This session will discuss the relationship between soils, root health, root growth, and tree stability. Many potential problems can be identified and mitigated during production and planting. Others can be avoided by careful site inspection and planning.

Dr. Matthew Borden
Plant Pathologist, Bartlett Tree Experts

Matt is a plant pathologist working out of the Bartlett Tree Research Lab in Charlotte, NC. He completed a Doctorate of Plant Medicine and Masters of Entomology & Nematology at the University of Florida, gaining deep appreciation for landscape health and pest management strategies. Matt now studies tree and shrub diseases and disorders, with a varied background in orchard and botanical garden IPM beekeeping, and plant health column writing.

The talk will review a series of studies, aspects of biomechanics within the information, and how they may be used to inform risk or tree protection assessments.

About Dr. Grabosky

Dr. Grabosky is a Professor at Rutgers University within the Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources Program, working primarily in the areas of Urban Forestry and Tree Management research

This session will focus on the variety of different systems of biomechanics in plants. These systems are important for arborists to understand as practitioners.

About Dr. Niklas

Karl J. Niklas received a B.S. (mathematics) from the City College of the City of New York and a M.S. (chemistry) and Ph.D. (plant biology) from the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois. Niklas joined Cornell in 1978, where he is the Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor of Plant Biology emeritus, and a Stephen H. Weiss Presidential fellow. He is the author of over 400 research articles and five books (Plant Biomechanics 1992, Plant Allometry 1994, The Evolutionary Biology of Plants 1997, Plant Physics (co-authored with Hanns–Christof Spatz) 2012, and Plant Evolution 2016). Niklas is the recipient of numerous awards including a John S. Guggenheim Fellowship, the George Gaylord Simpson Prize (Yale University), the New York State University Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung Preis for Senior USA Scientists, the Jeanette Siron Pelton Award for studies in plant morphogenesis, the Botanical Society of America’s 1996 Lifetime Merit Award and 2006 Centennial Medal, and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was also elected as a fellow in the Institute of Advanced Study at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin.

In light of concerns about risks to beneficial insects including pollinators and natural enemies, jurisdictions around the country are placing new restrictions on several insecticides commonly used by the green industries. Questions have arisen regarding alternative approaches to managing key insect and mite pests. This presentation will review EPAs Reduced Risk Pesticides, those listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute, and biologically based alternatives to conventional insecticides and matricides. By protecting conserving and protecting beneficial insects, we strive to increase sustainability of managed landscapes.

Michael J. Raupp
Professor Emeritus

A Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Maryland, Mike is a Fellow of the Entomological Society of America and has authored more than 250 scientific and lay publications and delivered more than 1400 presentations. A regular guest on NPR, Mike has appeared on all major television networks in this country and several abroad and has been featured on National Geographic, Science Channel, BBC, and PBS. His “Bug of the Week” website, www.bugoftheweek.com and YouTube channel www.youtube.com/user/BugOfTheWeek reaches tens of thousands of viewers weekly. His most recent book “26 Things that Bug Me” introduces youngsters to the wonders of insects and natural history while “Managing Insect and Mites on Woody Landscape Plants” is a standard for the arboricultural industry.

The process of diagnosis combines several physical and life sciences with keen field observations and deductive skills. Diagnostics is rich in mystery, quite frequently doused with humility, and even entails some human psychology. This session will help you hone diagnostic skills and develop awareness of this art that you continually practice in the care of trees and landscapes.

About Dr. Borden
Plant Pathologist, Bartlett Tree Experts

Matt is a plant pathologist working out of the Bartlett Tree Research Lab in Charlotte, NC. He completed a Doctorate of Plant Medicine and Masters of Entomology & Nematology at the University of Florida, gaining deep appreciation for landscape health and pest management strategies. Matt now studies tree and shrub diseases and disorders, with a varied background in orchard and botanical garden IPM beekeeping, and plant health column writing.