Tree Preservation During Construction
Chris Fields-Johnson, PhD, Technical Advisor, The Davey Institute

Urban development and redevelopment often destroy valuable urban forest resources both during and following the construction process, but this does not have to be the case. When existing trees are carefully considered from the beginning of projects and treated as full design features, they can often be preserved in place or moved to a safe location. Modification of grading plans, installation of tree protection fencing, use of aeration matting to protect critical root zones, proper soil care and irrigation, root zone reclamation, and attention to pests and disease caused by stress will be shown in detail. Strategies for engaging stakeholders and enforcing preservation plans will also be discussed. Preserved trees make an instant, striking improvement to finished projects while generating good will with neighbors and the public. The right strategies and methods will lead to success in protecting and preserving trees.

Approved ISA credits: .5 Certified Arborist, .5 BCMA – Practice, .5 Municipal Specialist

Wood Decay Fungi
Christine Balk, Technical Advisor, The Davey Institute

Wood decay fungi are a very important part of tree care. They can create hazardous trees, making it crucial that tree care workers understand them and how to identify them. In this presentation I will give an overview on how to identify wood decay fungi and teach ID of specific species.

Approved for .50 DEC Pesticide Applicator credits in categories 10, 2, 3a, 25 

Approved ISA credits: .5 Certified Arborist, .5 BCMA - Science, .5 TW Climber Specialist, .5 TW Aerial List Specialist, .5 Municipal Specialist 

From Little Acorns: Pests and Pathogens of Mighty Oaks
Dan Gilrein and Margery Daughtry, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County

Oaks are among our most important, beautiful, and valued trees in landscapes and forests. This presentation will cover some of the important pest and disease issues oaks can face in their long lives, ranging from blisters to borers. Some new threats will be discussed as well as guidance on their management. Dan and Margery will also give updates on other pests, diseases, and management options that you should know as you head into the new year.

Approved for 1.00 DEC Pesticide Applicator credits in categories 10, 2, 3a, 25 

Approved ISA credits: 1 Certified Arborist, .5 BCMA - Science, 1 TW Climber Specialist, .5 BCMA - Practice, 1 TW Aerial List Specialist, 1 Municipal Specialist 

Fundamentals of Gear Inspection
Tim Bushnell, Arborist Skills Specialist, The Davey Institute

When inspecting tree climbing equipment, if you can’t say “YES” to passing a component or assembly, then the answer is “NO”. It is important to educate yourself as much as possible; because a high level of gear inspection knowledge often leads to an increased ability to say “YES”.

Approved ISA credits: .5 Certified Arborist, .5 TW Climber Specialist, .5 Utility Specialist, .5 TW Aerial List Specialist, .5 BCMA - Management

Regulation Revision Update
Don Nelson, Pesticide Control Specialist II, Bureau of Pest Management, NYSDEC

Approved for .5 DEC Pesticide Applicator CORE credits

So, You Want to be a Consulting Arborists?
Scott Cullen, Chris Luley, John Wickes, Josh Galiley

Discussion will include starting a new consulting practice, transitioning from a full-time job to a consulting practice and working in an established consulting practice. Some areas of discussion will include practical and professional considerations, pricing, ethics, and liability.

Approved ISA credits: .75 Certified Arborist, .75 BCMA - Management

The Incidental Line-Clearance and Qualified Line-Clearance Arborists: What is the Difference?
Dr. John Ball, Professor of Forestry at South Dakota State University, Board Certified Master Arborist and an Emergency Medical Technician

There have been a lot of changes in regulations and standards for tree operations in the vicinity of electrical conductors. Work rules and minimum approach distances vary based on the experience and training of the tree worker as well as who they are working for. This session will cover the key differences and what standards apply to you.

Approved ISA credits: 1 Certified Arborist, 1 Utility Specialist, 1 BCMA - Management

Association Meeting with Board Elections, Treasurer's Update, NYSA Industry Awards

You may still attend the Association Meeting without registering for the conference. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details to join.

Going Electric: The New Cordless Electric Chainsaws
Dr. John Ball, Professor of Forestry at South Dakota State University, Board Certified Master Arborist and an Emergency Medical Technician

The days of the gasoline chain saw are numbered and while it will be a decades before they disappear from our operations, cordless electric chain saws becoming climbing and bucket saws. However, there are some differences in their operation, maintenance and even PPE. This session will focus on the benefits and challenges to this new technology.

Approved ISA credits: .5 Certified Arborist, .5 TW Climber Specialist, .5 Utility Specialist, .5 BCMA - Practice, .5 TW Aerial List Specialist

Best Trees for Home, Urban, and City Landscapes in the Northeast
Don Leopold, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology at SUNY-ESF

I will talk about the best native and non-native trees for the home, urban, and city landscapes in the Northeast. Many different tree species can be planted at any location, depending on site characteristics and desired aesthetics (e.g., size, form, flowering, fruiting, fall color, unusual bark). Some even provide exceptional food value to people. The best tree species and rationale for their selection will be discussed, as will tree species that should be avoided because of their liabilities.

Approved for 1.00 DEC Pesticide Applicator credits in categories 10, 2, 3a, 25 

Approved ISA credits: 1 Certified Arborist, 1 TW Climber Specialist, 1 BCMA - Practice, 1 TW Aerial List Specialist, 1 Municipal Specialist

Early Detection of Known and Unknown Tree Pests
Rob Cole, Forester, NYSDEC Division of Lands and Forests

NYSDEC Forest Health is tasked with detecting and responding to forest pests. Unfortunately, it often isn’t known if an insect is a pest until it is at outbreak levels and causing damage. This presentation will discuss how Forest Health looks for known and unknown tree pests by using host volatile-baited traps or by rearing insects from infested branch material. Results from prior early detection efforts will be discussed, including possible impacts from newly detected species. This talk will also cover the management benefits to early detection, including working with professionals and NYS Bureau of Pesticide Management to make sure the right chemicals are available for new pests.

Approved for .50 DEC Pesticide Applicator credits: categories 10, 2, 3a, 25

Approved ISA credits: .5 Certified Arborist, .25 BCMA - Science, .5 TW Climber Specialist, .25 BCMA - Practice, .5 TW Aerial List Specialist, .5 Municipal Specialist

System-level Tree Risk Management
Mark Duntemann, President at Natural Path Urban Forestry Consultants 

Tree risk management policy development is a process that has little substantive technical guidance available for arborists and urban foresters that oversee large systems of trees. This one‐hour session will provide directional guidance on developing reasonable and practical tree‐risk management policies for public agencies and private companies. The topics in the session will include a summary of the ISO 31000 risk management framework, the application of that framework to a system of tree, a discussion on the four types of tree‐related risk that exist, a strategy for managing the risk uncertainty associated with trees, and metrics for gauging whether the strategy has achieved an acceptable risk threshold. A number of simple guidance documents and templates will be provided to participants.

Approved ISA credits: .5 Certified Arborist, .5 Municipal Specialist, .5 BCMA - Management