Dan Lurie, Erdenheim Farm Manager and ISA Certified Arborist 
 
This course will cover the basics of winter (dormant) pruning of apple and peach trees. The discussion will include how fruit trees grow and produce flowers and fruit, pruning tools, and a demonstration of pruning large mature fruit trees; followed by a hands-on portion where each student will prune a young peach tree.   

The course is held at Erdenheim Farm, where there are 125 fruit trees. Class takes place entirely outdoors, so attendees should dress appropriately and bring their own pruning shears with a holster. 

This course has been submitted for 2.5 CEUs for ISA Certified Arborists. 

Wednesday, February 25 
10:00 am – 12:30 pm 

Members: $60 / Non-members: $65

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

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

Across the eastern United States, thousands of small, remnant forest patches persist within a matrix of development—behind neighborhoods, along stream corridors, and on institutional campuses. These “fragmentary forests” provide essential ecological services such as stormwater regulation, habitat connectivity, and climate resilience, yet they are often overlooked in both traditional forestry and urban tree-management frameworks. 

This course introduces the emerging field of Fragmentary Forestry—a management approach designed for forest fragments in the urban–rural interface. Participants will learn how to assess, plan, and manage these critical ecosystems using methods that blend principles of urban forestry, landscape ecology, and watershed restoration.   

This course has been submitted to carry 4 CEUs for ISA Certified Arborists. 
 
Friday, March 13 
1:00 – 4:30 pm 

Members: $80 / Non-members: $85

Dr. Kevin Chase, Entomologist, Bartlett Tree Experts 

Beech leaf disease (BLD) kills beech trees and is caused by a foliar nematode (Litylenchus crenatae ssp. mccannii) that originated in Japan. This tree disease is well established and continues to spread throughout northeastern North America. In this lecture, we will discuss where and how BLD was found, how the organism spreads, what the impacts will be in North American forests and urban landscapes, and if this disease can be controlled based on recent research.  

Dr. Kevin Chase conducts entomological research for the Bartlett Tree Research Lab on a variety of tree and shrub insect pests across North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Kevin is also involved in trialing biological control agents and safer products for both protecting human applicators and non-target insects. Kevin is based in Camp Hill, PA.  

This course has been submitted to carry 2.5 CEUs for ISA Certified Arborists.  

Wednesday, March 18 
9:00 – 11:30 am 

Members: $60 / Non-members: $65 

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

Peter Fixler, Chief Arborist, Morris Arboretum & Gardens 

Chainsaws are one of the most common hand-held tools and there are many components to their use. This course is designed to educate both novice and intermediate users who want to operate chainsaws safely and effectively. Concepts discussed will include safety features, maintenance, use, and handling. Participants will gain an understanding of chainsaw reactive forces and hazards associated with felling trees and cutting wood or brush. Learn planning strategies including saw transport, starting, cross cutting/bucking and limbing, understanding compression and tension. These strategies will be demonstrated in a safe learning environment. 

Come dressed in protective work boots that are above the ankle, and durable work pants. Bring work gloves, if preferred. We will meet in the Horticulture Center at Bloomfield Farm, located across Northwestern Avenue from the main garden entrance. 

This course has been submitted for 3 ISA credits for certified arborists.  

Tuesday, April 7 
9:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Members: $75 / Non-members: $80 

Christopher Roddick, ISA Certified Arborist, NOFA AOLCP 

Modern arboriculture recognizes trees as the center of tree-based ecosystem and yet, in practice, we all too often manage trees as isolated organisms. This workshop will introduce you to Ecological Arboriculture, a holistic approach to caring for trees, woody plants, and landscapes, that considers trees as habitat, food sources, and ecosystem engineers. Planting strategies, species selection, and other arboriculture practices can be adapted to increase biodiversity and functionality in the landscape, while still making beautiful spaces.   

Christopher Roddick spent 30 years as the head arborist and foreman of grounds at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. He moved to southern New England to start Sweet Birch Land & Tree, an arboricultural consultancy and practice. By looking at trees as tree-based ecosystems, Chris follows a holistic approach to caring for trees and land called conservation arboriculture. Chris is an ISA Certified Arborist and a NOFA AOLCP. He is the author of the Tree Care Primer, a guide to care for young, mature, and veteran trees. 

This class will meet at the Welcome Center. After a morning of learning indoors, we will move into the gardens for an afternoon of learning outdoors. Dress for the weather.  

This course is open to the public, with priority registration offered to individuals enrolled in Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate Program in Ecological Horticulture. Completion of this course counts towards the CORE requirements of the Certificate Program. This course has been submitted to carry 5.5 CEUs.. 

Thursday, April 23 
9:30 am – 3:30 pm 

Members: $160 / Non-members: $165 

Please go to our Certificate Program section to register for this course.

Tony Dufour, Registered Landscape Architect, Anthony Dufour Gardens 

In this intensive lecture, we'll cover the advantages and disadvantages of planting nursery stock— harvested, balled-and-burlapped, bare root, grown in containers or root control bags. 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 Certified Arborists and municipal specialists. 

Friday, April 24 
10:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Members: $45 / Non-members: $50 

Plants in our region are facing new challenges to their survival, growth, and reproduction due to a variety of threats, including land use change, habitat loss, climate change, and more. Invited speakers will address new research in plant science that can help us understand the challenges at hand in our wetland and coastal regions, including mechanisms of plant resistance and adaptation, and possible solutions.

Speakers will include: 
Morgan Gostell, Director of Plant Science, Morris Arboretum & Gardens
LeeAnn Haaf, Director of Estuary Science, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
Patrick Megonigal, Associate Director for Research, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Catherine Seavitt, Chair, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Pennsylvania
& more!

The program will be held in person at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens; live virtual attendance is also available. 

In-person seats are limited – register NOW for this unique opportunity, easily accessible to individuals in the Philadelphia area. Lunch is provided to all in-person attendees.

Information regarding LA CES & ISA CEUs will be updated when it is available. 

Friday, May 8
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

In-person fee: $155
Virtual fee: $125
Students: $80

Please go to our CONFERENCES page for both IN-PERSON and VIRTUAL registration.