Hazardous Tree Identification Course – Rutgers NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education

Hazardous Tree Identification students standing outside looking up at trees

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

Register Now

Pay with Credit Card:

REGISTER ONLINE

Pay with Check, PO, or Money Order:

REGISTER BY MAIL/EMAIL

Course Details

Course Name: Hazardous Tree Identification
Course Code: AL0803CB25
Date of Most Recent Offering: March 21, 2025

Date: March 21, 2025 UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (Check-in time on Day 1: 8:30 am) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Format: Classroom course with hands-on field instruction UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Fee: $270 per person UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Early Bird Discount Fee: $245 per person (expires March 14, 2025) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Closes: ~~March 19, 2025~~ This class is sold out! Join the waitlist. UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

This class is part of the Public Grounds Management Certificate Program.

Hazardous trees are tough to recognize and costly to ignore. They can be deadly if not managed before an avoidable accident occurs. In this one-day in-person course, Licensed Tree Experts Ted Szczawinski and Steve Chisholm will walk you through the step-by-step process of identifying a hazard, dealing with the hazard, properly documenting your findings, and then recording the work you performed. The class will include hands-on field instruction, and it will detail the three-point tree rating system used by many top professionals.

Course Preview Video

Aboriculture expert and Hazardous Tree Identification course instructor Steve Chisholm describes what is covered in this course.

Who Should Attend?

The Hazardous Tree Identification course is recommended for individuals who want to learn more about how to recognize trees that have the potential to cause property damage or personal injury. Past participants have included:

Certified Arborists
Certified Public Works Managers
Environmental Commission Members
Estimators
Forestry Directors
Homeowners

Landscape Architects and Designers
Licensed Tree Experts and Tree Care Operators (LTE/LTCO)
Park Maintenance Workers
Shade Tree Commission Members
Tree Climbers
Urban Foresters

Hazardous Tree Identification Photo Slideshow

Catch a glimpse into the classroom and field demonstration portions of the Hazardous Tree Identification course to see how the course is taught and what types of skills are covered.

Instructor Ted Szczawinski teaches students a tree rating system for identifying potential hazards.
Students enjoy Ted Szczawinski's fun, interactive teaching style.
Hazardous tree case studies are covered in the classroom portion of the course.
Past students have called Steve Chisholm a 'great teacher' and 'easy to learn from.'
Field demonstrations help provide real-life context to the Hazardous Tree ID course.
Students get firsthand experience learning how to identify potentially hazardous trees.
Hazardous trees can be tough to recognize, but our expert instructors will teach you helpful tips and tricks.
Students learn a step-by-step process for dealing with hazardous trees.
Past students have described Ted Szczawinski as 'always a pleasure, easy to listen to.'
Our expert instructors are always happy to answer student's questions!
Knowing how to spot a potential hazard is the first step in avoiding accidents.
When assessing a hazard tree, it's important to look at the whole plant and surrounding area.
This course covers many types of tree defects, including cavities, cracks, fungi, decay, insects, and more.
Steve Chisholm shows students what to look for when assessing a hazardous tree.
Examining the trunk can provide clues about potential problems with a tree.
Steve Chisholm demonstrates how to sound a tree.
The technique of sounding a tree can be used to determine the severity of a cavity.
Students listen to the difference between sound wood and a potentially problematic hollow.
Steve Chisholm demonstrates how to core a tree with a resistograph.
The resistograph is used to identify hollows and other signs of decay.
Students get a close look at the resistograph during Steve Chisholm's demonstration.
The root zone, trunk, and crown need to be examined when assessing a hazard tree.
The Hazardous Tree Identification class is usually offered twice per year.

Instructor Ted Szczawinski lecturing on tree rating system

Hazardous Tree Identification instructor Ted Szczawinski smiling while teaching class

Students in the Hazardous Tree Identification course review a case study

Hazardous Tree Identification instructor Steve Chisholm

Hazardous Tree ID instructor Steve Chisholm talks to students during the outdoor portion of the course

Hazardous Tree ID students watch instructor Steve Chisholm during the field demonstrations

Steve Chisholm demonstrates how to identify a hazard tree

Steve Chisholm and a Hazardous Tree Identification student look up to evaluate a tree's condition

Hazardous Tree ID instructor Ted Szczawinski

Instructor Ted Szczawinski talks with a student during the Hazardous Tree ID class

Hazardous Tree Identification instructor Ted Szczawinski points out potential issues to students

Hazardous Tree Identification students listen to Ted Szczawinski teaching

Steve Chisholm and Ted Szczawinski evaluate a tree's condition as students look on

Steve Chisholm shows students what to look for when assessing a hazardous tree

Hazardous Tree ID instructor Steve Chisholm demonstrates how to examine a tree trunk

Hazardous Tree ID instructor Steve Chisholm demonstrates how to sound a tree

Hazardous Tree Identification instructor Steve Chisholm demonstrates sounding a tree

Steve Chisholm demonstrates sounding a tree to identify problematic hollow areas

Steve Chisholm demonstrates how to use a resistograph to core a tree

Steve Chisholm uses a resistograph to identify hollows and decay

Students watch Steve Chisholm's demonstration of using a resistograph

Instructor Ted Szczawinski points to a tree as students look on

Hazardous Tree Identification instructor Steve Chisholm holds a handful of soil

Hazard Tree ID Video Tips

Watch these short videos featuring Hazardous Tree Identification instructor Steve Chisholm to get a feel for the tips and techniques you’ll learn by attending these course.

Hazardous Tree ID Video Tip: What is a Target?

Without a target, you don’t have a hazardous tree. Watch this video to find out what a target is.

Hazardous Tree ID Video Tip: Sounding a Tree

Steve Chisholm demonstrates how to sound a tree. Listen to the difference between sound wood and a potentially problematic hollow.

Hazardous Tree ID Video Tip: Coring a Tree

Watch Steve Chisholm demonstrate how to core a tree with a resistograph to identify hollows and other signs of decay.

Check out this article to learn more – Storm Devastation Unearths the Hazards of Neglected Trees!

Meet Your Instructors

Steve Chisholm, Aspen Tree Expert Co.

Steve Chisholm is the President of Aspen Tree Expert Co., Inc., a New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert, and ISA Certified Arborist. He is ready to share his top-rated wealth of knowledge and years of arboriculture experience with you in this course.

Ted Szczawinski, Licensed Tree Expert

New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert and professor of plant science and biology Ted Szczawinski will join the instructional team for this class, offering the practical science behind hazardous tree management in a manner that’s fun, interactive, and easy-to-understand!

Student Reviews

“The entire course was well paced and evenly distributed throughout the day. Ted and Steve are true professionals and have an extraordinary level of knowledge in arboriculture.”

– Past Participant

“The overall course was excellent. I found the case studies to be extremely useful.”

– Past Participant

“[After taking this class, I have a] better understanding of resistograph and industry standards. [It] added to my level of confidence [that] I am on the right track with my work.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Hazardous Tree Identification (5.5 contact hours) was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Hazardous Tree Identification course (5.5 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

New Jersey

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 6 Technical Contact Hours

NJ Licensed Tree Experts (LTE/LTCO): 5.25 CEUs

NJ Urban and Community Forestry (NJUCF): 5 CEUs

Meals

No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only.

NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least one (1) week in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.

Course Requirements and Policies

COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Please visit our policies page for the latest information.

Pre-registration/Walk-Ins

Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

Location Changes

Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

Campus Parking Policy

All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.

A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.

Email Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
- Your full name
- The shared email address that needs to be changed
- Your unique email address
- A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

Cancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Attention U.S. Veterans

This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Hazardous Tree Identification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Couple strolling on paved path through well maintained park with trees and flowers

Register Now

Pay with Credit Card:

Pay with Check, PO, or Money Order:

Course Details

Course Overview

Course Preview Video

Who Should Attend?

Hazardous Tree Identification Photo Slideshow

Hazard Tree ID Video Tips

Hazardous Tree ID Video Tip: What is a Target?

Hazardous Tree ID Video Tip: Sounding a Tree

Hazardous Tree ID Video Tip: Coring a Tree

Meet Your Instructors

Student Reviews

– Past Participant

– Past Participant

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

New Jersey

Meals

Course Requirements and Policies

COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Pre-registration/Walk-Ins

Location Changes

Campus Parking Policy

Email Requirement

Cancellations and Substitutions

Attention U.S. Veterans

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Public Grounds Management Certificate Program

Diseases and Pests of Trees

Tree Pruning

Main Content

Register Now

Pay with Credit Card:

Pay with Check, PO, or Money Order:

Course Details

Course Overview

Course Preview Video

Who Should Attend?

Hazardous Tree Identification Photo Slideshow

Hazard Tree ID Video Tips

Hazardous Tree ID Video Tip: What is a Target?

Hazardous Tree ID Video Tip: Sounding a Tree

Hazardous Tree ID Video Tip: Coring a Tree

Meet Your Instructors

Student Reviews

– Past Participant

– Past Participant

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

New Jersey

Meals

Course Requirements and Policies

COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Pre-registration/Walk-Ins

Location Changes

Campus Parking Policy

Email Requirement

Cancellations and Substitutions

Attention U.S. Veterans

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Explore Related Programs

Public Grounds Management Certificate Program

Diseases and Pests of Trees

Tree Pruning