New York State Arborists Annual Conference

A. DEC Session: Hold on to Your Ash – Richard Buckley, Director, Plant Diagnostic Lab and Nematode Detection Service, Ralph Geiger Turfgrass Education Center, Rutgers University

Native ash trees are under assault from diseases and insect pests. This 90 minute presentation covers all the potential threats to the species. Fungal and bacterial diseases will be covered as well as several insect pests. Plant Health Management strategies will be discussed with a strong emphasis on the primary threat, the Emerald Ash Borer. (Approved for 1.5 DEC credits for Categories 2, 3a, 9; Approved for ISA credits: 1.5 Certified Arborist, 1.5 Municipal Specialist, BCMA-Practice; 1.5 CNLP credits)

B. Tree Academy Session: Working on Trees after Storms – Mark Chisholm, Aspen Tree Expert Co., Inc./Team STIHL

Technical tree removal is one of the most difficult tasks we tackle. Combine that with what happens after a storm rolls through and it can spell disaster. This talk will look at how storms can create hazardous environments to work in and some of the ways to solve these risky situations. (Approved for ISA credits: 1.5 Certified Arborist, 1.5 Utility Specialist, 1.5 Municipal Specialist, 1.5 BCMA- Practice, 1.5 TW Climber Specialist, 1.5 TW Aerial Lift Specialist, 1.5 CTSP credits, 1.5 CNLP credits)

Session sponsored by

A. Cornell Pest Update: Making Pest Management Great Again: Things to Help You (and Our Trees) Succeed – Dan Gilrein, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County

Attendees will learn about the new pests in the past year and others that persist or are expected to be serious, such as emerald ash borer, privet rust mite, southern pine beetle, arborvitae leafminer, and gypsy moth.  The presentation will cover management options and include time for discussion and questions. (Approved for 1.0 DEC credits for Categories 3a, 9 and .50 for category 2; Approved for ISA credits: 1.0 Certified Arborist, 1.0, 1.0 Municipal Specialist, .50 BCMA-Science, .50 BCMA-Practice, and 1.0 CNLP credits)

B. Tree Academy Session: Sonic Tomography-Minimally Invasive Testing for Decay in Trees – John Wickes, CCPA, CNP, CA, RCA, CTRA, TRAQ, Wickes Arborists

One of the more interesting tools for allowing arborists to image the internal structure of a tree is the sonic tomogram. This is a device that uses sound waves to create a visual 3D representation of what is going on inside of a tree, without using any drilling methods or tools.

John is one of the few American distributors of this instrument and he is well versed in its use and application. He will review the history, development, setup and operation of the equipment, as well as the uses, limitations, and role of the device for arborists and tree risk assessors. (Approved for ISA credits: 1.0 Certified Arborist, 1.0 Municipal Specialist, 1.0 BCMA-Practice, 1.0 CTSP credits, 1.0 CNLP credits)

A. DEC Session: A Silent Epidemic in Oak: The Northern Migration of Xylella Fastidiosia – Richard Buckley, Rutgers University

Bacterial leaf scorch in amenity shade trees is a modern threat to the urban forest. Of all the many shade trees that are affected by this disease, Oak stands alone as a primary host. Discovered in oak in the late 1980’s in the Washington DC area, bacterial leaf scorch (AKA: Oak Leaf Scorch) has maintained a steady march northward through New Jersey and is now routinely diagnosed by diagnostic labs from Oaks throughout the Northeast Region. Learn to recognize this chronic disease in your landscape. Cutting edge information will be shared regarding the biology and epidemiology of the bacterial pathogen as well as all the current attempts to manage this devastating disease. (Approved for 1.5 DEC credits for Categories 3a, 9; Approved for ISA credits: 1.5 Certified Arborist, 1.5 Municipal Specialist, .75 BCMA-Science, .75 BCMA-Practice and 1.5 CNLP credits)

B. Tree Academy Session: New York Tree Law: All Bark and No Bite? – Laura Ayers, Esq., Law Office of Laura E. Ayers, Esq.

An overview of the laws affecting trees and timber rights in New York State. Topics to be addressed will include a review of the rights of adjoining landowners with respect to trees on or near a boundary line, liability for cutting, removing, injuring or destroying trees or timber and damaging lands thereon, notice provisions for damaged or diseased trees and the rights of an easement holder to remove trees from the property burdened by an easement. (Approved for ISA credits: 1.5 Certified Arborist, 1.5 Municipal Specialist, 1.5 BCMA-Management and 1.5 CNLP credits)

A. DEC Session: The Cornell University Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic Processing of Submissions and Identification of Noteworthy Plant Pathogens – Karen Snover-Clift, Cornell University, Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic; Associate Director, Northeast Plant Diagnostic Network (NEPDN); National Quality Manager, NPDN

Attendees will learn about plant problems in 2016 under current research at the Cornell University Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic. Topics will include an overview of the role of the National Plant Diagnotic Clinic, recent unpredictable weather conditions and how it has affected plants and plant diseases in the 2016 growing season, clinic diagnostic responsibilities and findings over the past year through routine sample submissions and surveys and regulatory sample processing, the significant pathogens seen through the year like Sudden Oak Death-Ramorum Blight caused by Phytophthora ramorum, Phytophthora kernoviae, Bleeding Canker on Horsechestnut, Oak Wilt caused by Ceratocystis fagacearum and Thousand Cankers Disease caused by Geosmithia morbida.Click here to review the complete outline. (Approved for 1.5 DEC credits for Categories 3a, 9; Approved for ISA credits: 1.5 Certified Arborists, 1.5 Municipal Specialist, 1.5 BCMA-Practice, and 1.5 CNLP credits)

B. Tree Academy: Emerald Ash Borer Effects on Ash Tree Stability – Corey Shepard, CTSP, Davey Tree Expert Company
This safety session will examine the effects EAB has on the stability of Ash trees and non-traditional tools and techniques to manage trees that cannot support climbing and rigging operations. Attendees will learn a better understanding of how EAB effects tree stability, visual effects of EAB on effected trees, recommendations and guidelines for working on effected ash trees and unconventional techniques for removal of effected  ash trees unable to be climbed with conventional techniques. (Approved for ISA credits: 1.5 Certified Arborists, 1.5 Utility Specialist, 1.5 Municipal Specialist, BCMA-Practice, 1.5 TW Climber Specialist, 1.5 TW Aerial Lift Specialists, 1.5 CTSP credits and 1.5 CNLP credits)

A. General Session: Root Growth and Management in Urban Landscapes – Dr. Ed Gilman, Professor, Environmental Horticulture Dept., University of Florida

Attendees will learn how root management in the first 25 years after planting results in a sustainable urban forest that resists storms. Topics include making space for tree roots, traditional urban landscape designs vs. designs that actually work and why, root barriers, managing root problems on large trees, and more. You will be surprised at the amount of research and experience arborists have treating roots on established trees. There will be lots of photographs, illustrations, specifications, and take-home messages.

Learning objectives: calculate soil space for trees, implement preventive designs, compare options for interfering roots, evaluate trees for failure potential, and more; beginners to advanced. (Approved for .50 DEC credits for Category 3a; Approved for ISA credits: 1.5 Certified Arborist, 1.5 Municipal Arborist, .75 BCMA-Science, .75 BCMA-Practice and 1.5 CNLP credits)

TCIA Aerial Lift Training Session en Espanol – Leo Roldan, SavATree
The Aerial Lift Specialist course helps you and your employees learn about aerial lift safety, inspection, preparation, driving, and operating guidelines. The program documents training for new employees or employees who need an aerial lift safety refresher. The session will be presented in Spanish.

This course is designed to give an additional credential to your tree care apprentices. It will help you document and verify that you have given OSHA-required safety training to all your employees according to their job descriptions, as well as help employees feel they are part of an important industry with a career path

The course covers:
• Aerial lift safety
• Aerial lift inspection, preparation and driving
• General standards and guidelines for Aerial Lift operations
• Preventing common accidents during Aerial Lift operations
• Additional training topics of which Aerial Lift Specialists need to be aware
• Electrical and environmental hazards during Aerial Lift operations
• Additional truck backing guidelines
(Approved for ISA credits: 3.0 Certified Arborists, 3.0 Utility Specialist, 3.0 Municipal Specialist, 3.0 BCMA-Practice, 3.0 TW Climber Specialists, 3.0 TW Aerial Lift Specialist, 3.0 CTSP credits and 3.0 CNLP credits)

A. DEC Session: NYS DEC Update – Catherine Ahlers, NYSDEC Pesticide Specialist II

Attendees will hear an update on pesticide application rules and regulations, a review on rates and uses of labels, discuss common violations and how to avoid them, licensing and review record keeping and lawn care contracts. (Approved for 1.5 DEC Core credits; Approved for ISA credits: 1.5 Certified Arborist, 1.5 Utility Specialist, 1.5 Municipal Specialist, 1.5 BCMA-Management, 1.5 TW Climber Specialist, 1.5 TW Aerial Lift Specialist, 1.5 CTSP, 1.5 CNLP credits)

B. Tree Academy: Structural Pruning at Planting: Crucial for Upping Your Game – Dr. Ed Gilman, Professor, Environmental Horticulture Dept., University of Florida

Prune at planting? We do that! Roots and shoots are best pruned at planting to correct structural deficiencies because most never get pruned again for structure. Nursery stock arriving with inferior structure WILL benefit. You will be shown you the way. There is sure to be plenty of discussion and disagreement. Come prepared to defend your position – Ed will.
(Approved for ISA credits: 1.5 Certified Arborist, 1.5 Municipal Specialist, 1.5 BCMA-Practice and 1.5 CNLP credits)

A. DEC Session: NYBG Plant Health Program and the Role of Plant Health Care Plays in Pest Management – Don Gabel, Director of Plant Health, New York Botanical Garden

The NYBG Plant Health Program relies on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to solve plant problems. This session will look at the role of plant health care plays in pest management and the principals of IPM which include the 4 components of:
1. Host knowledge
2. Monitoring (timing, methods…)
3. Decision-making , putting it all together, thresholds, alternate controls, how laws and regulations influence the process
4. Evaluation process: did it work and has the problem been reduced to tolerable levels
(Approved for 1.5 DEC credits for Category 3a; Approved for ISA credits: 1.5 Certified Arborist, 1.5 Municipal Specialist, 1.5 BCMA-Practice and 1.5 CNLP credits)

B. Tree Academy: Tree Crown Reduction Strategies – Dr. Ed Gilman, Professor, Environmental Horticulture Dept., University of Florida

Tree damaged in storms, or those growing too large for the location can sometimes be reduced to meet customer objectives. Other times, it is more difficult. Learn all known methods of tree reduction, and what happens when it’s done correctly. You will leave with a new understanding of this underutilized pruning method. This is sure to be a lively discussion! You will learn how to apply ANSI appropriate reduction strategies, differentiate between reduction and pollarding, apply reduction in lieu of tree removal; intermediate to advanced. (Approved for ISA credits: 1.5 Certified Arborist, 1.5 Utility Specialist, 1.5 Municipal Specialist, 1.5 BCMA-Practice, 1.5 TW Climber Specialist, 1.5 Aerial Lift Specialist and 1.5 CNLP credits)