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Urban Forestry Workshop for Green Industry Professionals 2026
2026 Urban Forestry Workshop
Tree Resilience: Planting, Pruning, & Care
The 2026 Urban Forestry Workshop will be held this fall in 4 locations throughout the state.
Growing healthy and resilient urban forests begins with growing healthy and resilient trees. Join us to learn about tree biology and the standards of care that have been developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to help get trees off to a great start. We will build on the biology to discuss tree pruning and planting methods to optimize tree health.
Details
Each location will include morning classroom instruction (see topics below), followed by hands-on field demonstrations in the afternoon.
Put what you learned in the morning into practice. A planting demonstration will be followed by steps for structural pruning. We will also take time to talk about site evaluation and safety. We will finish the day by looking at a variety of tree samples to illustrate how trees respond to human and natural influences.
Cost
$70 per person, lunch included. No refunds unless we cancel.
Topics
Biological Basis of Tree Action: Terms, Technology, & Standards of Care
Trees have limits to what they can do. Learn about the biology of trees and how you can work with the trees’ natural processes to promote tree health and resilience.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Tree Growth & Longevity
Dig into tree planting and learn about the first known study on the full, partial, and no removal of burlap and wire baskets. This talk will include techniques and approaches for planting various tree stock (e.g., bare root, balled & burlapped, container, gravel bed) and steps you can take to promote tree establishment.
Proper Tree Pruning
Science, standards, and best management practices all come together for this session on tree pruning. Learn about natural pruning and working with the tree to promote the trees’ canopy, including strategies for reduction pruning, branch removal, or compensating for decay.
Workshop Locations & Registration
Speaker Bio
Richard Hauer, Ph.D.
Director of Urban Forestry – Forestry & Utility
Eocene Environmental Group
Richard Hauer is the Director of Urban Forestry at Eocene Environmental Group. He is a Professor Emeritus of Urban Forestry at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. He received his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, M.S. from the University of Illinois, and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Rich has conducted research in tree biology, urban forest management, emerald ash borer management, trees and construction, tree risk management, and ice storms. He was honored as the 2018 and 2024 L.C. Chadwick Award for Arboricultural Research and 2023 Alex L. Shigo Award for Excellence in Education. He has over 200 publications and presented over 600 talks throughout the world. Dr. Hauer is also an Associate Editor of the Journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greenspaces.
Questions?
Call 608-224-3700 with registration questions.