60th Annual Shade Tree Symposium
March 10-11, 2025 Lebanon Valley Exposition Center & Fairgrounds 80 Rocherty Road Lebanon, PA 17042
Monday, March 10, 2025 GENERAL SESSIONS 8:30 AM Welcome and awards 8:45 AM Normalization of Risk (Keynote) Chris Sprague & Tyler Lyon In 1986, millions witnessed the Challenger space shuttle disaster that tragically killed seven astronauts. Connecting lessons from tragedy to the realities of tree care, Tyler and Chris will explore this historical event to reevaluate how we navigate risk at individual, group, and organization levels in tree care. Tyler and Chris will challenge attendees to reassess how we perceive and manage safety, while providing tools and resources from the Challenger disaster that can be applied in tree care operations. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0.5 S, 0.25 P, 0.25 M 9:45 AM What Arborists Need to Know About Tree Planting and Pruning Jason Grabosky, Ph.D. There are a good number of opinions and use of craft in the planting and establishment of trees. Much of this is underpinned by research conducted over many years across many species and geographic regions. we'll try to have an conversation to get into some of the "whys" beyond the "hows". ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0.5 S, 0 P, 0.5 M 10:45 AM Break with Exhibitors
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 11:00 AM - Tree Worker - Tips for T.I.P.'s (Tie in Points) Arch Autenreith With all of the available SRS canopy and basal anchor systems, it can be difficult to know what, how, and where to anchor into trees! Join Archie for a session breaking down the installation, utilization, and retrieval of suitable climbing anchors in order to optimize safety and efficiency. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0 S, 1 P, 0 M 11:00 AM - PHC - Saprophytic Fungi Chelsi Abbott Wood decay fungi fill a very important role in the ecosystem; ever recyclers these fungi break down woody tissue to release nutrients to other organisms. But what if you find a mushroom growing on a living tree? How will you know if it is causing direct harm or just taking advantage of a wound? This talk will cover the biology of wood decay organisms and ID of saprophytic fungi. We will focus on how saprophytic fungi are different from parasitic fungi and what they mean from a tree health and structural integrity perspective. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0.5 S, 0 P, 0.5 M PA Pest Credits: 2 credits (Cat. PC, 05, 06, 18, 23) 11:00 AM - Mun/Comm - A Scaled Wood Waste Solution: A Regenerative Approach Jeff Carroll We will be pulling back the curtain on Unified Wood Economy's (formerly Urban Wood Economy) approach to developing a scaled solution to waste from tree care operations. The session will focus on initiatives already under way in Western Pennsylvania and where this initiative will go in the future. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0 S, 1 P, 0 M 12:00 PM Lunch with exhibitors
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 1:00 PM - Tree Worker - Patient Assessment of Tree Crews Stephen Connally & Andrew Tomaskovic Patient Assessment for Tree Crews; This session brings together information on working with first responders and the patient assessment component of a worksite accident. Remembering the patient as the focus of Aerial Rescue ensures the most positive outcome possible. Identification of key information and transferring that information to Fire/EMS is a critical step in the process. The attendee will be able to visualize the skills they already have to perform a basic assessment. Using a common sense approach and recalling observations made of other humans throughout our lifetimes, we recognize how we perform assessments on a daily basis. Come to the demo tree and leave with the confidence to perform an effective and essential assessment on a job site incident. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0 S, 1 P, 0 M 1:00 PM - PHC - New and Common Scales of Landscapes Brian Kunkel The presentation will review differences between armored, soft and felt scale insects before introducing information related to crape myrtle bark scale phenology in the mid-Atlantic. The presentation will also review common scale species encountered in the mid-Atlantic while discussing management of scale insects. Research results focusing on efficacy of non-neonicotinoids will be presented also. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0.5 S, 0 P, 0.5 M PA Pest Credits: 2 credits (Cat. PC, 05, 06, 18, 23) 1:00 PM - Utility - Common Invasive Plants and Herbicide Control Measures Todd Hagenbuch Todd will highlight 10 of the most commonly encountered invasive plants on right of ways, forestry sites, and old field succession areas. He will explain what herbicide mixes work best for each species of invasive plants. Timing, preferred application methods, and adjuvants will also be discussed. At the end of the presentation, we'll take time to allow the group to bring up and other invasives they are having issues with. Todd can then provide additional recommendations to control those other plants. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 1 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0 S, 1 P, 0 M PA Pest Credits: 2 credits (Cat. PC, 05, 06, 18, 23)
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 2:00 PM - Tree Worker - Aerial Rescue: Spar Rescue Options Stephen Connally & Andrew Tomaskovic In this demonstration, Steve and Andrew will explore different techniques for safely extracting an injured climber from a spar. This presentation will show several potential options, including simple solutions requiring minimal gear and personnel to more complex, team-based setups. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0 S, 1 P, 0 M 2:00 PM - PHC - Managing Beech Leaf Disease Mark Ware For more than a decade BLD has spread, infected, and killed countless Beech trees throughout the northeastern portion of the United States. For much of this time, management options have been non-existent, with the emphasis being put on maintaining overall tree health through cultural methods. While cultural management is a critical component of what we do as arborists, it is not enough when it comes to managing Litylenchus crenatae mccannii (LCM), the nematode responsible for BLD. Fortunately, in the last year or so, new ways of managing BLD have surfaced and are being used with success. Thanks to the diligent efforts of a group of scientists, we now can manage BLD through both contact sprays and systemic injection methods! We will be looking at both options as well as the data that supports them and discussing how you can implement these strategies to successfully manage BLD. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0.5 S, 0 P, 0.5 M PA Pest Credits: 2 credits (Cat. PC, 05, 06, 18, 23) 2:00 PM - Utility - Identifying High Energy Hazards with the STKY Wheel Paul Hurysz There are a couple of facts that I believe that most safety professionals and operations managers in the utility industry can agree on as it relates to the safety of their employees. The first being that hazard recognition is vital and/or critical to the safety of any crew or employee activity. Hazards certainly cannot be prioritized or controled if they cannot first be identified. The second being, that after decades of trying to improve work practices within our industry, we have not made any headway as it relates to reducing serious injuries and fatalities. We will spend our time together examining why high energy hazards go unidentified or unrecognized before work begins, and maybe more importantly, what we can do to correct that problem through the utilization of a tool called an Energy Wheel (or in some circles, the STKY Wheel (Stuff That can Kill You)). ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0 S, 1 P, 0 M
3:00 PM Break with Exhibitors GENERAL SESSION 3:15 PM Awards and Announcements 3:30 PM Rethinking Safety in Tree Care: What Does It Mean to Work Safely? Chris Sprague It is no secret that the tree care industry has more than its fair share of risk. A quick glance at industry data or a conversation with a tree care "veteran" makes this clear. Because of this inherent potential for danger, the concept of safety has rightfully become one of the biggest topics in the industry. But what do we mean by the word “safety”? Could it mean more than simply not having accidents? Drawing upon the rich field of safety theory, Chris will discuss some central definitions of safety, including the New View of safety, to spark a dialogue about what we mean by safety in arboriculture. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0.5 S, 0.25 P, 0.25 M 4:30 PM Beef & Beer Banquet - Sponsored by Asplundh Tree Experts 5:30 PM Annual Penn-Del ISA Business Meeting 7:00 PM Door prizes and raffles
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 GENERAL SESSION 8:45 AM Welcome and Announcements 8:50 AM Volumizer for Your Hair Roots... The Key to Luxuriant Urban Forest Canopy Style Jason Grobosky, Ph.D. We'll talk about tree root systems and suggest both concept and practical assignment in root zone area conservation or protection. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0.5 S, 0.25 P, 0.25 M 9:45 AM Break with Exhibitors BREAKOUT SESSIONS 10:00 AM - Tree Worker - MRS Climbing Techniques Joshua Burr Josh will demonstrate the different options available for climbing on a Moving Rope System (MRS), using redirects (retrievable), and anchors (cambium savers). ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0 S, 1 P, 0 M 10:00 AM - PHC - When PHC Goes Wrong: Unintended Consequences in Pest Mangament Chris Riley, Ph. D. We all know what happens when pest management goes as intended: A pest is controlled, a plant’s health and aesthetic value are maintained, a client is satisfied, and an arborist is paid. Despite the best of intentions, this chain of events does not always unfold as planned in the real world. Even appropriately applied applications can, at times, have unintended ecological consequences. In this presentation, we will review the what, how, and why behind unintended consequences of pest management programs. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0.5 S, 0 P, 0.5 M PA Pest Credits: 2 credits (Cat. PC, 05, 06, 18, 23)
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 11:00 AM - Tree Worker - Advanced Rigging Systems Joshua Burr In this presentation, Josh will review the double whip technique (for lifting and lowering, span rigging, and butt catch (tip tie/butt catch). ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0 S, 1 P, 0 M 11:00 AM - PHC - A(biotic) & B(iotic) Tree Problems Tim Abbey Trees are in a constant battle against living and non-living stressors. This presentation will discuss how to similar sympotoms apart and how we can attempt to alleviate the problem(s) using mechanical, chemical, and cultural practices. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0.5 S, 0 P, 0.5 M PA Pest Credits: 2 credits (Cat. PC, 05, 06, 18, 23) 12:00 PM Lunch with Exhibitors
GENERAL SESSION 1:00 PM Using Terrestrial Lidar and Artificial Intelligence for Street Tree Inventories & Monitoring Matt Erb Mobile scanning of street and park trees, combined with high-resolution imagery, is providing urban forest managers with precise, data-driven insights into the trees under their care. This objectively collected data enables continuous monitoring of individual trees and species over time, allowing for more informed management decisions, early detection of issues, and strategic planning to enhance urban forest health and resilience. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0.5 S, 0.25 P, 0.25 M 2:00 PM Pesticide Application Trivia Tim Abbey, Sandy Feather, and Ruth Benner Designed as a trivia game, participants will answer questions about preparing for a pesticide application. Topics will include calibration, drift reduction, mixing and loading, pesticide labels, and how to be prepared for application accidents including a pesticide spill. ISA CEUS: 1 CA; 0 UT; 1 CS; 1 MA; 1 AL; BCMA - 0.5 S, 0 P, 0.5 M PA Pest Credits: 2 credits (Cat. PC, 05, 06, 18, 23) 3:00 PM - Closing Comments
Speakers List Chris Sprague - Regional Safety Manager, Bartlett Tree Experts Chris is a Regional Safety Manager for Bartlett Tree Experts, facilitating safety programs for operations in Washington D.C. through NYC. Chris began in the tree care industry in 2012, working through the ranks as a climber, crew leader, plant health care specialist, regional skills trainer. In addition to his professional roles, Chris continues his lifelong passion for learning as a graduate student at University of Alabama Birmingham, pursing an MEng in Advanced Safety Engineering and Management. Chris holds credentials as a TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional, BCSP Associate Safety Professional, and ISA Certified Arborist. Tyler Lyon - Regional Safety Manger, Bartlett Tree Experts Tyler is a Regional Safety Manager for Bartlett Tree Experts in the Pacific Northwest covering operations in Washington, British Columbia, and Alberta. In this role, he works to implement the company safety management system and support operations. He began his career in tree care while in college, entering the industry in a full-time capacity in 2010. Tyler has worked as a ground person, climber, crew leader, and Local Office Safety Coordinator and skills trainer. He is also an active volunteer with the PNW-ISA chapter tree climbing competitions. Tyler holds credentials with TCIA as a CTSP, with the ISA as a Certified Arborist and TRAQ, with the BCSP as an Associate Safety Professional, with Washington State pesticide applicator. Jason Grabosky, Ph.D. - Rutgers University Professor in Urban Forestry Jason is a professor at Rutgers University working in the urban forestry program, He has previously served ISA as Editor in Chief of the Journal Arboriculture & urban Forestry, was active in the Arboricultural Research and Education Academy (AREA), and has served on the ISA Board of Directors, 2002-2007 and 2023-present. Jason has been involved with Landscape Below Ground and Tree biomechanics week programs.
Archie Autenreith - Owner, Northwood Tree Care Archie is the founder of Northwood Tree Care, a preservation focused tree service based out of Pittsburgh, PA which utilizes advanced climbing techniques in order to properly maintain trees. He has been a climbing arborist for over 18 years, and has competed in tree climbing events for over 10 years. Archie is a BCMA, Certified Tree Climber/Evaluator, holds the TRAQ qualification with ISA, and is a Certified Treecare Safety Professional with TCIA. Chelsi Abbott - Technical Advisor/Education Specialist, Davey Institute Chelsi Abbott is a scientific advisor and education specialist with the Davey Institute. In her role she provides diagnostic and management support, conducts research, participates in outreach, and develops educational content and curriculum related to plant health care. She received her master’s degree in plant pathology from Purdue University, she is an ISA certified arborist, TRAQ qualified, and a certified forest therapy guide. Jeff Carroll - Co-Founder and CEO, Unified Wood Economy Jeff Carroll is a strategist, leader, and communicator committed to social and environmental innovation as a tool for the public good. Jeff leverages a background in construction and business to design market solutions for the environmental and employment for those with barriers to decent jobs. He has challenged audiences both academic and professional with stats and stories to promote enterprise-driven solutions. Jeff lives in Baltimore with his spouse, Heather, and dog, Lucky. Sandy Feather - Extension Educator, Penn State Extension - Allegheny County Sandy Feather is part of Penn State Extension’s Green Industry Team, covering southwestern Pennsylvania and based in Allegheny County. She develops and delivers educational programs to help landscape professionals obtain and maintain professional certifications such as Certified Arborist, Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist, and licensed pesticide applicator. She also helps professionals diagnose and manage problems on the properties they oversee.
Stephen Connally - Owner, Adaptable Aerial Solutions, LLC Steve Connally is an ISA Certified Arborist and a TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional. He has numerous credentials in crane operations and serves as an instructor for the Crane Safety Climber School and the Ascension Group NW. A production tree climber for over 18 years., Steve's practical experience is paired with his participation in industry groups and professional organizations. Steve is the research team climber for The Center for Conservation Biology and The College of William and Mary, National Park Service Bald Eagle Restoration Program. Steve is also a career firefighter Captain and Paramedic with his local fire department. He has provided specific training to area fire departments on rescue techniques related to tree work and job site accidents. Steve has attended and presented at numerous training events on safety, technical rope work/climbing, and the science of Arboriculture. Originally from New Jersey, Steve served in the Navy for 8 years and remained in Virginia after his honorable discharge in 1994. Steve’s passion shows with his attention to detail, skill, and professional approach to tree work. Andrew Tomaskovic - Owner and Principal Arborist, Attentive Arborist Services Andrew Tomaskovic is a Board Certified Master Arborist and Certified Tree Climber based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has served in many roles since entering the industry in 2012, starting with planting, pruning, and removing trees and shrubs, and providing plant health care services to the landscape. With Attentive Arborist Services, he serves as an advisor to homeowners, HOAs, municipal entities, and commercial contractors. He’s grateful for the opportunity to inform and educate clients about how to maximize the usable service life of the trees in their care, and thus maximize the value that trees provide to all of us. Climbing trees is still Andrew’s passion, and he appreciates the occasions when he gets to put on his harness to help a local tree care company do some work, or to introduce students to the vertical life. Andrew has been a SPRAT-certified Industrial Rope Access Technician since 2019, and this training and experience has given him a different perspective about safe work at height.
Brian Kunkel, Ph.D. - Ornamentals IPM Extension Specialist, University of Delaware Brian received his Master's degree from the University of Kentucky and his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University working with insects associated with turfgrass. He briefly worked with TruGreen Chemlawn as a research scientist for the south region and as a spray technician. Brian's postdoctoral experience was working in IPM of small fruits and tree nuts in central Georgia before working at the University of Delaware in 2006. His research at the University of Delaware has focused on armored scale, redheaded flea beetles, exotic invasives and many greenhouse pests. Brian's most recent projects have focused on exotic invasives (SLF, CMBS), armored scale such as Japanese maple scale, white prunicola scale, and redheaded flea beetles. Mark Ware - Arborologist, Rainbow Ecoscience Mark Ware is a Board Certified Master Arborist on the Rainbow Ecoscience team,covering the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Mark brings over fifteen years of practical experience in arboriculture, plant health care and ornamental horticulture. Mark is responsible for providing PHC technical and application training to Rainbow’s clients and their crews. This includes providing technical support and training in Rainbow PHC protocols, research and development of new products and protocols and in-field training with applicators. Todd Hagenbuch - Regional Manager & Vegetation Management Specialist, Arborchem Todd Hagenbuch has 30 years of vegetation management experience in sales and application. He holds a B.S. in Forest Science from Penn State University. Todd is the current General Manager of Arborchem Products. Arborchem sells industrial herbicides to the Utility, Roadside, Forestry, and municipal markets throughout the United States. Arborchem provides stewardship and training on products and application for the industry and many applicators around the country. Todd resides in West Chester, PA. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and golf on his days off.
Paul Hurysz - Human Performance Safety Consulting Services, Davey Resource Group Paul has earned multiple degrees and honors throughout his career including a BS in Forestry from La. Tech University, MBA from University of Houston, and a BS in Occupational Health and Safety from Columbia Southern University. Other credentials/honors: ISA Certified Arborist and Utility Specialist, BCSP Certified Safety Professional, UAA Will Nutter Safety Shield Award, and the UAA Utility Arborist Award. Paul’s 38 years of industry experiences include working for CenterPoint Energy and Duke Energy. Paul now serves the industry by managing DRG’s newly formed Human Performance Safety Consulting Services team with a vision of finding ways to make safety simple while solving problems that matter. Lastly, Paul is also well known in the industry for his volunteer efforts to make a difference by having served on multiple UVM industry organization boards, committees, and in leadership roles over the span of his career: SGA, UAA, ISA, ASSP, FVMA, and the TVMA. Joshua Burr - Contract Climber Josh has been doing tree work for approximately 10 years. He has worked in industrial rigging for concerts and events, has worked in the tree care industry both as a contract climber and with a company, and has competed in numerous tree climbing competitions. Josh is very passionate about jobsite safety, climbing, and sharing techniques that he has learned. Josh is an avid rock climber and has traveled extensively doing rock climbing, caving, and tree climbing. Chris Riley, Ph.D. - Research Scientist, Bartlett Tree Experts Dr. Chris Riley is a scientist with broad interests centered around the intersection of plants, pests, pathogens and people, focused largely within urban landscapes. Based in Washington, D.C., he serves as the Mid-Atlantic Research Scientist and Technical Support Specialist for the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories. Chris is passionate about conducting and disseminating research on current issues impacting urban forestry and arboriculture, training and supporting Bartlett Arborists, and communicating with broader audiences on the fundamentals of science-based tree and landscape care. Additionally, Chris leads a joint research partnership with the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, Casey Trees, exploring topics aimed at growing and preserving the tree canopy across the nation’s capital. He holds a Ph.D. in Entomology from The Ohio State University.
Tim Abbey - Extension Educator, Penn State Extension - York County Tim Abbey's main responsibility is to educate nursery and landscape care professionals on how to manage ornamental plant pests using integrated pest management (IPM) strategies in the counties surrounding Harrisburg. He also coordinates educational programs that focus on pest management, tree care and other horticultural topics. He also serves as a resource for other audiences such as: Master Gardener training; educational lectures on ornamental plant pests outside of his base area; and entomology lectures to civic organizations, garden clubs and children's groups. Matt Erb - Senior Associate Consultant, Davey Resource Group Matt Erb is a senior associate consultant for Davey Resource Group, Inc. (DRG) with 20 years of industry experience in urban forestry, involving i-Tree utilization, UTC, inventories, shade tree commissions, and ordinances; arboriculture, involving best practices and safety; and horticulture. He is an ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional, and ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ). He assists communities across the country with writing urban forest master plans, tree ordinances, urban tree canopy assessments and more recently smart tree inventories. Ruth Benner - Extension Educator, Penn State Extension - Erie County Ruth has served as a horticulture educator in northwestern Pennsylvania since 2007. She provides educational programs and technical assistance for Pennsylvania greenhouse and nursery growers, and landscape professionals about plant health issues. Ruth has a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture from Penn State University and a Master of Science degree in entomology from the University of Florida. She is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist® and a Pennsylvania Certified Public Pesticide Applicator.
Thank you for joining us! Sincerely, 2025 Symposium Committee & Penn-Del ISA Board of Directors