41st Texas Tree Conference, Academy, Tree Schools and Trade Show 

The Texas Tree Conference is back live in 2021! Last year we enjoyed connecting virtually with you, but this year we can't wait to see your smiling face in person. Visit with old friends and make new ones, hear from great speakers, earn CEUs and more. There will be tracks for Commercial, Municipal and Utility arborists with plenty of time to socialize and visit the exhibitors at the expanded Trade Show.

You can attend several events this year including:

• Two Wednesday pre-conference Tree Academies (there is also a TRAQ renewal class on Wednesday - Registration for this will open soon). 
• The Thursday and Friday Tree Conference and Trade Show that includes educational tracks for Commercial, Municipal and Utility Arborists, an awards luncheon, receptions, over 45 exhibitors and more.
•  And the Friday Tree School for English and Spanish-speaking tree workers and   supervisors.
  

Click here for the Texas Tree Conference brochure

(The link for online registration for all these events is at the bottom of the page)

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2021 Texas Tree Conference and Trade Show
Thursday, Sept. 30 - Friday, Oct. 1
(20.5 CEU's)

At this years Texas Tree Conference and Trade Show, we will continue our history of providing outstanding education programs featuring nationally known speakers, the latest in tree research and arboriculture, an expanded trade show, an awards luncheon, and numerous networking opportunities.

Learn from national leaders in research, commercial, utility and municipal arboriculture, urban forestry, urban planning and landscape architecture.

Featured speakers include: Dr. John Ball, Professor, Extension Forestry Specialist, South Dakota State University, Brookings, Dr. Ryan Klein, Assistant Professor of Arboriculture, University of Florida, Gainesville, Geoff Kempter, Technical Services Manager, Asplundh, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Randall Miller, Director of Research and Development, CNUC, Des Moines, Iowa, Dr. Eric North, Assistant Professor of Urban and Community Forestry, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Devin Ginther, President, Texas Urban Sawmill, LLC, Dripping Springs, Skip Kincaid, Executive Director of the Southern Chapter of ISA, St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. David Appel, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Erick Palacios, Instructor, International Arborist Institute, Magalia, California, Dr. Emily Landon, Professor, St. Mary’s School of Law, San Antonio and Attorney, Office of the Texas Attorney General, Austin, Dana Coelho, Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager, Colorado State Forest Service, Bloomfield, Colorado, Meredith Tilley, Assistant Parks and Recreation Manager, City of San Antonio, Michael Nentwich, City Forester, City of San Antonio, Lannie McClelen, Southwestern Medical District Project Coordinator, Rachel McGregor, Staff Forester, Texas Tree Foundation, Dallas, Ben Thorp, Utility Forester, AEP, Laredo, Demian Gomez, Regional Forest Health Coordinator, Texas A&M Forest Service, Austin, Sheila McBride, AgriLife Extension Program Extension Specialist, Texas A&M Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab, College Station, Bill Green, Texas A&M Forest Service, Kingsville, Eduardo Medina, Davey Tree Expert Company, Chicago, IL, Mark Duff, Consulting Arborist, San Antonio, Guy LeBlanc, Owner, Arbor Vitae Tree Care, Austin, Paul Johnson, Director of Urban and Community Forestry, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Austin and more!

The 2021 conference theme is “Little Tree - Big Shade” and topics will include: 

• Trees and Wind: Hurricanes, Tree Survivability, and a More Resilient Urban Landscape
• Tree Failure from Sidewalk Construction and Storms
• Is it an urban forest or more a collection of trees?
• Inspiring the Next Generation of Arborists
• Benefits of Urban Wood Utilization & Adaptive Tree ReUse
• Climate Change and Its Impact on Urban Trees
• How Trees Grow Old and Fall Over
• Evaluating Root Rots of Trees in Texas
• Communicating with a Diverse Workforce
• History of Utility Forestry
• The Unqualified and Incidental Line Clearance Arborist: How do we keep them safe?
• Conflict Resolution
• Your Ash is on the Line! (EAB)
• Grafting Volunteers Into a Blossoming Program
• Dallas’ Green Prescription
• Applying TRAQ in the Real World
• Bark and Ambrosia Beetles: Ecology, Identification and Management
• The ‘21 Texas Blizzard: Aftermath
• Are You a Boss Or a Leader?
• Integrated Vegetation Management Best Management Practices
• Drone Use in the ROW

and more!

(The Wednesday Tree Academy and the Friday Tree Schools are separate events from the Tree Conference and Trade Show)

The link for online registration for all events is at the bottom of the page

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2021 Texas Tree Academies
Waco Convention Center
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
(the day before and a separate event from the Texas Tree Conference)

This year there will be two Tree Academies
Please pick one when you register

Academy One: Arboriculture is a Team Sport: Safety depends on everyone!

10:00 to 5:00
(Registration opens 9:00 am)
(6 CEU’s)

Dr. John Ball, Professor, Extension Forestry Specialist
South Dakota State University, Brookings and
Travis Vickerson, Chippers, Inc., New London, New Hampshire

While we have seen some amazing technology for accessing tree canopies, from spider lifts to grapple saws, there are still many trees that require a climber. There have also been tremendous changes in climbing techniques and equipment, all designed to improve safety and efficiency.  This academy will cover the how climbers can improve performance as well as safety through discussion and demonstration.

Academy Two: An overview of the ISA Utility Specialist Certification Study Guide – presented by one of its authors

10:00 to 3:00
(Registration opens 9:00 am)
(4 CEU’s)

Geoffrey Kempter, Technical Services Manager, Asplundh Tree Experts, Grand Rapids, Michigan 

This workshop provides an overview of Utility Arboriculture, the Utility Specialist Certification Study Guide (written by Kempter and Miller). Questions and discussion will be encouraged.

Topics include:

• Safety
• Program Management
• Pruning
• Integrated Vegetation Management
• Electrical Knowledge
• Storm Preparation and Response
• Communications

Additional requirements apply for certification.  More information available at https://www.isa-arbor.com/Credentials/Types-of-Credentials/ISA-Certified-Arborist-Utility-Specialist

(The Tree Academy requires a separate registration from the Conference and includes lunch)

The link for online registration for all events is at the bottom of the page

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Texas Tree Schools
Friday, October 1, 2021
(this is a separate event from the Tree Conference)
Waco Convention Center
9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Track 1 - An Introduction to Arboriculture  - 5.0 CEUs

This course is intended for field workers and their supervisors, and will teach how to perform top quality tree care in an efficient yet safe manner. 

Classroom topics include:

• Job site safety
• Tree industry fatality causes and statistics
• Tree hazard assessment
• Decay fungi ID
• Tree biology and its relevance to pruning and CODIT
• Proper pruning techniques

Field demonstrations will include:

• Moving rope system (MRS) and stationary rope system (SRS) climbing techniques

Lead instructor is Certified Arborist Guy LeBlanc of Arbor Vitae Tree Care of Austin, assisted by Paul Johnson of Sustainable Forestry Initiative.  With over 60 years of tree care industry experience between them, Guy and Paul have each been teaching tree care to arborists and the general public for over 20 years.

Pista 2 - Jornadas para Trabajadores de Arboles - 5.0 CEUs

A Spanish language workshop covering topics including:

• Tree Work Safety, Equipment, Techniques - Eduardo Medina-Davey Tree Expert Company, Chicago, IL
• Knuckle Boom Cranes in Industrial Forestry - Erick Palacios-International Arborist Institute, Magalia, CA
• Oak Wilt Control Practices & Tree Pruning - Mark DuffConsultant, San Antonio
• Importance of Urban Tree Care & Management - Bill Green, Texas A&M Forest Service, Kingsville
• Tree Climbing Practical Outdoor Session - Eduardo Medina & Erick Palacio

Un taller presentado en español sobre la seguridad durante el trabajo en árboles, 30 años de lecciones y experiencias. Identificación de Oak Wilt, prácticas de manejo para el control y la comunicación con los propietarios. Aplicaciones prácticas en el cuidado y mantenimiento de árboles, la biología básica de árboles, CODIT, prácticas de poda y mitos de árboles.

(The Tree School requires a separate registration from the Conference - includes lunch)

The link for online registration for all events is below

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