Program Guide - Minnesota Shade Tree Short Course 2023

Ensuring Tree Health Since 1963

The 60th Annual Shade Tree Short Course is a two-day course for everyone involved in urban forestry, arboriculture, and the green industry. ISA Certified Arborist® CEUs are available for most sessions. This exceptional experience, featuring general and concurrent sessions as well as exhibits, will keep with the Shade Tree Short Course’s tradition of providing quality education sessions.

Certification and Credits

• ISA CEUs will be given for most sessions. A QR code will be provided by the moderator at applicable sessions. Simply scan the QR code which will take you to an online form where you will fill out your name, ISA Certification #, and email address in order to receive credit. For more information regarding ISA CEUs, please visit www.isa-arbor.com.

• TCIA’s Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) credits are available for some sessions. Attendance sheets will be provided by moderators at the conclusion of applicable sessions. Fill in the requested form information completely in order to receive credit for each session you attend.

• Certified tree inspectors will be recertified by attending the entire short course. New Tree Inspector classes and testing are not available at this workshop. For questions about tree inspector status or training: www. mntreeinspector.com

• Please Note: Recertification for pesticide applicators is not available at this workshop.

Table of Contents

60TH ANNUAL MINNESOTA SHADE TREE SHORT COURSE

Bethel University

Bethel University offers beautiful facilities inside and out, with a spacious cafeteria and free, convenient parking in the East and West Parking Lots. The campus is located in Arden Hills, a short distance from Snelling Avenue and I-694. Bethel University is a nonsmoking campus (smoking allowed in designated outdoor areas).

Driving Directions to Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55112:

From the North: Take I-35W south to the County Road E2 exit. Go east to Old Hwy 10 (Snelling Ave.), turn right, and take the first left into campus.

From the West: Take I-694 east; turn south onto I-35W. Take I-35W to the County Road E2 exit. Go east to Old Hwy 10 (Snelling Ave.), turn right, and take the first left into campus.

From the East: Take I-694 west; turn south onto I-35W. Take I-35W to the County Road E2 exit. Go east to Old Hwy 10 (Snelling Ave.), turn right, and take the first left into campus.

From the South: Take Snelling Ave. north and exit at County Road E. Turn left, proceed to Old Hwy 10 (Snelling Ave.), and turn right. Campus entrance is on the right. Or take I-35W north to the County Road E2 exit. Go east to Old Hwy 10 (Snelling Ave.), turn right, and take the first left into campus.

Minnesota Shade Tree Short Course Steering Committee

Chair - Ryan L Murphy, University of Minnesota, Department of Forest Resources

Dustin Ellis, Hennepin County

Ryan Gustafson, Davey Resource Group / MSA Liaison

Manuel Jordan, Heritage Shade Tree Consultants

Russell Kennedy, Rainbow Treecare

Tina Markeson, MnDOT

Valerie McClannahan, Minnesota DNR, Division of Forestry

Jonathan Osthus, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Josh Plunkett, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Philip Potyondy, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Forestry Division

Bradley Weidenfeller, Xcel Energy

Karen Zumach, Tree Trust

Support Staff

Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association

Cassie Larson, Executive Director

Jon Horsman, Associate Director

Hallie Chasensky, Education & Certification Manager

Brianna Burns, Communications/Registration Coordinator

Paulette Sorenson, Exhibit and Sponsorship Sales

Louise Nemmers, Administrative Assistant

University of Minnesota

Sonja Tosteson, Volunteer Coordinator

Nick Neylon, Researcher

60TH ANNUAL MINNESOTA SHADE TREE SHORT COURSE

Trade Show/Exhibit Hours

Commercial and agency exhibits will be available each day. Everyone is invited to stop by and exchange information at booths located in the Gymnasium and the East Parking Lot.

• Tuesday, March 14, 2023 from 10:30am - 3:45pm

• Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from 10:30am - 3:00pm

EXHIBITOR LIST (current as of February 1, 2023)

For the most up to date listings, visit www.mnstsc.org or download the Shade Tree Short Course app from Whova

60TH ANNUAL MINNESOTA SHADE TREE SHORT COURSE

MSA (Minnesota Society of Arboriculture) Mixer

The Tuesday, March 14, Mixer will take place 4:30 - 7:30 p.m., with drinks and light food provided. The mixer is a free event, and it’s a great opportunity for MSA members and friends to network with speakers, participants, and exhibitors.

Location: Urban Growler (Barrel Room), 2325 Endicott St., St. Paul, MN 55114.

Session Handouts

When provided by the speaker, digital session handouts are available on the Shade Tree Short Course Whova App or at www.mnstsc.org.

Questions?

For questions or more information, please contact us at 651-633-4987 or info@mnstsc.org.

ATTENDEE CODE OF CONDUCT

The Shade Tree Short Course is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and staff. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff members, service providers, and all others are expected to abide by this Event Code of Conduct. This Policy applies to all Shade Tree Short Course meetingrelated events.

Expected Behavior:

• Be considerate of others.

• Be respectful of others and viewpoints that may be different from your own.

• Be mindful of your words and actions.

Unacceptable Behavior:

• Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.

• Verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest. Examples of verbal abuse include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.

• Disruption of presentations during sessions or at other events organized by the Shade Tree Short Course throughout the event. All participants must comply with the instructions of the moderator and any event staff.

• Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services unless expressly approved by the Shade Tree Short Course. The Shade Tree Short Course reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations. The Shade Tree Short Course reserves the right to deny or revoke admission to anyone who engages in or is reputed to engage in unethical or noncompliant marketing practices.

• Participants may not copy, record, or broadcast the Shade Tree Short Course event content. This includes, but is not limited to, content shared via sessions, exhibitors, Q&A, chat room activity, or personal contact details without permission.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

The Shade Tree Short Course reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the event without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and The Shade Tree Short Course reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting, virtually or in person.

Reporting Behavior

The Shade Tree Short Course has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination, harassment, or other behavior deemed unacceptable. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, The Shade Tree Short Course asks that you inform us at info@mnstsc.org so that we can take the appropriate action.

Underground level 2

Dining Center level 3

BC 468, Olson Board Room level 4

Underground level 2

Dining Center level 3

BC 468, Olson Board Room level 4

RC Gym

Benson Great Hall

CC Classrooms level 3

HC Classrooms levels 1 & 4

Eastlund Room level 2

RC Gym

Benson Great Hall

CC Classrooms level 3

HC Classrooms levels 1 & 4

Eastlund Room level 2

CLC Lobby

MINNESOTA SHADE TREE SHORT COURSE

Schedule Overview

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

6:30am Registration Opens CLC Lobby

6:30am Continental Breakfast Available CLC Lobby

7:30am Welcome and Opening Remarks Benson Hall

7:45am – 10:30am General Sessions Benson Hall

10:30am – 10:40am Mark Stennes Award Presentation Benson Hall

10:30am – 3:45pm Exhibits Open Gymnasium and East Parking Lot

10:40am, 10:50am, 11:00am, 11:10am, 11:20am, 11:30am

12:30pm – 1:15pm

1:30pm – 2:15pm

3:00pm – 3:45pm

4:30pm

Lunch Times

Dining Center (check lunch ticket received at registration for your assigned time)

Concurrent Sessions See page 7 for session room assignments.

Concurrent Sessions See page 7 for session room assignments.

Concurrent Sessions See page 7 for session room assignments.

Minnesota Society of Arboriculture (MSA) Mixer

Urban Growler in the Barrel Room (food and drink compliments of MSA).

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15

6:30am Registration Opens CLC Lobby

6:30am Continental Breakfast Available CLC Lobby

7:45am – 10:30am General Sessions Benson Hall

10:30am – 3:00pm Exhibits Open Gymnasium and East Parking Lot

10:40am, 10:50am, 11:00am, 11:10am, 11:20am, 11:30am Lunch Times

12:30pm – 1:15pm

Dining Center (check lunch ticket received at registration for your assigned time)

Concurrent Sessions See page 8 for session room assignments.

1:30pm – 2:15pm Concurrent Sessions See page 8 for session room assignments.

2:15pm – 3:00pm Door Prize Drawings (must be present to win) Gymnasium

3:00pm – 3:45pm

Concurrent Sessions See page 8 for session room assignments.

with

MARCH 15 WEDNESDAY SESSIONS with CEUs

(Some session titles and other details subject to change.) 12:30 PM – 1:15

I’m Not Dead Yet! Integrated Approaches to Thoughtful Tree Preservation

a Culture of Safety

Considering Tree Water Stress from a Below Ground Perspective

Conks, and the “Profiles” of Tree Decay Fungi

Tree Identification Through Minnesota Seasons, Part 1

Latest in Utilizing Machine Learning to Complete Tree Inventories

Edible Landscapes for the Backyard and Community

Species and Mixtures for Shady Areas

Noxious and Invasive Weed Program Updates

Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees: How to Climb Them with Less

Proper Tree Pruning: Just What Does the A300 Parts 1 Tell Us

Environmental Stewardship Through

Vegetation Management

and Management of EAB Charlie Flower

125 Treatment Timings for Disease and Pests

Honl

Underutilized Woody Plants for Use in the Urban Landscape Brandon Miller

Native Tree Identification Through Minnesota Seasons, Part 2 Dave Hanson

Diagnosing Pine Health Issues

Tribal Perspectives and Partnerships

Wood Utilization Efforts in Minnetonka

Adaptive Silviculture in an Urban Floodplain

Engaging Youth in Environmental Education

MDA Insect Pest Update

in the Tree - A Primer for Extending Your Climbing Career

Eric Otto CC 430

Michael Dockry

Hannibal Hayes HC 413

Marcella WindmullerCampione HC 414

Samantha Peterson RC 417

Jennifer Burington

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 Session Descriptions

(Some session titles and other details subject to change.)

7:45 AM – 8:40 AM

Unique Tree Removal Scenarios

Room: Benson Hall

Speaker: Mark Chisholm, Aspen Tree Expert Co., Spokesperson for STIHL Inc

This presentation will dig into one of the most difficult yet exciting disciplines in tree care—rigging. Mark will share techniques that he has learned from a lifetime of field work and explain strategies he’s created and refined to meet his needs. You will see, through the help of jobsite pictures and videos, how he approached real world challenges and how he and his crew overcame them by using the best tools of today paired with a little creativity.

8:40 AM – 9:35 AM

Trees for a Changing Climate in the Midwest

Room: Benson Hall

Speaker: Leslie Brandt, Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science

Climate change is leading to rising temperatures, altered precipitation regimes, and more intense extreme events in the Midwest. These changes will place stress on trees that communities depend upon for shade, aesthetics, and other benefits. This presentation will highlight the impacts of climate change to urban trees, a framework for assessing vulnerability of these trees, and the results of a study that looked at which common urban trees in the Midwest may be more or less vulnerable to climate change.

9:35 AM – 10:30 AM

If You Could Build a Diverse Urban Forest Utopia, What Would it Be?

Room: Benson Hall

Speaker: Richard Hauer, University of Wisconsin

The journey anyone of us would walk, maybe sprint, to create an urban forest utopia would likely vary. The end result and path we took might also differ. But maybe during the journey, the mental picture of the many ways trees benefit society might have some rooted agreement. Planning is your journey's friend and an important part of developing the financial wealth that grows with trees. Growing a diverse tree portfolio may likely yield the highest return on the investment. Certainly, selecting the right tree stock is important for long-term yields. The availability of a diverse tree portfolio to select from nurseries and the residual forests we inherit do frame urban forest wealth past, present, and future. Also, as important is how we invest our tree stocks throughout the landscape from local to regional to national and beyond scales. Diversity, equity, and inclusion as an important modern-day construct further plays into creating the urban forest utopia. Inclusion of people that represents the diverse ideas from a community I believe is important for developing an equitable distribution of urban greenspaces. To this utopian end, in this talk we will learn such things as why tree diversity is import; what do we currently know about tree diversity from local to global levels; how might urban green space allocation vary; and what can be done as examples to increase urban green space access. Following this talk is a wealth of speakers from early to emeriti career that will present innovative and provocative ideas to plant the seed of your financial urban forest wealth.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Crane Use for Tree Removals Room: Benson Hall

Speaker: Mark Chisholm, Aspen Tree Expert Co., Spokesperson for STIHL Inc

This presentation will focus on what the climber or bucket operator should know before working with cranes. Too often a crane is brought into the workplace with the expectation that the operator will run the job. It takes a team to work safely and effectively. How to rig, what cut to use, and other tips will be shared using job site photos and videos.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

I’m Not Dead Yet! Integrated Approaches to Thoughtful Tree Preservation

Room: BC 411

Speakers: John Kosowski, Harmony Tree Works and Chad Giblin, Trees & Me LLC

Using a case study approach, we’ll explore different techniques of tree preservation and tree risk mitigation. Conventional approaches like heavy reduction pruning may lead to accelerated decline in certain trees or species and a shift in expectations is often necessary to better align pruning with a tree life stage. Developmental pruning as a tool to promote tree preservation will also be discussed.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Creating a Culture of Safety

Room: BC 468

Speaker: David Vincent, Safety Consultant

Safety is a solid component of the three-part management team of safety, productivity, and lowered costs. This is based off of three simple ideas: stay safe, stay busy, and do a quality job.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Urban Soils for Urban Trees

Room: CC 125

Speaker: Luke Scheberl, Mid-State Technical College

Learn why urban tree managers must consider soil health along with tree health. We will discuss the importance of several soil parameters and how to quickly measure them in the field and their role in tree health. By understanding the soil, we can better understand and care for the trees that grow in it.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Considering Tree Water Stress from a Below Ground Perspective

Room: CC 312

Speaker: Luke McCormack, The Morton Arboretum

Drought and waterlogging both cause tree stress and dieback. However, most observations of tree water stress focus on aboveground responses rather than investigate the drivers of success or failure related to roots belowground. In this session we will present some of the causes and consequences of water stress from a belowground perspective as well as considerations for tree selection and planting to minimize stress when possible.

Tuesday Session Descriptions

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Mushroom, Conks, and the “Profiles” of Tree Decay Fungi Room: CC 313

Speaker: Glen Stanosz, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Mushrooms and conks can be positive indicators of tree decay. But while tree risk assessment includes consideration of tree “profile”, less consideration is given to fungal “profile”. Learn characteristics for identifying common tree decay fungi, and how different “fungal profiles” can influence decisions regarding evaluation of tree decay.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Native Tree Identification through Minnesota Seasons, Pt. 1

Room: CC 331

Speaker: Dave Hanson, Minnesota Department of Transportation

From bud break in spring to leaf drop in autumn and during the rest period of winter, trees share clues to their identification. We’ll cover a few individual species from several deciduous tree families and finish with a glimpse at a few coniferous species as well. This presentation will provide insight into seeking identifying clues and interpreting them to aid in tree identification.

Note: Part 2 of this session will be from 1:30pm – 2:15pm.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Minnesota Forest Health Update

Room: BC 430

Speaker: Megan O’Neil, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The Minnesota DNR tracks forest canopy trends from year to year. This presentation will provide an update on the most common forest health issues in Minnesota, such as eastern larch beetle and spruce budworm. It will also cover some of the less common pests that we saw in 2022.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

The Latest in Utilizing Machine Learning to Complete Tree Inventories

Room: Eastlund

Speaker: Josh Behounek, Davey Resource Group

Tree inventories have evolved from pen and paper to GIS-based and beyond. Today we are able to confidently and cost effectively do street and park tree inventories using various machine learning approaches. This presentation will share these methodologies and demonstrate what applications are right for machine learning. We will share recent case studies from around the world where machine learning has been utilized to create and maintain accurate tree inventories. Leveraging machine learning street tree inventories can unlock huge potential for proactive maintenance with real-time data.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Designing Edible Landscapes for the Backyard and Community

Room: HC 413

Speaker: Gary Wyatt, Extension Educator, Agroforestry University of Minnesota Extension

Families are interested in growing their own food in the garden and planting perennials that produce fruits and nuts in their backyard. There is also a growing interest in planting community food forests and gardens in communities that are underserved and are food deserts. This session will encourage open dialogue in discussing plant designs for these perennial edibles for the backyard or community

landscapes. Examples of planting designs will also be shared. Perennial edibles to be discussed include, Hazelnuts, Aronia Berry –Black Chokeberry, Juneberry, Elderberry, Honeyberry and Cranberry to mention a few.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Communicating Climate Science

Room: HC 414

Speaker: Jamie Mosel, Ph.D. Student, Natural Resources Science and Management, University of Minnesota

Climate change has widespread impacts on Minnesota's environment, including Minnesota's forests. This session will overview climate change that has been observed in Minnesota, climate change projections for Minnesota's future from MCAP's dynamically downscaled climate projections, and forest impacts along with an emphasis on adaptation. This session will help inform how to communicate climate science and change occurring in Minnesota and in general, especially for those communicating with the public in their professional role, influencing decision makers, or directly making decisions themselves which may involve planning for our future climate.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Turfgrass Species and Mixtures for Shady Areas

Room: RC 417

Speaker: Dom Christensen, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

What turfgrass species have better shade tolerance? How can I develop an adequate mixture for specific conditions under shade when the standard mixtures from the store perform poorly? You will learn the pros and cons of turfgrass species under various conditions, mixtures that promote success, and current research on home lawn diversity.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Noxious and Invasive Weed Program Updates

Room: RC 422

Speaker: Maggie Barnick, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

We will provide a brief update on current regulatory changes. We will also briefly touch on species currently being reviewed by the Noxious Weed Advisory Council and provide some updated management recommendations. We will then focus on two emerging issues: buckthorn hybridization and European mountain ash infestations.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Proper Tree Pruning: Just What Does the A300 Parts 1 Tell Us

Room: BC 411

Speaker: Richard Hauer, University of Wisconsin

What do Science, Standards, and Best Management Practices say about tree pruning? Just what is natural tree pruning and how does this differ from other forms of pruning. When is it best to undertake reduction pruning or remove a branch. Just what is a heading cut and how does this differ from tree topping? And restoration pruning, how does this fit as a process to help a canopy regrow into something any landowner would be proud of. Finally, can you prune to reduce the height of trees to compensate for decay? Learn pruning strategies that arborists and urban foresters can implement to promote tree canopies that help with growing the urban forest.

Tuesday Session Descriptions

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Practicing Environmental Stewardship Through Integrated Vegetation Management

Room: BC 468

Speaker: Phil Chen, CN Utility Consulting

Utility rights-of-way are an essential part of the ecosystems that sustain humans and the life around us. This session will promote environmental and land stewardship as a part of the utility vegetation management (UVM) professional’s fulfillment of our roles as lifelines to the ecosystems surrounding our utility corridors. This presentation will define what Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) means, how and why it became a UVM industry best management practice, and how it can help UVM professionals in our role as land stewards. We can best serve our corporate, social, and environmental needs through sustainable IVM. Additionally, this presentation will present and discuss new tools and resources to aid UVM professionals in planning and implementing IVM developed by the Utility Arborist Association (UAA) Environmental Stewardship Committee. Let’s all learn to move beyond compliance to something better.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Impacts and Management of EAB

Room: CC 125

Speaker: Charlie Flower, Forest Service Northern Research Station

Since its arrival into North America, the emerald ash borer has been sweeping across riparian, upland, and urban forests causing widespread mortality of ash trees. Here, I will provide insights from insecticide trials for protecting high-value trees in addition to summarizing two decades of ash forest monitoring across Ohio.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Treatment Timings for Disease and Pests

Room: CC 312

Speaker: Kent Honl, Rainbow Tree Care

When spring arrives, so does a bewildering list of pests and diseases to track for your plant health care program. We will look at how to decide when to treat insect and fungal conditions using the tools available in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), including monitoring, treatment thresholds, and growing degree day tracking. Emphasis is placed on proactive plant health care practices for best results in promoting tree health.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Underutilized Woody Plants for Use in the Urban Landscape

Room: CC 313

Speaker: Brandon Miller, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota

As severe weather events and the introduction of invasive pests occur more frequently in the United States, the resiliency of managed landscapes has come into question. The need to identify, develop, and utilize diverse species and selections of landscape plants capable of tolerating the demands of a changing climate is a forefront issue in horticulture. A variety of factors influence the adoption of novel species and desirable plants may be limited by unique challenges in the nursery production pipeline. Brandon Miller will introduce some underutilized woody plants that deserve broader use, describe their merits, and explain ways to use them in the landscape.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Native Tree Identification through Minnesota Seasons, Pt. 2

Room: CC 331

Speaker: Dave Hanson, Minnesota Department of Transportation

From bud break in spring to leaf drop in autumn and during the rest period of winter, trees share clues to their identification. We’ll cover a few individual species from several deciduous tree families and finish with a glimpse at a few coniferous species as well. This presentation will provide insight into seeking identifying clues and interpreting them to aid in tree identification.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Diagnosing Pine Health Issues

Room: CC 430

Speaker: Eric Otto, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

A fair number of health issues can impact pines, hence diagnosing them can be difficult. Multiple factors need to be considered before diagnosis. They include the hosts impacted, the pattern of symptoms, the site history, and other factors. Different disease, insect, and abiotic issues will be discussed that can impact different species of pines.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Tribal Perspectives and Partnerships

Room: Eastlund

Speaker: Michael Dockry, University of Minnesota

Department of Forest Resources

American Indians have been and continue to be stewards of our lands, trees, and forests. There is an increased recognition that tribal perspectives should be incorporated into our natural resource management in both urban and rural areas. This talk will explore ways to incorporate tribal perspectives into management and offer suggestions on how to build successful partnerships with American Indian tribes. Participants will get practical advice for understanding tribal perspectives and building partnerships with tribes.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Wood Utilization Efforts in Minnetonka

Room: HC 413

Speaker: Hannibal Hayes, City of Minnetonka

“Trees First, Wood Next” is the Urban Wood Network’s motto and the City of Minnetonka couldn’t agree more. Attend this seminar for a refresher on the City’s wood utilization efforts, as well as an update on recent projects and where we intend to go next!

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Adaptive Silviculture in an Urban Floodplain

Room: HC 414

Speaker: Leslie Brandt, Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science

The Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) is a international network of research plots developed in partnership between researchers and managers. Crosby Farms is the location of the first urban installation of the network. We will be sharing background on the project and preliminary results from three growing seasons in terms of growth and survival.

Tuesday Session Descriptions

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Engaging Youth in Environmental Education

Room: RC 417

Speaker: Samantha Peterson, Quarry Hill Nature Center

When children are given the opportunity to engage with the natural world, the benefits are endless. The natural world can be a springboard for personal and community growth and development, but at times fear and unfamiliarity can be significant barriers to effective engagement.

Developing a sense of place and belonging in our natural world is a foundational piece of environmental literacy. Whether you find yourself on a suburban street, an urban park, or in the pristine wilderness, there are always ways to help foster connection to our land. Together we can empower youth to work with our changing land, helping to develop a vocabulary to communicate these changes, and motivation to engage with the non-human beings on this planet in reciprocity.

This seminar will discuss how to address some of the common fears limiting nature connection, and share activities, concepts, stories and methodologies that anybody can use to engage youth from a variety of cultural backgrounds, learning styles and levels of familiarity with the natural world, all through the lens of trees!

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

MDA Insect Pest Update

Room: RC 422

Speaker: Jennifer Burington, Minnesota Dept of Agriculture

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) conducts annual surveys for terrestrial invasive species. Come and listen to updates about some of our established invasive species such as emerald ash borer and spongy moth, as well as some newly found species you may not know are present in Minnesota.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Chainsaw Sharpening

Room: Underground

Speaker: Paul Alhaen, North American Training Solutions

Chainsaws- they are THE tool of our trade as arborists in the tree care industry. We don’t really get paid to climb, and most of us don’t get paid to look at trees. Our job is usually to prune a tree or cut it down. The chipper might be optional, but the chainsaw is not! Does your saw start right up? Does it stay idling between cuts? Will it cut in a straight line? It better! It needs to, because you need it every day.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Long in the Tree — a Primer for Extending Your Climbing Career

Room: BC 411

Speaker: Rod Rodman, Four Seasons Tree Service

This session addresses the potential chronic injuries often experienced by climbing arborists. We will explore various common issues and determine causation and possible mitigation by using proper climbing techniques, tools and equipment. The oft used “climb smarter not harder” is appropriate. We hope to demonstrate that this will actually improve your bottom line as you become more efficient using less energy to do better arboriculture and extend the number of winters you can hang in the Oaks and Elms.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Electrical Safety 101 Room: BC 468

Speaker: Wesley Full, Rainbow Tree Care

In this session you will learn about what standards residential arborist need to follow if we are working around electrical hazards. We will explore what makes up the basic electrical grid we work around the most. You will gain knowledge of what it takes to safely approach most residential jobs in the metro area with an electrical hazard via climbing and/or using a lift. You will leave with an understanding of how and when you should contact Xcel or any other service provider, when an electrical hazard can not be worked around safely.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Integration of Science and Practice to Bring Back American Elm

Room: CC 125

Speaker: Leila Pinchot, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station; Linda Haugen, USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection

For decades, Dutch elm disease basically eliminated American elm from the list of viable species for urban and forest settings, but we have emerging opportunities to put elm back on the palette of species. We will present the research and practical basis of how elm can be used in the urban, interface, and forest settings. We will discuss the development of new clones and their availability. We will also talk about the suitability of different sources of elm for different settings, including clonal vs seed origin stock.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Incorporating Fruiting Trees into Urban, Residential and Public Spaces

Room: CC 312

Speaker: Annie Klodd, University of Minnesota

This session will cover the essential steps for managing fruit trees in urban, public and residential settings. It will also explain the key pests of tree fruit and the basics of how to manage them.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Diagnosing Oak Health Issues

Room: CC 313

Speaker: Brian Schwingle, Minnesota DNR

Diagnosing problems on oaks is frequently not easy. Recognizing symptom distribution within the canopy, across the landscape, and over time are keys to diagnosis, not to mention interviewing tree owners about past damage. Diagnosis of twolined chestnut borer, Armillaria, oak wilt, leaf diseases, shoot blights, and galls will be covered.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Bees Need Trees

Room: CC 331

Speaker: Thea Evans, University of Minnesota

Many kinds of native bees nest in wood or stems and some use tree resins or leaves to protect their larvae. Learn about these fascinating bees, how to recognize their nests, and protect nesting habitat. We will describe our research to determine which Minnesota trees bees collect resin from.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Diagnosing Spruce Health Issues

Room: CC 430

Speaker: Rachael Dube, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Spruces are some of the most commonly planted conifers in urban and residential settings in Minnesota. Tree care professionals often receive questions about spruce tree health. This session will provide information on diagnosing insect and mite damage, needle casts and rusts, galls, root and canker diseases, and other issues.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Growing Techniques for Healthy Native Trees

Room: Eastlund

Speaker: Heather Byers, Great Plains Nursery

Healthy trees start with strong genetics and a strong root system. We’ll discuss the importance of native, local seed sources, how to create a root system that will support healthy trees and thus a vibrant community forest. We’ll also discuss the advantages to working with nurseries to align goals for a successful and strong community forest.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Carbon Credits for the Urban Forest

Room: HC 413

Speaker: Jen Kulgren, City Forest Credits and Michaela Neu, Green Minneapolis

City Forest Credits (CFC) is the national nonprofit carbon registry for greenhouse gas emission reduction and removal for tree projects in or near cities and towns. CFC provides a way for local governments and other entities that manage urban forests to finance projects that contribute to the health and well-being of people and the environment. Green Minneapolis, in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, has completed the first urban tree carbon offset project in Minnesota, part of the Twin Cities Climate Resiliency Initiative.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Successful Tree Planting Projects Require More Than Just Planting!

Room: HC 414

Speaker: Wei Zhang, TreeDiaper®

Tree planting projects like "Million Trees XYZ City" are popular. The passion peaks in spring and dissipates quickly before summer arrives. The common result is poor survival, which repeats time after time. Sign up to see how to make the most of the rainfall for these newlyplanted trees.

Tuesday Session Descriptions

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Integrated Pest Management - Controlling Pests and Preserving Pollinators

Room: RC 417

Speaker: Vera Krischik, University of Minnesota

This talk will provide technical information on how to manage green space, restorations, bee lawns, and backyards with tactics and principles promoted by Best Management Practices for Natural Resources Management (BMP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to conserve the many native bees, beneficial insects, and butterflies. At the Krischik lab pollinator conservation website ncipmhort.cfans.umn.edu, there are over 15 bulletins to download for information on insecticides to use that will conserve pollinators, as well as pollinator identification, and pest identification for managing pests at their vulnerable life stage. The website offers extensive pictures on the families and life history of native bees and wasps. We will discuss in detail treatments of contact insecticides that are biorational insecticides, such as BT galleria, tenebrionis, and israelensis; spinosad (sawflies and caterpillars); neem oil (aphids, scale crawlers); IGR (insect growth regulators, dimilin, tebufenozide for larvae, chlorantraniliprole (Japanese beetle grubs), and others. We will learn together how to use the "toxicity of insecticides to pollinators" to pick the best insecticide that kills the pests, but conserves pollinators. We will go over site-specific IPM and pollinator protection plans for Japanese beetles, clearwing borer, ambrosis bar beetles, and sawflies. We will discuss how to develop an IPM program for a site if the endangered rusty patched bumblebee is found. We discuss how climate change may affect MN insect populations.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

EAB Management in MN Communities

Room: RC 422

Speaker: Jonathan Osthus, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

An overview of the current status of emerald ash borer (EAB) in Minnesota. Key management priorities will be highlighted with examples from impacted communities. Resources currently available to communities to aid management efforts such as early detection training, grant funding, and forestry internships will be covered.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Chainsaw Maintenance Room: Underground

Speaker: Paul Alhaen, North American Training Solutions

Chainsaws- they are THE tool of our trade as arborists in the tree care industry. We don’t really get paid to climb, and most of us don’t get paid to look at trees. Our job is usually to prune a tree or cut it down. The chipper might be optional, but the chainsaw is not! Does your saw start right up? Does it stay idling between cuts? Will it cut in a straight line? It better! It needs to, because you need it every day.

Disclaimer

Although every reasonable effort is made to provide the speakers, topics, and sessions listed, some changes or substitutions may occur. Speakers and sessions are subject to cancellation or changes up to and including the day the session(s) are scheduled to be held. Changes or cancellations are made at the discretion of event management and may be done without notifying attendees. If sessions are changed or cancelled, no refunds should be expected. Submission of the registration form acknowledges acceptance of this provision.

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Session Descriptions (Some session titles and other details subject to change.)

7:45 AM – 8:40 AM

Assessing Tree Vitality

Room: Benson Hall

Speaker: Johan Ostberg, Nature Based Solutions Institute

Tree vitality is a central part in all assessment of trees. This presentation will focus on how this essential parameter is rated and used, but also how different actors might value vitality. Examples from different perspective and professions will be included, together with the many challenges associated with vitality ratings. A clear focus will be the management aspects of tree vitality so that you will understand how to use vitality in different management actions when working with a urban tree population.

8:40 AM – 9:35 AM

Professionalism in the Arboriculture Industry

Room: Benson Hall

Speaker: Dana Karcher, Davey Resource Group

With increased funding, new research, techniques and technology, we are all responsible for keeping up and being informed. We all love trees and understand their value - how do we as practitioners share that value with our constituencies whether they are our clients, government officials, students, or friends? Through stories, ideas, and real-life situations, we will learn ways to communicate with others what we already know - that trees are the answer!

9:35 AM – 10:30 AM

ChChChChanges: From Tree Surgeons to Tree Care Professionals

Room: Benson Hall

Speaker: Gary Johnson, University of Minnesota

We forget how much tree care has changed over the centuries, how it has changed from “the art of tree care” to “the art and science of tree care.” Today, we will discuss and illustrate how tree care has changed, particularly over the past 125 years, the years where the science of tree care fast forwarded, and those people who were critical to the advancement of arboriculture.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

I’m Not Dead Yet! Integrated Approaches to Thoughtful Tree Preservation

Room: BC 411

Speakers: John Kosowski, Harmony Tree Works and Chad Giblin, Trees & Me LLC

Using a case study approach, we’ll explore different techniques of tree preservation and tree risk mitigation. Conventional approaches like heavy reduction pruning may lead to accelerated decline in certain trees or species and a shift in expectations is often necessary to better align pruning with a tree life stage. Developmental pruning as a tool to promote tree preservation will also be discussed.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Creating a Culture of Safety

Room: BC 468

Speaker: David Vincent, Safety Consultant

Safety is a solid component of the three-part management team of safety, productivity, and lowered costs.This is based off of three simple ideas: stay safe, stay busy, and do a quality job.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Urban Soils for Urban Trees

Room: CC 125

Speaker: Luke Scheberl, Mid-State Technical College

Learn why urban tree managers must consider soil health along with tree health. We will discuss the importance of several soil parameters and how to quickly measure them in the field and their role in tree health. By understanding the soil, we can better understand and care for the trees that grow in it.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Considering Tree Water Stress from a Below Ground Perspective

Room: CC 312

Speaker: Luke McCormack, The Morton Arboretum

Drought and waterlogging both cause tree stress and dieback. However, most observations of tree water stress focus on aboveground responses rather than investigate the drivers of success or failure related to roots belowground. This session we will present some of the causes and consequences of water stress from a belowground perspective as well as considerations for tree selection and planting to minimize stress when possible.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Mushroom, Conks, and the “Profiles” of Tree Decay Fungi

Room: CC 313

Speaker: Glen Stanosz, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Mushrooms and conks can be positive indicators of tree decay. But while tree risk assessment includes consideration of tree “profile”, less consideration is given to fungal “profile”. Learn characteristics for identifying common tree decay fungi, and how different “fungal profiles” can influence decisions regarding evaluation of tree decay.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Native Tree Identification through Minnesota Seasons, Pt. 1 Room: CC 331

Speaker: Dave Hanson, Minnesota Department of Transportation

From bud break in spring to leaf drop in autumn and during the rest period of winter, trees share clues to their identification. We’ll cover a few individual species from several deciduous tree families and finish with a glimpse at a few coniferous species as well. This presentation will provide insight into seeking identifying clues and interpreting them to aid in tree identification.

Note: Part 2 of this session will be from 1:30pm – 2:15pm.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Minnesota Forest Health Update

Room: BC 430

Speaker: Megan O’Neil, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The Minnesota DNR tracks forest canopy trends from year to year. This presentation will provide an update on the most common forest health issues in Minnesota, such as eastern larch beetle and spruce budworm. It will also cover some of the less common pests that we saw in 2022.

Wednesday Session Descriptions

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

The Latest in Utilizing Machine Learning to Complete Tree Inventories

Room: Eastlund

Speaker: Josh Behounek, Davey Resource Group

Tree inventories have evolved from pen and paper to GIS-based and beyond. Today we are able to confidently and cost effectively do street and park tree inventories using various machine learning approaches. This presentation will share these methodologies and demonstrate what applications are right for machine learning. We will share recent case studies from around the world where machine learning has been utilized to create and maintain accurate tree inventories. Leveraging machine learning street tree inventories can unlock huge potential for proactive maintenance with real-time data.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Designing Edible Landscapes for the Backyard and Community

Room: HC 413

Speaker: Gary Wyatt, Extension Educator, Agroforestry

University of Minnesota Extension

Families are interested in growing their own food in the garden and planting perennials that produce fruits and nuts in their backyard. There is also a growing interest in planting community food forests and gardens in communities that are underserved and are food deserts. This session will encourage open dialogue in discussing plant designs for these perennial edibles for the backyard or community landscapes. Examples of planting designs will also be shared. Perennial edibles to be discussed include, Hazelnuts, Aronia Berry –Black Chokeberry, Juneberry, Elderberry, Honeyberry and Cranberry to mention a few.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Communicating Climate Science

Room: HC 414

Speaker: Jamie Mosel, Ph.D. Student, Natural Resources Science and Management, University of Minnesota

Climate change has widespread impacts on Minnesota's environment, including Minnesota's forests. This session will overview climate change that has been observed in Minnesota, climate change projections for Minnesota's future from MCAP's dynamically downscaled climate projections, and forest impacts along with an emphasis on adaptation. This session will help inform how to communicate climate science and change occurring in Minnesota and in general, especially for those communicating with the public in their professional role, influencing decision makers, or directly making decisions themselves which may involve planning for our future climate.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Turfgrass Species and Mixtures for Shady Areas

Room: RC 417

Speaker: Dom Christensen, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

What turfgrass species have better shade tolerance? How can I develop an adequate mixture for specific conditions under shade when the standard mixtures from the store perform poorly? You will learn the pros and cons of turfgrass species under various conditions, mixtures that promote success, and current research on home lawn diversity.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Noxious and Invasive Weed Program Updates

Room: RC 422

Speaker: Maggie Barnick, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

We will provide a brief update on current regulatory changes. We will also briefly touch on species that are currently being reviewed by the Noxious Weed Advisory Council and provide some updated management recommendations. We will then focus on two emerging issues: buckthorn hybridization and European mountain ash infestations.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees: How to Climb Them With Less

Room: Underground

Speaker: Nick Grebe, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

The last decade has seen an explosion in tree climbing gear. This has made moving through the canopy safer and easier, but it has also made it more expensive. This course will cover the techniques I regularly use that save me time and effort while being easy on the budget. From setting a line to getting gear unstuck this course has something for every level of climber.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Proper Tree Pruning: Just What Does the A300 Parts 1 Tell Us

Room: BC 411

Speaker: Richard Hauer, University of Wisconsin

What do Science, Standards, and Best Management Practices say about tree pruning? Just what is natural tree pruning and how does this differ from other forms of pruning. When is it best to undertake reduction pruning or remove a branch. Just what is a heading cut and how does this differ from tree topping? And restoration pruning, how does this fit as a process to help a canopy regrow into something any landowner would be proud of. Finally, can you prune to reduce the height of trees to compensate for decay? Learn pruning strategies that arborists and urban foresters can implement to promote tree canopies that help with growing the urban forest.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Practicing Environmental Stewardship

Integrated Vegetation Management Room: BC 468

Speaker: Phil Chen, CN Utility Consulting

Through

Utility rights-of-way are an essential part of the ecosystems that sustain humans and the life around us. This session will promote environmental and land stewardship as a part of the utility vegetation management (UVM) professional’s fulfillment of our roles as lifelines to the ecosystems surrounding our utility corridors. This presentation will define what Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) means, how and why it became a UVM industry best management practice, and how it can help UVM professionals in our role as land stewards. We can best serve our corporate, social, and environmental needs through sustainable IVM. Additionally, this presentation will present and discuss new tools and resources to aid UVM professionals in planning and implementing IVM developed by the Utility Arborist Association (UAA) Environmental Stewardship Committee. Let’s all learn to move beyond compliance to something better.

Wednesday Session Descriptions

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Impacts and Management of EAB

Room: CC 125

Speaker: Charlie Flower, Forest Service Northern Research Station

Since its arrival into North America, the emerald ash borer has been sweeping across riparian, upland, and urban forests causing widespread mortality of ash trees. Here, I will provide insights from insecticide trials for protecting high-value trees in addition to summarizing two decades of ash forest monitoring across Ohio.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Treatment Timings for Disease and Pests

Room: CC 312

Speaker: Kent Honl, Rainbow Tree Care

When spring arrives, so does a bewildering list of pests and diseases to track for your plant health care program. We will look at how to decide when to treat insect and fungal conditions using the tools available in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), including monitoring, treatment thresholds, and growing degree day tracking. Emphasis is placed on proactive plant health care practices for best results in promoting tree health.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Underutilized Woody Plants for Use in the Urban Landscape

Room: CC 313

Speaker: Brandon Miller, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota

As severe weather events and the introduction of invasive pests occur more frequently in the United States, the resiliency of managed landscapes has come into question. The need to identify, develop, and utilize diverse species and selections of landscape plants capable of tolerating the demands of a changing climate is a forefront issue in horticulture. A variety of factors influence the adoption of novel species and desirable plants may be limited by unique challenges in the nursery production pipeline. Brandon Miller will introduce some underutilized woody plants that deserve broader use, describe their merits, and explain ways to use them in the landscape.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Native Tree Identification through Minnesota Seasons, Pt. 2

Room: CC 331

Speaker: Dave Hanson, Minnesota Department of Transportation

From bud break in spring to leaf drop in autumn and during the rest period of winter, trees share clues to their identification. We’ll cover a few individual species from several deciduous tree families and finish with a glimpse at a few coniferous species as well. This presentation will provide insight into seeking identifying clues and interpreting them to aid in tree identification.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Diagnosing Pine Health Issues

Room: CC 430

Speaker: Eric Otto, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

A fair number of health issues can impact pines, hence diagnosing them can be difficult. Multiple factors need to be considered before diagnosis. They include the hosts impacted, the pattern of symptoms, the site history, and other factors. Different disease, insect, and abiotic issues will be discussed that can impact different species of pines.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Tribal Perspectives and Partnerships

Room: Eastlund

Speaker: Michael Dockry, University of Minnesota

Department of Forest Resources

American Indians have been and continue to be stewards of our lands, trees, and forests. There is an increased recognition that tribal perspectives should be incorporated into our natural resource management in both urban and rural areas. This talk will explore ways to incorporate tribal perspectives into management and offer suggestions on how to build successful partnerships with American Indian tribes. Participants will get practical advice for understanding tribal perspectives and building partnerships with tribes.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Wood Utilization Efforts in Minnetonka Room: HC 413

Speaker: Hannibal Hayes, City of Minnetonka

“Trees First, Wood Next” is the Urban Wood Network’s motto and the City of Minnetonka couldn’t agree more. Attend this seminar for a refresher on the city’s wood utilization efforts, as well as an update on recent projects and where we intend to go next!

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Adaptive Silviculture in an Urban Floodplain Room: HC 414

Speaker: Leslie Brandt, Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science

The Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) is a international network of research plots developed in partnership between researchers and managers. Crosby Farms is the location of the first urban installation of the network. We will be sharing background on the project and preliminary results from three growing seasons in terms of growth and survival.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Engaging Youth in Environmental Education Room: RC 417

Speaker: Samantha Peterson, Quarry Hill Nature Center

When children are given the opportunity to engage with the natural world, the benefits are endless. The natural world can be a springboard for personal and community growth and development, but at times fear and unfamiliarity can be significant barriers to effective engagement.

Developing a sense of place and belonging in our natural world is a foundational piece of environmental literacy. Weather you find yourself on a suburban street, an urban park, or in the pristine wilderness, there are always ways to help foster connection to our land. Together we can empower youth to work with our changing land, helping to develop a vocabulary to communicate these changes, and motivation to engage with the non-human beings on this planet in reciprocity.

This seminar will discuss how to address some of the common fears limiting nature connection, and share some activities, concepts, stories and methodologies that anybody can use to engage youth from a variety of cultural backgrounds, learning styles and levels of familiarity with the natural world, all through the lens of trees!

Wednesday Session Descriptions

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

MDA Insect Pest Update

Room: RC 422

Speaker: Jennifer Burington, Minnesota Dept of Agriculture

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) conducts annual surveys for terrestrial invasive species. Come and listen to updates about some of our established invasive species such as emerald ash borer and spongy moth, as well as some newly found species you may not know are present in Minnesota.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Cabling Trees: Theory

Room: Underground

Speaker: Brian Luedtke, Holistic Tree and Forestry

This session focuses on the THEORY of when, how, and how not to use various structural support systems. Explore the strengths and weaknesses of bracing, static, and dynamic cabling systems through case studies, and a scale model demonstration (safety glasses advised).

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Long in the Tree — a Primer for Extending Your Climbing Career

Room: BC 411

Speaker: Rod Rodman, Four Seasons Tree Service

This session addresses the potential chronic injuries often experienced by climbing arborists. We will explore various common issues and determine causation and possible mitigation by using proper climbing techniques, tools and equipment. The oft used “climb smarter not harder” is appropriate. We hope to demonstrate that this will actually improve your bottom line as you become more efficient using less energy to do better arboriculture and extend the number of winters you can hang in the Oaks and Elms.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Electrical Safety 101

Room: BC 468

Speaker: Wesley Full, Rainbow Tree Care

In this session you will learn about what standards residential arborist need to follow if we are working around electrical hazards. We will explore what makes up the basic electrical grid we work around the most. You will gain knowledge of what it takes to safely approach most residential jobs in the metro area with an electrical hazard via climbing and/or using a lift. You will leave with an understanding of how and when you should contact Xcel or any other service provider, when an electrical hazard can not be work around safely.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Integration of Science and Practice to Bring Back American Elm

Room: CC 125

Speaker: Leila Pinchot, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station; Linda Haugen, USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection

For decades, Dutch elm disease basically eliminated American elm from the list of viable species for urban and forest settings, but we have emerging opportunities to put elm back on the palette of species. We will present the research and practical basis of how elm can be used in the urban, interface, and forest settings. We will discuss the development of new clones and their availability. We will also talk about the suitability of different sources of elm for different settings,

including clonal vs seed origin stock.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Incorporating Fruiting Trees into Urban, Residential and Public Spaces

Room: CC 312

Speaker: Annie Klodd, University of Minnesota

This session will cover the essential steps for managing fruit trees in urban, public and residential settings. It will also explain the key pests of tree fruit and the basics of how to manage them.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Diagnosing Oak Health Issues

Room: CC 313

Speaker: Brian Schwingle, Minnesota DNR

Diagnosing problems on oaks is frequently not easy. Recognizing symptom distribution within the canopy, across the landscape, and over time are keys to diagnosis, not to mention interviewing tree owners about past damage. Diagnosis of twolined chestnut borer, Armillaria, oak wilt, leaf diseases, shoot blights, and galls will be covered.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Bees Need Trees

Room: CC 331

Speaker: Colleen Satyshur, University of Minnesota

Many kinds of native bees nest in wood or stems and some use tree resins or leaves to protect their larvae. Learn about these fascinating bees, how to recognize their nests, and protect nesting habitat. We will describe our research to determine which Minnesota trees bees collect resin from.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Diagnosing Spruce Health Issues

Room: CC 430

Speaker: Rachael Dube, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Spruces are some of the most commonly planted conifers in urban and residential settings in Minnesota. Tree care professionals often receive questions about spruce tree health. This session will provide information on diagnosing insect and mite damage, needle casts and rusts, galls, root and canker diseases, and other issues.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Growing Techniques for Healthy Native Trees

Room: Eastlund

Speaker: Heather Byers, Great Plains Nursery

Healthy trees start with strong genetics and a strong root system. We’ll discuss the importance of native, local seed sources, how to create a root system that will support healthy trees and thus a vibrant community forest. We’ll also discuss the advantages to working with nurseries to align goals for a successful and strong community forest.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Carbon Credits for the Urban Forest

Room: HC 413

Speakers: Jen Kulgren, City Forest Credits and Michaela Neu, Green Minneapolis

City Forest Credits (CFC) is the national nonprofit carbon registry for greenhouse gas emission reduction and removal for tree projects in or near cities and towns. CFC provides a way for local governments and other entities that manage urban forests to finance

Wednesday Session Descriptions

projects that contribute to the health and well-being of people and the environment. Green Minneapolis, in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, has completed the first urban tree carbon offset project in Minnesota, part of the Twin Cities Climate Resiliency Initiative.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Successful Tree Planting Projects Require More Than Just Planting!

Room: HC 414

Speaker: Wei Zhang, TreeDiaper®

Tree planting projects like "Million Trees XYZ City" are popular. The passion peaks in spring and dissipates quickly before summer arrives. The common result is poor survival, which repeats time after time. Sign up to see how to make the most of the rainfall for these newlyplanted trees.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Integrated Pest Management - Controlling Pests and Preserving Pollinators

Room: RC 417

Speaker: Vera Krischik, University of Minnesota

This talk will provide technical information on how to manage green space, restorations, bee lawns, and backyards with tactics and principles promoted by Best Management Practices for Natural Resources Management (BMP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to conserve the many native bees, beneficial insects, and butterflies. At the Krischik lab pollinator conservation website ncipmhort.cfans.umn.edu, there are over 15 bulletins to download for information on insecticides to use that will conserve pollinators, as well as pollinator identification, and pest identification for managing pests at their vulnerable life stage. The website offers extensive pictures on the families and life history of native bees and

GET

To get our event app, download the Whova app on your mobile device. The event code is “ShadeTree23”.

wasps. We will discuss in detail treatments of contact insecticides that are biorational insecticides, such as BT galleria, tenebrionis, and israelensis; spinosad (sawflies and caterpillars); neem oil (aphids, scale crawlers); IGR (insect growth regulators, dimilin, tebufenozide for larvae, chlorantraniliprole (Japanese beetle grubs), and others. We will learn together how to use the "toxicity of insecticides to pollinators" to pick the best insecticide that kills the pests, but conserves pollinators. We will go over site-specific IPM and pollinator protection plans for Japanese beetles, clearwing borer, ambrosis bar beetles, and sawflies. We will discuss how to develop an IPM program for a site if the endangered rusty patched bumblebee is found. We discuss how climate change may affect MN insect populations.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

EAB Managment in MN Communities

Room: RC 422

Speaker: Jonathan Osthus, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

An overview of the current status of emerald ash borer (EAB) in Minnesota. Key management priorities will be highlighted with examples from impacted communities. Resources currently available to communities to aid management efforts such as early detection training, grant funding, and forestry internships will be covered.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Cabling Trees: Practice

Room: Underground

Speaker: Brian Luedtke, Holistic Tree and Forestry

Building on the THEORY session, this session focuses on the PRACTICE of designing, installing, inspecting, and maintaining structural support systems. Modern materials will be discussed and installation tips and tricks will be provided, but you must bring your own good attitude.

DOWNLOAD THE EVENT APP!

EVENT INVITATION CODE: “ShadeTree23”

Use the app to: Access the event agenda and build a personal schedule, view maps, post on and browse the online job board, explore the professional profiles of event speakers and attendees, send in-app messages and exchange contact info, and receive update notifications from event organizers.

Our event app also has a Job Board! Your listing stays posted before and after the show! Click on Community at the bottom, then scroll down to Job Openings. Search openings already posted, or fill in the form to post opportunities at your company.

Speaker Biographies

Paul Alhaen, North American Training Solutions

Paul Ahlen has considerable experience spanning more than 20 years in the arboriculture industry. His favorite part of the work is cutting. He just loves running a chainsaw! While he worked on his Bachelor’s degree in Forest Management from UW-Stevens Point, he spent most of his weekends repairing saws at a local chainsaw shop. He’s worn a lot of different helmets over the years, as he worked as a private contractor, for the DNR, small and large tree-care companies, and a large municipality. Today he travels coast to coast working with field staff from dozens of companies to help them become more efficient and safer in the work that they do.

Maggie Barnick, Minnesota

Department of Agriculture

Maggie Barnick has eight years of natural resources restoration and invasive plant management experience in the Twin Cities metro and northern Minnesota.

Josh Behounek, Davey Resource Group

Josh Behounek is the Business Development Manager for Davey Resource Group’s Environmental Consulting division although sometimes he prefers the title of theoretical arborist. He has worked for Davey for 20 years and currently focuses on providing innovative and technical solutions for communities, nonprofits, commercial clients, and state agencies throughout the US and Internationally to proactively and sustainably manage their trees and other natural resources.

Leslie Brandt, USDA Forest Service

Leslie Brandt is a Supervisory Climate Adaptation Specialist with the USDA Forest Service's Office of Sustainability and Climate. There, she leads a team focused on assessing risks to our nation’s forests and grasslands and developing strategies to adapt to those changes. She led the development of the Forest Service Climate Adaptation Plan and the new Climate Action Tracker, which measures agency progress in climate response. Prior to her position at OSC, she worked for 12 years as the regional climate change coordinator for Region 9 and climate change specialist with the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science. She focuses on climate change vulnerability and adaptation in urban forests and recreation. She has a PhD in Ecology from the University of Minnesota and a BA in Biology from Gustavus Adolphus College. She lives in St. Paul, MN.

Jennifer Burington, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Jennifer works across the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's (MDA) Plant Protection Division to educate about new and emerging plant pests in Minnesota's forests, urban landscapes, fruits, vegetables, and agricultural crops. Since 2011 Jennifer has worked

with a variety of programs within MDA including spongy moth, emerald ash borer, brown marmorated stink bug, and surveying for pests of fruits and vegetables.

Heather Byers, Great Plains Nursery

Heather Byers is a native tree enthusiast and, along with her husband Brian, owner of Great Plains Nursery near Weston, NE. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2006 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Horticulture Production, and shortly after started their business with a passion for growing and planting native trees and shrubs and sharing the importance of native plants for the ecosystem.

Phil Chen, CN Utility Consulting

Philip assists multiple municipal and utility clients on an array of projects, including program reviews, project management and industry research. He is a member of the Rights-of-Way as Habitat Working Group and is on the Rightof-Way Stewardship Council. He also serves as Secretary for the Iowa Society of American Foresters and Treasurer for the Iowa Urban Tree Council. Philip is the outgoing chair of the UAA Environmental Stewardship Committee.

Mark Chisholm, Spokesperson for STIHL Inc

Mark Chisholm is a third-generation arborist who works with his father Steve, mother Laura, and brother Steve for the family-owned Aspen Tree Expert Company. Mark has won the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) New Jersey Chapter Tree Climbing Championship for 21 years, and is a past president of the chapter. He has conquered the wider tree-climbing world on three occasions, most recently in 2010. The ITCC in Tampa, FL 2015 marked the 20th time Mark has placed in the top five overall! He is the creator and owner of the interactive website TreeBuzz.com that sees over 80,000 users each monthHe is a Licensed Tree Expert with the state of NJ, an ISA Certified Arborist and a TCIA CTSP.

Dom Christensen, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Dominic Christensen currently work for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service as a Soil Conservationist. His role is to help landowners implement conservation practices to maintain the current and future productivity of our agricultural lands. He was a former University of Minnesota turfgrass science researcher. His research focused on lawn diversity, developing turfgrass mixtures, and management practices for roadside grasses.

Michael Dockry, University of Minnesota

Mike Dockry is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. He works at the University of Minnesota as an Assistant Professor of tribal natural resource management in the Department of Forest Resources. His interdisciplinary research and teaching focus on incorporating Indigenous knowledge and tribal

Speaker Biographies

perspectives into forestry and natural resource management. He earned a B.S. in Forest Science from the University of Wisconsin, an M.S. in Forest Resources from Penn State University, and a Ph.D. in Forestry from the University of Wisconsin.

Rachael Dube, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Rachael Dube works as a forest health specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in northwestern Minnesota and the Minnesota State Forest Nursery. She previously worked at the Minnesota Forest Resources Council. Rachael has an masters in forest entomology and a bachelors in forest resources from the University of Minnesota.

Thea Evans, MN Bee Atlas Project Coordinator

Thea Evans is the Project Coordinator for the MN Bee Atlas, a statewide citizen science project studying the distribution, phenology, and nesting biology of bees that nest in tunnels in dead wood and plant stems.

Charlie Flower, Forest Service Northern Research Station

Charlie Flower is a research ecologist with the USDA Forest Service. His research focuses on the physiological responses of plants and ecosystems to biotic and abiotic stressors in an effort to understand complex environmental patterns and the fundamentals of ecosystem function. By understanding responses at both the plant and forest level, his research assists forest managers mitigate their impacts and help maintain health resilient forests. His current research can be divided into three primary areas: 1) elm tree responses to Dutch elm disease and elm yellows, 2) tree and forest-level responses to the invasive emerald ash borer, and 3) forest (urban and rural) restoration of degraded landscapes.

Wesley Full, Rainbow Treecare

Wesley Full is the technical arborist trainer at Rainbow Tree Care. He has been a climbing arborist for 11 years and is a Certified Arborist and Certified Tree Safety Professional through TCIA. When Wesley is not working, he is competing or volunteering in local and national climbing competitions. He has been competing for seven years and in that time, he has had the opportunity to compete in the North American Tree Climbing Champion. When Wesley is not enjoying a sunny day high up in a tree canopy, he is diving deep into tree related research, podcasts, and any other tree nerdery.

Chad Giblin, Trees & Me

Giblin is owner of Trees & Me, a tree care firm based in Saint Paul, MN, Director of Operations at City Forester LLC, based in San Jose, CA, and an Adjunct Faculty at Hennepin Technical College. Giblin’s work is focused on increasing awareness and access to natural resources through memorable, hands-on

outdoor experiences, high-quality tree care, and comprehensive systems of tree preservation.

Nick Grebe, Mpls. Park & Recreation Board

Nick has a bachelors in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota and has been climbing trees for 18 years. He worked for several private companies in the Twin Cities for 12 years. He now works for the forestry division of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The last nine years he has focused on training climbers how to safely, efficiently, and productively work in trees. His passion for small-tree pruning drew him to develop the Fractal Pruning Method; allowing for climbers to map out a tree’s structure by using the branch angle and attachment ratio. With this understanding of gear, techniques, and tree structure he hopes to help others safely enjoy rope and harness arboriculture. He is also the founder of D.D.A.D.

Dave Hanson, Minn. Dept. of Transportation

Dave works in MnDOT’s Office of Environmental Stewardship Roadside Vegetation Unit. He completed a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota in Assessment and Modeling of Natural Resources followed by a Master’s focusing on Urban and Community Forestry. As an ISA certified arborist and urban forester at the University of Minnesota, Dave taught plant identification skills to ISA certified arborists, master gardeners, municipal employees and anyone else listening, including CCM crews and a classroom full of dendrology students. Now, as a Vegetation Management Specialist with MnDOT, he still teaches identification and management skills while honing his own skills daily – on questions from every corner of Minnesota.

Richard Hauer, Univ. of Wisc.-Stevens Point

Richard Hauer is a Professor of Urban Forestry at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point teaching courses in urban forestry, nursery management, woody plants, dendrology, and introduction to forestry. Rich conducts research in tree biology, urban forest management, emerald ash borer management, trees and construction, tree risk management, and ice storms. He was honored as the 2018 L.C. Chadwick Award for Arboricultural Research. He is also the Director of Urban Forestry at CNUC.

Linda Haugen, USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection

Linda Haugen is a plant pathologist at the US Forest Service St. Paul Field Office in Forest Health Protection. For 30 years she has provided technical assistance and training on disease problems and forest health to national forests, other federal land managers, and state cooperators throughout the Midwestern states. Major interest areas have included American elm demonstration projects and selection of Dutch elm disease resistant American elm, and development of communication tools about management of hardwood wilt diseases.

Hannibal Hayes, City of Minnetonka

Hannibal has worked in the tree care industry for the past 16 years in both the public and private sectors. He graduated from the U of M Twin Cities with a bachelors in Horticultural Sciences, is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, as well as TRAQ certified. Hannibal lives on a hobby farm and is proudly expecting the arrival of two calves, up to 10 lambs, and probably 20 baby chicks, just in the month of May.

Kent Honl, Rainbow Tree Company

Kent Honl has worked for Rainbow Companies of Minnetonka since 1994, serving as a Technical Arborist, Consulting Arborist, and currently as Arborologist. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and studied Ecological Horticulture at the University of California – Santa Cruz. Kent has been an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist since 2007, and acquired his ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification in 2016. Kent also serves as adjunct faculty in Arboriculture for Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park.

Gary Johnson, University of Minnesota

For the past 30 years, Gary Johnson has been on the faculty of the University of Minnesota as professor of urban and community forestry. His research and publications have included minimizing construction damage to trees, predicting and preventing loading event damage to trees, and improved tree production and planting methods.

Dana Karcher, Davey Resource Group, Inc.

Dana Karcher is a project developer and area manager for Davey Resource Group, working with communities across the U.S. developing projects such as tree inventories, management plans, urban forest master plans, canopy studies, and other tree management related projects. She has worked closely with planners, architects, engineers, landscape architects, elected officials, and community groups to increase awareness of the importance of trees and to recognize the urban forest as a valuable resource. Dana has a degree in Political Science from California State University and frequently speaks on urban and community forestry throughout the US. She is a Certified Arborist and a Municipal Specialist and Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors of the International Society of Arboriculture.

Annie Klodd, University of Minnesota

Annie Klodd is a statewide Extension Educator for fruit and vegetable production at the University of Minnesota. She works with farmers across the state, delivering research-based recommendations on growing fruit crops including apples, grapes, berries, and pumpkins. She manages the UMN Extension Fruit and Vegetable Newsletter and co-hosts the Cold Climate Fruit Webinar Series. Annie has a Masters degree in Plant Biology from Penn State University, and now resides in Eden Prairie, MN.

John Kosowski, Harmony Tree Works LLC

John Kosowski is co-owner and arborist at Harmony Tree Works LLC, a tree care company based in Minneapolis, MN. John works with clients to enable them to be good stewards of the urban canopy, expanding their tree care options beyond removal through risk assessment and strategic pruning. He is a skilled climber and collaborates with a wide range of arborists and tree care professionals.

Vera Krischik, University of Minnesota

Vera Krischik is a professor in the Entomology Department of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Vera obtained her PhD from the University of Maryland, held a Post Doc at the University of Maryland, was a researcher at the New York Botanical Garden, and was an IPM coordinator at USDA, Washington DC. Vera has written educational bulletins, teaches pesticide workshops with MDA and MNLA, and is the Director of the Center for Sustainable Urban Ecosystems at the U of M. Currently, her research is on establishing a soilinhabiting fungus against Japanese beetles and the effects of pesticides on good insects, such as bee pollinators, butterflies, and biocontrol agents.

Jen Kulgren, City Forest Credits

Jen has been working as a community forester for almost a decade in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. She is inspired by bringing people together to foster natural solutions in the urban environment. She enjoys working with diverse communities to understand their needs and help them achieve their goals. She holds a Masters of Science and a Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan.

Brian Luedtke, Holistic Tree and Forestry

Brian is one of those people that enjoys setting up tarp shelters and hammocks more than most people like to Jetski or hot air balloon. He has been a practicing arborist and owner/operator of a small tree and forestry service since 2013 with tree and woodlot preservation being the major focus of his practice. Brian helped found and was the technical arborist for the Conservation Arboriculture research program and regularly makes time in his schedule to help with the Youth Engagement in Arboriculture summer camps. In his spare time Brian preserves trees through woodworking and enjoys observing trees through the car window while traveling around town.

Luke McCormack, The Morton Arboretum

Luke is a scientist at The Morton Arboretum where he has directed research in the Root Biology Lab since 2019. Before joining Morton, Luke studied forest ecology at the Pennsylvania State University and was later a research associate at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

His work focuses on how roots interact with soils and whole-plant processes to create healthy trees in complex ecosystems.

Brandon Miller, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota

Brandon Miller is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota and a Curator of Plant Collections at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Brandon received both his B.S. and M.S. degrees in horticulture from Iowa State University. He received his PhD from Cornell University where he conducted research on hickories with the Urban Horticulture Institute. His research and Extension programs aim to support the introduction of novel nursery crops and underutilized landscape selections for use in Minnesota.

Jamie Mosel, Ph.D. Student, Natural Resources Science and Management, University of Minnesota

Jamie Mosel is a University of Minnesota

Extension Educator focused on climate resilience, with the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP). She has a B.A. from St. Olaf College, Master's degree from the College of Forestry at Oregon State University, and PhD from the University of Minnesota Natural Resources Science and Management Program. Her past work specializes in forest responses to climate change, especially tree physiology and adaptive forest management. Jamie is passionate about addressing climate change issues and supporting a healthy, sustainable, just, and ecologically sound future for all.

Michaela Neu, Green Minneapolis

Michaela Neu is the Director of Programs and Operations for Green Minneapolis , working to enhance the vitality of Minneapolis by bringing public and private entities together to build urban green infrastructure. Michaela oversees Green Minneapolis’ projects including the Twin Cities Climate Resiliency Initiative, a 20-year program to expand the Twin Cities urban tree canopy, funded in part by the first urban tree canopy carbon offset program in Minnesota. Prior to Green Minneapolis, Michaela spent 10 years with the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization where she contributed to the expansion and effectiveness of the MWMO’s outreach efforts. She holds a B.S. in Geography and a M.S. in Natural Resources Science and Management, both from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

Megan O’Neil, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Megan O’Neil has worked as a forest health specialist for the Minnesota DNR since 2019. Her work focuses on tracking landscape level forest health trends across northern Minnesota and diagnosing tree health issues. Megan earned her B.S and M.S from Michigan Technological University. She also worked as a forester for the Missouri Department of Conservation and a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador.

Johan Ostberg, Nature Based Solutions Institute

Johan Östberg is Associate Professor with a PhD in Landscape Planning. Over the course of his career, he has produced over 100 publications, including reports, book chapters, popular and scientific reports, and peer-reviewed articles. Apart from his academic career he is also the executive director for the Swedish Tree association, ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, TRAQ Qualified, VETCert-certified and active as a consultant, where he is running a consultant networking comprising of consultants from a different profession, working together to create management plans for lager tree populations in Sweden.

Jonathan Osthus, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Jonathan Osthus works for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Plant Protection Division in the Pest Detection and Export Certification Unit (MDA PDEC). He began working on emerald ash borer (EAB) shortly after it was found in St. Paul, MN in 2009. He has 13 years of experience in the early detection and rapid response of invasive insect pests. Jonathan is the EAB technical assistance coordinator for the MDA.

Eric Otto, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Eric Otto works as a forest health specialist for the Minnesota DNR covering northeast Minnesota. He works on multiple insect and disease issues impacting tree and forest health in that region. He previously volunteered for the Peace Corps in Ghana working in agriculture, and has also worked seasonal forestry positions in Minnesota, Wyoming, and Maine. Eric holds a Ph.D. in plant pathology and a B.S. in forest resources, both from the University of Minnesota.

Samantha Peterson, Quarry Hill Nature Center

Sammie Peterson is an environmental educator with over a decade of experience connecting youth and families to the natural world. Since graduating from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, (B.S. in Environmental Science, Policy and Management / Environmental Education and Communication with a minor in Fisheries and Wildlife) she has worked as a mushroom cultivator and forager, an environmental educator for urban teens, an instructor for camping workshops, a sawyer, a prescribed burn technician, an ecological research assistant, and for the last eight years as a naturalist at Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester, Minnesota. She currently teaches students using place-based, hands-on learning designed to give students from all walks of life a sense of belonging in the natural world. She has a passion for wild edibles, and has regularly taught foraging workshops to home school groups, nature centers, environmental learning centers and community members throughout southeastern Minnesota.

Speaker Biographies

Leila Pinchot, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station

Dr. Cornelia (Leila) Pinchot is a research ecologist at the United States Forest Service Northern Research Station and co-leads the American elm disease resistance breeding and restoration program based in Ohio. Her research focuses on the restoration of tree species impacted by non-native pests and pathogens, namely American elm and American chestnut. Specifically, she studies how to develop disease tolerant American elm, including improving phenotyping methodology, and reintroducing improved stock into forested ecosystems.

Rod Rodman, Four Seasons Tree Service

Rod is owner operator of Four Seasons Tree Service, established in 1980. He is also an adjunct professor at Hennepin Technical College in the arboriculture program where he has taught applied arboricultural techniques for the past 12 years. Having been a logger in both Michigan and Montana, he moved to Minneapolis in 1976. With his logging background he joined a small tree service company and began removing diseased elm trees like everyone else in Minnesota. Rod is a firm believer in improving himself as a professional and fosters a passion for giving back to the arborist community. He has trained many young climbers over the years focusing on safety and efficiency. The goal is to enjoy a fulfilling career, improve the urban forest, and come home healthy at the end of the day.

Colleen Satyshur,

University of Minnesota

Colleen Satyshur is a research scientist at the University of Minnesota where she has worked for the past 9 or so years on stem and wood nesting wild bee species, their life history and habitat.

Luke Scheberl, Mid-State Technical College

Luke Scheberl is an Arborist Technician Instructor at Mid-State Technical College in Central Wisconsin. He has over 10 years of experience in the green industry, in addition to degrees in Urban Forestry and Soil Science from UWStevens Point. His passion is taking care of trees, and that starts with healthy soil!

Brian

Schwingle, Minnesota DNR

Brian Schwingle has been a forest health specialist for both Wisconsin and Minnesota DNR since 2007. His expertise is in diagnosing what is wrong with trees and monitoring broad scale trends in forest canopy health. Brian has a master’s degree in plant pathology from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in forestry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Glen

Stanosz,

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Glen Stanosz is an ISA-certified consulting arborist (with tree risk assessment qualification), and an emeritus professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has conducted research on tree and shrub diseases caused by fungi, and has taught students in horticulture, landscape architecture, forestry, and professionals in the green industry.

David Vincent, Safety Consultant

David has been working in arboriculture for 17 years and has specialized in climbing, rigging, and cultural development. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and Certified Treecare Safety Professional. He has been a TCIA Qualified Trainer for over eight years and has trained with companies across the Eastern side of the country. Recently, David has moved into a consulting position to work with companies to improve their safety culture as well as conduct TCIA & ISA trainings.

Gary Wyatt, University of Minnesota Extension

Gary Wyatt is an Agroforestry Extension Educator and Extension Professor with the University of Minnesota Extension in the Extension Regional Office in Mankato, MN. Gary promotes sustainable agroforestry practices that are economical and protect our soil, water, wildlife and natural resources. Current issues include: Silvopasture, living snow fences, invasive species, windbreaks, riparian buffers, forest farming, bioenergy crops (willows & poplars), eco-system services, tree and shrub selection, community and school-food forests, edible and decorative woody plants, and non-timber forest products. Gary has more than 39 years of Extension experience in Minnesota.

Wei Zhang, TreeDiaper®

Wei Zhang holds a Ph.D. degree in Engineering from Virginia Tech. He has been doing research & development for the green industry for 10 years. His research areas include watering solutions for landscape plants, plant health, plant protection against stresses like drought and road salt. His work also provides novel solutions to green stormwater infrastructures, for which plants are used for the treatment of pollutants in stormwater. He has more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, one monograph and more than 200 conference presentations. He has been a frequent speaker on Arboriculture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Forestry, Stormwater Green Infrastructure, and related conferences and seminars. He is known as a scientist, educator and public speaker. Dr. Zhang is an ASLA approved LA CES provider.

See you next year!