URBANA, Ill. — Tree care isn't always led just by certified arborists, so University of Illinois Extension is ensuring that everyone has access to research-backed information on practicing proper tree care.
“Trees are more than scenery, they’re an essential part of our daily lives,” says Sarah Vogel, series presenter and Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “By properly caring for our trees, we foster healthy and resilient communities.”
Understanding and providing proper and routine maintenance is important to ensure their best life and a healthier urban forest. Communities with healthy, viable trees are more likely to benefit from improved air quality, reduced stress, and increased personal comfort for many.
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.
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.
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.
2026 Community Tree Care Webinar Schedule
Jan. 13: Trees for Pollinators and Evergreen ID
- 9 to 10 a.m. – People, Pollinators, and Trees: The Power of the Urban Forest
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Needle Little Help? Evergreen Identification and Functions in the Landscape
Jan. 20: Forest Health Updates and Fungal Mutualists
- 9 to 10 a.m. – Forest Pest Update: Who's Here, Who's Coming, and What Can You Do
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Fungal Mutualists: The Good Guys of Fungal Infections
Jan. 27: Construction and Urban Soils
- 9 to 10 a.m. – Protecting Trees During Construction
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Addressing Urban Soils for Healthier Trees
Feb. 3: Chainsaw Safety and Pruning Young Trees
- 9 to 10 a.m. – Chainsaw Safety: Practices, Equipment, and Behaviors
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Pruning Young Shade Trees
Feb. 10: Changing Climate and Historic Pests
- 9 to 10 a.m. – Urban Forest Trees in a Changing Climate: Impacts and Strategies
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Historic Forest Pest Outbreaks in North America
Feb. 17: After Planting and Tree Responses
- 9 to 10 a.m. – Rooted in Success: Tree Care After Planting
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Branch Management: Tree Responses to Cultural Practices
To register, visit go.illinois.edu/TreeCareSeries. 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.
SOURCES: Sarah Vogel and Emily Swihart, horticulture educators, Illinois Extension
WRITER: Jenna Braasch, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.