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NEW COURSE!
This brand new course has just been added to our Landscape program area. Sign up today and be one of the first to take it!
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Course Details
Course Name: Municipal Tree Inventory Course
Course Code: AL0818CA25
Date: May 22 & 23, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (Check-in time on Day 1: 8:30 am)
Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map)
Format: Classroom course with hands-on field instruction
Registration Fee: $425 per person
Early Bird Discount Fee: $395 per person (expires May 15, 2025)
Registration Closes: May 20, 2025
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
Get a grip on your shade trees! A proper inventory is essential in order to make smart decisions regarding shade tree management – and it can also allow access to government grants. In this two-day class, instructors Ted Szczawinski and Ray Slaman will teach you the hands-on skills you need in field data collection, GPS/GIS applications, and data analysis.
PLEASE NOTE: For this class to be effective, participants will need either an IOS (phone or tablet) or Android (phone or tablet) device and either an Apple Store or Google Play account to download applications for use in the field activities.
Field Activities to include:
- Location: GPS coordinates and street address.
- Species: Common and scientific names.
- Size: Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), height, and canopy spread.
- Health: Overall condition, presence of diseases or pests, and signs of decay.
- Condition: Assess tree health, vigor, and identifying potential hazards.
- Other Information: Historic or aesthetic value, planting date, and recommended maintenance.
Management tools and analysis activities to include:
- Data Collection: how to use mobile apps.
- GIS Integration: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to map and visualize tree data.
- Data Analysis: Analyze the collected data in real-time to identify trends, assess the health and composition of the urban forest, and inform budgeting and management decisions.
- Reporting: Generate reports and maps to communicate findings to stakeholders and build support within the community.
Planning and Management:
- A tree inventory provides data which is the basis for municipalities to efficiently plan for and manage their urban forests, including prioritizing tree care, maintenance, and planting efforts.
- Resource Allocation: It provides real-time data that allows the allocation of resources to be effectively budgeted, specifically creating accurate budgets to determine infrastructure needs such as which trees need pruning, removal/stump grinding, or replanting.
- Liability and Risk Assessment: Inventories can help identify and quantify trees posing potential risks and demonstrate diligent management to reduce liability and claims.
- Environmental/Ecosystem Services: Tree inventories can help quantify the value of the urban forest’s asset monetization and ecosystem services, such as air pollution reduction, identifying overburdened communities, stormwater management, and energy savings.
- Grant Applications: A well-maintained inventory improves the probability of receiving grants allowing budgeting to include funding and assistance for urban forestry projects.
Who Should Attend?
This class is well-suited for anyone involved in shade tree management including:
- Arborists
- Consultants
- Department of Public Works Employees
- Estimators
- Licensed Tree Experts and Tree Care Operators (LTE/LTCO)
- Parks Workers
- Shade Tree Commission Chairmen
- Township Tree Inspectors
- Tree Service Owners
Meet Your Instructors
Ray Slaman
Bio coming soon!
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!
Continuing Education Credits
The Municipal Tree Inventory Course (11 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.
New Jersey
NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): Pending
NJ Licensed Tree Experts (LTE/LTCO): Pending
NJ Urban and Community Forestry (NJUCF): Pending
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.
