GRADES AND STANDARDS BONUS SESSION

1:00 – 5:00 PM 

In-depth Grades and Standards Workshop - At Outdoor Demonstration Site

This year, a special bonus session is being offered to industry professionals attending the 2008 Great Southern Tree Conference.  The workshop will take a closer look at Florida’s Grades and Standards.  Attendees will be provided with important details on portions of the Grades and Standards that are often overlooked or misinterpreted.  Practical applications will be offered that can be incorporated into every day business procedures.  Attendees will also participate in hands-on group tree grading and pruning exercises.  Come find out what’s next for Grades and Standards and how to grow root systems to meet the new standards. The workshop is limited to the first 80 attendees.

• Workshop Introduction – Tyson Emery, Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville, FL
• Ten Step Process: How to Use it in the Real World – Mike Marshall, Marshall Tree Farms, Morriston, FL
• Clarification and Updates – Ed Gilman, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
• Grading and Pruning Trees in the Landscape – Mike Marshall, Marshall Tree Farms, Morriston, FL and Michael Orfanades, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Group Tree Grading Exercise and Review – Dr. Ed Gilman, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

7:30 AM              

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 - 8:45 AM  

Welcome – Ben Bolusky, FNGLA, Orlando, FL and Dr. Terril Nell, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

8:45 - 9:30 AM  

The Sustainable Sites InitiativeTM 

Heather Venhaus, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, TX

The Sustainable Sites Initiative is an interdisciplinary partnership between the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the United States Botanic Garden and a diverse group of stakeholder organizations to develop guidelines and standards for landscape sustainability. The motivation behind this initiative stems from the desire to protect and enhance the ability of landscapes to provide services to communities.  Come hear the latest on the efforts taking place and how Florida’s nursery and landscape industry can embrace the Initiative.

9:30 - 10:15 AM

New Development Paradigm: The Babcock Experience

Rick Joyce, Kitson Babcock, LLC Port Charlotte, FL

An extraordinary sustainable community, Babcock Ranch represents an unprecedented collaborative effort between Kitson & Partners, the State of Florida, Charlotte and Lee Counties, major environmental groups, community leaders and concerned citizens to create one of the nation’s most environmentally innovative and responsible new hometowns. Come hear about the creative ways that Babcock Ranch is including landscapes and tree-related programs into the community.

10:15 – 10:30 AM             

Morning Round-up

This session is designed to provide time for attendees to have an open discussion about the morning subjects and ask questions to the speakers.

10:30 – 11:00 AM             

Partner Break

11:00 -11:30 AM               

Pest Management in Landscapes

Catharine Mannion, Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL

One of the most important issues of pest management is the introduction of new pests.  New pests affecting trees in the landscape will be highlighted with suggested management options.  Pests that are cryptic and difficult to diagnose or control such as some scales, ambrosia beetles and leaf-feeding insects will also be discussed.

11:30 AM - 12:00 Noon 

Current Disease Threats to Florida’s Trees

Jason Smith, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Successful management of tree diseases requires accurate diagnosis and identification of pathogens. This session will take a look at some of the current emerging threats from pathogens to the tree population in Florida, including laurel wilt – a devastating disease of red bay and avocado. Key diagnostic features, life cycles and potential management options will be discussed.

12:00 Noon - 12:45 PM

Latest On Tree Production, Installation, and Management - Updates From the UF Demonstration Site -   Dr. Ed Gilman, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Dr. Gilman will share the significant research results from the UF demonstration site and show how the results can impact your business.  This session will include production strategies, installation technology and maintenance techniques to increase plant performance.

12:45 - 1:30 PM

Lunch (At The Hotel)

1:30 - 2:00 PM   

Travel to Outdoor Demonstration Site

2:00 - 4:30 PM

Outdoor Demonstration Site Sessions

Attendees will rotate through the following six stations throughout the afternoon.  Each station will have 20-minute talks with a 5-minute rotation between stations.

1. Hands-on Demos and Walking Tour - Dr. Ed Gilman, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2. Irrigation and Production  - Dr. Richard Beeson, Mid Florida Research and Education Center, Apopka, FL 
3. Holly Cultivars for the Southeast  - Dr. John Ruter, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA
4. Tropical Tree Production & Grading - Ed Arazoza, Arazoza Brothers Corp., Princeton, FL; Michael Orfanedes, Broward County Extension Services, Davie, FL
5. Planting Depths and Root Cutting of Oaks Influences Stability - Tom Smiley, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory, Charlotte NC  and Chris Harchick, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
6. Improving Root Systems in The Nursery - Brian Kempf, Urban Tree Foundation, Visalia, CA

4:30 - 5:00 PM   

Travel Back to Hotel

6:00 - 7:00 PM   

Reception with Conference Partners

7:15 - 8:00 AM  

Continental Breakfast

8:00 - 8:30 AM  

Quality Trees – Where’s The Maintenance?

Dr. Ed Gilman, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Quality trees have great structure when planted to the landscape due to good management in the nursery but it’s not the end of the story. This session will show you how trees with great structure at planting go downhill without follow-up management and which pruning strategies result in sustainable, storm resistant structures.

8:30 - 9:15 AM  

Root Defects in the Landscape: Overblown or Real?

Tom Smiley, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory, Charlotte NC

Stressed, declining and dying trees can be a big problem for the landscape industry.  It’s time to get to the root of the problems.  Whether it’s insect infestation, disease, or root disorders, nursery professionals will hear ways to prevent the serious root defects from the beginning.

9:15 - 9:45 AM  

Introduction to The Urban Tree Foundation

Brian Kempf, Urban Tree Foundation, Visalia, CA

The Urban Tree Foundation (UTF) provides services and programs to benefit the urban forest throughout California.  Their focus is planting and maintaining street trees.  Come hear how the UTF promotes and preserves the urban forest through education, planting and tree care. 

9:45 - 10:15 AM

Partner Break

10:15 – 11:30 AM             

H2O: Quality, Efficiency, Regulations & Practices

Bruce Adams, EMC Engineers, Inc., West Palm Beach, FL; Tom Yeager, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Dennis Mahr, Ted Mahr Supply, Cape Coral, FL; and Bryan Nelson, District 38, Apopka, FL

Water is one of the essential elements in the success equation of our industry.  This session will address regulations, water quality and best management practices (BMP’S) that will ensure that water continues to be a readily available resource for our industry.

11:30 - 11:45 AM              

Morning Round-up

This session is designed to provide time for attendees to have an open discussion about the morning subjects and ask questions to the speakers.

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM      

Travel to the outside demonstration site

Attendees should plan to car pool to the demo site, a short drive from the conference center.

12:15 - 1:00 PM

Lunch   (Outdoor Demonstration Site)

1:00 - 3:30 PM

Outdoor Demonstration Site Sessions

Attendees will rotate through the following six stations throughout the afternoon.  Each station will have 20-minute talks with a 5-minute rotation between stations.

1. Root Defect Removal and Mulch Application At Planting: Impacts on Stability, Stress, and Roots - Dr. Ed Gilman, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2. BMP’s from Container to Field Production: What’s New and What’s Next  - Dr. Tom Yeager, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
3. Treating Root Defects on Established Trees – Dr. Tom Smiley, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory, Charlotte NC
4. Quality Maintenance: Growers Do It, Shouldn’t You? – Mike Marshall, Marshall Tree Farms, Morriston, FL
5. Challenges of Trees on the Job Site - Tree Moving on the Job Site - Bruce McClendon, Be-Mac Farms, Odessa, FL
6. TENT STATION/CEU Retrieval

3:30 PM               

Conclusion of the conference

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