COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. — Trees are the anchors of residential landscape design. Healthy trees can reduce home heating and cooling costs, intercept storm water runoff and may lower crime in neighborhoods. Homeowners are looking for attractive, pest tolerant trees and often rely on landscape professionals to select the right tree for them.
Penn State Extension is offering a class for Green Industry Professionals who want to learn more about trees that are good choices for use in local landscapes. The class will be held on June 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Penn State Brandywine Campus and the Tyler Arboretum in Media, Pa.
Penn State horticulture professor Dr. David Sanford will cover deciduous trees recommended for Pennsylvania landscapes, discuss key identification characteristics and growing requirements, and share information about pest and disease issues. Emphasis will be on trees that are readily available in the nursery trade.
This course is for all persons involved in the green industry including landscapers, nursery operators, garden center employees, etc. No prior study of woody ornamental plants is required. We will begin in the classroom at PSU Brandywine, but we plan to spend approximately half of the class time outdoors looking at trees in the Tyler Arboretum. Come prepared for the weather.
This class has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for two Category 05, 06, 18, 23, and PC pesticide update credits. The cost to attend is $60 which includes morning refreshments, lunch, handouts and admission to the Tyler Arboretum.
Pre-registration is required. Register on line by going to this site: http://www.cvent.com/events/deciduous-tree-identification-for-green-industry-professionals/event-summary-90996398759345528bda4dfceabe649b.aspx.
Questions regarding the June 28 event can be directed to Emelie Swackhamer at exs33@psu.edu.
Individuals can also call Penn State Extension Montgomery County at 610-489-4315.
— Penn State Extension Lehigh and Northampton Counties