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 chainsaw safety and pruning young trees.
9 AM: Chainsaw Safety: Practices, Equipment, and Behaviors
- Get an overview of chainsaw safety practices, equipment, and behaviors aligned with OSHA and ANSI Z133 industry standards. This session will emphasize the importance of personal protective equipment, situational awareness, and safe practices before and during operations with visual examples of safe felling cuts, kickback zones, and field procedures to promote both safety and efficiency in chainsaw use. Presenter: Kevin Rohling, Illinois Extension specialist, forest management and ecology
10 AM: Pruning Young Shade Trees
- Young shade trees face a variety of challenges in the landscape, resulting in surprisingly low survival rates for many of these plants. While planting practices and follow-up care are major factors in the mortality of younger trees, canopy failure from poor branch structure is a bigger risk for trees that make it beyond establishment. Learn how proper pruning early in a tree’s life can drastically reduce the risk of canopy failure or hazard development from structurally unsound limbs later. Presenter: Ryan Pankau, Illinois Extension horticulture 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. 20: Forest Health Updates and Fungal Mutualists
Jan. 27: Construction and Urban Soils
Feb. 10: Changing Climate and Historic Pests
Feb. 17: After Planting and Tree Responses
