IN-PERSON WORKSHOP Arborist Short Course

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Designed to increase working tree knowledge and professional arborist skills, successful completion of the four-day Arborist Short Course will prepare participants for the ISA Certified Arborist exam and improve their marketability. This certification designates a level of professionalism that most arborists do not have.

EVENT DETAILS

A comprehensive four-day workshop designed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully pass the ISA Certified Arborist exam.

WHEN

Tuesday & Wednesday
February 20-21, 2024
February 27-28, 2024
(Meeting times vary. See agenda at bottom for details.)

WHERE

Berks County Agricultural Center
1238 County Welfare Rd.
Leesport, PA 19533
Today there is an increased awareness by homeowners and municipalities for the need of trained and knowledgeable tree care workers. The green industry has responded to this demand for trained professionals by creating certification programs, such as the Arborist Short Course.

Participants can register to receive a copy of the ISA Arborist Certification Study Guide or register without a study guide if they already have one. The ISA Study Guide is required for the course. The ISA Study Guide can be included in your registration (additional fee) or you can bring the study guide with you that you have purchased or borrowed.

Who is this for?

Arborists
Urban Foresters
Landscapers
What will you learn?

Diagnosis of plant diseases and insect pests
Nutrition and fertilization
Selection, installation and establishment of trees and shrubs
Soil and water interaction and management
Plant identification
Assessment and risk management
Pruning
Construction impacts and management
Safety and climbing
This course provides training for people interested in taking the International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborists Examination.

PROGRAM SPONSORS

The program is offered with support from the USDA US Forest Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The program is also in partnership with Pennsylvania’s TreeVitalize program.

Space is limited – preregistration is required.

Register By
February 13, 2024

February 20, 2024
Day 1 – Arborist Short Course
8:30 AM-5:00 PM
9:00 AM – Intro to Arborist Certification
– Tim Abbey – Extension Educator, Penn State Extension

9:15 AM – Tree Biology
– Joseph Mullen – Board Certified Master Arborist, Mullen Consulting

12:30 PM – Lunch (Provided)

1:00 PM – Tree Species Identification
– Robert Dougan – Supervisor of Grounds, Jeanes Hospital, Temple University

5:00 PM – Class Adjourned

February 21, 2024
Day 2 – Arborist Short Course
9:00 AM-4:30 PM
9:00 AM – Review of Day 1 and Homework Discussion

9:30 AM – Tree Pruning and the ANSI A300 Standard
– Julianne Schieffer – Extension Educator, Penn State Extension

11:00 AM – Trees, People, and Ecology
– Julianne Schieffer – Extension Educator, Penn State Extension

12:15 PM – Lunch (Provided)

12:45 PM – Diagnosis and Identification of Insect and Disease Pests
– Tim Abbey – Extension Educator, Penn State Extension

4:30 PM – Class Adjourned

February 27, 2024
Day 3 – Arborist Short Course
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
9:00 AM – Review of Day 2 and Homework Discussion

9:30 AM – Tree and Soil Relations
– Vincent Cotrone, Extension Educator, Penn State Extension

11:00 AM – Water Management
– Vincent Cotrone, Extension Educator, Penn State Extension

11:30 AM – Plant Nutrition and Fertilization
– Vincent Cotrone, Extension Educator, Penn State Extension

12:00 PM – Lunch (Provided)

12:30 PM – Tree Selection
– Vincent Cotrone, Extension Educator, Penn State Extension

2:30 PM – Installation and Establishment
– Vincent Cotrone, Extension Educator, Penn State Extension

5:00 PM – Class Adjourned

February 28, 2024
Day 4 – Arborist Short Course
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
9:00 AM – Review of Day 3 and Homework Discussion

9:15 AM – Climbing and Working in the Trees
– Jim Savage, Affiliate Instructor in Horticulture, Penn State Extension

10:15 AM – Cabling, Bracing, and Lightning Protection
– Jim Savage, Affiliate Instructor in Horticulture, Penn State Extension

11:15 AM – Tree Worker Safety—ANSI Z133 Standard
– Jim Savage, Affiliate Instructor in Horticulture, Penn State Extension

12:00 PM – Lunch (Provided)

1:00 PM – Tree Risk Assessment and Management
– William Elmendorf, Associate Professor, Penn State Extension

2:30 PM – Trees and Construction
– William Elmendorf, Associate Professor, Penn State Extension

4:00 PM – Class Adjourned