Science of Arboriculture

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No matter where you are, keep up-to-date with the latest research-based information on tree care by listening to this podcast! Science of Arboriculture was developed by the International Society of Arboriculture to provide easily accessible educational talks by the world’s top researchers, educators, and practitioners. Subscribe to this ArborPod™ series to keep up with the fast-paced and evolving research! If you have comments or a favorite topic in arboriculture that you would like to learn more about, please contact us at isa@isa-arbor.com.

International Society of Arboriculture


    • Oct 25, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 41m AVG DURATION
    • 199 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Science of Arboriculture

    Measuring a Tree's Pulse and Its Relationship to Tree Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021


    This presentation, led by Charles Cannon, will introduce the basic concepts of sap flow, the factors that influence it, and how it is measured, and then delve into collaborative research programs in long-term monitoring and experimental trials, ending with prospective uses of the data and technology. Listen to the Science of Arboriculture podcast and then take the accompanying CEU quiz to check your knowledge. (A, U, M, T, Bs)

    Minimizing Hazards Arising from Lignotuberous and Epicormic Shoots

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021


    Lignotuberous and epicormic buds are stress adaptations which can grow 4 m per annum and 300 mm per week using the capabilities of mature stem and root systems. Lignotuberous shoots are well-attached to root systems, but heavy, rapidly-growing epicormic shoots can fail. Both can be used to manipulate canopies. In a study conducted and discussed by Greg Moore, seedlings of Eucalyptus obliqua were heat stressed and decapitated in order to understand shoot production. In stressed trees, regeneration is from epicormic buds higher in the canopy, then lower branch epicormic buds, buds on the trunk, and finally lignotuberous buds, which are a last-resort survival mechanism. Understanding these shoots can be the difference between life and death for urban forest managers. Listen to the Science of Arboriculture podcast and then take the accompanying CEU quiz to check your knowledge. (A, U, M, T, Bs)

    Effects of Restoration Pruning Treatment on Damaged Trees

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2021


    When trees are damaged during storms, they typically respond through the production of sprouting branches. Referred to as epicormic sprouts, these branches are a critical component in replacing the tree crown and photosynthetic capacity. Unfortunately, there is little empirical data to guide industry best management practices with respect to crown restoration pruning. In this presentation, Jake Miesbauer discusses results from a long-term study on the growth response of damaged trees to different pruning treatments and how these results can help guide practitioners to improve their methods for restoration of storm damaged trees. Listen to the Science of Arboriculture podcast and then take the accompanying CEU quiz to check your knowledge. (A, U, M, T, Bp)

    Does Soil Sealing Affect Urban Tree Health? An 8 Year Research CEU Quiz

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2021


    In this presentation, Alessio Fini discusses an experiment that began in 2011 to evaluate the effects of different pavements on the growth and health of two urban tree species: Fraxinus ornus (Manna ash) and Celtis australis (European hackberry). Biometric and physiological measurements have been made since 2012. Listen to the Science of Arboriculture podcast and then take the accompanying CEU quiz to check your knowledge. (A, U, M, T, Bp)

    A Tale of Two Urban Forests: Horsechestnuts in Kiev and Chernobyl

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2021


    In this presentation, James Downer examines the post-apocalyptic zone in Pripyat, Ukraine and the survival of an extant population of horsechestnut trees. Comparisons are made between similar age populations in Kiev, Ukraine. Listen to the Science of Arboriculture podcast and then take the accompanying CEU quiz to check your knowledge. (A, U, M, T, Bs)

    Remove or Retain? Research and Anecdote Surrounding Wire Baskets

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2021


    Wire baskets helped to industrialize the transplanting process for field-grown nursery stock. However, their use is not without controversy, and while opinions abound, actual research on this topic is relatively scarce. Join Andrew Koeser as he discusses past and recent research findings in an effort to offer an impartial view on one of arboriculture's more controversial issues regarding cultural practice. Listen to the Science of Arboriculture podcast and then take the accompanying CEU quiz to check your knowledge. (A, U, M, T, Bp)

    Tree Vitality: Why Should You Care?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2021


    Tree health and vitality influence a wide range of physiological processes including pest/disease susceptibility and water stress resilience. Dr. Banks will introduce the concept of tree vitality and how it can relate to pest and disease resilience, as well as tree establishment and survival within the landscape. Listen to the Science of Arboriculture podcast and then take the accompanying CEU quiz to check your knowledge (A, U, T, M, Bp)

    Current Trends in Urban Forest Diagnostics

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2021


    This presentation by Dr. Ruark covers some of the current “state-of-the-art” tools and techniques used by urban foresters in determining nutrition sampling, risk assessment, and lab diagnostics for plant pathogens. Plus, a compiled list of mobile device apps currently used by diagnosticians. Listen to the Science of Arboriculture podcast and then take the accompanying CEU quiz to check your knowledge. (A, U, T, M, Bp)

    Native or Exotic A Debate in the Urban Landscape

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2021


    When planning new green spaces, it is necessary to remember that the urban environment is very different from the natural environment where the species evolved. Which trees native or exotic should be planted in order to maximize carbon sequestration and pollutants removal? Which species can better face the temperature increase foreseen for the next decades? Discover theses answers and more with Dr. Francesco Ferrini by listening to the Science of Arboriculture podcast and then taking this accompanying CEU quiz to check your knowledge. (A, U, M, T, Bp)

    The Multiple Dimensions of Tree Defenses against Insects

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2021


    What conditions give trees the best chances of living a healthy long life? What systems do trees use to defend against insects? Go in depth with Chadwick Award Winner Dan Herms by listening to the Science of Arboriculture podcast and then taking this accompanying CEU quiz to check your knowledge. (A, U, T, M, Bp)

    What Does Science Say About Pruning Mature Trees?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2017 38:04


    What are the effects of pruning on mature trees? Linda Chalker-Scott presents the current state of science on the physiology of aging trees, which can be used to predict the impacts of conventional and retrenchment pruning on tree health. (A,M,T,L,Bs)

    What Does Science Say About Pruning Mature Trees?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2017


    What are the effects of pruning on mature trees? Linda Chalker-Scott presents the current state of science on the physiology of aging trees, which can be used to predict the impacts of conventional and retrenchment pruning on tree health. (A,M,T,L,Bs)

    Wildlife Retention

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2017


    Taking care of an urban forest doesn't mean you don't have to deal with wildlife, and whether it's protected species, or just ecological common sense, knowing how to retain wildlife will benefit the environment, and everyone in it. (A,T,L,Bp)

    Wildlife Retention

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2017 40:29


    Taking care of an urban forest doesn’t mean you don’t have to deal with wildlife, and whether it’s protected species, or just ecological common sense, knowing how to retain wildlife will benefit the environment, and everyone in it. (A,U,M,T,L,Bsmp)

    Understanding Fall Protection

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2017 48:07


    Falls are a constant danger for arborists working at height, and understanding the limitations and differences between fall protection, fall arrest, and fall restraint systems can be the difference in going home safe, or taking a trip to the hospital. Ed Carpenter explains in this month’s Science of Arboriculture. (A,M,T,L,Bm)

    Understanding Fall Protection

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2017


    Falls are a constant danger for arborists working at height, and understanding the limitations and differences between fall protection, fall arrest, and fall restraint systems can be the difference in going home safe, or taking a trip to the hospital. Ed Carpenter explains in this month's Science of Arboriculture.(A,M,T,L,Bm)

    Using Geomatics in Urban Forestry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2017 42:05


    Using a tree inventory to list the species, health, age, and maintenance needs of a specific tree is easy, but when you’re dealing with an urban forest of thousands of trees, that’s where the science of Geomatics map making comes into play. (A,M,Bs)

    Using Geomatics in Urban Forestry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2017


    Using a tree inventory to list the species, health, age, and maintenance needs of a specific tree is easy, but when you're dealing with an urban forest of thousands of trees, that's where the science of Geomatics map making comes into play.(A,M,Bs)

    Why People Hate Trees

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2017 36:12


    As arborists it is easy to forget not everyone loves trees, in fact some people claim to hate them. In this episode of Science of Arboriculture, Francessco Ferrini examines the public misconceptions that can lead to this short sited view. (A,M,Bm)

    Why People Hate Trees

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2017


    As arborist it's easy to forget not everyone loves trees, in fact some people claim to hate them. In this episode of Science of Arboriculture, Francessco Ferrini examines the public misconceptions that can lead to this short sited view.(A,M,Bm)

    New Zealand Tree project

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2017 35:50


    A small dedicated group of researchers, tree climbers, and photographers set out to capture a singular image from the Waipuoua forest; a complete unobstructed picture of a full grown forest conifer. Their efforts became the New Zealand Tree Project, compositing the final picture from thousands of individual shots, and producing a documentary video of this towering project. (A,M,Bm)

    The New Zealand Tree Project

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2017


    A small dedicated group of researchers, tree climbers, and photographers set out to capture a singular image from the Waipuoua forest; a complete unobstructed picture of a full grown forest conifer. Their efforts became the New Zealand Tree Project, compositing the final picture from thousands of individual shots, and producing a documentary video of this towering project.(A,M,Bm)

    Species Diversity Reducing the Impact of Emerging Diseases

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2017 38:38


    Species diversity is an urban forest is vital to surviving a disease threat. In this month’s Science of Arboriculture, we look at the efforts in Sweden to learn from painful lessons and create a cooperative template between arborists, municipalities, and universities in promoting species diversity. (A, M, Bp)

    Species Diversity Reducing the Impact of Emerging Diseases

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2017


    Species diversity is an urban forest is vital to surviving a disease threat. In this month's Science of Arboriculture, we look at the efforts in Sweden to learn from painful lessons and create a cooperative template between arborists, municipalities, and universities in promoting species diversity.(A, M, Bp)

    International Cooperation on Arboricultural Studies

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2017


    In 2012 an ambitious project brought together arborists, municipal managers, and university researchers from three different countries to help establish standards for the young and growing arboricultural practice in the Baltic Sea region. Lina Juisoo explains the challenges and successes of Project Green Man (A,M,Bm)

    International Cooperation on Arboricultural Studies

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2017 36:58


    In 2012 an ambitious project brought together arborists, municipal managers, and university researchers from three different countries to help establish standards for the young and growing arboricultural practice in the Baltic Sea region. Lina Juisoo explains the challenges and successes of Project Green Man (A,M,Bm)

    Sharing Tree Assessment Data with the Public

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2017 28:53


    Ever more detailed and complex tree inventories provide a wealth of information to urban forest managers, and can help identify potentially unsound trees before they fail. But just how much of that information should be made available to the general public? Is there a down-side to flagging potential risks? Jaroslav Kolarik reports on a program in the Czech Republic. (A,M,Bm)

    Sharing Tree Assessment Data with the Public

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2017


    Ever more detailed and complex tree inventories provide a wealth of information to urban forest managers, and can help identify potentially unsound trees before they fail. But just how much of that information should be made available to the general public? Is there a down-side to flagging potential risks? Jaroslav Kolarik reports on a program in the Czech Republic. (A,M,Bm)

    Destructive Potential of Branch Failure

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2017 41:27


    The destructive potential of a medium to large falling branch is commonly acknowledged by arborists, but just how much force can a me branch deliver to a target? John Goodfellow recaps a study for the utility industry attempting to answer that question in this month’s episode of Science of Arboriculture (Original presentation by John Goodfellow) (A,U,M,T,L,Bs)

    Destructive Potential of Branch Failure

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2017


    The destructive potential of a medium to large falling branch is commonly acknowledged by arborists, but just how much force can a me branch deliver to a target? John Goodfellow recaps a study for the utility industry attempting to answer that question in this month's episode of Science of Arboriculture (Original presentation by John Goodfellow)(A,U,M,T,L,Bs)

    The Reforestation of Chihuahua Mexico

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2016 28:30


    A three day freeze with temperatures well below zero decimated the urban forests of Chihuahua Mexico, leaving the city with tens of thousands of dead trees to remove and replace. Carlos Van Der Menden reports on the recovery efforts. (A,M,Bm)

    The Reforestation of Chihuahua Mexico

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2016


    A three day freeze with temperatures well below zero decimated the urban forests of Chihuahua Mexico, leaving the city with tens of thousands of dead trees to remove and replace. Carlos Van Der Menden reports on the recovery efforts. (A,M,Bm)

    Tree Health Issues in the state of Florida, and Beyond

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2016 43:29


    The U.S. state of Florida covers thousands of square miles with climates ranging from temperate to tropical, Jason Smith, who specializes in emerging threats, takes a look at tree health issues in Florida, and beyond. (A,M,Bs)

    Tree Health Issues in the state of Florida, and Beyond

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2016


    The U.S. state of Florida covers thousands of square miles with climates ranging from temperate to tropical, Jason Smith, who specializes in emerging threats, takes a look at tree health issues in Florida, and beyond.(A,M,Bs)

    Using Digital GIS for Vegetation Management

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2016 44:24


    Vegetation management under and around powerlines is a never ending struggle, but with today’s Satellite imagery and GIS, along with status reports from ground crews, near real time workload planning and cost forecasting is possible. Barry, Grubb of Florida Power and Light, and Chris Kelly of Clearion Software report on advances in this technology (A,U,M,Bm)

    Using Digital GIS for Vegetation Management

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2016


    Vegetation management under and around powerlines is a never ending struggle, but with today's Satellite imagery and GIS, along with status reports from ground crews, near real time workload planning and cost forecasting is possible. Barry, Grubb of Florida Power and Light, and Chris Kelly of Clearion Software report on advances in this technology (A,UM,Bm)

    Maximizing Pest Management Strategies

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2016 52:57


    Every tree care business has its own unique set of capabilities, customer expectations, and pest management philosophies. Joe Boggs, assistant professor with Ohio State University Extension and department of entomology examines a common sense approach in maximizing pest management strategies. (A,U,M,T,L,Bm)

    Maximizing Pest Management Strategies

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2016


    Every tree care business has its own unique set of capabilities, customer expectations, and pest management philosophies. Joe Boggs, assistant professor with Ohio State University Extension and department of entomology examines a common sense approach in maximizing pest management strategies.(A,U,M,T,L,Bm)

    Neighborhood and Non-Profit Urban Forestry

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2016 35:35


    Ecological and financial benefits of tree planting projects can be quantified through long and short term studies, but what about the social outcomes for the communities of people involved, and the neighborhoods they live in? Jess Vogt and Shannon Watkins report on a five city study of neighborhood and non-profit urban forestry projects. (A,U,M,T,L,Bm)

    Neighborhood and Nonprofit Urban Forestry

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2016


    Ecological and financial benefits of tree planting projects can be quantified through long and short term studies, but what about the social outcomes for the communities of people involved, and the neighborhoods they live in? Jess Vogt and Shannon Watkins report on a five city study of neighborhood and non-profit urban forestry projects. (A,U,M,T,L,Bm)

    Effects of Nature Images on Health and Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2016 40:47


    Trees and greenscapes provide a wealth of physical health benefits; cleaner air, shade and resulting lower temperatures, but what about physiological benefits? Dr. Ellen Vincent reports on a fascinating study targeting patient pain levels when provided with views of nature. (A,Bm)

    Effects of Nature Images on Health and Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2016


    Trees and greenscapes provide a wealth of physical health benefits; cleaner air, shade and resulting lower temperatures, but what about physiological benefits? Dr. Ellen Vincent reports on a fascinating study targeting patient pain levels when provided with views of nature. (A,Bm)

    Trends and Regulations Shaping Training

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2016 44:32


    Individuals and companies place a high priority on safety, as do government regulators, and over the years that’s driven training standards. Keith Norton and Bob Urban examine the history of training standards and industry safety playing a perpetual game of catch-up in this month’s edition of Science of Arboriculture. (A,U,M,T,L,Bm)

    Trends and Regulations Shaping Training

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2016


    Individuals and companies place a high priority on safety, as do government regulators, and over the years that's driven training standards. Keith Norton and Bob Urban examine the history of training standards and industry safety playing a perpetual game of catch-up in this month's edition of Science of Arboriculture. (A,U,M,T,L,Bm)

    UAVs and Utility Arboriculture

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2016 50:36


    Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s an arborist with a drone! With the flood of unmanned aerial vehicles entering the commercial market, UAVs are already being put to use in agricultural, and arboricultural settings. From surveying and inspection, to pin-point spraying, Dan Staley and Alex Bilous takes a look at current and future use of drones in the green industry. (A,U,M,Bp)

    UAVs and Utility Arboriculture

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2016


    Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's an arborist with a drone! With the flood of unmanned aerial vehicles entering the commercial market, UAVs are already being put to use in agricultural, and arboricultural settings. From surveying and inspection, to pin-point spraying, Dan Staley and Alex Bilous takes a look at current and future use of drones in the green industry. (A,U,M,Bp)

    Storm Resiliency Program for Trees

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2016 37:24


    Managing trees around utility power lines is a balance between maintaining a healthy forest, and guaranteeing uninterrupted power. Sara Sankowhich, system arborist with Unitil reports on a three year program that keeps the lights on, keeps utility customer’s happy, and maintains a thriving forest scape along right of ways. (A,U,M,Bm)

    Storm Resiliency Programs for Trees

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2016


    Managing trees around utility power lines is a balance between maintaining a healthy forest, and guaranteeing uninterrupted power. Sara Sankowhich, system arborist with Unitil reports on a three year program that keeps the lights on, keeps utility customer's happy, and maintains a thriving forest scape along right of ways. (A,U,M,Bm)

    Turning the Tide on Non-Native Tree Pests

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2016 40:58


    The struggles against the Asian Long Horned Beetle, and Emerald Ash Borer are just the latest battles against a history of imported pests. But as Joe Boggs explains, the challenge of dealing with non-native pests flows both ways between countries, and sharing information is the best weapon in turning the tide. (A,M,Bm)

    Turning the Tide on Non-Native Tree Pests

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2016


    The struggles against the Asian Long Horned Beetle, and Emerald Ash Borer are just the latest battles against a history of imported pests. But as Joe Boggs explains, the challenge of dealing with non-native pests flows both ways between countries, and sharing information is the best weapon in turning the tide. (A,M,Bm)

    Exploring Structural Diversity in Urban Forests

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2016 40:16


    Are the world’s urban forests losing their big trees? Is there an ideal distribution of tree size in an urban forest? Justin Morgenroth of the New Zealand School of Forestry looks at ten years of data and compares guidelines for urban forestry management in this edition of Science of Arboriculture (A,M,Bm)

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