Minnesota Tree Care Advisors

2010 Saint Paul core course training sessions:

February 27:
Introductions. Who and what are TCAs? The Training Manual. Newsletter, web site, reporting hours, update training. What are “speak-outs?” Applied tree morphology and anatomy. Tree I.D. Basics: Large trees with opposite nodes. Ecoregions vs. Hardiness Zones: Plants for Minnesota landscapes. Homework Assignment One
March 6:
Tree I.D. Basics: Small trees with alternate nodes. Site analysis: what this tree has to live. Exposure, soil issues, chemical problems. Applied plant physiology: Photosynthesis, respiration, and energy storage. Winter injury to trees and shrubs and what can be prevented. Amendments: Landscape soil, fertilizer, biostimulants, vertical and surface mulching, soil replacement options. Construction damage: Predicting and preventing damage to landscape, woodland and street trees during construction. Homework Assignment Two
March 20:
Tree I.D. Basics: Pines, spruces, firs. Applied tree anatomy, wood x-sections, decay, bark. SPEAK-OUTS! Seven, 5-minute speak-outs. Diagnosing abiotic problems (e.g., drought, deicing salt). Diagnosing continued: Inciting and contributing problems. Angels of Death: emerald ash borer, Dutch elm disease, oak wilt… Homework Assignment Three
March 27:
Shrub I.D. Basics: Flowering shrubs. Applied tree morphology and anatomy: branch attachments, included bark, wounds. SPEAK-OUTS! Seven, 5-minute speak-outs. Avoiding storm damage. Predisposing problems: dysfunctional root problems and how to correct them. Best Planting Practices
April 10:
Evergreen shrub I.D.Basics. Pruning deciduous trees – the formative years. Basic safety: Identifying and preventing problems with trees. SPEAK-OUT!
What are Speak-outs: Pick a passion (neighborhood tree watering program, better community tree species diversity, no more risky trees). Develop a 5-minute, unemotional presentation to a city council, asking for support of your program or idea.
Homework Assignments; Plant selection for several (five) landscapes. What’s my tree’s problem? How much should I apply/add to make this tree healthy?

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

(click here for: printer friendly form)

* 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: to be determined (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.