Properly caring for trees fosters healthy and resilient communities.
Tree care isn't always led just by certified arborists, so Illinois Extension is ensuring that everyone has access to research-backed information on practicing proper tree care through the Community Tree Care Series webinars. Communities with healthy, viable trees are more likely to benefit from improved air quality, reduced stress, and increased personal comfort for many.
Registration is required and includes access to six webinar sessions and recordings. The live sessions are from 9 to 11 a.m. Each webinar covers two main topics per date. The cost is $10 for general access to all sessions and $50 for those seeking Continuing Education Units for access to all sessions. This session theme focuses on forest health updates and fungal mutualists.
9 AM: Forest Pest Update: Who’s Here, Who’s Coming, and What You Can Do
- Do you know what’s in your forest? Get an update on forest pests - who’s here, who’s on the way, and how to identify and manage pests. Early detection is the best defense against invasive species. In this session, participants will learn how to recognize the signs of trouble, report findings, and take practical steps to protect trees and community forests. Presenter: Tricia Bethke, forest pest outreach coordinator, Illinois, The Morton Arboretum
10 AM: Fungal Mutualists: The Good Guys of Fungal Infections
- Not all plant fungal infections are bad. In fact, some are very necessary for a healthy and resilient plant ecosystem. This presentation will focus on plant fungal partners that do more good than bad. Presenter: Karla Griesbaum, Illinois Extension environmental and energy stewardship educator
Two hours of CEUs are available per session to Illinois Arborist Association certified arborists who qualify. During registration, please specify that you are attending as a certified professional and enter your ISA certification number. Arborists must attend the live sessions to receive CEUs.
For questions or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Sarah Vogel and team at uie-CommunityTrees@illinois.edu or 217-877-6042. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
About the Community Tree Care Series
Illinois Extension’s Community Tree Care Series webinars return with new topics and presenters to help individuals learn how to support tree health in their local landscapes. This training provides information and resources to those seeking additional insights for keeping trees healthy and minimizing risks.
The program is of special interest to arborists, public and private tree care professionals, municipal or county staff, community volunteers, and anyone interested in developing their tree care knowledge.
Additional Series Webinars
Jan. 13: Trees for Pollinators and Evergreen ID
Jan. 27: Construction and Urban Soils
Feb. 3: Chainsaw Safety and Pruning Young Trees
Feb. 10: Changing Climate and Historic Pests
Feb. 17: After Planting and Tree Responses
