Check out these pictures from 2025 KYTCC!

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Pictures by Nick Bonner - Treestuff

The Kentucky Arborists' Association (KAA) is a "State Chapter" of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).  Our state-wide organization is a volunteer-driven, non-profit educational and professional society dedicated to promoting proper tree care throughout the commonwealth.  We represent arborists throughout the state of Kentucky and beyond through education, training and professional development. 

 Values

Kentucky Chapter, ISA values making an investment in the future of professional arboriculture through networking, education, research, consumer satisfaction, and safety, while working to maintain integrity and credibility of the profession.

 Mission

Promote awareness of responsible tree care practices through research, education, and training, for arboricultural and community benefits.

 Safety

Professional tree care practitioners have the required knowledge, training, and expertise to perform proper tree care safely.

Volunteerism in the Kentucky Chapter, ISA

Since the organization’s inception in 1974, volunteers have powered the Chapter's growth.  Active participation by members provides them with opportunities for personal and professional development.  Volunteers are crucial to the success of the Chapter.  The Chapter Board of Directors (“Board”) recruits, trains, and recognizes volunteers for their valuable contributions to the Chapter, profession and public.  KAA welcomes all volunteers to our Board Meeting!  See our Calendar of Events  for meeting dates and times.  

KAA Membership and ISA Membership

KAA Membership $55/Professional Membership, $325/Corporate Membership  for memberships contact info@ky-isa.org or Chick here to register through ISA

ISA Membership - $135/ Professional Membership, $70/ Senior and Associate Membership for memberships contact info@ky-isa.org or Click here to register through ISA 

STUDENTS:  Take an advantage of a free membership to KAA and ISA!

REMINDER, all check your KAA Membership renewal date and don't let your membership expire!

Check our Calendar for upcoming events, KAA Board Meetings and our organization committees

LOCAL Events/News/Webinar

• Jan 6 – Feb 6, 2026

  • Presenter: Vincent Cotrone (Penn State Extension)

  • Synopsis: A 10-part comprehensive series designed for tree professionals, covering tree biology, identification, soil, and pests.

  • Sign Up: https://wwv.isa-arbor.com/events/eventsCalendar/index?ID=14422

• Jan 9, 2026

  • Presenter: Justin Evertson (Nebraska Forest Service)

  • Synopsis: Part of the "Tree Planting and Care 101" series, this session focuses on winter tree identification and appreciation.

  • Sign Up: https://nfs.unl.edu/events-workshops/2026-nfs-tree-planting-and-care-101-webinar-series/

• Jan 13, 2026

  • Presenter: Illinois Extension & Ohio Chapter ISA

  • Synopsis: Ohio Chapter ISA hosts "Soil Amendments and Tree Physiology" via Tree Talk Tuesday, while Illinois Extension presents "People, Pollinators, and Trees" alongside "Evergreen ID."

  • Sign Up: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/community-tree-care-series-2026 

• Jan 20, 2026

  • Presenter: Georgia Arborist Association / Illinois Extension

  • Synopsis: A critical safety update on the ASC Z133 2026 standard regarding electrical hazards and rigging. Illinois Extension simultaneously offers "Forest Pest Updates" and "Fungal Mutualists."

  • Sign Up: https://www.georgiaarborist.org/events/safety-webinar-asc-z133-2026-updates 

• Jan 22, 2026

  • Presenter: Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)

  • Synopsis: A deep dive into the annual Loss Control Industry Report, focusing on safety trends and risk management for tree care businesses.

  • Sign Up: https://treecareindustryassociation.org/education/webinars/

• Feb 10, 2026

  • Presenter: Dr. Petr Hedenec (TREE Fund)

  • Synopsis: "Light-side of the termites" explores the distance effect of termite nests on tree growth and pathogen resilience.

  • Sign Up: https://treefund.org/webinars

• March 3, 2026

  • Presenter: Caleb Wilson (TREE Fund)

  • Synopsis: Discusses increasing biological control of soft-scale insects by excluding ants from trees.

  • Sign Up: TREE Fund Webinars

• April 21, 2026

  • Presenter: Dr. Cliff Sadof (TREE Fund)

  • Synopsis: Reviews the long-term tree health implications of strategies used to treat Emerald Ash Borer, specifically regarding injections and tree tissue.

  • Sign Up: TREE Fund Webinars

• April 29, 2026

  • Presenter: Dr. Ellen Crocker (University of Kentucky)

  • Synopsis: "Reading the Leaves" focuses on identifying common hardwood tree diseases by their foliar symptoms.

  • Sign Up: https://newenglandisa.org/events

• Jan 21, 2026

  • Presenter: City of Tampa & Bartlett Tree Experts

  • Synopsis: "Turning Data into Action" explores how the City of Tampa uses data to rebuild an equitable and resilient urban forest system.

  • Sign Up: https://ucfsociety.org/events/

• Jan 27, 2026

  • Presenter: Society of American Foresters (SAF)

  • Synopsis: "Fundamentals of Job Costing" for forestry contracts, identifying hidden direct costs to ensure profitable pricing for labor.

  • Sign Up: https://learn.eforester.org/Courses

• Feb 3, 2026

  • Presenter: Illinois Extension

  • Synopsis: A double-session webinar covering "Chainsaw Safety: Practices, Equipment, and Behaviors" and "Pruning Young Shade Trees."

  • Sign Up: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/community-tree-care-series-2026

• Feb 11, 2026

  • Presenter: Dr. Yanshu Li (University of Georgia)

  • Synopsis: "An Overview of Timber Taxes" provides critical tax planning information for tree owners, including disaster-related timber damage recovery.

  • Sign Up: https://forestrywebinars.net/

• Feb 11, 2026

  • Presenter: City of Cedar Rapids & Bartlett Tree Experts

  • Synopsis: "From Crisis to Canopy" shares lessons in urban forest recovery following the devastating 2020 derecho storm.

  • Sign Up: UCFS Events

• Jan 13–15, 2026

  • Presenter: ISA Texas

  • Synopsis: "Prescriptive Pruning 2026" introduces a new paradigm for improving communication between prescribers and production arborists based on ISA BMPs.

  • Sign Up: https://isatexas.com/2025/article/prescriptive-pruning-2026-registration/

  • Feb 17, 2026

  • Presenter: Illinois Extension

  • Synopsis: "After Planting and Tree Responses" covers post-planting care ("Rooted in Success") and tree responses to various cultural practices.

  • Sign Up: https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-02-17-after-planting-and-tree-responses

• Mar 11, 2026

  • Presenter: Ben Powell (Clemson Extension)

  • Synopsis: "The Yellow-Legged Hornet in North America" discusses the biology and management of this invasive threat to pollinator communities and forests.

  • Sign Up: Forestry Webinar Portal

ARTICLE:

Factors & Forces: Identification of Structural Defects in Trees for Implementing Safe Work Plans

https://tcimag.tcia.org/training/plant-health-care-strategies/factors-forces-identification-of-structural-defects-in-trees-for-implementing-safe-work-plans/#:~:text=Tree%20workers%20should%20understand%20that,Resources. 

Want to know the cost increases for tree work over the past few years?

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/realestate/cost-of-cutting-down-a-tree.html

Grapple saws

https://www.liftandaccess.com/blog/boom-trucks-with-grapple-saws-and-other-attachments-drive-efficiency-productivity-and-safety-for-tree-care-operations

TCIA Magazine and it's about a local tree care company here in Louisville. It focuses on grapple trucks and how they're changing the industry:

https://tcimag.tcia.org/safety/equipment-safety-mechanization/grapple-saws-revolutionize-debris-management-for-bob-ray-company/#:~:text=Improved%20safety,Cost%20effectiveness%20and%20profitability

Current issues with white pines in North America

https://extension.psu.edu/eastern-white-pine-threats-to-a-historically-important-species