Understanding Fungi Series

Full Day workshops

Foundational Fungi | 1 Day
The essential course for climbing and sales arborists, this course is meant to provide arborists with the skills necessary to:
  •  ID decay fungi
  •  Explain CODIT to clients
  •  Find a branch collar
  • Understand what makes up fungus

Managing Fungal Populations  |  1 Day
The course is for managers, consulting arborists, and plant health care specialists. Although ID is important, the more important skill of managing populations of fungi in landscape plants and urban forests. 
  • The five ways fungi live in trees
  • Disease Vector Management
  • Invasive species and legislation
  • Protecting trees against harmful fungi
  • Decay and tree risk
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Proper Planting Practices |  1 Day
This course is meant for professionals who commonly plant, monitor and manage young trees. 
  • Proper installation of a tree
  • Root pruning of girdling roots
  • Assessing trees for fungal diseases
  • Unique specimens in Ontario
  • Analyzing tree health before purchasing
  • Follow up assessments
  • Preparing tender documents

​Fungal Anatomy and Interactions |  2 Day
This advanced course is meant for professionals interested in managing fungus and cultivating strong plant-fungal relationships for their clients and landscapes.
  • Cultivating beneficial fungal relationships
  • Creating specimens for display
  • Assessing root health in trees
  • ID of significant pathogenic fungi
  • ID of common decay fungi
  • Recognizing fruiting bodies
  • Chemical management

Lectures 

Fungi: Friend and Foe |  1 hour
An introduction to fungus for practicing arborists, from identifying fruiting bodies, to understanding what mycorhizzae actually does​. 

Fungi in the urban environment  |  1 hour
From selecting quality nursery stock, to managing construction related damage, fungi consistently play a critical role in maintaining the health of urban trees. 
  • Genetic diversity in nurseries
  • Entry points of root decay
  • Explaining construction damage to clientele

Getting to the root of the issue |  1 hour
Roots and base of a tree are significant factors in long term stability. This lecture is meant to introduce landscapers, and arborists alike to the risks associated with poor mulching practice and improper installation of nursery stock.
  • Different staking methods
  • Ideal installation practices
  • Providing the highest quality mulch

Introduction to Arboriculture Series

Lectures meant for students and the general public

 Arbori-what? |  1 hour
Learn the history and skillsets that have made arboriculture and urban forestry a well respected international industry, despite being little known.

Arboriculture Abroad  |  1 hour
Focusing on the possibilities of having a practical skill set, this lecture discusses just how valuable (and how far) knowing how to properly run a chainsaw, climb a tree, and explain simple biology can be to getting paid to travel the world.
Fungi: Friend and Foe|  1 hour
An introduction to the biology of the fungi kingdom!. Fungal life cycle, reproduction, edibility, and their relationship to humans as well as plants, are covered in depth with many colourful photos and a slice of humour. Actual specimens are shown that reflect a variety of interesting fungi.