Tree Care Issues conference slated Oct. 29

Thursday, October 8, 2015

When thinking about a landscape, colorful flowers and shrubs likely come to mind. However, trees also play an important role, both in the home landscape and in public settings.

Trees can be extremely valuable, so proper care is essential. In an effort to convey information about proper tree care, Oklahoma State University’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture is hosting a Tree Care Issues workshop Oct. 29.

Mike Schnelle, OSU Cooperative Extension floriculture specialist, said the workshop is geared toward arborists, horticulturists, landscape architects and other green industry professionals. Master Gardeners and horticultural consumers also are welcome to attend.

“Some of the best industry professionals will be on hand to share their expertise in the various lectures during the event and present the latest research-based information available,” Schnelle said. “Everyone who attends this conference will gain so much valuable information that will be applicable to all varieties of trees that are suitable to Oklahoma’s climate and growing conditions, as well as surrounding states that have similar climate and growing conditions.”

Agenda topics include trees that require low pesticide inputs, diseases of the landscape, maintaining mature trees, exotic bark scale of crapemyrtle and current/foreseeable challenges for the tree care professional.

The workshop will take place at the Wes Watkins Center on the OSU campus in Stillwater and run from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration of $80 is due by Oct. 23 and includes lunch. OSU Cooperative Extension educators, Master Gardeners and Linnaeus Gardeners may register for $60. Seating is limited and early registration is encouraged. No late or on-site registration will be accepted.

The lectures will be taught by OSU faculty as well as industry professionals. Jen Olson, assistant Extension specialist at OSU, will share her expertise about landscape plant health and preventative disease management. Other speakers will include Eric Rebek on crapemyrtle bark scale, Chris Martin on maintaining mature trees and more. Schnelle also will speak to the group about selecting trees for Oklahoma.

“There will be many other provocative concepts offered in a short period of time,” Schnelle said. “The group we have assembled to share their expertise guarantees that participants will go home with sound and practical advice.”

For more information about the conference and registration, contact Stephanie Larimer at 405-744-5404 or email at stephanie.larimer@okstate.edu. Participants may register online at https://secure.touchnet.com/C20271_ustores/web/index.jsp. Click on Horticulture/Landscape.