Delaware tree seminar on Oct. 22 & 23 in Harrington

The Delaware Forest Service’s urban and community forestry program will hold its 9th Annual Delaware Arborist and Tree Care Seminar on October 22 and 23, 2019 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall (18500 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington, DE 19952). While targeted primarily to the tree care industry, the event is also open to the public—particularly HOA’s or communities who want to create better communities through healthy trees. The cost is $100 for both days (lunch on the first day and snacks included). Register at this link or click the “online registration” graphic. All major credit cards accepted.

The 2019 Delaware Arborist Seminar Agenda covers one full-day session on Oct. 22 and one half-day session on Oct. 23. Attendees can learn the latest developments in tree care through lectures by academic and industry experts, outdoor demos, and vendor exhibits featuring the newest equipment and technology.

Tree professionals can also earn continuing education credits toward accreditation from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Maryland Licensed Tree Expert, and Delaware pesticide certification.

For more information, contact Kesha Braunskill at kesha.braunskill@delaware.gov.

Delaware Arborist & Tree Care Seminar – Day 1 – October 22

8:15 AM
Update on EAB and Other Insects – Trent Dicks, ArborJet
The latest on emerald ash borer (EAB) in Delaware, emerging threats from insects such as spotted lanternfly, and a range of possible treatments. With 20 years experience in the landscape industry, Dicks has a B.S. from Illinois State and an associate’s in applied horticulture.

9:15 AM
Signs and Symptoms: Identification of Urban Tree Diseases – Nancy Gregory, University of Delaware
Learn to identify a broad range of tree pests, pathogens, and problems in today’s urban forests. Gregory has an M.S. in plant pathology from Penn State University and serves as the plant diagnostician at U.D. Cooperative Extension.

9:15 AM & 10:30 AM
Drones and Tree Risk Assessment with Outdoor Demo – Dan Staley, Arbor Drone
Drones are an important new tool to survey for insect damage and identify hazard trees. Dan Staley is a certified arborist with Colorado’s Arbor Drone, which has worked with cities in the U.S. and Canada to use drones to find early signs of emerald ash borer and assess risk from hazardous trees.

11:00 AM
Soil Moisture: One of the Most Important Factors for Tree Survival – Wei Zhang, Tree Diaper®
Learn the relationship between soil, moisture and tree survival. Zhang holds a PhD in chemical engineering and is one of the co-founders of Zynnovation, LLC – a Virginia firm that developed the Tree Diaper®, winner of a recent “2019 Cool Products Award.”

Noon – LUNCH (Mission BBQ)

1:00 PM
Road Salt and Urban Forestry – Wei Zhang, Tree Diaper®
Wide use of road salt in northern cities can cause tree discoloration and canopy loss. Learn how to mitigate and prevent the effects through case studies from Baltimore and Richmond. Dr. Wei Zhang was part of the team that helped develop the Tree Diaper® to ensure greater tree survival in harsh urban environments.

1:00 PM
Permaculture and Arboriculture – Joe Murray, Tree Literacy, LLC (2 hours)
Understanding basic permaculture practices can help arborists to assess if they are being conducted properly and if they benefit trees. Murray has a bachelor’s degree in biology, a master’s in plant pathology and physiology from Virginia Tech, and a master’s in teaching from the University of Richmond.

2:00 PM
Fall Fertilization and the new Tree-Age R-10 – Trent Dicks, ArborJet
Learn about the benefits of fall fertilization and advances in site applications for Tree-Age, R-10. With 20 years experience in the landscape industry, Dicks has a B.S. from Illinois State and an associate’s in applied horticulture.

3:15 PM
Delaware’s “Big Tree” Program – Bill Seybold, Delaware Forest Service
Learn about how foresters measure large trees and what factors make a tree a “state champion.” Seybold has a bachelor’s in botany from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s in forestry from the University of Minnesota. He oversees Delaware’s forest health program and its “Big Trees of Delaware” list.

Delaware Arborist & Tree Care Seminar – Day 2 – October 23

8:15 AM
Compartmentalization in Trees – Jason Grabosky, Rutgers University
Learn about the process of compartmentalization in trees and how it influences their overall health from a top urban forestry expert. Grabosky holds a bachelor’s degree from Cal-Poly and both master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell in ornamental horticulture. He received the L.C. Chadwick Award from ISA in 2012 for his contributions to soil design research and also was honored with Rutger University’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2017.

9:15 AM
Evolution and Management of the Urban Forest and Electric Utilities – Stephen Hilbert, Asplundh
Learn from an industry arborist about the evolution of the urban forest alongside modern utility infrastructure that powers today’s information society. Hilbert is an ISA-certified arborist who has a B.S. in forest management from Penn State University. He has extensive industry experience working as an arborist for Bartlett Tree Experts and First Energy.

10:30 AM
Construction Zones/Sidewalks with Trees – Jason Grabosky, Rutgers University
This talk will discuss various approaches to dealing with tree roots and sidewalks in close proximity to each other, as well as how to protect trees during construction events. Through a mix of audience questions and examples, learn how both challenges are influenced by soil volume and the carrying capacity of the site. Grabosky holds a bachelor’s degree from Cal-Poly and both master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell in ornamental horticulture. He received the L.C. Chadwick Award from ISA in 2012 for his contributions to soil design research and also was honored with Rutger University’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2017.

Download a copy of the draft 2019 Delaware Arborist Seminar Agenda that contains the tentative session schedule at this time. This agenda will be updated with more details as the event gets closer.

6th Annual Delaware Arborist & Tree Care Seminar will be held on Nov. 2 and 3 at Delaware State University

Contact: Kesha Braunskill, Delaware Forest Service, (302) 698-4578 email: kesha.braunskill@delaware.gov

6th-annual-seminar-graphic

The 6th Annual Delaware Arborist and Tree Care Seminar will be on November 2 and 3, 2016 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Center at Delaware State University, 1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE.

Cost is $95 with lunch included both days. There is no option available for single-day registration. All major credit cards (Mastercard, VISA, American Express, and Discover), checks and money orders accepted. Attendees paying by check or money order are asked to fill out the online form to complete registration (follow instructions on where to mail payment).

Link to EventBrite Registration

Sponsored by the Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program, the seminar includes classroom lectures, hands-on training, and vendor exhibits offering the latest knowledge and best management practices on tree care, health, and tree worker safety. This year’s program includes an update on the recent detection of emerald ash borer in Delaware, practical “how-to” sessions on proper planting techniques, chainsaw maintenance and equipment operation, disease and pest diagnosis and treatment options, civic improvement programs, and more. Attendees have included a mix of representatives from government agencies and nonprofits, municipal officials and public works staff, tree care professionals and landscaping workers, as well as the general public with an interest in trees in the community setting.

Continuing education credits for International Society of Arboriculture certification, Tree Care Industry Association and its Certified Tree Care Professional program, Delaware pesticide licensing, and Maryland’s Licensed Tree Expert certification will be offered. Major sponsors for the 2016 event include Delaware State University, Delmarva Power and Rainbow Scientific. Delaware State University has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA for five consecutive years – the only college or university in the First State to achieve that honor.

Some of the featured speakers and presentations at this year’s event will be:

Dr. John Ball is professor of forestry at South Dakota State University, where he also serves as the campus arborist and the extension forestry specialist. He instructs arboriculture and forestry as well as rock climbing and emergency medical technician training.

“What Happens When You Take the Tree Out of the Forest?” focuses on the effects of urban environments on tree species normally found in forest settings.
“Mind Your Z’s!” covers the Z133 safety standard that can reduce fatal and non-fatal injuries among tree workers by 80 percent.

Jerry Bond of Urban Forest Analytics LLC is the author of the 2012 book, Urban Tree Health. He has a graduate degree in urban forestry from Cornell University with 20 years experience in the public and private sectors. He has published on modeling, risk assessment, tree health, storm damage, biomechanics and computer applications.

“Dieback Dilemma” examines this crown parameter with practical examples for the person in the field.
“Tree Load Analysis” discusses this useful method for assessing tree health and risk of tree failure.

Scott Sjolander has spent 30 years in utility arboriculture and been the urban and community forestry educator at Penn State Extension since 1995. He has an M.B.A. from Penn State, is an ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist, and is also a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification instructor.

“Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflicts in Arboriculture” discusses utility service needs and space constraints and their influence on the development of tree plans.

Howard Eyre has been at Delaware Valley University since 1991 with responsibilities in landscape techniques and contracting, nursery management, and arbor care. His academic work focuses on the relationship between plant growth rates, environmental pressures, and the soil or media in which plants are grown.

“Soil Biology and the Establishment of Trees” shows how understanding soil biology can be the first step in achieving the best success in tree establishment.

Shannon Herbst and Jeff Picher of Rainbow Scientific are industry experts with many years experience in tree health issues, pest and disease diagnosis, and treatment.

“Chlorosis” – Causes, symptoms, and diagnosis. How to manage with Verdur®, PGR’s and cultural practices.
“Bacterial Leaf Scorch” – The disease, symptoms and diagnosis. Managing with antibiotics, vector control, growth regulators and root enhancement programs.
“Field Demonstration” – How to infuse Verdur® through root flare injections to manage chlorosis. Soil injecting Cambistat® on trees with BLS and chlorosis

Click here to download the most up-to-date 2016 Arborist Agenda

Delaware Forest Service’s 5th Annual Arborist Seminar at Hagley on March 3 and 4

The Fifth Annual Delaware Arborist and Tree Care Seminar will be held on March 3 and 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Hagley Museum & Soda House, 298 Buck Road, Wilmington, DE 19807. Sponsored by the Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, the annual gathering offers classroom lectures, hands-on training, and on-site exhibits offering the latest knowledge and techniques for those interested in proper tree care and safety. This year’s topics will include: crane safety for tree care workers, pesticide application, mature tree care and hazard risk assessment, new tree and shrub introductions, how to use i-Tree to assess and manage urban forests, as well as optional CPR and first aid training. Continuing education credits for International Society of Arboriculture certification and Delaware pesticide credits will be offered.

Cost is $90 with lunch included both days. (There is no single-day registration option). All major credit cards (Mastercard, VISA, American Express, and Discover) are accepted. Attendees can register and pay online online at EventBrite. Those who wish to pay by check or money order are asked to complete the online form to complete and confirm their registration (instructions on where to mail payment are provided). Last year’s event in Sussex County drew 140 tree care professionals.

Thomas Whitelock of Advanced Arborist Solutions is scheduled to present a session on advanced climbing for tree professionals. Whitelock is a champion climber and tree care professional who placed first in the 2013 MAC-ISA event in the Aerial Rescue and Belayed Climb events who spoke at the 2014 arborist seminar.
Jason Lubar of Morris Arboretum will present sessions on mature tree care and tree risk assessment. With Morris Arboretum Urban Forestry Consultants for more than a decade, Lubar has worked extensively with local urban forestry organizations and co-founded the Wissahickon Stewardship Program, a community natural resource management program in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.
Kerns Brothers Tree Service will present a session on crane safety featuring an outdoor demonstration (weather permitting).
Dr. Amy E. Brown of the University of Maryland will present a talk on pesticide safety. Affiliated with Maryland’s Institute of Applied Environmental Health, Brown is a published expert devoted to improving pesticide applicators’ knowledge and skills to minimize potential effects on human health and the environment through the Maryland Pesticide Safety Education Program.
Jason Henning of the Davey Institute and the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban Field Station in Philadelphia will present a talk on “i-Tree Tools and their Application in Urban Forestry.”
Other presenters and topics will be added soon. More information and updates: http://delawaretrees.comHighlights from previous seminars:
2014 Arborist Seminar
2013 Arborist Seminar
2012 Arborist Seminar

Contact: Kesha Braunskill, Delaware Forest Service, (302) 659-6704, email:kesha.braunskill@delaware.gov

Del. Arborist and Tree Care Seminar is March 4 and 5

The 2014 Delaware Arborist and Tree Care Seminar will be held March 4 and 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Baywood Greens Clubhouse, 32267 Clubhouse Way, Long Neck, Delaware 19966. Cost is $80 with lunch included both days. Registration forms are available at delawaretrees.com and should be postmarked by February 21.

The event will feature both indoor and outdoor demonstrations by experts in the tree care field. Sponsored by the Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, the fourth annual symposium offers classroom lectures, hands-on training, and exhibits offering the latest knowledge and techniques for those interested in proper tree care and safety. The event also includes talks on how trees can help with stormwater management and the potential threats to ash trees from the emerald ash borer. This year marks the first time the event will be held in Sussex County.

This year’s featured speaker is Mark Chisholm, a certified arborist, tree climbing expert and champion, business owner, and instructor. Mark will cover topics that include indoor and outdoor instruction on balancing techniques, raising limbs, and multi-block rigging.

Mark Chisholm is a third-generation, certified arborist with his family-owned Aspen Tree Expert Company in New Jersey. His expertise in tree care has made him a sought-after consultant and industry spokesperson for the world of arboriculture. Chisholm won the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) New Jersey Chapter Tree Climbing Championship 19 years in a row and won the ISA International Tree Climbing Championship in 1997, 2001 and, again, in 2010. Chisholm currently holds the world record in the 50-foot secured footlock climbing event, with a time of 13.8 seconds.

Thomas Whitelock of Advanced Arborist Solutions will present a session on advanced climbing for tree professionals.

Jay Ashby, tree program manager at the Tunnell Companies and member of Delaware’s Urban and Community Forestry Council, will present a talk on site preparation and safety. Ashby currently helps manage over 3,000 acres of community forest.

Featured exhibitors and sponsors include American Arborist, ArborJet, Baywoods, New England Ropes, and Vermeer.

Special room rates are available for attendees at the Holiday Inn Express, 19953 Shuttle Rd, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Phone: (302) 227-4030.

Tuesday, March 4

8 a.m. Registration – View Exhibits

8:40 a.m. Welcome

8:50 a.m. Job Site Safety and Setup – Jay Ashby, Tunnell Companies

10:50 a.m. Break

11 a.m. Insight to Advanced Rigging – Mark Chisholm, Aspen Tree

Noon Lunch

1:00 p.m. Outdoor Advanced Rigging – Mark Chisholm, Aspen Tree

4 p.m. Closing Comments

Wednesday, March 5

8 a.m. Registration – View Exhibits

8:40 a.m. Welcome

8:50 a.m. Borer Insects and Treatment Methods – Trent Dicks, ArborJet

9:50 a.m. Break

10 a.m. Advanced Climbing for 2014 – Thomas Whitelock, Advanced Arborist Solutions

Noon Lunch

1 p.m. Managing Stormwater Using Trees – Jason Grabosky, Rutgers University

3 p.m. Break

3:10 p.m. Ash Trees – Jimmy Kroon, DDA Plant Industries

4 p.m. Closing Comments

Directions to Baywood Greens

For more information, contact Kyle Hoyd, Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forester, at 302-698-4578 or kyle.hoyd@delaware.gov.