Proper care techniques contribute to a longer, healthier life for trees in our communities.
Trees are essential to nature’s landscape and our daily lives. Understanding and providing proper and routine maintenance is important to ensure their best life and healthier urban forest. Communities with healthy, viable trees are more likely to be impacted through improved air quality, reduced stress, and added levels of personal comfort for many.
Many who care for trees are not certified arborists but carry out similar work in their backyards or communities. Community Tree Care is a hybrid series of training opportunities for individuals performing tree care work looking to build on their knowledge.
Participants include certified arborists as well as public and private tree care professionals, municipal or county groundskeeping staff, community volunteers, and anyone interested in expanding their tree care knowledge. This hybrid training provides webinars and workshop opportunities providing information and resources for communities to ensure proper tree care, minimize the risk of hazardous trees, and promote healthy community forests.
About the Community Tree Care Series
The hybrid model provides two forms of training, which offer online webinars and in-person workshops. First are six winter webinar sessions from 9 to 10:30 a.m., spanning two Wednesdays a month from January through March. Each webinar covers two main topics per date. The cost is $10 for general access to all sessions and $50 for those seeking Continued Education Units for access to all sessions. Registration is required, and individuals can attend one, some, or all sessions.
One hour of CEUs is available per session to Illinois Arborist Association certified arborists who qualify. During registration, please specify attendance as a certified professional seeking CEUs. Participants must attend the live webinar for CEUs for the session.
New this year — each webinar session will conclude with a discussion of tree health issues based on attendee-submitted photos. The activity will allow time for skill building, discussion, and learning from each other using relevant examples of things happening to trees throughout the state. Details for the photo submission process can be found in registration.
Tree Care Webinars | 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Site and Species Selection and Construction Damage | Jan. 15
During the first session of the series, build upon your knowledge to help make informed decisions about which species to plant and where to plant them. Attendees will learn fundamental tree needs and site considerations and examine real-world examples where the species does not fit the site. Learn how to understand and mitigate the impact of construction activities on trees. Explore how to identify potential risks, protect root systems, and preserve the health of trees during and after construction projects. The session is perfect for homeowners, landscapers, arborists, and contractors looking to enhance their tree-care knowledge and make environmentally conscious decisions.
Presenters: Chris Enroth, Extension horticulture educator, and Jenny Lee, Extension program coordinator
Planting and Improper Practices | Jan. 29
Planting trees is an act of optimism, one that gives to future generations. In the session, attendees can grow their knowledge of proper planting techniques to ensure the investment made in a newly planted tree. Site preparation, planting depth, and care during establishment set trees on the right path toward long-term health and vitality. Finally, explore common improper practices that harm tree health. Learn what not to do when planting, pruning, and placement to ensure your trees thrive.
Presenters: Emily Swihart and Sarah Vogel, Extension horticulture educators
Tree Identification and Health Assessment | Feb. 12
Learn to recognize and classify various tree species using leaf shape, bark, fruit, and other characteristics. This session is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the trees around them. Attendees will learn about evaluating the health of trees by identifying what to look for, like growth patterns, and defects. Finally, discover how to take corrective and preventative actions to keep trees healthy and mitigate the risk of a hazardous tree.
Presenter: Sarah Vogel, Extension horticulture educators
Abiotic and Biotic Stressors | Feb. 26
Don’t be hasty to blame insects or diseases for your tree problems. Many tree stresses stem from abiotic or non-living factors such as environmental conditions, poor selection, or improper planting. This session will delve into these often-overlooked abiotic causes of tree stress and failure. But when should biotic or living stressors be considered? Presenters will guide you through disease diagnosis and introduce attendees to some notable tree diseases and insects currently affecting trees in Illinois.
Presenters: Chris Enroth, Extension horticulture educator, and Justin Vozzo, Extension forestry specialist
Pruning Methods and Benefits of Trees | March 12
Discover the incredible ways trees enhance our lives and communities in this session. From improving air quality and reducing energy costs to supporting wildlife and boosting mental health, trees are essential to a healthy and sustainable environment. Perfect for nature enthusiasts, community planners, and anyone curious about the vital role trees play in our world. In part two, learn why pruning has been described as one of the most important landscape maintenance activities. Attendees will leave this session with tree pruning tips.
Presenters: Emily Swihart and Ryan Pankau, Extension horticulture educators
Diversity and Advocacy and Choosing Nursery Stock | March 26
Join this session set to empower tree people to advocate for the protection and expansion of community trees. Attendees will learn how to engage local stakeholders, promote tree-planting initiatives, and influence policies that prioritize green spaces. By emphasizing the ecological, social, and economic benefits of urban forests, the program inspires communities to invest in a healthier, more sustainable environment. Finally, explore the importance of choosing healthy nursery stock and what to look for when purchasing.
Presenters: Emily Swihart and Ryan Pankau, Extension horticulture educators
Tree Care Workshops
The second training opportunity includes in-person tree care workshops in fall 2025. The exact dates, locations, and registration will be available to participants following the webinar sessions.
Illinois Extension Horticulture Educators Sarah Vogel, Emily Swihart, Ryan Pankau, Chris Enroth, Forestry Specialist Justin Vozzo, and Program Coordinator Jenny Lee teach the series. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Emily Swihart at eswihart@illinois.edu, 217-333-1677. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.