Prescription Pruning Qualification (PPQ) Course

The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) is excited to announce Tennessee’s first Prescription Pruning Qualification (PPQ) course, scheduled for July 29 – 31 at Chattanooga’s Greenway Farm Conference Center.

Course Overview

The Prescription Pruning Qualification (PPQ) program provides arborists and tree care professionals with a structured, objective-based approach to pruning that improves communication, consistency, and long-term tree outcomes. Through classroom instruction and hands-on field exercises, participants will learn how to develop and implement pruning prescriptions that align with ANSI A300 standards, ISA Best Management Practices, and current arboricultural research. This practical, applied program guides arborists through the process of strategically planning, specifying, and implementing pruning objectives that support safer, stronger, healthier, and more urban-compatible trees.

This course includes both the Producer Track (Day 1 only) and the Prescriber Track (full 3-day qualification course and exam).

What is PPQ?

The Prescription Pruning Qualification (PPQ), developed by the Florida Chapter ISA, promotes a new industry paradigm in which no tree — or group of trees — is pruned without a prescription. PPQ shifts the decision-making process from the production arborist to an informed prescriber, establishing a clear protocol and common language between the prescriber, production arborist, and tree owner. The result is greater consistency, accountability, and clarity when preparing and performing pruning work.

The program teaches arborists how to prescribe and perform pruning in accordance with industry standards and ISA BMPs while incorporating current research and field practice. Participants gain practical tools for:

• Understanding tree architecture and structural development
• Creating objective-based pruning prescriptions
• Improving communication between crews, consultants, and clients
• Reducing unnecessary living tissue removal
• Increasing tree longevity and clearance
• Reducing the likelihood of tree failure
• Implementing pruning strategies that support healthier urban trees

For complete details about the PPQ program, visit the Florida Chapter ISA PPQ website

Who Should Attend?

PRODUCERS — Attend Day 1 Only

Designed for production crew members, climbers, forepersons, municipal staff, and anyone seeking a more organized and objective approach to pruning operations. ISA certification is not a prerequisite.

PRESCRIBERS — Attend All 3 Days

Designed for ISA Certified Arborists interested in earning the Prescription Pruning Qualification (PPQ). Must be an ISA Certified Arborist.

Important: You must be a current ISA Certified Arborist (CA) to sit for the PPQ qualification exam. Certification information will be verified prior to the course.

Special Registration Note: If you are a Prescriber and an Southern Chapter ISA Member, you may register your Producers (crew members) for Day 1 at the member rate of $195.

Manuals: Producers and prescribers each receive a Pruning Prescription Manual and Workbook.

Agenda

CEUs

Producer Track (Day 1)
ISA CEUs: 7
BCMA CEUs: 7 (P)

Prescriber Track (3 Days)
ISA CEUs: 15.5
BCMA CEUs: 15.5 (P)

Instructors

Rob Calley of Backridge Tree Service serves as the small production company representative on the PPQ Committee. He is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA), ISA Certified Arborist (CA), Certified Tree Care Safety Professional (CTSP), and holds both the ISA TRAQ credential and Florida Chapter ISA PPQ qualification. Rob served as President of the Florida Chapter ISA in 2020 and currently chairs the Florida Chapter Marketing Committee. He received the “True Professional of Arboriculture Award” in 2019.

Kris Stulz of Tri-State Tree Services serves as Arborist Instructor implementing Prescription Pruning Qualification processes throughout Tri-State Tree Services and is actively engaged in the company’s safety program. Kris has worked as a groundsman, climber, manager, instructor, business owner, and consultant. He specializes in structural and developmental pruning strategies, tree structural mechanics, and the body language of tree self-optimization. He is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA), ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ), Registered Consulting Arborist (ASCA), and holds the Florida Chapter ISA Prescription Pruning Qualification (PPQ). Kris has served as Chair of the Florida Tree Climbing Championship and in several leadership positions with the Florida Chapter ISA Board. He received the Loren Westenberger Award in 2018 and the Award of Distinction in 2022.

Pricing

Registration

Registration will close on July 15, 2026 or once capacity is reached.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Interested in supporting Tennessee’s first PPQ course? We are currently seeking event sponsors looking to connect with arborists, tree care professionals, and urban forestry leaders from across the region while supporting professional education in arboriculture. An event of this scale is requires significant resources and effort, and we value the support of collaborative partners to make it possible.