AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — Whether caring for backyard oaks, a forest of pines or maples lining a city street, proper tree care requires specialized knowledge. To help professionals build that expertise, the International Society of Arboriculture offers certification programs that recognize training and experience in arboriculture.

For both those preparing to take the certification exam and certified arborists seeking continuing education, Alabama Extension at Auburn University will host the Arborists Review June 29-30 at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center in Fairhope.

Building Professional Expertise

The two-day event will cover 16 domains of knowledge. Jack Rowe, a forestry, wildlife and natural resources Extension agent, said those topics include biology, pruning, tree risk assessment, soil and water management, tree preservation and climbing and working in trees, among others.

“With trees, you have to think like a doctor because you are diagnosing situations,” Rowe said. “You need education and experience to make the proper calls. Just cutting a branch off a tree is an exercise in physics. You need to understand forces and things like rigging to make that branch not dangerous while it falls. There’s a lot of clinical thinking required, and the Arborists Review helps prepare attendees for that kind of work.”

Why Certification Matters

Arborists can work in a variety of settings. Those include municipal services, such as parks and recreation or city foresters, and private businesses, like landscapers, civil engineers or utility specialists. However, Rowe said becoming a certified arborist shows a commitment to continuing education and safety.

“I always encourage homeowners to work with certified arborists, because you know that person has invested deeply in training,” Rowe said. “We need to have a standard for arborists, and the International Society of Arboriculture provides that standard through certification.”

Attending the Arborists Review

Alabama Extension helps support and promote those standards through events like the Arborists Review. While anyone interested in certification can benefit from the training, certified arborists will earn 12 continuing education units toward recertification.

“If you aren’t certified yet, this event will help ramp up your knowledge and get you ready to take the test,” Rowe said. “For those who are already certified, the Arborists Review provides a significant portion of the continuing education needed to maintain certification. For 12 continuing education units, you would usually have to attend a conference, which can be costly. This event is only $25 to cover the costs of lunch both days.”

In addition to aspiring and certified arborists, this event is open to landscape professionals, Alabama Extension Master Gardener volunteers, municipal employees and anyone interested in tree care.

Online registration is required. Visit aces.edu/event/arborists-review-5 for more information.