From students and education let us move into one of the best ways to continue your education, conferences.

The ISA conference is just around the corner, but it is not the only option. Join us this week as we explore the world of conferences in arboriculture and forestry.

Species Spotlight

Black willow, Salix nigra, is a widespread Texas native. Listen this week to learn more about how to identify this species and ways it can be utilized which include as an indigenous pain reliever.

Students are Key

Last week we talked about the future and this week we’re talking about the future professionals that will care for our trees and forests. Join us this week as we talk about how “Students Are Key” and how we can invest in the future now.

Species Spotlight

Carolina Buckthorn, Frangula caroliniana

Listen this week to learn more about this small tree that provides food for birds and interesting fall color for us.

The Future Is Key

We’ve talked a lot about the concept of time in previous podcast. Arboriculture is the art of applying the science of trees over time and learning is all about taking the lessons from the past and applying them to the now, but what about the future?

Our actions now will have an impact of the future and the future will have an impact on us.

Join us this week as we talk about why and how “the future is key” and how to prepare for it.

Species Spotlight

Black hickory, Carya Texana, has the western most native range in Texas, other than pecan. Listen to this week’s #TreesAreKey podcast to learn more about this Texas native.

Slenderness Ratio is Key

Pruning is very much an art and science. We seem to get a little bit more research each year, yet we have a hard time affecting change to reduce the incidence of topping and the insidious lion’s tailing.

“Cleaning” out the interior leaves and branches was somewhat standard 20 years ago, but we now have research that shows this is a bad practice. There are a couple of reasons you shouldn’t lion’s tail your trees. Listen to “Slenderness Ratio is Key” to find out.

Species Spotlight

Gum Bully, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, is a great Texas native tree that can be mistaken for live oak. Listen to this week’s #TreesAreKey podcast to learn more about this cool tree.

Research Is Key

I like to define arboriculture as the art of applying the science of tree care over time. Ask two arborist how to do something and you are likely to get at least two answers. This is the art of arboriculture. It’s not as easy as fold along the dotted line, place tab B in slot A and wait for a known result.

People have been managing trees as long as there have been people, but we rarely know what the result will be.

Luckily for us, we know more about the science of tree care than we did 50, 20 or even 10 years ago.

Research is how we expand our knowledge. Join us for “Research Is Key” and get a bonus 'peek' at the ISA Arborist News podcast.

Keys to Ball Moss

From kudzu to grape vine, there are many plants that can cause problems by growing on and over our trees. We are regularly asked if ball moss, a relative of Spanish moss, is hurting the trees. Join us this week as we discuss the keys to ball moss.

Species spotlight

White fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus, is a deciduous Texas native. While this is a beautiful flowering tree, it can harbor a tree harming insect, the emerald ash borer. Tune in to learn more about this tree and why it might not be the best choice for your backyard.

It’s getting to be that time of year – when we all turn on our air conditioner. I always hate to turn it on because our electric meter starts running faster. A few key trees allow us to delay turning on the unit and helps us keep the use to a minimum. Listen this week to learn how #TAK to energy savings.

Species Spotlight

With many unique forms and leaf colors, Japanese maple is a beautiful, but temperamental landscape specimen in Texas. Listen to this episode of #TAK to learn more.

Is Age Key?

One of the toughest questions we’re asked is, “how old do you think this tree is?” I don’t think many of the questioners want to cut down their tree to counts its rings, nor do they want to pay for carbon dating.

Join us this week as we talk about how to determine a trees’ age and try to determine if age is key.

Species Spotlight

This week’s tree, Chinkapin Oak(Quercus muehlenbergii), is a great planting choice for alkaline soils. Not only does it have a uniquely shaped leaf, but the acorn is edible when roasted. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more about this cool tree.

Keys to Houston’s Forest

Trees are key to healthier, happier, safer communities and tree inventories and assessments are key to better management. We’ve talked about the urban forest inventory and assessment program in episode 64 and now we have a new city in My City’s Trees. Listen this week to learn more about Houston’s urban forest.

Species Spotlight

River Birch Betula nigra

This week’s species spotlight is a beautiful tree that provides visual interest year-round. Listen to learn more about this Texas native.

Keys to Municipal Forestry

We have spent the last two years talking about arboriculture, forestry and urban forestry, but this week let’s talk a bit more about municipal forestry.

How can our communities care for and manage our urban forest? What can and should your community be doing to help keep us safe and healthy? We answer these questions on this episode of #TreesAreKey

Species Spotlight

Black Walnut, Juglans nigra, can be a tough nut to crack. This slow growing Texas native has edible fruit, beautiful wood, a natural herbicide, and it is a slow grower. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more.