Class
In order to become a tree steward, it is necessary to first complete the training class. This 14-week course is usually offered annually. Note: Current members can attend ANY class. 2012 Class Flyer
The training class covers all aspects of tree culture, the biology of trees, characteristics of tree leaves, bark and the root systems, tree care, planting, pruning and learning to recognize disease and insects, etc. Some of the classes are field trips designed to reinforce all aspects of the course.
SCHEDULE FOR THE 2012 TREE STEWARD TRAINING COURSE
| # | 2012 DATE | SCHEDULE OF TOPICS | PRESENTERS | READ AHEAD: CD, BOOK, PAMPHLETS |
| 1 | Feb. 21 | TREE ID: Buds, Branches and Leaves | Tony Russell, Virginia Native Plant Society, Master Naturalist | Training Manual CD, Unit 4, Leaves; Handout on Stem and Bud Morphology; WINTER TREE FINDER; TREE FINDER |
| 2 | Feb. 28 | BIOLOGY: Tree Functions and Growth Patterns | Libby Gretz | Training Manual CD, Units 1 and 3COMMON NATIVE TREES OF VIRGINIA |
| 3 | Mar 6 | ROOTS AND SOIL, Ivy Creek Conference CenterOVERVIEW OF CATS OPPORTUNITIES | Mike Abbott, Local Manager for Bartlett Tree Experts | Training Manual CD, Units 2 and 5; soil – Unit 6, Unit 11–construction |
| 4 | Mar 13 | URBAN LANDSCAPING, including conifers and deciduous trees | Ian Robertson, Landscape Architect and Author | |
| 5 | Mar 20 | RIPARIAN BUFFERS AND RAIN BARRELSHOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT TREE | Martin Johnson, Urban Conservation Specialist, Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water ConservationJanet Eden, Certified Arborist, International Society of Arborculture | Understanding the Science Behind Riparian BuffersLandscaping Your Home for Energy Efficiency; Selecting and Planting Trees |
| 6 | Mar 27 | PRUNING AND TREE ID; walking field trip, County Office Building, 5thSt. Extension | Adam Downing, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent – Madison County | Training Manual CD, Unit 9, HOW TO PRUNE TREES; Pruning Young Trees; Pruning Mature Trees |
| 7 | Apr 3 | TREE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT TREES AND UTILITY LINES | Adria BordasJacki Vawter, Past President of CATS, Board of Trees of Virginia, Master Gardener | Training Manual CD, Unit 10, tree problems; Training Manual CD, Unit 11, utilities |
| 8 | Apr 10 | TREE SELECTION: the Right Tree for the Right Site; PLANTING AND TREE CARE –on site demonstration | Mike Neal, President, Arboristry Associates, ISA Certified Arboristy | Training Manual CD, Unit 7, Tree Selection and Unit 8, Planting and Tree Care; |
| 9 | Apr 17 | INVASIVE WEEDS AND PLANTSINSECT PESTS | Jerre Creighton, Research Program Manager, Division of Resource Info, Dept of Forestry Chris Asaro, Forest Health Specialist, Dept of Forestry | Invasive Plants of Southern Forests; handouts from Department of Forestry; Common Signs of EAB Infestation |
| 10 | Apr24 | FOREST ECOLOGY AND TREE ID, walking field trip at Ivy Creek | Tom Dierauf, Retired Forester, Dept of Forestry | Handout on Forest Succession |
| 11 | May 1 | STORM DAMAGE AND TREE RISK ASSESSMENTTHE TREES OF SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK AND HOW THEY HAVE INFLUENCES THE HISTORY OF THE PARK | Rob Farrell, Dept of ForestryJack Price, Va Naturalist | |
| 12 | May 8 | TREES AND WILDLIFE INTERACTIONS, walking field trip, Ragged Mountain | Dan Bieker, Natural Sciences Instructor, PVCC | |
| 13 | May 15 | TREE STEWARD PROJECTSTREE RECOGNITION WITH LATIN NAMES: TREE ID IN THE DOF WOODS | Board membersJacki VawterPhil Stokes, President of CATS | |
| 14 | May 22 | OLD GROWTH FOREST, walking field trip, Montpelier | Sandy Mudrinich, Horticulturist, The Montpelier Foundation, James Madison’s Montpelier |
Each 3-hour session meets one day a week from 9:00-12:00 at the Department of Forestry in Charlottesville. At the end of the course, there is an open book final exam.
To become a certified tree steward you must complete 25 hours of volunteer work for the organization, be it on special work projects, or various committees. In order to be considered an active member, one must complete 25 hours of volunteer work each year.
If you are interested in becoming a tree steward, please send an email to: cville.area.tree.stewards@gmail.com
