The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program (UCF) works collaboratively between the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, University of Vermont Extension, the USDA Forest Service, and State and Private Foresters. UCF foresters support Arbor Day activities, train and advise Tree Wardens, monitor forest pests, support urban and park tree programs, and consult on tree care. In this workshop, Urban and Community Foresters, Joanne Garton and Adam McCullough will present on planting, tree care, pruning, and briefly, the impacts of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). This program is applicable to any private, municipal, or parks staff seeking to grow their knowledge of tree care in a community setting.
Learning Objectives:
Identify best practices for tree planting, establishment, and maintenance. Participants will recognize fundamental techniques for planting, caring for, and maintaining healthy trees in urban, park, and community settings.
Apply proper pruning principles to improve tree health and safety. Participants will describe appropriate pruning methods and timing to promote long-term tree structure, health, and risk reduction.
Recognize common threats to community forests and appropriate management responses. Participants will explain the impacts of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and identify strategies that communities can use to monitor, manage, and protect urban and community tree resources.
Presenters:
Joanne Garton, Technical Assistance Coordinator, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
Joanne joined the UCF team in the spring of 2017 as the project coordinator for the rural roads portion of the burgeoning Resilient Right-of-Ways project, a state-led initiative focused on assisting municipalities with smart and forward-thinking vegetation management along their roads. Now serving all of the technical needs of communities working with trees in public ways and places, Joanne continues the robust data collection, writing, outreach, and information sharing that the UCF program delivers. Joanne holds a B.Scs. in geology and architecture from McGill University and is a 2015 graduate of the Field Naturalist and Ecological Planning M.Sc. program at the University of Vermont. She is an active fiddler, performing and teaching at dances and festivals throughout New England. When home, Joanne enjoys the quaint life of downtown Montpelier and swimming in local ponds and pools.
Adam McCullough, Urban Forester, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
Adam grew up in Montpelier, Vermont and fell in love with trees at a young age, fascinated by climbing them and by their biology. He has extensive experience with hands-on conservation work and especially tree work, and has applied those skills to create meaningful outdoor experiences for Youth at Risk throughout Vermont’s woods. The newest member of the VT UCF team, Adam began his journey as the Urban Forester in September 2023. Like any public forest, the Urban Forest provides public good that is shared by all. Adam’s focus is on innovative tree installations in densely built urban environments that will maximize those benefits for the community members that need them the most.