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.

Friday, October 18
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.

Robert Wells

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

Jeff Ling
Board of Directors, American Society of Consulting Arborists

Morris Arboretum’s 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). This two-day training will introduce the new 10th Edition of the Guide for Plant Appraisal.  The guide provides instruction in the concepts that form 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 the appraisal. Bob will review the 10th Edition including approaches, methods, and techniques of amenity plant appraisal. The training will culminate with the Qualification Exam offered on the morning of November 9. 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. This course carries 7 CEUs for ISA certified arborists (S=2, P=2, M=3). 

Lunch is included with registration fee.

Thursday and Friday, November 7 & 8

8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 9 

Qualification Exam
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

$650 for members of ASCA or ISA Certified Arborists

$725 for qualified non-members

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.