch is included with registration fee.

Wednesday, November 13
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Alex Roberts
Arborist, John B. Ward and Sons, Inc.
Arborists use several strategies to preserve mature shade trees including the installation of various support cables, rods, guying systems, and lightning protection.  This one-day course explores all aspects of these strategies as well as the best practices and standards for the industry. There will be field demonstrations of each technique and an opportunity to get hands-on practice. Alex is an ISA certified arborist with many years of experience in practical arboriculture and is an acknowledged expert in cable splicing and installation. Meet at the Horticulture Center. Look for the paved road across from the public garden entrance on E. Northwestern Avenue . Take the second right turn into the parking lot. Follow the paved path to the Horticulture Center. This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=3, P=3, M=0.5).  Lunch is included with registration fee.

Thursday, November 14

9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Stephen Chisholm, Jr.
President, Aspen Tree Expert, Co., Inc.
Conifers are the backbone of many landscapes. They make good screens, delineate borders, and provide year-round color with a variety of textures, fragrances and shapes that accent any garden.   They range from large pines and firs to small prostrate ground covers, from rounded boxwoods to upright conical hollies to sprawling junipers.  In this class we will examine the most commonly used species and cultivars for our region both native and introduced. Steve will provide us with a systematic understanding of the way conifers are classified, show us how to identify the differences between types and develop our understanding of the cultural requirements common to the whole group. The Arboretum will be setting for this course where many examples of the conifers may be found.  It is suggested that for the class you purchase Richard Bitner’s Handbook of Conifers available on Amazon for approximately $20. Be prepared to go outside. This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=3, P=3, M=0.5). This course also carries LA-CES credits for landscape architects.  Lunch is included with registration fee.

Wednesday, January 15
8:30a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Cindy Skema, Ph.D.

Botanist, Morris Arboretum 

Tim Block, Ph.D.
Director of Botany, Morris Arboretum

Fronny Plume, Ph.D.

Botanist

Join us for a three-week “quick start” introduction to botany. This course is designed for everyone, no matter what their background, who has an interest in plants and has always wanted to know more about the biology of these fascinating organisms. Through three sessions, we will offer a general introduction to the topics of plant evolution, form, reproduction (with just a wee bit of genetics), physiology, photosynthesis, chemistry, communication, and ecology. This course will provide you with the basic plant biology understanding that could change the way you look at tree care, gardening, or even the produce at the farmer’s market!  This course carries 6 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=6, P=0, M=0).
Instructors:
Dr. Cindy Skema has a Ph.D. from Cornell University and loves watching fern leptosporangia catapult out their spores under the hot light of a microscope. Dr. Tim Block has a Ph.D. from Miami University of Ohio and is a veteran teacher at the Morris Arboretum who loves being outdoors and enjoys botanizing in the woodlands of Pennsylvania.  Dr. Fronny Plume has a Ph.D. from Cornell University and can lose hours musing about the feat of evolution that is the tri-trophic interaction of plants, predators, and parasitoids.

Three Wednesdays: January 22, 29, February 5
Snowdate: Wednesday, February 12

6:30–8:30 p.m.

Bess Welborn Yates
Adjunct Professor of Landscape Design, Temple University, Ambler Campus
Join us as we examine the historical and cultural influence that public gardens from around the world have had on modern landscape design. Bess will address the concept of an eclectic, or romantic garden and then examine the following international influences and provide examples of gardens that illustrate them. 

1.    The English Park (Stourhead and others)
2.    Chinese Stroll Gardens (New Summer Palace)
3.    Islamic Influences (including Persian roots – Pasagardae and the Alhambra and Generalife)
4.    Andre Le Notre and the French Formal (Vaux le Vicomte)
5.    Italian Villas and their more recent evolution —the Cottage and Landscape Gardening movements
6.    Piet Oudolf (Villa D'Este, Villa Lante, Munstead Wood, and the High Line)
A short walk through the Morris Arboretum will follow as we identify some of these influences.

This course carries 3 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=2, P=1, M=0). This course also carries LA-CES credits for landscape architects.

Dress for the weather.  Lunch is included in the registration fee.

Wednesday, January 22
8:30a.m.–12:30 p.m.