In both woodland and urban settings, dealing with tree health questions is difficult and a regular challenge for Extension agents.  Diagnosing tree problems is essential to improving tree health but doing so requires understanding the biology of trees, the various biotic and abiotic issues that can cause them harm, site issues, and history. In the fall of 2019, several specialists and associates (Crocker, Gauthier, Larson, Fountain, and Leonberger) worked together to offer a one-day tree health in-service training.   This training was well-received but also highlighted the demand for more in-depth tree health-related offerings, especially among newer ANR and HORT agents, many of whom don’t have formal training in tree health.

To meet these needs, we (Ellen Crocker, Nicole Gauthier, Jonathan Larson, Bill Fountain, Kim Leonberger, Josh Kight, Megan Buland, and Renee Williams) developed a 10-part program exploring a wide range of issues related to tree health. Our goal was to provide new and experienced agents with advanced training to better enable them to support healthy trees (and happy tree-owners).  This program addressed issues related to trees in a variety of contexts, from residential settings to woodlands to the urban-rural interface. It was offered in the fall of 2020 for KERS credit.  In addition, agents and assistants who attended at least 9 of 10 sessions and who created a tree health diagnosis video were awarded a certificate in forest health that counted towards their career ladder.  

Our team met regularly to develop the content and structure of the program.  Topics were selected based on surveying agents about key areas of need and through discussions with agents and specialists concerning the most common issues.  These included:

Each session featured a different specialist presenting and resulted in a range of educational materials including slides and a video.  Time was also allocated during each session to facilitate discussion between the specialists, agents, and assistants joining about common issues or particularly challenging questions received each week. In addition, we created a paired website with a public component containing important information about tree health compiled from several different departments and specialists (https://tree-health.ca.uky.edu/), as well as a hidden agent’s portal with recordings of videos from each session and related resources. Initially we planned to offer regional field practicums as a part of the assessment of progress made through the program.  However, with COVID-related challenges to in-person meetings, we instead shifted to virtual tours (with video visits to different locations to look at tree issues together) and all those involved developed their own tree diagnostic videos to share with the group.

Over 50 agents and assistants attended trainings in this series, including 27 who completed the certificate program. Responses to this training were very positive and the program improved both perceived knowledge of tree-related information and confidence in related activities. In addition, 64% of those who attended said they were likely to develop a new tree health-related programs and 100% said they planned to use new technology to assist in tree health questions or programs in the future.