2023 Texas Tree Conference

Welcome to the homepage for the Texas Tree Conference

See you in Waco next September 25-27, 2023!

Thanks for Attending!!!
September 20-22, 2023
Waco Convention Center, Waco Texas

With over 1,000 in attendance, visit with old friends and make new ones, hear from great speakers, earn CEUs and more. There will be tracks for Commercial, Municipal and Utility Arborists with plenty of time to socialize and visit the exhibitors at the expanded Trade Show.

You can attend several events this year including:

  • The Thursday and Friday Tree Conference and Trade Show that includes educational tracks for Commercial, Municipal and Utility Arborists, an awards luncheon, networking socials, receptions and more. New this year, there will be a full Spanish language track!
  • The Wednesday pre-conference Tree Academies. Also on Wednesday, there will be a TRAQ renewal course and a Certified Arborist exam.
  • And the Friday Tree Schools for English and Spanish-speaking tree workers and supervisors.

Texas Tree Conference Links

Click Here to Register for the Texas Tree Conference, Academy, Trade Show and Tree SchoolsRegistration is closed for the 2023 Texas Tree Conference, Academy, Trade Show and Tree School. Please contact Gene Gehring at 817.395.9055 or Gene@isatexas.com if you have any questions. Early Bird registration closes Sept. 8th.
Texas Tree Conference, Tree Academy, Trade Show and Tree School Program BrochureDownload the Texas Tree Conference, Tree Academy and Tree School Program Brochure
Exhibitors and Sponsors Click HereEarly registration ends Sept. 1. For more information on exhibiting or sponsorship, contact Kirsten Schneider, Trade Show Chair, 512-974-9543. Scroll down this page to see our Sponsors and Exhibitors. Move in will be Wednesday, Sept. 20th from noon to 5:00pm. Breakdown will be Friday, September 22nd at 10:30am. For additional show services, contact Superior Expo at service@superior-expo.com and (o) 972.271.7888 and for information on electricity, please see https://wacocc.com/exhibitors. And click here for your Conference Exhibitor Services Manual. Click here for the Trade Show Floor Booth Map
Volunteer Information HereFor more information on how to volunteer at the conference click the volunteer signup link or contact Megan Wood at megan@isatexas.com.
Donate to the Silent Auction and support student scholarships!To donate to the Silent Auction, contact Ginny Sills at ginny.sills@gmail.com
Texas A&M Forest Service Scholarship ApplicationApplications now closed. Texas A&M Forest Service offers a limited number of scholarships available to Texas municipalities and non-profit organizations. Apply early! Applications must be received no later than Monday, August 11, 2023, at 5:00 pm (central standard time).
Student ScholarshipsIf you are a full-time student and are interested in a scholarship to attend the Texas Tree Conference, contact Ronny Nelson at ronny.nelson@outlook.com or 972-750-8386.
Poster Display Information and SignupWin $250 - this year, the best poster will be awarded a cash prize! Register to display your poster today. For more information, contact Laura Miller at laura.miller@ag.tamu.edu
Click here for the JOBLINK Form to post at the ConferenceWhether you’re looking for a job or wanting to hire, the Texas Tree Conference JOBLINK can help get you connected with the right people by posting your listing on the Job Board on the Tradeshow floor! Download and fill in, print and bring to the conference.
Contact the Conference Chair hereFor more information contact Gary O'Neil, 2023 Texas Tree Conference Chair at 832.547.7209
TRAQ Renewal Course with Skip Kincaid - Click HereClass now open. Offered as a separate event from the Texas Tree Conference. Deadline to register is August 20, 2023.
The ISA Certified Arborist Exam offered on September 20th at the Conference.Registration is now open for the certification exam happening September 20 at the Waco Convention Center. Deadline to register is September 1, 2023.
The Hilton Texas Tree Conference Room Block is now closed.SOLD OUT A block of Hilton Waco rooms has been reserved for September 20-22, 2023. The special room rate will be available until August 27th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. (Please make sure that you select the dates that you will check in (arrive) and check out (depart) in your reservation.
The Waco Courtyard Marriott Room Block is now closed.SOLD OUT A block of Courtyard Marriott Waco rooms has been reserved for September 20-22, 2023. The special room rate will be available until August 27th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. (Please make sure that you select the dates that you will check in (arrive) and check out (depart) in your reservation.
Click here for discounted Waco fun!Looking for fun things to do in Waco?


For more information contact Gary O’Neil, 2023 Texas Tree Conference Chair at 832.547.7209 or gary.oneil@centerpointenergy.com

2023 Texas Tree Conference and Trade Show
September 21 & 22

At this year’s Texas Tree Conference and Trade Show, we will continue our history of providing outstanding education programs featuring nationally known speakers, the latest in tree research and arboriculture, an expanded trade show, an awards luncheon, and numerous networking opportunities.

Learn from national leaders in research, commercial, utility and municipal arboriculture, urban forestry, urban planning and landscape architecture.

Featured speakers include: Dr. Andrew Loyd, Plant Pathologist, Bartlett Tree Experts, Azle, Dr. Chris Riley, Entomologist, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories, Arlington, VA, Dr. Mary Gardiner, Professor, Department of Entomology, Ohio State University, Ryan Gilpin, Consulting Arborist, Nidus Consulting, Portland, OR, Dr. Demian Gomez, Regional Forest Health Coordinator, Texas A&M Forest Service, Austin, Dr. David Appel, Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M University, College Station, Dr. Beau Brodbeck, Extension Specialist in Community Forestry & Arboriculture, Auburn University, Fairhope, AL, Dr. Stephanie Adams, Forest Tree Pathologist, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL, Dr. David Creech, Director Stephen F. Austin University Gardens, Nacogdoches, Dr. Morris Johnson, US Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory, Seattle, WA, Wallace Carranza, Manager, Trees, Inc. Houston, Geoff Kempter, Technical Services Manager, Asplundh, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Randall Miller, Director of Research and Development, CNUC, Des Moines, Iowa, Dr. Mica McMillan, Assistant Professor of Palm Horticulture, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, FL, Pris Files, Executive Director, Galveston Tree Conservancy, Ryan Krause, Supervisor, Vegetation Management, Pedernales Electric Coop, Buda, Carolina Paredes, Owner, Beast Coast Tree Climbers LLC, Zirconia, NC, Susan Poizner, Urban Orchardist Author, Toronto, Canada, Laura Miller, County Extension Agent Commercial Horticulture, TAMU, Fort Worth, Sheila McBride, Plant Disease Diagnostic Specialist, College Station, Vanessa Sepúlveda, Director, co-owner, Dendroma.com, Mexico City, Mexico, Bill Green, Texas A&M Forest Service, Kingsville, Eduardo Medina, Davey Tree Expert Company, Chicago, IL, Mark Duff, Consulting Arborist, San Antonio, Guy LeBlanc, Owner, Arbor Vitae Tree Care, Austin, Mónica Martínez Hurtado, Director, co-owner, Dendroma.com, Mexico City, Mexico, Mac Martin, Partnership Coordinator, Texas A&M Forest Service, College Station, Rachel McGregor, Urban Forestry Manager, Texas Tree Foundation, Dallas, Jaci Randel, Executive Director, Bexar Branches, San Antonio, Riley Rouse, Research Technician, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Phil Swart, Director of Business Development, Growth Solutions, Edmond, OK, Barry Ward, Executive Director, Trees for Houston, Penny Whisenant, Vegetation Supervisor, PEC, Johnson City, TX, Paul Johnson, Director of Urban and Community Forestry, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Austin, and more!

The 2023 conference theme is “Where Trees Come to Talk” and topics will include: 

  • Motivations, Barriers and Opportunities for Increasing Credentialed Tree Workers
  • How Becoming a Certified Arborist is Important
  • Climate Resilient Urban Landscapes for a 21st Century Texas
  • Identification and Management of Oak Wilt in Texas
  • La Identificacion y el Manejo del Marchitamiento del Encino en Texas”
  • Galveston’s Greatest Hits
  • The benefits of Vacant Land for Conservation and Ecosystem Services
  • Trees Are Wildlife Habitat
  • Sanidad Forestal en Texas: problemas emergentes
  • Urban Tree Care
  • El Cuidado de Arboles Urbanos
  • Quantifying the Effectiveness of Urban Wildland Interface Firewise Strategies
  • The Power of Pruning: Implementing a Successful Vegetation Management Program
  • The landscape rhizosphere: exploring the biodiversity and function of plant-associated soil microorganisms
  • Grant Opportunities through the Texas A&M Forest Service to Bolster Urban and Community Forestry
  • El Diagnóstico del Arbolado
  • Texas Trees Foundation
  • Identification and Treatment of Palm Nutrient Deficiencies
  • El Soporte de Los Árboles
  • Read the Label to Protect Yourself
  • Self Care: The Foundation of Safety
  • Winter and Summer Fruit Tree Pruning
  • Bexar Branches Alliance: Connecting to Our Urban Forest
  • The Connection Between Woody Plant Biodiversity and Pest Management Interventions in Residential Landscapes
  • Tired of Going in Circles? Tips for dealing with circling roots at planting
  • A UVM Manager’s Guide to Tree Growth Regulator Programs
  • Lone Worker Safety: Aggressive Homeowners – Training for a Mindset of De-escalation
  • Local Tree Trimming Ordinances and How they Effect Utility Vegetation Pruning
  • USDA Urban & Community Forestry Program: Growing the Next Generation of Conservation Stewards Through New Opportunities.

and more!

__________________________________________

(The Wednesday Tree Academy and the Friday Tree Schools are separate events from the Tree Conference and Trade Show)

Online registration for all events is now open

_________________________________________

2023 Texas Tree Academies

Waco Convention Center
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
(the day before and a separate event from the Texas Tree Conference)

Diversity in Texas Tree Communities Academy

10:00 to 4:00
(Registration opens 9:00 am)
(5 CEUs)

Presented by your expert team:

Dr. Andrew Loyd, Plant Pathologist, Bartlett Tree Experts
Dr. Chris Riley, Entomologist, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories
Dr. Mary Gardiner, Professor, Department of Entomology, Ohio State University
Ryan Gilpin, Consulting Arborist, Nidus Consulting

Can you see the forest for the trees? The “Urban” forest similar to the “Rural” forest is more than a collection of trees. This academy sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts explores the diversity surrounding trees in Texas communities. Dr. Andrew Loyd presents “The Landscape Rhizosphere: Exploring the Biodiversity and Function of Plant-Associated Soil Microorganism”. Dr. Chris Riley looks at “The Connection Between Woody Plant Biodiversity and Pest Management Interventions in Residential Landscapes”. Dr. Mary M. Gardiner explains “The Benefits of Vacant Land for Conservation and Ecosystem Services”. Conservationist and consulting arborist Ryan Gilpin explains ISA’s best practices in “Trees Are Wildlife Habitat”.

(The Tree Academy requires a separate registration from the Conference and includes lunch)

Online registration for all events is now open

_________________________________________

Pathogens, Beneficials and Processes Academy

10:00 to 4:00
(Registration opens 9:00 am)
(5 CEUs)

Presented by your expert team:

Dr. David Appel
Dr. Stephanie Adams
Laura Miller
Sheila McBride

Earn your TDA CEUs! Join Dr. David Appel, Dr. Stephanie Adams and diagnostician Sheila McBride for a look at common tree pathogens, beneficials and their interaction in the environment. They will be joined by Laura Miller Tarrant County Horticulturist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension presenting “Read the Label Protect Yourself”. This academy aimed at the licensed pesticide applicator will provide all 5 TDA CEUs required to maintain your license while looking at TREE related “Pathogens, Beneficials and Processes”. This inaugural TDA Academy aimed at the Plant Health Care Specialist hopefully will become an annual event at the Texas Tree Conference.

(The Tree Academy requires a separate registration from the Conference and includes lunch)

Online registration for all events is now open

_________________________________________

ISA Utility Specialist Certification Study Academy
presented by its two authors

10:00 to 3:00
(Registration opens 9:00 am)
(4.0 CEU’s)

Geoffrey Kempter, Technical Services Manager, Asplundh Tree Experts
and Randall Miller, Director of Research and Development, CNUC

This workshop provides an overview of Utility Arboriculture, The Utility Specialist Certification Study Guide (written by Kempter and Miller). Questions and discussion will be encouraged. You can purchase the Study Guide here (not included in the price of the Academy)

Topics include:

  • Safety
  • Program Management
  • Pruning,
  • Integrated Vegetation Management
  • Electrical Knowledge
  • Storm Preparation and Response
  • Communications.

Additional requirements apply for certification.  More information available at https://www.isa-arbor.com/Credentials/Types-of-Credentials/ISA-Certified-Arborist-Utility-Specialist

(The Tree Academy requires a separate registration from the Conference and includes lunch)

Click here to register online is now open

_________________________________________

Texas Tree Schools

Friday, Sept. 22, 2023
English and Spanish Tree Schools
(this is a separate event from the Tree Conference)
Waco Convention Center
9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Track 1 – An Introduction to Arboriculture – 5.5 CEUs

This course is intended for field workers and their supervisors and will teach how to perform top quality tree care in an efficient yet safe manner.

Lead instructor is Certified Arborist Guy LeBlanc of Arbor Vitae Tree Care of Austin, assisted by Paul Johnson of Sustainable Forestry Initiative.  With over 60 years of tree care industry experience between them, Guy and Paul have each been teaching tree care to arborists and the general public for over 20 years.

Track 2/Pista 2 – Jornadas para Trabajadores de Arboles – 5.5 CEUs

A Spanish language workshop covering topics including:

Outdoor Tree Climbing Demonstrations / Demonstaciones Afuera de la Trepa de Arboles.

Indoor Presentations / Presentaciones adentro en la sala.

(The Tree School requires a separate registration from the Conference – includes lunch)

Online registration for all events is now open

_________________________________________

Our 2023 Sponsors & Exhibitors So Far

Thank you for your support!

Diamond Sponsors:
CenterPoint Energy
Utility Tree Insurance Services
Texas A&M Forest Service

Platinum Sponsors:
Brabandt Equipment
Bartlett Tree Experts
Davey Resource Group

Gold Sponsors:
Arbo Space
Asplundh
Burkett Arbor Care
SavATree
Sennebogen
Trees LLC
United Clearing Services
Wright Tree Service

Silver Sponsors:
ABC Professional Tree Services
Arborjet
TelaTree
Townsend Tree Service
Vermeer Texas-Louisiana

Exhibitors:
Click here to see the Trade Show floor map

ACRT Services
All Access Equipment
Arbo Space
Arborjet
ArboRisk Insurance
ArborSystems, Inc.
Arbortech Chip Bodies
Asplundh Tree Experts
Athens Tree Farm
Bobcat of North Texas
Brabandt Equipment/Bandit
Brightview Tree Care
Chemical Containers
CH Products
CSI Acecap-Medicap
Davey Resource Group
DFD Loaders
Environmental Design
Growth Solutions
Helena Professional
JL Matthews Company
Kershaw / Progress Rail Services
Lone Star Trees
Mauget
Mavrik Solutions
Minick Materials of Texas
Miniloaders
Nelson Plant Food
Nelson Tree
Rainbow Ecoscience
Sennebogen
Spring Garden Nursery
STIHL – Blue Mountain Equipment
Texas A&M Forest Service
Texas A&M Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Texas Chapter International Society of Arboriculture
Texas Outdoor Power Equipment Dist.
Top Gunn Equipment Rentals
Top Notch Tree Farm
Tracked Lifts
Tree Clinic Pharmacy
Trees LLC
Tree Care Industry Association
TreeDiaper
TreePro/NIP
United Clearing Services
Vermeer Texas Louisiana

Want to be a sponsor or exhibit?
Click Here

Click here to see our 2022 Texas Tree Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors
Thanks for your support!

ISA CEUs

 


Click here to look at last year’s 2022 Texas Tree Conference information

Click here for the recordings previous Texas Tree Conferences!

Next Year: 2024 September 24-27