Sunday, SEPTEMBER 18
10:00 am-6:00 pm Registration Desk Open (Grand Ballroom Foyer)
12:00-1:10 pm Opening General Session: Perspective on the Wildfires in California, Aaron Dickinson, President of Arborcology Tree Preservation & Consulting. Each year, it seems, we hear that California experiences the worst “Wildfire Season” in history and the largest individual wildfire known in history. Why does it seem that the wildfires are getting worse each season and how does that affect the field of arboriculture? This presentation provides a narrative of why we hear about the fires in California, some insight on why they are becoming worse each season and the vast destruction left to the communities in their wake. Here is my experience working in the clean-up efforts in the aftermath of two different California fires. (HURON/ONTARIO/MICHIGAN)
1:20-2:30 pm DEC Session: DEC Session: First Lecture - Techniques and Procedures for Landscape Monitoring, Don Gabel, retired Director of Plant Health at New York Botanical Garden, now working with Emerald Tree Care. In this two part lecture series, learn how to collect monitoring data and interpret your observations to create a accurate diagnosis. In this workshop, learn how to effectively and efficiently perform routine and specialized monitoring in the landscape. Don will cover various various aspects of monitoring, such as techniques for collecting monitoring data, timing, visual observations, monitoring aids and a monitoring schedule. (NIAGARA/SEAWAY)
1:20-2:30 pm Tree Academy: Decay Fungi Every Arborist Should Know and Recognize, Dr. Chris Luley, President, Urban Forest Diagnostics LLC. The presentation will cover the basics of decay fungi biology and pathology, and identification of the common decay fungi of urban trees in New York State. (SUPERIOR/ERIE)
2:30-3:00 pm Refreshment Break with Vendors (HURON/ONTARIO/MICHIGAN)
3:00-4:10 pm DEC Session: Second Lecture - Interpreting Monitoring Data and Creating a Diagnosis, Don Gabel, retired Director of Plant Health at New York Botanical Garden, now working with Emerald Tree Care. In this two part lecture series, learn how to collect monitoring data and interpret your observations to create a accurate diagnosis. Second lecture, Interpreting monitoring data and creating a diagnosis: In this workshop, learn the broad principles of diagnosis, and cover topics such as thresholds, pest damage potential, monitoring and treatment timing and weather influences. Review how insects and disease injure plants. Don will introduce the concept of recognition and preservation of native bio controls and their potential to help control pests. Putting it all together and making a final diagnosis! (NIAGARA/SEAWAY)
3:00-4:10 pm Tree Academy: How Well Do Arborists Assess Likelihood of Stem Failure Due to Decay?, Brian Kane, Massachusetts Arborists Association Professor of Arboriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Decay is a common defect in trees and its presence sometimes results in a risk assessment. In a recent study, we asked TRAQ arborists to assess likelihood of stem failure due to decay in 30 trees using different tools (visual assessment, sounding trunk with a mallet, viewing output from a Resistograph, viewing a tomogram, and consulting with a peer). What did we find? The results may surprise you. (SUPERIOR/ERIE)
4:15-4:55 pm Outdoor Crane Training: Empire Crane Company, Mike Baron, Sales Representative. Empire will be bringing a Magni Rotating Telehandler with a Woodcracker CS-750 mounted to the tip of the machine. Mike will review the safe set-up and operation of the machine.(PARKING LOT)
5:05-6:15 pm DEC Session: Diseases of Oaks, Bruce Fraedrich, retired VP of Research, Bartlett Tree Experts. Oaks (Quercus spp) are commonly and increasingly planted in urban areas throughout New York State. This genus is tolerated for its longevity, tolerance to urban stress, strong structure and wood characteristics that resists failure in storms and benefits to urban wildlife. Oaks are susceptible to several lethal diseases including oak wilt, bacterial leaf scorch, oak decline and Phytophthora diseases that must be considered when selecting and managing oak species. This presentation will provide a review of the oak culture and a discussion of the identification, biology and management of significant oak diseases. Considerations for oak species selection will also be provided. (NIAGARA/SEAWAY)
5:05-6:15 pm Tree Academy: Evaluating Urban Forest Management Programs in New York State- Preliminary Data, Rebecca Hargrave, Associate Professor, SUNY Morrisville. Every New York State municipality has different resources and conditions that produce different urban forest management programs. Understanding municipal urban forest programs’ status, services, needs, and intentions can lead to more appropriate technical support, education, and funding from state and federal agencies and organizations, manager insight, and improved urban forest outcomes. Preliminary results from a 2021 statewide survey investigating New York’s municipal urban forest management programs will be presented. (SUPERIOR/ERIE)
6:15-7:45 pm Meet & Greet Reception with Vendors & 50/50 Raffle (HURON/ONTARIO/MICHIGAN)
Monday, September 19
7:00-8:30 am Tree and Plant Appraisal Committee Meeting (BUSHNELLS BASIN)
7:00-8:30 am Networking Breakfast – Peer-to-Peer Discussions on Current Arboriculture Trends and Issues Join the conversation with our speakers and industry leaders discussing current issues and trends affecting the arboriculture industry. Discussions will include: crane licensing, prevailing wage, tree climbing training and competion, questions about ISA, NYSA membership and communications. (HURON/ONTARIO/MICHIGAN)
7:00-8:30 am Breakfast with the Vendors (HURON/ONTARIO/MICHIGAN)
8:30-9:40 am DEC Session: Barstool Session – Q&A, Don Nelson, Section Chief NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Don will sit down with you to provide updates and answer your questions about, “What’s new from the New York State DEC?” and provide information about regulations. You may submit your questions at registration in advance of the session. (NIAGARA/SEAWAY)
8:30-9:40 am Tree Academy: Tree Climbing, Safety, and Job Management, Pepe Ramirez, Davey. Pepe will provide an overview of tying points, selection of a natural union, tree assessment, gear inspection, and inspection of PPE. (SUPERIOR/ERIE)
9:40-10:10 am Refreshment Break with Vendors (GRAND BALLROOM FOYER)
10:10-11:20 am DEC Session: Plant Health Care; A Holistic Approach – A practitioners Perspective, Aaron Dickinson, President of Arborcology Tree Preservation & Consulting. Many companies are growing their plant health care divisions with the expectation of generating 30% or more of the revenue from PHC. I have seen companies prescribing a chemical approach to the plant care problem and down playing the necessity to cultural care. Are we being true stewards of the environment when we encourage treatments annually and forego the practices of solving the problem? This presentation will explore some common PHC problems that frequently have repeated applications that benefit from cultural approaches or the consideration of different chemical approaches combined with the cultural practices. (NIAGARA/SEAWAY)
10:10-11:20 am Tree Academy: Urban Forestry and iTree Today: Trends and Tools for Management, Eric Greenfield, Forester, USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station Forest Inventory and Analysis. This presentation will cover the current state of urban forestry by describing trends and findings from the last few decades of research. It is followed by an overview of iTree tools, a suite of urban forest management software.
11:30 am-1:00 pm Association Luncheon with 50/50 Raffle (HURON/ONTARIO/MICHIGAN)
1:00-2:10 pm DEC Session: Current Status of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and Management Options in Eastern Forests, Mark Whitmore, Forest Entomologist, Cornell University, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) has been a significant pest in eastern hemlock forests since the 1970’s, killing countless millions of trees. Management tactics have included insecticide treatment for the short-term and classical biological control for the long-term. Significant progress has been made on both fronts, reducing costs and understanding efficacy of insecticide treatment, as well as increased understanding of biological intricacies leading to more effective implementation of biological control. We’re not out of the weeds but we are making progress in our efforts to save this iconic tree of the eastern forests. (NIAGARA/SEAWAY)
1:00-2:10 pm Tree Academy: Basic Tree Biology for Arborists, Rebecca Hargrave, Associate Professor, SUNY Morrisville. Tree biology and physiology guide the work we do as arborists. This session will review key applied tree biology concepts (growth, processes, form, and function), tree response to damage, and how we can work with a tree to achieve results. (SUPERIOR/ERIE)
2:20-3:30 pm DEC Session: Pest and Pathogen Update from the State, Rob Cole, Forester, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. NYSDEC Forest Health has kept busy this past year with a number of pests and pathogens. Oak Wilt popped up again in the Finger Lakes, Spongy Moth made another statewide appearance, White Pine Decline continued, and Beech Leaf Disease now occupies half of the state. And what about Spotted Lanternfly? Feeling a little overwhelmed and wondering how to deal with all of this? Come to this talk to learn more about the life cycle, host trees, location, type of damage, and control options for these damage causing agents. (NIAGARA/SEAWAY)
2:20-3:30 pm Tree Academy: Aerial Rescue - A Functional Approach, Mark Chisholm, Arborist, Aspen Tree Expert Company. Emergency response may be one of the hardest tasks we may face in Arboriculture. From theory to factual systems, this talk will discuss many of the key points to help feel appropriately ready to go train to be able to tackle any scenario should it arise. (SUPERIOR/ERIE)
You may REGISTER HERE!
