Trees are treasured features of our communities and neighborhoods, and the challenges of maintaining and protecting trees in the landscape have been highlighted by recent events, such as frequent storms, over the past few years. Working outdoors - whether on the street, in a park or in a client's backyard - exposes arborists to a variety of unique issues every day. This track is designed especially for tree care professionals such as arborists, tree wardens, and municipal DPW workers. The curriculum will help attendees to grow a range of skills; from learning to identify potential problems before they occur, to avoiding being injured on the job. Topics of particular benefit include arboricultural safety standards; understanding construction injury to trees; pruning, cabling and guying; insect and disease problems of trees, and tree risk identification and management.
Registration instructions and general program information
Arboriculture Management Schedule/Curriculum
Daily Schedule: Green School will be held online on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons - see the schedule below. Having a computer or other device and a fast and reliable internet connection are necessary to take this course.
NOTE: The times in the schedule are in Eastern Standard Time.
October 22 - Required Orientation | ||
| 4:00-5:30 pm | Live via Zoom | Orientation and Technical Check-In Comprehensive course overview and technical troubleshooting session. Includes information on general operating procedures, certificate requirements, note taking, assessment procedures, credit for certification programs and pesticide licenses, and instructor evaluations. |
| First Class Day - Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Plant Form and Function Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired) Learn how plants are structured, how they grow, develop and function, and how they respond to their environment. This session will provide a foundation for a deeper understanding of the topics presented during this course. |
| Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Soil Basics Dr. Deborah Henson, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation Provides a framework for understanding basic physical and chemical properties of soils and how proper management can improve soil health for better plant growth. |
| Thursday, October 29, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Soil Health for Turf and Landscapes Dr. Artie Siller and Dr. Sam Glaze-Corcoran, UMass Extension Principles and fundamentals for creating, promoting, and managing the health of the soil, the foundation of every landscape and turf system, with implications for every aspect of management and performance. |
| Tuesday, November 3, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | What is an Arborist? Stella Dee, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation An overview of the arboricultural profession, opportunities, skills needed, the importance of the job, and things to know to get started in the field. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Principles of Tree ID Stella Dee, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation Identifying a tree is the first step for decision-making to maintain it. This session is an introduction to a systematic approach to identification that, with time and practice, will lead to more confident and effective tree ID. |
| Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Basics of IPM and PHC Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension The principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) form the foundation for understanding and implementing wise management strategies for pests. IPM management techniques assist in reducing pest populations while protecting beneficial organisms and utilize best management practices that are least harmful to humans and the environment. This often includes reducing dependence on chemical pesticides. Plant Health Care (PHC) employs many of the aspects of IPM and is tailored for the green industries. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Pesticide Considerations for Land Care Professionals Natalia Clifton, UMass Extension The focus of this talk will be the most important pesticide-related considerations for landscape professionals, and will include components of the pesticide label, as well as in-depth coverage of personal protective equipment and the environmental fate of pesticides. |
| Thursday, November 5, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Trees and the Law Tes Siarnacki, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation Numerous laws and regulations pertain to tree presence and management in Massachusetts. What laws should people who are hired to plant, prune, treat, and remove trees be aware of? |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree Species Selection Stella Dee, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation What does it mean to say right tree, right place? What factors should be considered when selecting trees for quality and longevity? |
| Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree Values Overview Tes Siarnacki, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation How much is a tree worth? Learn the ways trees are appraised and valued, including development of replacement costs for trees that are removed or damaged. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree Inventories Tes Siarnacki, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation An overview of the value and importance of completing a tree inventory as part of developing a successful tree management program. Includes an introduction to the type of inventories commonly used in urban forest management and discussion of how the information collected in an inventory can be used to help make informed management decisions. |
| Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree Planting and Establishment Dr. Brian Kane, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation Once an appropriate species has been chosen for a site and a good individual tree has been picked at the nursery, it’s time to plant the tree properly. Doing so will increase the odds of producing a healthy tree that lives for a long time. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree Pruning for Arborists Dr. Brian Kane, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation Pruning is one of the most common tasks in the arbor industry; knowing why, how, and when to prune will help in the creation of healthy trees with good structure and a long life span. |
| Thursday, November 12, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Landscape Nutrient Management Russ Norton, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Nutrients that are essential for plant growth, how to manage soils to create an optimal supply of those nutrients, how to compensate for nutrient deficiencies through the addition of natural or synthetic sources of fertilizer, and timing and methods for fertilizer applications. |
| Tuesday, November 17, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Trees and Construction Nick Brazee, UMass Extension Construction-related injury is one of the leading causes of tree decline and death in urban and suburban environments. This lecture will outline how construction injury damages trees and what mitigation efforts can be implemented to minimize the damage trees must endure during construction projects. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Pollinator Considerations for Arborists Nicole Bell, UMass Extension The value of trees for pollinators is often overlooked, but they serve as important resources in both urban and rural areas. This lecture will review the resources various trees provide for pollinators, namely bees, and best practices for considering pollinator health in management. |
| Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Basic Plant Pathology Dr. Angela Madeiras, UMass Extension A discussion of the microbiology of plant disease-causing fungi along with references to a few of the many beneficial microbes. Also, a description of the conditions necessary for disease infection and an overview of infectious disease management strategies. |
| Thursday, November 19, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Principles of Weed Science Randy Prostak, UMass Extension Weeds are the most ubiquitous pests in plant-based systems. This session will feature general principles of weed science, weed management approaches, and weed identification characteristics. |
| Tuesday, November 24, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Diseases of Trees and Shrubs I Dr. Nick Brazee, UMass Extension Description of the groups of root, stem, branch, and foliage diseases of woody plants, including illustrations of the signs and symptoms of common woody plant diseases as well as suitable management approaches to use in landscapes and nurseries. |
| Tuesday, December 1, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Basic Entomology Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension An overview of the characteristics that distinguish insects from their close relatives, identification of orders of insects with pests common to the Northeast, and life strategies common to these groups. Also, a brief look at identifying larval (immature) insects and their development as driven by temperature. Basic entomology will set the stage for the most frequently seen herbivores, while reminding us that the majority of these animals are not pests. |
| Wednesday, December 2, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Diseases of Trees and Shrubs II Dr. Nick Brazee, UMass Extension Continuation of material from 11/24. Description of the groups of root, stem, branch, and foliage diseases of woody plants, including illustrations of the signs and symptoms of common woody plant diseases as well as suitable management approaches to use in landscapes and nurseries. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Environmental Stress and Cultural Problems of Woody Plants Dr. Nick Brazee, UMass Extension The growing environment and external abiotic factors can be the driving force behind plant success, and at the same time, lead to substantial plant stress and injury. Effective management requires understanding of how the environment and other outside forces can interfere with plant growth... learning how to mitigate stress before it starts, deal with problems, and recognize the signs before significant damage occurs. |
| Thursday, December 3, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Weed Management for Arborists Randy Prostak, UMass Extension Includes weed management topics of specific interest to arborists, including prevention, cultural practices, non-chemical/organic methods, and management with herbicides. |
| Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Trees and Shrub Disease Strategies Dr. Nick Brazee, UMass Extension A detailed review of the regulatory, cultural, biological, and chemical methods of plant disease management. A clear understanding of all these methods provides a sound basis for integrating them into an effective woody plant care program. |
| Wednesday, December 9, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree Risk Management Dr. Brian Kane, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation Clients often call about dangerous or “hazardous” trees, worried that they will break apart in the next storm. The systematic approach to managing tree risk covered in this session lowers the odds of premature tree failure or unnecessary tree removal. |
| Thursday, December 10, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree and Shrub Insects and Mites I Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension Discussion of the basic types of injury that insects can inflict on trees and shrubs, best management practices as pertaining to an IPM approach, current management strategies, a look into bio-rational pesticides, and how to avoid the development of pesticide resistance. |
| Tuesday, December 15, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree and Shrub Insects and Mites II Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension There are well over 100 different insect and mite species in the Northeast that are potentially problematic for landscapes. This session covers the major feeding groups of these damaging pests, including some noteworthy examples along with many of the new invasive/introduced species. Brief information regarding identification, hosts, damage, life cycles, and management options will be provided for species of particular significance. |
| Wednesday, December 16, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree Support Systems Dr. Brian Kane, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation Tree risk can be mitigated by installing support systems that reduce the likelihood of failure of weakly attached limbs and co-dominant stems. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Safety Working Around Trees Dr. Brian Kane, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation Working with dangerous tools in and around large trees increases the risk of being injured. The industry has developed safe working guidelines that must be followed to reduce the odds of injury or fatality. |
| Thursday, December 17, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Trees and Climate Change Stella Dee, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation An overview of how trees are affected in an ever-changing climate, and how management practices have, and will likely continue to, shift. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Vector-Borne Diseases: Awareness and Action Dr. Stephen Rich, University of Massachusetts Lyme Disease is the most prevalent infectious disease in Massachusetts and is now considered to be a public health crisis. In addition to Lyme, deer ticks can carry the pathogens which cause Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Relapsing Fever and Powassan virus, all of which can be very serious. This session will review the basic life cycle and ecology of deer ticks, incidence rates and distribution of tick-borne illnesses. |
For registration instructions and general program information, go to the Green School main page.