Continuing Education Units for Arborists

Many of the Arboretum’s professional training courses carry International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Continuing Education Units. If you are an ISA certified arborist and need to maintain certification by taking 30 credits over a three-year period, you may want to sign up for classes at the Arboretum. If you have questions about this, please contact Jan McFarlan, 215-247-5777, ext. 156.

One-on-One Arborist TrainingHerb White
Chief Arborist (ISA Certified), Morris Arboretum

Thinking of expanding your landscaping business into the tree canopy? Learn how to climb for half the price of a climbing saddle and how to be safe before a costly accident happens. Save yourself hours of unnecessary climbing time by becoming confident and capable when moving through a tree. This course, which can be scheduled at your convenience, is designed for tree care industry workers of all levels of experience. Veterans looking to learn a few new tricks, beginning climbers, ground workers and consultants can all learn ways to improve the safety and efficiency of their workday. This course offers hands-on experience in a real world work setting from the chief arborist’s shop to the job site and back again. Chainsaw maintenance, hazardous tree assessment, all aspects of climbing, rigging, limb removal, tree felling, cabling and bracing can be discussed, reviewed and/or applied during a session. Come as a two-man team get a discounted rate! This course is available through scheduled appointments only.

Fee: $170 per person per day
(discounts for more than one person)

Selecting and Planting Quality Nursery Trees
Jason Lubar
Associate Director of Urban Forestry, Morris Arboretum

Robert Wells
Associate Director of Outreach Arboriculture, Morris Arboretum

In this seminar we will discuss how to plant and grow trees that will thrive. The instructors will share current research on topics critical to nursery and landscape professionals. They will cover the myths and realities of tree fertilization, proper methods of staking and guying, the use of tree wraps and the best approaches for pruning young trees to encourage proper development. Learn how to evaluate root systems and branching structure to ensure that you spend your money on quality plants.

Wednesday, October 10
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fee: $85 (including lunch)

Pruning Deciduous Trees
Iana Turner
Horticulturist, Morris Arboretum

Pruning young trees for healthy structural development is cost-effective care. This class explains how recent research on pruning has changed both practice and understanding. Included are age-adjusted pruning strategies that maximize tree longevity and structural health, and techniques to help tree managers evaluate the arboricultural work of others under their supervision. The morning session consists of a lecture and a demonstration. The afternoon session features supervised, hands-on pruning. Participants may sign up to take the morning only, or the entire daylong class. Please bring a hand pruner and a small orchard saw for the afternoon session.

Tuesday, October 16
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Raindate:
Thursday, October 18
Fee: Morning only (9 a.m. – 12 noon) $45
All day (including lunch): $85

Refining your Climbing Skills
Herb White
Chief Arborist (ISA Certified), Morris Arboretum

This course is designed to improve a climber’s efficiency in moving through a tree. The instructor will emphasize and demonstrate practical techniques for commercial tree work including rope installation, advancing ropes, using a throw line, planning routes, jumps and swings, double crotching, different types of line redirects, secured static foot locking and more. Students will have the opportunity to practice these aspects of climbing. The instructor will critique participants, encouraging them to improve techniques and finesse. Bring your climbing gear and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Wednesday, October 17
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fee: $120 (including lunch)

Evaluating Trees for Hazards
Jason Lubar
Associate Director of Urban Forestry, Morris Arboretum

Robert Wells
Associate Director of Outreach Arboriculture, Morris Arboretum

Are your trees a beautiful hazard? Tree defects can be examined and risks assessed, if you are trained to detect and rate them. Decay, cavities, cracks, root rots, and poor limb connections are but a few of the defects that plague trees. Learn how to examine and measure defects, and determine when a tree should be removed. An indoor lecture and discussion will be followed by an outdoor practical examination of a defective tree. A calculator is helpful for some aspects of this class.

Wednesday, November 14
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fee: $85 (including lunch)

Maintaining Tree Health
Herb White
Chief Arborist (ISA Certified), Morris Arboretum

Learn various techniques tree care professionals use that increase a trees’ lifespan and preserve its natural beauty. The instructor will review basic tree physiology as well as some urban/suburban ecology because understanding how trees interact with their environment is key to providing them with proper care. Tree pruning effects, such as pruning stress resulting from over thinning, topping and large green limb removal, will be discussed. Newly added to this course is a discussion about “Ancient/Veteran” tree care. This course introduces homeowners and land managers to the information needed to make sound decisions about the care of their trees. Students preparing to take the International Society of Arboriculture certificate test will also benefit from this class.

Tuesday, December 4
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fee: $85 (including lunch)