2009 core course training sessions:
March 14
8:30-9:20	Introductions. What are TCAs? The Training Manual.
9:30-10:20	Communicating: newsletter, web site, reporting hours, update trainings.
10:30-11:30	Tree I.D Basics: Large trees with opposite nodes.
11:30-12:30	Lunch and socializing.
12:30-1:20	Applied tree physiology. Photosynthesis, respiration. energy storage.
1:30-2:20	Plants for MN landscapes. Ecoregion vs. hardiness zones.
2:30-3:30	Plant selection continued
	Homework assignment one.
March 21
8:30-9:20	Tree I.D Basics: Small trees with alternate nodes.
9:30-10:20	Site analysis: what this trees has to live with below ground.
10:30-11:30	Site analysis: what is this tree exposed to?
11:30-12:30	Lunch and socializing.
12:30-1:20	Applied plant morphology – a closer look at roots.
1:30-2:20	Amending landscape soil: fertilizer and biostimulants.
2:30-3:30	Altering landscape soil – vertical mulching, surface mulching and radial trenching, berming.
	Homework assignment two.
March 28
8:30-9:20	Tree I.D Basics: Pines, spruces, firs.
9:30-10:20	Applied tree anatomy, wood x-sections, decay, bark.
10:30-11:30	What’s in your wood pile? Firewood I.D.
11:30-12:30	Lunch and socializing.
12:30-1:20	Diagnosing tree and shrub problems: abiotic problems.
1:30-2:20	Diagnosing continued: Inciting / contributing factors.
2:30-3:30	Angels of Death: EAB, DED, OW…acronyms killing trees.
	Homework assignment three.
April 4
8:30-9:20	Shrub I.D Basics: Flowering shrubs.
9:30-10:20	Applied tree morphology and anatomy: branch attachments, included bark, wounds. Winter stem damage: frost cracks and cankers.
10:30-11:30	Predisposing problems: effects of construction activities on tree health.
11:30-12:30	Lunch and conversation
12:30-1:20	Predisposing / inciting problems: avoiding winter injury.
1:30-2:20	Inciting problems: storm damage to trees.
2:30-3:30	Predisposing problems: dysfunctional root systems.
	Homework assignment four.
April 18
8:30-9:20	Evergreen shrub I.D Basics.
9:30-10:20	Pruning deciduous trees – the formative years.
10:30-11:30	Pruning flowering shrubs.
11:30-12:30	Lunch and synthesizing.
12:30-1:20	Risk assessment and management.
1:30-2:20	Best Planting Practices.
2:30-3:30	Best Planting Practices concluded;
	Final questions/comments.

Job Description TCA volunteers will provide communities and Minnesota with a valuable pool of “tree stewards” supporting and enhancing our urban and community forests. TCAs are encouraged to fulfill volunteer roles as educators and facilitators, enabling the University of Minnesota, other State agencies and community programs to more effectively help others help themselves. Among the most notable agencies are the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) which has also worked closely with Extension/Forest Resources Department in the development and support of the TCA program. For those of you who are interested in the TCA training for professional development, there is a substantially higher registration fee. However, you are encouraged to get involved with volunteer activities and work with the University of Minnesota, other Master Gardeners and county extension programs,other TCAs, and the cooperating agencies and municipal forestry programs. Goals of a Volunteer TCAs concentrate their volunteer activities in a community-based atmosphere. It is emphasized that the majority of the volunteer hours are to be spent in the individual TCA's community, when practical and possible. There will be a minimum goal of fifty (50) hours volunteered the first year, which may include Master Gardener hours if they relate to tree and shrub care or other aspects of urban and community forestry. After the first year, twenty-five (25) volunteer hours are recommended per year to remain an active TCA. All volunteer hours need to be documented by a supervisor, coordinator or coordinating agency. Examples of these "documenters" would be county Master Gardener coordinators, the TCA program coordinator, a DNR representative or a municipal forester. *In some cases, depending on your status as a Master Gardener and your county’s Master Gardener coordinator, TCA volunteer hours may count as Master Gardener volunteer hours. Check with your county extension educator on this. Tree Care Advisors are ultimately responsible to their county Master Gardener coordinators (when TCA's are Master Gardeners), and/or the TCA program coordinator, but it is anticipated that the TCA may work with many different people, agencies and groups. Opportunities may include conducting educational programs for youth groups, schools, neighborhood and community groups, or other Master Gardeners. You may be called upon to assist community or neighborhood forestry planning groups by conducting workshops, helping them prepare proposals, and reviewing their plans. As you have done in your roles as Master Gardeners, you will help the public with their tree-related questions by providing information or directing them to resources. There are many exciting urban and community forestry initiatives and programs emerging in Minnesota and especially in the eleven-county, Metro region. You may be invited to assist in any number of these potential projects as a representative of the Tree Care Advisor program. Potential programs include: Great River Greening, the St. Paul Foundation. Federal and State grants for urban reforestation, energy conservation and tree care. Existing community forestry programs, working with your community forester. Tree City USA programs. Arbor Month in Minnesota, educational and planting projects. Arbor Day celebrations. Neighborhood or block stewardship programs. This is an exciting and challenging era in urban forestry, and we are all experiencing a technical revolution in the tree care profession. To help you maintain your credibility as a TCA and to maintain the credibility of the University of Minnesota and the Department of Forest Resources, you will be provided with a "manual" of tree care information, and updated with seminars and revised Extension publications.

Application
* name:
* mailing address:
* city:
* state:
* zip:
* phone:
* email:
1.	Are you a Master Gardener?*
	Yes No
2.	I have read the previous job description, and agree to function as a Tree Care Advisor in the described capacity.*
	Yes No
3.	I understand that this program is for people who have a background in plant biology and horticulture. If I do not, I understand that I may enroll in the program as a Professional Development participant and I do have basic training and / or education in tree care.*
	Yes No
4.	I understand that my goal is to provide a minimum of fifty (50) volunteer hours during the first year after completing the program, with an emphasis in the area of tree and shrub care, or general urban forestry, under the direction or supervision of my county coordinator and the approval of the TCA program coordinators. *
	Yes No
5.	I understand that I must attend all workshop sessions of this program and complete a "final examination."*
	Yes No
6.	Please provide a brief (50 word) summary of why you are interested in this program.*
7.	What areas of horticulture / tree and shrub care do you feel that you have developed skills or an expertise in? Please rank them.*
8.	What areas of horticulture / tree and shrub care or urban forestry are you most interested in? Please rank them.*
9.	What practical experience have you had in tree and shrub care, or other aspect of urban forestry?*
10.	What additional horticultural / arboricultural training have you had beyond the Master Gardener program?*
11.	I have read all of the requirements listed above and agree to abide by them as they pertain to the Job Description for the TCA program. I understand that the registration cost for this program will be $95.00, if I am accepted. If I am enrolling as a Professional Development participant, I understand that the registration cost will be $375.00. Notification of acceptance into the program will be no later than January 22, 2008 (earlier if you get your application in early and it is satisfactory). DO NOT SEND THE REGISTRATION FEE UNTIL YOU RECEIVE A NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE.