Zach Shechtman Owner, Shechtman Tree Care

This class features supervised climbing instruction in trees. It is ideal for tree companies looking to advance promising grounds staff, or for gardeners and landscapers who want to develop new skills. Effective methods for climbing trees will be demonstrated and practiced. Safety rules will be stressed. Students will learn critical knots regularly used by arborists. The Tree Climbers Companion by Jeff Jepson, a great resource for climbers, is included in the fee.

If you have them, bring an arborist’s rope and saddle, hard hat, gloves, and safety glasses to the class. If not, there is equipment you may use. Wear boots, long pants, and dress for the weather. Meet at the Arboretum’s Bloomfield Farm Horticulture Center. This course carries 19.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=6, P=13.5, M=0).

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, March 11, 12, 13 | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Fee: $525 (includes lunch)

Jason Lubar Associate Director, Urban Forestry, Morris Arboretum

This class is for tree care professionals and interested individuals looking to expand their knowledge about the biological and structural components of trees and how these components interact with each other and their surroundings. Techniques to increase tree lifespan and their ability to function in the landscape will be presented. We will review basic tree physiology and urban/suburban ecology, essential to providing proper tree care. The effect of tree pruning will be discussed in detail including pruning stress resulting from over-thinning, topping, or removing too much live wood. We also discuss ancient/veteran tree care, the effect of construction on trees, fertilization, soil “health,” and tree-related risk, so plan to have a lively discussion.

This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=4, P=2, M=.5).

Friday, March 13 | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Fee: $140 (inclues lunch)

Clark Williams Owner, Focus on Training

This course is for people who want to become Pennsylvania Certified Pesticide Applicators. It is the core, introductory portion, of the certification training and must be taken before any category certifications. The course is an introduction to the use and mixing of pesticides, reading and understanding labels, equipment maintenance and calibration, and record keeping, as well as an overview of Pennsylvania’s rules and regulations regarding pesticide use. Clark has been training applicators for many years through his company, Focus on Training, and previously worked as an utility/power line arborist.

This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=2, P=3, M=1.5) and pesticide update credits (core) from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. *Note: The Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam will not be offered at the conclusion of this course. Test dates and locations can be accessed through the Pennsylvania Department of agriculture website.

Monday, March 16 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
Fee: $140 (includes lunch)

Larry Weaner Principal, Larry Weaner Landscape Associates, FAPLD
Ethan Dropkin Landscape Architect, Larry Weaner Design Associates, MLA

Demand for high performing, ecology-based landscapes is increasing faster than the availability of the specialized knowledge to achieve them. This intensive, interactive, two-day workshop provides real world guidance for designing and documenting all phases of native landscape development. Attendees receive an extensive manual (100+ pages) that documents all aspects of the program, including plant selection criteria, plant recommendations, ecological process-based management specifications, and guidance for maximizing the aesthetic and experiential landscape appeal. Larry Weaner is principal of Larry Weaner Landscape Associates and the founder of New Directions in the American Landcape Educational Programmimg.

This course carries 14.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=6, P=2.5, M=6) and LA CES credtis for landscape architects.

Thursday and Friday, March 19, 20 | 9:00am - 4:45pm
Fee: $545 (includes lunch)

Clark Williams Owner, Focus on Training

This class discusses identification of diseases, insects, and other ornamental pests through the use of signs and symptoms. We discuss using integrated pest management to control pests on ornamental plants. This includes control methods and pesticide products. We will also consider ornamental plant applications and review everything from equipment and techniques, to some of the unique concerns involved when doing foliar pesticide applications.

This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=2, P=3, M=1.5) and pesticide update credits (Ornamental and Shade Tree Category 6) from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Monday, March 23 | 8:30am - 3:30pm
Fee: $140 (includes lunch)

Christian Lindsay ISA Certified Arborist and Owner, Lindsay Tree Removal Service

Safe and efficient movement in a tree is an essential skill for arborists. This class, taught by experienced professionals, is designed for the beginning or intermediate climber who would like to practice and refine their skills. Instruction will cover proper use of ropes, entry into a tree canopy as well as climbing systems and techniques of movement in a tree. Double Rope Technique (DRT) will be covered but emphasis will be on Single Rope Technique (SRT).

Each student will climb with an instructor and receive hands-on experience as well as learn rigging techniques for lowering limbs. Safe felling techniques and the application of correct knots will be demonstrated. Each participant will also receive a copy of How to Fell a Tree by Jeff Jepson as well as a copy of the ANSI Z133.1 Safety Requirements for Tree Care Operations.

Meet at the Arboretum’s Bloomfield Farm Horticulture Center. This course carries 13 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=4, P=9, M=0).

Thursday and Friday March 26, 27 | 9:00am - 4:00pm
Fee: $375 (includes lunch)

Vince Marrocco Chief Horticulturist, Morris Arboretum

Pruning shrubs is an essential practice for a well-maintained landscape. While proper pruning is important, it is not difficult if you understand the basics. This class teaches the principles of why, when, and how to prune a variety of shrubs and hedges. A morning lecture and demonstration is followed by an afternoon session of supervised, hands-on pruning.

Please bring hand pruners and a pruning saw and dress appropriately for the weather. This course carries 4.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=1.5, P=2, M=1).

Tuesday, March 31 (Raindate: Friday, April 3) | 10:00am – 3:00pm
Fee: $120 (includes lunch)

Gilbert High, Jr., Esq. Senior Partner, High, Swartz LLP

Learn about the legal aspects of tree care in the urban and suburban environment including trespass and liability concerns as well the arborist’s and homeowner’s duty to take care of trees. We will explore some of the differences between common law, state, and municipal law and how these laws affect our understanding of boundary trees, easements, rights-of-way, and the trees planted in these areas. A knowledge and awareness of some of these legal distinctions can be of great benefit to the practicing arborist, municipal arborist, shade tree commissioner, and land owner in determining how best to limit liability and properly care for trees on private property and in the public sector. Gilbert High, Jr. is a senior partner in the regional firm of High, Swartz LLP. The majority of his practice is concentrated in the field of municipal law.

This course carries 3 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=0, P=0, M=3).

Thursday, April 9 | 9:00am – 12:00pm
Fee: $75

Anna Paltseva, Ph.D. Research Fellow, NYC Urban Soils Institute

This workshop covers the fundamentals of soil as a system and focus on soil fertility, pH, soil organisms, and soil texture and structure. We will examine soil through a microscope. Special emphasis will be given to invisible environmental problems such as contaminants moving through soil media and plants. You will learn about contamination in urban gardens, discuss the best urban garden and landscape techniques for prevention, mitigation, and remediation of contamination. The instructor will highlight information available on soil resources. Each participant will perform tests on soil samples for macro-nutrients (NPK), pH, and texture. Testing kits and the book Urban Soils Handbook: Field and Lab Manual will be provided to each participant. Dr. Paltseva, a Russian-born scientist, holds a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the CUNY Graduate Center in New York City.

This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=2.5, P=3, M=1).

Tuesday, April 14 | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Fee: $155 (includes lunch)

Tom Kimmerer Ph.D. Scientist, Photographer and Author Venerable Trees: History, Biology, and Conservation

This hands-on workshop examines the dynamic world of trees, much of which is below ground and unseen. We will consider how trees react to their environment, and how they communicate with other trees and organisms. Trees have immense powers and the ability to rapidly respond to environmental changes from insects, fungi, bacteria, or herbivores. Scientists are also learning that trees and forests are organized into complex networks that share information and materials to benefit themselves and their progeny. In that sense, trees in a forest may be like ant colonies, beehives, or other collections of organisms in which extremely complex behavior emerges without any central decision-making system. Tom will explain these complex systems and you will be sure to appreciate trees in an entirely new way.

This course carries 6.5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=5, P=1.5, M=0). Thursday, April 16 | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Fee: $140 (includes lunch)

Robert Wells Associate Director, Arboriculture Outreach, Morris Arboretum, RCA #593

Offered through the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA), this two-day training will introduce the new 10th Edition of the Guide for Plant Appraisal. The guide provides the foundation of plant appraisal. It bridges the gap between concept and practice and includes a detailed discussion of the appraisal process, as well as identifying the purpose and use of appraisals. Bob will review approaches, methods, and techniques of amenity plant appraisal. The training will culminate with the Qualification Exam. Successful completion of this training and a passing grade in the exam recognizes you as a Qualified Tree and Plant Appraiser administered through the American Society of Consulting Arborists. Robert Wells is Associate Director, Arboriculture Outreach, at the Morris Arboretum and a certified TPAQ instructor. He is an ISA Board Certified Arborist, a New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert, and an Registered Consulting Arborist.

Attendees are required to purchase and read the 10th Edition of the Guide for Plant Appraisal before taking the course. Registration Deadline: June 12.

This course carries 14 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=4, P=4, M=6).

Monday and Tuesday, June 22 and 23 | 8:30am – 4:00pm
$650 for members of ASCA or ISA Certified Arborists
$725 for qualified non-members (fees include lunch)