13th Annual Great NC Tree Conference
Sep 15, 2022 - Sep 16, 2022
Sept. 15-16, 2022 ~ 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Registration is now closed. Join us at the conference in 2023!
Back to Basics
September 15-16, 2022
Greensboro, NC
Our 13th annual conference will focus presentation topics around the foundation of urban tree care and management. The last couple of years have been interesting and at times difficult to maneuver and as life begins to return to ‘normal’, many are finding that normal may have a different look and feel. The agenda will focus on foundational urban forest management topics, such as pruning, tree selection, field diagnostics, and tree vigor, but looking at them from how the current climate may change how you approach these practices.
Keynote Speaker

Schedule at a Glance
Thursday 15 September 2022
7:30 - 8:15 a.m. – NCUFC Members Breakfast
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. – Registration
8:30 - 10:00 a.m. – General Session
Welcome and opening remarks - Jeff Kish ~ NC Urban Forest Council, Chair
Keynote address – Structural Pruning Considerations by Tree Species Dr. Bruce Fraedrich ~ Bartlett Tree Experts / Research Lab, Vice Preseident of Research (retired)
10:00 - 10:30 a.m. – Break with exhibitors
10:30 - 11:15 a.m. – Concurrent Sessions
Trends in Tree Protection Ordinances Chad Meadows, AICP ~ Code Wright Planners, Principal and Founder
Developing Your Art of Field Diagnosis Matt Borden ~ Bartlett Tree Experts, Plant Pathologist
11:20 - 12:15 p.m. – Concurrent Sessions
Wake County Land Cover Analysis and Supporting Tree Canopy Assessment Joseph Joyner ~ Davey Resource Group, Urban Forestry Consultant; Bill Shroyner ~ Wake County Government, Senior GIS Analyst
Tree Defects: Root to Branch Elden LeBrun ~ Bartlett Tree Experts, Research Technician
12:15 - 1:15 p.m. – Great NC Tree Luncheon
1:30 - 2:15 p.m. – Concurrent Sessions
Urban Wildlife Considerations and the Green Growth Toolbox Kacy Cook ~ North Carolina Wildlife Reseources Commission, Land Conservation Biologist
The Wrong Tree for the Right Site: Finding the Best Trees for Urban and Suburban Landscapes Dr. Barbara Fair ~ North Carolina State University, Associate Professor and Landscape Extenstion Specialist
2:20 - 3:05 p.m. – Concurrent Sessions
Stormwater Management: Using Trees to Protect Water Quality Mitch Woodward ~ North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Area Specialized Agent for Water Quality
Common Landscape Diseases of Woody Ornamentals in North Carolina Patrick Anderson ~ Rainbow Ecoscience, Lead Arborologist
3:05 - 3:35 p.m. – Break with exhibitors
3:35 - 5:00 p.m. – General Session
Urban and Community Forestry in North Carolina Andy Pleninger ~ North Carolina Forest Service / Urban and Community Forestry, Program Head
Soil Management Basics for Urban Trees Dr. Bruce Fraedrich ~ Bartlett Tree Experts / Research Lab, Vice Preseident of Research (retired)
Friday 16 September 2022
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Field Day at Barber Park with demonstrations
Join us for a day in the field! Many of the topics discussed at the indoor education sessions will be demonstrated and discussed in a real world setting. Attendees will split into groups and rotate through the different stations. Each rotation will last for 45 to 50 minutes. A catered lunch (one hour in duration) also will be provided. This is your opportunity to observe experts demonstrate a variety of management practices and ask questions to aid your work in the field. Please dress for lots of outdoor walking.
Demonstration stations and leaders
Climbing Effectiveness in the Canopy Mike Skillen, Skillen Tree Care
Pruning of Established Trees Bruce Fraedrich, Bartlett Tree Experts (retired)
Pruning of Nursery Trees Mike Worthington & Tod Williams, Worthington Farms
Tree Defects Elden LeBrun & Mike Sherwood, Bartlett Research Labratory
Urban Forestry Equipment Randy Johnson, Vermeer Mid-Atlantic; Mark Harrison, Mid-Atlantic Stihl; Rickey Smith, Asplundh; Ivan Whitfield, Altec Industries, Inc.
Approved Education Credits for full 2 day participation
- 10 credits from NCBLA ~ Landscape Architect
- 6 credits from SAF ~ Registered Forester
Approved Education Credits dependent on which session(s) you attend:
- up to 11.25 credits from ISA ~ Certified Arborist
- up to 7 credits from NCLC ~ Landscape Contractor
- up to 1.5 credit from NC Pesticide ~ Categories LNDX (1) and GNDX (0.5)
Conference Hotel: Marriott Greensboro Downtown for $162 USD per night
Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors!
Downtown Marriott Greensboro
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Additional Options
- Member Breakfast • $0.00
- Vegetarian meals • $0.00