Agenda

Become an ISA Certified Arborist

Once again in 2026, the ISU Shade Tree Short Course will host an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist exam. STSC participants wishing to take the exam should register online with the ISA (http://www.isa-arbor.com/certification/index.aspx) or call the ISA at 888-472-8733.

1:00 p.m. Exam Check-in

Room 250-252

1:30 p.m. ISA Certified Arborist Exam

Room 250-252

Wed

Feb 18

7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration, Refreshments, and Visit Trade Show

Registration – 2^nd floor lobby, Scheman Building
Tradeshow –1^st& 2^nd floor lobby Scheman Building

9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Opening General Session (Stephens Auditorium)

Welcome, Jeff Iles, Iowa State University

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. General Session - Old and Majestic Trees

Brian Kelley – Gathering Growth Foundation, Barryville, NY
Brian Kelley, founder of the Gathering Growth Foundation, will share his journey from New York City photographer to van-based explorer documenting Champion Trees across the United States. From cemeteries to remote mountaintops, Kelley has captured some of the nation’s oldest and largest trees, preserving their stories through his lens.

1.0 ISA CEU, Categories: A, Bs; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. General Session - Being a True Professional

Mark Chisholm – Aspen Tree Expert Co., Jackson, NJ
Growing up in the tree care industry has given Mark a unique understanding as to where the industry was, where it is and where it is going. This talk will be a fun walk down memory lane where Mark shares pictures, videos and insights about what it takes to be a true professional and how to make sure you are representing yourself and our profession in the best possible light.

1.0 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bm; LA CES (1.0 Non-HSW)

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch

Boxed Lunch at Scheman
Visit INLA Trade Show, 1^st and 2^nd floor lobby – Scheman
INLA Business Meeting – Scheman
IAA Business Meeting – Scheman

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Workshop Session A

A-1. From Rookies to Rockstars: A Pay & Promotion Model That Works
Ryan Watkins – HortMentor, Johns Island, SC
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bm; LA CES (1.0 Non-HSW)

A-2. Dealing with Difficult Tree Removals
Mark Chisholm – Aspen Tree Expert Co., Jackson, NJ
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, T, M, Bp(0.5), Bs(0.5); LA CES (1.0 HSW)

A-4. (B-4 Repeat) White Hat Hacking the TRAQ Methodology
James Komen – Class One Arboriculture, Inc., Glendale, CA
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, T, M, Bs; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

A-5. (D-5 Repeat) Diagnosing Health Problems of Woody Plants* (2 hours) – Limit 30 per session
Zach Schumm and Ed Zaworski – Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Mark Vitosh – Iowa DNR Wildlife Bureau, Iowa City, IA
2 ISA CEUs, Categories: A, M, Bs; LA CES (2.0 HSW)

A-6. (E-6 Repeat) Don’t Brood…Instead, Prepare for the Next Cicada Invasion*
Guy Sternberg – Starhill Forest Arboretum of Illinois College, Petersburg, IL
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bm(0.5), Bs(0.5); LA CES (1.0 HSW)

A-7. Advanced Project Planning (2 hours)
Jeremy Martin – Willow Gates Home & Landscape, Mohnton, PA
No ISA CEU; LA CES (2.0 HSW)

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Workshop Session B

B-1. How a Quick Sketch Can Double Your Sale
Ryan Watkins – HortMentor, Johns Island, SC
No ISA CEU; LA CES (1.0 Non-HSW)

B-2. Gathering Growth
Brian Kelley – Gathering Growth Foundation, Barryville, NY
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bm(0.5), Bs(0.5); LA CES (1.0 HSW)

B-3. (F-7 Repeat) Rehabilitating Drought-Stressed Trees
Emmett Muennink – Arborjet, The Colony, TX
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bp(0.5), Bs(0.5); LA CES (1.0 HSW)

B-4. (A-4Repeat) White Hat Hacking the TRAQ Methodology
James Komen – Class One Arboriculture, Inc., Glendale, CA
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, T, M, Bs; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

B-6. (F-6 Repeat) Turfgrass Management Update**
Adam Thoms – Iowa State University, Ames, IA
No ISA CEU; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

3:15 – 4:00 p.m. Break and Visit INLA Trade Show

4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Workshop Session C

C-1. Quick Sketching Level 1
Ryan Watkins – HortMentor, Johns Island, SC
No ISA CEU; LA CES (1.0 Non-HSW)

C-2. Longevity as an Arborist
Mark Chisholm – Aspen Tree Expert Co., Jackson, NJ
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, T, M, Bp; LA CES (1.0 Non-HSW)

C-4. (D-4 Repeat) Introduction to Utility Vegetation Management
Liz Westberg – Growth Solutions, Minnetonka, MN
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, U, Bp; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

C-5. (D-1 Repeat) Tree-dership: What trees can teach us about leadership and navigating challenges in work and life
Amanda Snodgrass – Iowa City, IA
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bm(0.5), Bs(0.5); LA CES (1.0 HSW)

C-6. (D-6 Repeat) TreesLouisville’s Collaborations to Increase Canopy Coverage
Morgan Grubbs – TreesLouisville, Louisville, KY
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bp; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

C-7. (G-7 Repeat) Continuing Instruction Course for Pesticide Applicators**
Evan Alderman – Iowa State University, Ames, IA
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, Bp(0.5), Bs(0.5); No LA CES CEU

C-8. (E-4 Repeat) Data-Driven Decision-Making with Smart Tree Inventories
Jim Zwack – The Davey Tree Expert Company, Kent, OH
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bm; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

5:00 – 8:00 p.m. INLA Hospitality Reception & Silent Auction (Open to all attendees)

Reiman Gardens

*Qualifying Pesticide Applicator Workshop
**Required Pesticide Applicator Workshop

Thu

Feb 19

7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Refreshments and Visit INLA Trade Show

1^st and 2^nd floor lobby – Scheman

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Workshop Session D

D-1. (Repeat D-5) Tree-dership: What trees can teach us about leadership and navigating challenges in work and life
Amanda Snodgrass – Iowa City, IA
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bm(0.5), Bs(0.5); LA CES (1.0 HSW)

D-2. Prescription Pruning Qualification (2 hours)
Edward F. Gilman – Wood Architecture Inc.; University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL
2 ISA CEUs, Categories: A, T, M, Bm(1), Bs(1); LA CES (2.0 HSW)

D-4. (Repeat C-4) Introduction to Utility Vegetation Management
Liz Westberg – Growth Solutions, Minnetonka, MN
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, U, Bp; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

D-5. (Repeat A-5) Diagnosing Health Problems of Woody Plants* (2 hours) – Limit 30 per session
Zach Schumm and Ed Zaworski – Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Mark Vitosh – Iowa DNR Wildlife Bureau, Iowa City, IA
2 ISA CEUs, Categories: A, M, Bs; LA CES (2.0 HSW)

D-6. (Repeat C-6) TreesLouisville’s Collaborations to Increase Canopy Coverage
Morgan Grubbs – TreesLouisville, Louisville, KY
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bp; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

D-7. Basic Estimating
Jeremy Martin – Willow Gates Home & Landscape, Mohnton, PA
No ISA CEU; No LA CES CEU

9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Workshop Session E

E-1. New Plants That Solve Landscape Challenges
Jane Beggs-Joles – Spring Meadow Nursery, Grand Haven, MI
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bp; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

E-4. (Repeat C-8) Data-Driven Decision-Making with Smart Tree Inventories
Jim Zwack – The Davey Tree Expert Company, Kent, OH
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bm; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

E-6. (Repeat A-6) Don’t Brood…Instead, Prepare for the Next Cicada Invasion*
Guy Sternberg – Starhill Forest Arboretum of Illinois College, Petersburg, IL
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bm(0.5), Bs(0.5); LA CES (1.0 HSW)

E-7. Sales From the Heart
Jeremy Martin – Willow Gates Home & Landscape, Mohnton, PA
No ISA CEU; LA CES (1.0 Non-HSW)

11:00 – 12:00 (noon) Workshop Session F

F-1. The New Z133 Safety Standards: Words to Live By
John Ball – South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, T, Bp; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

F-2. (G-6 Repeat) How We Grow Trees at Bentley Ridge
Dylan Rolfes – Bentley Ridge Tree Farm, Grimes, IA
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bs; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

F-3. (G-3 Repeat) Aggressive Homeowners: Training for a Mindset of De-Escalation
Liz Westberg – Growth Solutions, Minnetonka, MN
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, U, M, Bm; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

F-4. (G-4 Repeat) Is Your Tree Protection Ordinance Constitutional (do we put a ?)
James Komen – Class One Arboriculture, Inc., Glendale, CA
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bm; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

F-5. (G-5 Repeat) Squirrels Don’t Build Dams and Other Leadership Lessons from Nature
Chris Lee – Burlington, IA
1 ISA CEU, Category: M; LA CES (1.0 Non-HSW)

F-6. (Repeat B-6) Turfgrass Management Update**
Adam Thoms – Iowa State University, Ames, IA
No ISA CEU; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

F.7. (Repeat B-3) Rehabilitating Drought-Stressed Trees
Emmett Muennink – Arborjet, The Colony, TX
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bp(0.5), Bs(0.5); LA CES (1.0 HSW)

F-8. Stuck on Scales: How to Spot and Stop Them*
Laura Iles – Iowa State University, Ames, IA
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bp(0.5), Bs(0.5); LA CES (1.0 HSW)

12:00 – 1:15 p.m. Lunch (optional/Scheman Building) or on your own
Trade Show Open for Final Time!

1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Workshop Session G

G-1. Overview of Ornamental Plant Breeding
Jane Beggs-Joles – Spring Meadow Nursery, Grand Haven, MI
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bs; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

G-2. Sex and the Street Tree
John Ball – South Dakota State University, Brookings SD
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bs; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

G-3. (Repeat F-3) Aggressive Homeowners: Training for a Mindset of De-Escalation
Liz Westberg – Growth Solutions, Minnetonka, MN
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, U, M, Bm; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

G-4. (Repeat F-4) Is Your Tree Protection Ordinance Constitutional
James Komen – Class One Arboriculture, Inc., Glendale, CA
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bm; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

G-5. (Repeat F-5) Squirrels Don’t Build Dams and Other Leadership Lessons from Nature
Chris Lee – Burlington, IA
1 ISA CEU, Category: M; LA CES (1.0 Non-HSW)

G-6. (Repeat F-2) How We Grow Trees at Bentley Ridge
Dylan Rolfes – Bentley Ridge Tree Farm, Grimes, IA
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bs; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

G-7. (Repeat C-7) Continuing Instruction Course for Pesticide Applicators**
Evan Alderman – Iowa State University, Ames, IA
1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, Bp(0.5), Bs(0.5); No LA CES CEU

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Concluding General Session (Stephens Auditorium) - Arboriculture Starts in the Nursery

Edward F. Gilman – Wood Architecture Inc.; University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL
Prune at planting? I thought we didn’t do that! Roots and shoots are best pruned at planting to correct structural deficiencies because most never get pruned again for structure. We will show you how to develop an easy-to-use system of pruning trees of any age that is simple to teach to customers and staff. Whether it’s a tree with a one-inch trunk diameter or four-foot diameter, the strategies are similar. Growers, experienced arborists, landscapers, and beginners alike will come away with a fresh, new perspective on pruning trees for longevity – Guaranteed! There will be many photographic and video examples of pruning trees in many different climates and situations. You will know that there is more to mature tree care than thinning! Note: Please come with an open mind!

1 ISA CEU, Categories: A, M, Bp; LA CES (1.0 HSW)

3:30 – 3:45 p.m. Evaluation
Adjourn

*Qualifying Pesticide Applicator Workshop
**Required Pesticide Applicator Workshop