Tree Academy: Assessing Tree Health and Vitality

We’re excited to announce Tree Academy with Dr. Glynn Percival, Senior Arboricultural Researcher at the Bartlett Tree Research and Diagnostic Laboratory. This new event will be held one day before our annual conference at The Lodge at Fall Creek Falls in Spencer, TN.

Description
Trees in urban landscapes (streets, town centres, car parks etc.) face a number of stresses (drought, root de-oxygenation, salinity) that singly or in combination can detrimentally impact on their biology. These symptoms become manifest as leaves yellowing and/or crown/branch die-back, that are visible indicators arborists interpret to assess tree vitality. Visual observations can be very subjective as they are based on human knowledge and interpretation which differs between individuals. Consequently health evaluations can differ markedly between assessors. Assessing the health of trees can be quantified using a suite of non-destructive and non-invasive techniques such as leaf chlorophyll fluorescence (CF), leaf chlorophyll content, root/stem/leaf electrolyte leakage, twig starch analysis etc., Aims of this workshop are to highlight the practical value of these tests to identify low vigour or damaged plants prior to the onset of visible deterioration. In addition the use of remediation measures (air-spading, vertical mulching, sugars, mulching, biochar, worms and nitrogen fixing green manures under tree canopies) will be highlighted and discussed.

Who’s invited?
This event is geared towards certified arborists, tree care specialist and landscape professionals, but we encourage anyone interested in tree care to attend.

Continuing Education Units (CEU)
3.5 Certified Arborist
3.5 Municipal Specialist
3.5 BCMA – Science

Registration
$100 if purchased without registration for the Annual TN Urban Forestry Conference
$75 if purchased with registration for the Annual TN Urban Forestry Conference

Schedule (all times are CDT)
12:30 PM – Registration at the Rec Hall Building
1:00 PM – Session 1 of Assessing Tree Health and Vitality with Dr. Glynn Percival
3:00 PM – Break
3:30 PM – Session 2 Assessing Tree Health and Vitality with Dr. Glynn Percival
5:00 PM – Adjourn

Dr. Glynn Percival is the senior arboricultural researcher at the Bartlett Tree Research and Diagnostic Laboratory. Recently located to the Bartlett Laboratory in North Carolina he primarily focusses on how environmental stress (drought, heat, waterlogging) influences tree growth and susceptibility to pest and disease attack. He is the author of over 100 scientific papers, magazine articles and book chapters. He was co-editor of the proceedings of the Trees, People and Built Environment conference, published by the Forestry Commission. Glynn has served on the editorial board for Arboriculture and Urban Forestry and Urban Forestry and Urban Greening and is an honorary lecturer at Reading University (https://www.reading.ac.uk/) and the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew (https://www.kew.org/). Glynn was awarded the prestigious Arboricultural Association Award for Research and Education in 2017 and the International Society of Arboriculture LCC Chadwick Award for Research in 2020.