UMass Community Tree Conference 2026: Tree Risk Management in a Changing Climate

ONLINE REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED, BUT WALK-INS ARE WELCOME TO PAY VIA CHECK OR CASH.

Join us in legendary Bowker Auditorium for a one-day conference designed for tree care professionals, volunteers, and enthusiasts including arborists, tree wardens, urban foresters, foresters, landscape architects and shade tree committee members.

Assessing tree risk is an important part of arboriculture and urban forestry. Tree failures occur naturally, but when targets are present in the built environment, risk exists. Tree failures can injure people and damage property; arborists and urban foresters help reduce risk by working with clients to reduce the likelihood of failure, the likelihood of impact, or both. We’ve invited speakers to talk about risk management from residential, municipal, and utility perspectives.

Agenda

8:15         Welcoming Remarks 

8:25 am   Introduction to Tree Risk Assessment - Beth Brantley, Bartlett Tree Experts

As our understanding of tree biology, biomechanics and failure types expands, Tree Risk Assessment continues to advance. This presentation will introduce key terminology, foundational concepts, and relevant biological principles, and highlight current standards and resources, including the ISA Tree Risk Assessment qualification.

9:20 am    Strategies for Managing Municipal Tree Risk: Building and Effective Program - Alex Sherman, City of Springfield

Effective management of municipal tree populations relies reducing risks to life and property while maximizing tree benefits.  In this presentation, Alexander Sherman, Springfield City Forester, will discuss strategies for municipal tree managers to minimize tree risk in their community.

10:10 am   Break

10:25 am   Adapting Arboriculture Risk Models for Utility Systems - Russell Holman, Eversource

This presentation will explore how utility vegetation management defines, evaluates, and communicates tree risk, highlighting the shift from traditional individual tree assessment to system level risk mitigation. We will discuss how TRAQ principles support consistent terminology, structured observation, and homogenous risk ratings that help prioritize work across large networks, and how utilities leverage different assessment levels from rapid Level 1 dashboard surveys to detailed Level 2 evaluations for mitigation planning. 

11:15 am to 12:00 pm - Lunch break

12:00 pm  Creative and Evidence-Based Approaches to Tree Risk Management in the Residential Sector - Stella Dee, UMass Dept. Env. Cons.

This presentation will discuss the relative costs and benefits of various strategies commonly used to mitigate tree risk, including mechanical support systems, pruning, transplanting and removal. We will focus on new research conducted through UMass as part of Stella Dee’s doctoral work looking at cabling, bracing, and arboricultural pruning. 

12:55 pm  Scholarship Presentations

• Mass. Arborists Association: Russell Holman
• Mass. Tree Wardens & Foresters Association: Rich Parasiliti
• New England Chapter - International Society of Arboriculture: Rich Cartier
• Davey Tree: TBD
• Bartlett Tree Foundation: Gary Nedorostek, Dave Chalker, and/or Jack Ingram

1:25 pm  2026 SPB and EAB: Pests from East to West - Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension

Without a doubt, some (not all) insect species are serious pests that significantly impact the health of our trees. New pests, like the southern pine beetle, are arriving in eastern Massachusetts due to our changing climate and the presence of suitable host plants. "Old" pests, like the emerald ash borer, continue to demand our attention as trees perish. Wood boring insects can be particularly talented at causing a reduction in tree health and in the case of these two species, tree mortality. This presentation will provide updates about the status of SPB and EAB in Massachusetts. Helpful UMass Extension resources and where to find further information will be shared.

2:20 pm   Wood Decay and Tree Risk Assessments: Revealing the Rotten Truth - Nick Brazee, UMass Extension

Identifying wood decay pathogens is an important component of any tree risks assessment. This presentation will summarize common and potentially destructive wood-rotting fungi that arborists are most likely to encounter across southern New England. Examples of decay damage from recent tree risk assessments will be examined. 

3:10          Adjourn, Wrap-up, Instructions for Pesticide and Association Credits
 

All communication regarding participation and awarded credits must happen directly with the attendee or approval must be given to discuss it with their employer.