CTPA Updates

DEEP Resumes Written Testing for Pesticide Licenses on a Limited Basis

September 2, 2020 by CTPA Admin

The Pesticide Management Program within DEEP has begun limited written license testing, including for supervisory licenses such as the Arborist License. As described on their website:

Effective 8/31/2020, Supervisor Exams are being temporarily administered at Lockwood Farm Pavilion, weather permitting. Junior Operator exams will continue be administered in an online format. Private Applicator Exams will soon be available in an online format. Applications may be submitted through the mail, you will be given your test date and time by email. Any questions or concerns can be directed to: DEEP.PesticideProgram@ct.gov.

Further details regarding the testing process, including access to application forms, are available on-line at: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Pesticides/Pesticide-Management-Program

The Tree ID and Oral Exams given by the Tree Protection Examining Board have not ceased during COVID. They were simply moved to Lockwood Farm in Hamden in order to provide for a more outdoor venue and greater social distancing. The next Tree ID / Oral Exam will be held on Wednesday, September 9th.

American Chestnut Foundation Looking for Help in Climbing Chestnuts

September 2, 2020 by CTPA Admin

The following was received from Jack Swatt, President of the CT Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. To reach Mr. Swatt, please call 203-592-4686 or email him at jswattchestnut@gmail.com.

From Mr. Swatt:

Our state chapter is currently looking for climbing arborists who would like to help us restore an iconic species which has become functionally extinct since a blight fungus was introduced over 100 years ago. We are trying to breed a blight resistant American chestnut tree that we can hopefully use to repopulate the eastern forests someday. American chestnut trees growing healthy enough to flower and produce nuts are an uncommon occurrence and we are trying to conserve the genetic diversity of the species by planting nuts from these trees in Germplasm Conservation Orchards. Most surviving chestnut trees that we find are usually stunted and diseased from the blight, so the few that do flower and produce nuts are usually reachable with ladders. Occasionally, we do find some taller trees growing close to roads or trails that we can get a bucket truck close enough to harvest them. The taller chestnut trees growing out in the forests away from trails are the real challenge for us. Last year, one of the Eversource arborists that we were working with had mentioned seeing if some climbing arborists could help us with collecting burs from those trees, which led us to this request.

We have contacted some climbing arborists in the Northwest corner of the state who offered to help us with trees in that area. We are hoping to reach out to climbing arborists in all areas of the state who could help us with trees that are located in their vicinity. This year we were hoping to harvest burs from trees in Gillette’s Castle SP (East Haddam), Natchaug SF (Pomfret), town-owned conservation land in Plainfield, and on private property in Lebanon. We are continually being notified about chestnut trees throughout the year and more trees may be added to this list at any time. I understand that you are probably very busy given the recent tropical storm that came through the state. If you would like to help us, please let me know. We usually start harvesting burs in mid-September. If you know of any other climbing arborists who might also like to get involved, please feel free to forward them my contact information.

Soil Diagnostics and Management Programs: the Third of CTPA’s Summer Meeting Webinars to Take Place on Thursday

August 24, 2020 by CTPA Admin

This Thursday, August 27, at noon-time, Dr. Kelby Fite of Bartlett Tree Experts will present a webinar on soil diagnostics and management. Dr. Fite is a Vice President at Bartlett and is Director of the Bartlett Research Lab in North Carolina. His research has focused on the interrelationship between soils and roots and how various tree planting strategies influence the long-term health of trees.

This webinar will be the third in the series that CTPA has organized as the virtual replacement of its Summer Meeting. There will be one more following this Thursday’s presentation. On September 3rd, Dr. Robert Marra of the CT Agricultural Experiment Station will talk about beech leaf disease. This is a newly emerging disease in Connecticut that Dr. Marra has been tracking closely.

These webinars are being presented at no cost and are open to all who wish to attend. CEUs are available, but – please note – in order to receive CEUs one must first register with CTPA. Receipt of credits is dependent on successfully taking a quiz. A link to this quiz will be posted at the end of the webinar.

For details on the soil diagnostic webinar, please visit
https://ctpa.org/events/event/free-zoom-webinar-soil-diagnostics-and-management-programs/. Once you register, you will automatically receive the Zoom link.

For details on the beech leaf disease webinar, please visit
https://ctpa.org/events/event/free-zoom-webinar-beech-leaf-disease/.

These webinars are to be recorded and will be available for future viewing. CEUs can also be earned for viewing the recorded versions, if one has not earned CEUs from watching the webinar live.

The recorded videos along with the opportunity to earn CEUs are posted for the first two webinars. Please note – for these webinars – if you wish to earn CEUs, even though these are recorded webinars, you must also still register first with CTPA. You will be prompted to register when you click on the link to the recorded version.

The link for the recording of the first webinar, an update on CT’s insects and diseases, is https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/psxWKqHA3HFIec_tw03cWvMeLIK9aaa81yNI-PENzky2zmhfy0snqPyqgwAAiUfg?startTime=1597334377000

The link for the recording of the second webinar, a discussion of loading and forces in connection to anchor points in tree climbing, is
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/ypJ8LozgzEFLbavjxkjNVJBwQ7XiT6a8hyhNr_cPmRtoN_s04VyXqRDCzKqoRW50?startTime=1597939177000

For further information, please contact Cathy at the CTPA office – cathy@ctpa.org.

FREE ZOOM Webinars by CTPA

July 27, 2020 by CTPA Admin

This year has been unique for everyone. All have been impacted by the virus in some way. We sincerely hope that you are doing well and that the pandemic has not touched you or your family personally. Meanwhile, on behalf of its members, CTPA continues to work to fulfill its educational mission. We know that the workshops we are offering are an incomplete substitute for the Summer Meeting. We firmly believe it is only right to provide these workshops free of charge as a way of thanking you for all your loyalty and support over the years. Of course, we will miss seeing everyone this summer gathered as in the past, at a lively and productive Summer Meeting. We look forward to when we will be able to see everyone again.
Sincerely,
Allan Fenner, President and
the CTPA Board of Directors

Registration for ZOOM Webinars:
• People will be able to view these webinars either live or recorded and receive ceu’s either way.
• All people who wish to participate in these educational sessions live must register in advance,
through ZOOM. The link to ZOOM is posted on the CTPA website (www.ctpa.org).
• Links to the recorded sessions will be posted following their live delivery.
• There are four sessions. Please be sure that you have registered for each session individually.
• Participants in the live sessions will have an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters.
• For those wishing to receive ceu’s, registration with CTPA in advance is important. For the live
version, this means registering through Zoom. For the recorded videos, this means sending an
email to CTPA stating that you wish to watch the videos. Please include your name, address and
license number. Email the request to cathy@ctpa.org. Without this pre-registration, we cannot
guarantee that you will be able to receive ceu’s.
• At the end of each session, whether live or recorded, you will be given the address of a web page.
This web address will take you to a quiz. Take note of this web address. You must complete
this quiz with a passing grade of 80% or greater in order to receive ceu credits. Once you pass
the quiz, the ceu sheet will be mailed to you. Keep this sheet for your records, to be turned in at
the time of your license renewal.
• Please visit the CTPA website (Events Calendar) for details regarding registering and gaining ceu’s.

August 13, 2020 12pm – 1pm 3(D) – 1 CEU, 3(A) – 1 CEU, Advanced Certified Tree Warden – 1 CEU
“CAES Updates”- Katherine Dugas and Yonghao Li, PhD. – The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven
Katherine Dugas and Yonghao Li will discuss the latest information concerning insects and diseases of trees.

Click here to Register in advance with ZOOM for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7VMqLhYnQAeTeUl0cRYoFg

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August 20, 2020 12pm – 3(D) – 1 CEU, Advanced Certified Tree Warden – 1 CEU, TCIA CTSP – PENDING
“Forces at an Anchor When Climbing and Rigging.” – Brian Kane, PhD. – University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Have you ever wondered how much force is at the anchor point when you climb or rig? Does it matter whether you climb on
a stationary or moving rope? Or whether you use a canopy or basal anchor? Or if you use a block or friction rings? In this
webinar, we will present the results of some recent research that measured all of these scenarios.

Click here to Register for the ZOOM webinar in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g2-vyJjNSKCEzXKVuO4aKA

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August 27, 2020 12pm-1pm 3(D) – 1 CEU, 3(A) – 1 CEU, Advanced Certified Tree Warden – 1 CEU
“Soil Diagnostics and Management Programs.” -Dr. Kelby Fite – Bartlett Tree Experts
The session will discuss the basics of soil diagnostics and how to interpret soil performance. Basic functions of the essential
nutrients will be highlighted and how their deficiencies impact plant performance.

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September 3, 2020 12pm – 1pm 3(D) – 1 CEU, Advanced Certified Tree Warden – 1 CEU
“Beech Leaf Disease” – Robert E. Marra, PhD. – The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven
Dr. Robert Marra will discuss the signs and symptoms of Beech Leaf Disease, and current understanding about its development, spread, and management. He will also bring us up to date on oak wilt disease.

If you have any questions, please call the office at 203 484-2512.
For more information please go to CTPA website – www.CTPA.org

Beech Leaf Disease – A New Threat to Connecticut

June 22, 2020 by CTPA Admin

In August 2019, a new disease that affects beech trees was detected in Connecticut for the first time, along the Mianus River between

Beech Leaf Disease. This heavily infected leaf shows late season damage from this past August. The photo was taken in Greenwich.

Stamford and Greenwich. Beech Leaf Disease was first reported in North America in Ohio, in 2012. It was soon found in areas around the upper Midwest and in adjacent parts of Canada. It has since been moving east, but had not been found in this region until this past year.

The disease is caused by an Asian nematode, Litylenchus crenatae, which attacks both American and European beeches. It is known to kill trees that have been heavily infested over several years. Beyond that, not a lot is known about this organism and the disease that it causes. That includes knowledge as to how it spreads, where it currently is in Connecticut and how it might be treated.

Dr. Bob Marra of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has taken the lead on researching this disease in Connecticut. He is working with foresters at CT DEEP Forestry seeking to locate occurrences of this disease . He is also very interested in hearing from arborists, tree wardens and others who believe they may have encountered the disease. All information will be helpful.

The disease is not hard to spot during the growing season. The symptoms on the leaves are very evident. Tell-tale is readily apparent, interveinal discoloration, dark-green early in the season and then yellow later on, as the season progresses. This gives the leaves an odd, striped appearance. The infestation, though, may start at the top of the tree. As such, these indications of an infested tree may not be readily visible from the ground. A pair of binoculars or a close examination of a felled tree may help in spotting the disease.

Please see the Beech Leaf Disease Pest Alert published by the Plant Disease Information Office at CAES to learn more about the disease.

If you think you may have found Beech Leaf Disease, please report it to Dr. Marra at Robert.Marra@ct.gov. In addition to your contact information, please be sure to include the town in which you have found the suspected tree and, if possible, the exact location. A photo of a leaf and of the tree would also be helpful.

Bob will be giving an update on the Beech Leaf Disease in Connecticut at CTPA’s virtual Summer Meeting.

2020 Summer Meeting Cancelation

June 15, 2020 by CTPA Admin

Dear Valued Members, Allied Members and Any Person Interested in the Care of Connecticut’s Trees,

Due to the current situation regarding COVID and the restrictions set by the State of Connecticut, regretfully, the CTPA summer meeting will not be held this year. In response to the need for continuing education credits, the CTPA is in the process of developing a series of virtual workshops aimed at keeping everyone up to date and current on the latest trends in our industry. We will send out emails to let you know when they will be happening and how you can participate. We thank you for your understanding and we will miss seeing you this July. Stay safe.

Sincerely,

Allan Fenner, President and Board of Directors

Re-Open Connecticut Phase 2

June 10, 2020 by CTPA Admin

Governor Lamont’s administration has released documents detailing specific rules that eligible businesses falling under phase 2 of Connecticut’s reopening plans must follow amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor has stressed that the decision to reopen is entirely up to the indivudual business owner and they are not required to open, however if a business chooses to open, they must follow the rules that are prescribed.

Businesses and nonprofits that are planning to reopen during Phase 2 on June 17th will need to visit Connecticut’s Self Certification Website to certify that they are complaint with the reopening rules for their sector.

UCONN looking for Adjunct Faculty, Urban Forestry and Arboriculture

May 13, 2020 by CTPA Admin

The Department of Natural Resources & Environment at UCONN is collecting contact information from interested persons with interest in becoming adjuncts in coarses related to Urban Forestry and Arboriculture. The position(s) is at the Storrs campus and runs during both the fall and spring semesters.

Please click the link for more information: NRE Adjunct Urban Forestry and Arboriculture

CAES Adds New Station Scientist Working in Urban Forestry

May 10, 2020 by CTPA Admin

The CT Agricultural Experiment Station is pleased to announce that Dr. Susanna Keriö has joined the staff of the Department of Forestry and Horticulture at the Station. Susanna comes to New Haven by way of postdoctoral work at Oregon State University and after completing her doctorate at the University of Helsinki. Her Master’s and Bachelor’s degree are from the University of Helsinki as well. She brings to CAES an expertise in tree resistance to fungal diseases and in the molecular and genetic factors associated with the interactions between trees and fungi.

Dr. Jeff Ward, Department Head and Chief Scientist within the Department, encourages CTPA membership to welcome Dr. Keriö as she adjusts to life in Connecticut. Jeff also looks forward to the many contributions that she will make regarding the health of Connecticut’s trees. Jeff describes how in her research at CAES, Susanna will be applying her detailed knowledge towards developing innovative management strategies that will reduce tree stress and support tree health. Her research focus will be in urban environments.

To learn more about Dr. Keriö’s background, see attached.

Welcome, Susanna.

Update on Arboriculture 101 Registration

May 3, 2020 by CTPA Admin

In a normal year, about now, the CTPA would be opening registration for the Fall Session of Arboriculture 101. The Spring Session would have been over since early April. An opportunity for people in the class to take the written exam would be scheduled for mid-May. We would be expecting several people from the class to be qualified in time to take the oral exam, to be given in early June.

Needless to say, this is not a normal year.

Right now, our plans for the Fall Session are up in the air. We don’t know what to promise people. The preferred scenario, that we fill our small classroom with 40 or so committed students and hold the classes as per usual, does not seem likely. More likely options are to hold the class with a fewer number of people, perhaps in a larger space, or to hold the classes electronically. While the second option, putting the classes on Zoom, might seem the most realistic, there are downsides. We wonder about class quality and how much is missed without the classroom experience. For instructors, it is much easier to give a 3-hour class with a live audience than it is to stay focused and engaged while staring at a computer screen. The same is just as true for the students.

Fortunately, we do not have to make a decision right now. In order to ease the minds of those people interested in enrolling in Arboriculture 101, we are now accepting registrations for the Fall Session. We do this with the clear caveat that we don’t know even if we will hold the Fall Session, much less what form they will take. PLEASE NOTE – WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE NOT TO SEND MONEY WITH THE REGISTRATION FORM. We are asking people not to send money for two reasons. The first is the uncertainty about the class. The second reason – in these difficult times, we don’t want people to feel pressured to set aside money they might have a need for right now.

All of this is spelled out on our On-Line Registration page. We do encourage people to sign up. Depending upon how many people sign-up, we will make every effort to include those people in the next class.

As for completing the Spring Class – since the lock-down occurred before the class finished, that too is on hold. We are committed to completing those classes as soon as we can – students in that class are aware of our plans.

Currently, no written Arborist Exams are being given by DEEP. That is a big factor in our planning. The Tree Protection Examining Board is planning to hold the June tree ID and oral exams as scheduled, but with social distancing measures in place. Only people who had qualified by early March, the time the last written exams were given, will be eligible to take the June TPX exams.

This will be over at some point. When it is, we will have a lot of catching up to do. We mean that in several different ways.

Everyone, be safe and be careful.

Contact CTPA