Green School Arboriculture Track

October 11 and October 20 - You will need to attend ONE of these orientation sessions.

Plant Form and Function
Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired)
Learning how plants are put together, how they grow, and how they respond to their environment can help practitioners understand the cultural requirements of landscape plants, be helpful in avoiding problems relating to plant health, and aid in the diagnosis of plant health issues.

Plant Form and Function (continued)
Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired)
Continued from 10/25. Learning how plants are put together, how they grow, and how they respond to their environment can help practitioners understand the cultural requirements of landscape plants, be helpful in avoiding problems relating to plant health, and aid in the diagnosis of plant health issues.

Basic Principles of IPM and PHC
Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension
The principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) form the foundation for understanding and implementing wise management strategies for pests. IPM management techniques assist in reducing pest populations while protecting beneficial organisms and utilize best management practices that are least harmful to humans and the environment. This often includes reducing dependence on chemical pesticides. Plant Health Care (PHC) employs many of the aspects of IPM and is tailored for the Green Industry.

Nutrient Management for Trees and Shrubs in the Landscape
Geoffrey Njue, UMass Extension
Which nutrients are essential for plant growth, how to manage soils to create an optimal supply of those nutrients, how to compensate for soil nutrient deficiencies through the addition of natural or synthetic sources of fertilizer, and timing and method of fertilizer applications.

What is an Arborist?
Kristina Bezanson, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation/Stockbridge School of Agriculture

What is an arborist and what are the numerous arborist credentials offered? How does someone obtain arborist certification in New England? What are the different sectors in the arboriculture industry?    

Principles of Tree ID
Brian Kane, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation

Identifying a tree is the first thing you do when deciding how to maintain it. There is a systematic approach to identification that will help you learn to ID trees confidently.

Basic Entomology
Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension
An overview of the characteristics that define insects from their close relatives, identification of the major orders of insects common to the Northeast, and life strategies common to these groups. Also a brief look at identifying larval (immature) insects and their development as driven by temperature. Basic entomology will set the stage for the common insect pests encountered by the Green Industry, while reminding us that the majority of insects are not pests.

Basic Plant Pathology
Angela Madeiras, UMass Extension
A discussion of the microbiology of plant disease-causing bacteria and fungi along with references to a few of the many beneficial microbes. Also, a description of the conditions necessary for disease infection and an overview of infectious disease management strategies.

Trees and the Law
Kristina Bezanson, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation/Stockbridge School of Agriculture

There are several laws that pertain to trees in Massachusetts. What laws should people who are hired to prune, plant, remove, and treat trees be aware of? 

Species Selection
Kristina Bezanson, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation/Stockbridge School of Agriculture

What factors should you consider when selecting trees for longevity? What does it mean when we say right tree, right place? 

Tree and Shrub Insects and Mites I
Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension
Discussion of the basic types of injury that insects can inflict on trees and shrubs, best management practices as pertaining to an IPM approach, current management strategies, a look into bio-rational pesticides, and how to avoid the development of pesticide resistance.

Pesticide Licensing and Regulations
Taryn LaScola-Miner, MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources
A look at pesticide regulations, particularly in context for Massachusetts, and a review of Massachusetts pesticide applicator licensing and the process of applying for and maintaining your license. 

Pesticide Label Review and Pesticide Safety
Natalia Clifton, UMass Extension
Review of the different components of a pesticide label with a focus on the selection of personal protective equipment.

Tree Values
Kristina Bezanson, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation/Stockbridge School of Agriculture

How much is a tree worth? There are several ways trees are appraised and valued. How do you come up with replacement costs for trees that were removed or damaged?

Tree Inventories: The Foundation for Good Urban Forest Management

Dave Bloniarz, US Forest Service

This instructional session will provide an overview of the value and importance of completing a tree inventory as part of developing a successful tree management program in your community, or on lands that you manage. Whether it be a sample overview to gauge the overall makeup of your tree population, or looking for a specific problem or pest affecting your trees, an inventory is critical tool to employ in your strategic programming. This presentation will introduce the type of inventories commonly used in urban forest management and will discuss how the information collected in an inventory can be used to help you make informed management decisions.  

Inspecting Nursery Stock

Brian Kane, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation

Many problems that pop up later in a tree’s life could have been avoided by inspecting the tree at the nursery, before it was delivered and planted. Learn what to look for when choosing trees and shrubs at the nursery.

Tree Planting and Establishment
Brian Kane, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation/Stockbridge School of Agriculture

Once you’ve chosen an appropriate species for a site and picked a good individual tree at the nursery, it’s time to plant the tree properly. Doing so will increase the odds of a healthy tree living for a long time.

Diseases of Trees and Shrubs II
Nick Brazee, UMass Extension
Continuation of material from 11/17. Description of the groups of root, stem, branch, and foliage diseases of woody plants, including illustrations of the signs and symptoms of common woody plant diseases as well as suitable management approaches to use in landscapes and nurseries.

Tree and Shrub Pruning Best Practices
Brian Kane, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation

Pruning is one of the most common jobs in the green industry; knowing why, how, and when to prune will help you create healthy trees with good structure that live for a long time.

No class

Construction Injury to Trees
Nick Brazee, UMass Extension

Construction-related injury is one of the leading causes of tree decline and death in urban and suburban environments. This lecture will outline how construction injury damages trees and what mitigation efforts can be implemented to minimize the damage trees must endure during construction projects.

Plant Health Care (PHC)
Kristina Bezanson, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation/Stockbridge School of Agriculture

Plant Health Care programs, otherwise known as PHC, are managing trees and shrubs within an entire landscape. What are the methods and steps that are involved in a successful PHC program?   

Support Systems
Brian Kane, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation

Mitigating tree risk can be done by installing support systems to reduce the likelihood of failure of weakly attached limbs and co-dominant stems.

Safety Working Around Trees
Brian Kane, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation

Working with dangerous tools in and around large trees increases the risk of being injured. The industry has developed safe working guidelines that must be followed to reduce the odds of injury or fatality.

Bee-ing More Aware About Pesticide Use
Kim Skyrm, MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources
Interest and activity in urban beekeeping has increased dramatically over the past decade with more honey bee hives managed in Massachusetts than ever before. As responsible applicators, land managers, and stewards of the environment, it is important to broaden your awareness about beekeeping and honey bee health. We’ll learn the latest updates on local and national trends in honey bee health, beekeeping in the Commonwealth, and review steps applicators can take to reduce unintended negative impacts. 

Deer Ticks: One Bite Can Change Your Life
Larry Dapsis, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension

Lyme Disease is the most prevalent infectious disease in Massachusetts and is now considered to be a public health crisis. In addition to Lyme, deer ticks can carry the pathogens which cause Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Relapsing Fever and Powassan virus, all of which can be very serious. This program will review the basic life cycle and ecology of deer ticks, incidence rates and distribution of tick-borne illnesses in addition to a database under development on infection rates of ticks. A three point protection plan will be presented:  Protect Yourself, Protect Your Yard and Protect your Pet. Tick-Borne Diseases are preventable.