18th annual
Urban Forestry Conference
October 22-23
Lipscomb University, Nashville
11th annual
Tree Climbing Championship
October 24
Centennial Park, Nashville
INFO
Public Forum
Let's Talk Trees
October 24
Centennial Park, Nashville
INFO
Sponsors
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FRIDAY • SATURDAY • CONFERENCE HOME
noon
Arboriculture Workshop Optional registration, $75
This pre-conference workshop has dual tracks geared toward different aspects of arboriculture.
Introduction to Arboriculture Basics
For those involved in commercial and residential arboriculture looking to learn the basics of common work practices and related sciences. Topics include tree biology, cultural practices, tree preservation, utilizing ANSI standards, and pest control.
Issues in Utility Arboriculture
For utility arborists, city foresters, tree board members, and anyone affected by line clearance practices. Topics include public relations, integrated vegetation management, and best practices.
ISA Exam
Optional registration, $150 for ISA members; $250 for non-members
Municipal, Utility and Arborist International Society of Arboriculture Certification. Register online by October 6 at ISA
noon
2 pm–4 pm
Urban Forest Tour
2 pm–5 pm
Local Tour Optional registration, $25
Two tours will be offered concurrently:
Old-Growth Forest Tour
Tour this 324-acre property—now part of Metro Parks—that is home to an old-growth forest more than two centuries old. Moderate trail; bring your hiking boots!
Urban Forest Tour
Hop on the bus for a tour of some of Nashville's success stories in planning, planting and green design.
Welcome Reception and Dinner
At the official kick-off of the conference, the Tennessee Division of Forestry will premier its new video, “Visual Quality: What is the Value of a View?”
TUFC Annual Meeting
Brief membership meeting
Tree Board Breakfast Optional registration, FREE
Nashville's Metro Tree Advisory Committee outlines its structure, goals, and recent accomplishments, followed by an interactive discussion session on challenges and opportunities faced by Tennessee tree boards. Moderated by State Urban Forester Bruce Webster, this event is open to all conference attendees. Tree board members are strongly encouraged to attend!
Breakfast with the Exhibitors
keynote
Urban Forestry
National Outlook
and Implications
for Tennessee
Leading the coalition of local tree organizations from across the country, Alliance for Community Trees has the pulse of congressional bills and appropriations for urban forestry. ACT Executive Director Alice Ewen Walker discusses the legislative agenda that affects urban forestry, notes the trends of tree organizations and gives us a vision for the future.
Break with the Exhibitors
joint session
Managing Your Community's
Urban Forest
A panel of experts provides an overview of the different aspects of urban forest management, the stakeholders and decision-makers involved, and the key components of a comprehensive urban forest management plan.
PANELISTS
Gene Hyde, City Forester, Chattanooga
Shirley Trier, Davey Resource Group
Luncheon and Urban Forestry
Awards of Excellence
Award Categories: Private Professional, Green Industry, Media, Builder/Developer, Government Employee, Tree Board, Citizen Activist, President's Award
Presentation of
Landmark and Historic Tree Register
Concurrent Session One
Assessment Tools for Your Community
Learn how to conduct an urban forest assessment in your community. Topics to include urban ecosystem assessment, tree canopy assessment, and tree inventory. Presented by Shirley Trier, Davey Resources Group, and Todd Snackenberg, City Arborist, Franklin.
Sustainable Nursery Practices
Identify best practices for growing sustainable trees while minimizing the producer’s carbon footprint. Presented by Dan Whitehead of Moon’s Tree Farm.
Concurrent Session Two
Low Impact Development Techniques
Kevin Guenther of Design Resource discusses design, installation, maintenance and benefits of rain gardens, vegetative swales, and tree plantings in parking lots and the built environment with examples from regional projects.
From the Roots Up:
The Importance of Soil
Healthy soil is often overlooked in growing healthy trees. Explore the importance and complexities of soil health as it applies specifically to trees. Presented by Mark Kerske of Gardens of Babylon.
Concurrent Session Three
Invasives in the East:
Multiple Approaches to Multiple Threats
Understand the current threats of invasive plants, pests, and diseases and approaches to managing them. Presented by Dr. Kier Klepzig of the US Forest Service Southern Research Station.
Legislating the Urban Forest:
Tree Ordinances and Other Planning and Protection Measures
Review examples of successful approaches to urban forest protection including tree ordinances, green permitting, and comprehensive planning for green infrastructure.Presented by Eric Bridges, City of Lakeland, and Patrick Haller, Tennessee Urban Forestry Council.
Closing Remarks
Karla Kean, 2009 President, Tennessee Urban Forestry Council
noon
Let's Talk Trees: Public Forum on
Managing Nashville’s Urban Forest
Optional registration, FREE, open to the public
Following the State of the Urban Forest Report from host Trees Nashville, the public has a chance to discuss issues with representatives from Metro departments responsible for the city's trees.
5 pm
Tennessee Tree Climbing Championship
FREE to the public, competitors register here
This statewide competition promotes tree care professionalism and safety practices. Contestants compete in five preliminary events and the Master’s Challenge for the state title, which includes a berth in the ISA Southern Tree Competition. MAP
Friday, 4:30 pm: Walk through for judges and contestants and equipment inspection
Saturday, 7 am: Final rules meeting and equipment inspection
Saturday, 8 am: Competition begins
PRELIMINARY EVENTS
Contestants compete in five preliminary events:
- Throwline: Accurately and timely hit targets at 40, 50 and 60 feet with a weighted throwline and install climbing liners.
- Belayed Speed Climb: A timed 60-foot climb into a tree with a belayed climbing line.
- Secured Foot Lock: A timed 40-foot climb into the tree using a prusik loop and the footlock climbing technique.
- Work Climb: Move throughout the crown of a tree and perform specified task in a timely manner.
- Aerial Rescue: A simulated accident situation where the contestants must climb a tree to an “injured” worker, secure the victim and lower safely to the wound.
MASTER’S CHALLENGE
The top scorers of the preliminary events compete to determine the champion. The contestants must install a climbing line, complete simulated work events in the tree and return to the ground in a specified time limit. Contestants are judged on their knowledge of climbing techniques, use of equipment, safety, poise, continuity and overall productivity.
EQUIPMENT
Climbers must bring their own hardhat, eye protection, approved climbing saddle and safety lanyard, climbing line with locking snap or carabiner and handsaw with scabbard. Climbers may furnish their own throwlines, prusik loops or figure-8’s, or use those supplied by the committee.
Keynote speaker Alice Ewen Walker is executive director of the Alliance for Community Trees, a national organization supporting community forestry.
Eric Bridges is Natural Resources Director for the City of Lakeland.
Kevin Guenther is founder of Design Resource, focusing on sustainable landscape architecture in the Midsouth.
Gene Hyde is City Forester for Chattanooga.
Patrick Haller is a board member of Tennessee Urban Forestry Council.
Mark Kerske is founder and principal of Gardens of Babylon, an eco-conscious garden market and landscaping company in Nashville. He manages the landscape division.
Dr. Kier Klepzig is with the US Forest Service Southern Research Station in Asheville, North Carolina.
Todd Snackenberg is City Arborist for Franklin, Tennessee.
Shirley Trier is regional business developer and project manager for Davey Resource Group
Bruce Webster is Staff Urban Forester in Tennessee's Division of Forestry.
Dan Whitehead is the horticulturist, sales manager and marketing director for Moon’s Tree Farm and Southern Selections in Loganville, Georgia.