Schedule

8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Exhibitor Move In

10:00 a.m.
Registration Opens

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
ArborSkills Quick Takes – offered all day

Bear LeVangie & Melissa LeVangie Ingersoll
Women's Tree Climbing Workshop ®

Exhibitor Displays & Demos Lawn Games
Cornhole, Volleyball, 9-hole Disc Golf

10:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. - Cedar Hall
Practical IPM for New England Landscapes (MDAR, ISA pending)
Phil Perron, MCA • Barrett Tree Service East

11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Cedar Hall
Sustainable Groundcover Choices
Joann Vieira • Trustees of Reservations

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
BBQ Buffet Served

1:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. - Cedar Hall
Invasive Tree & Landscape Pests of Concern (MDAR, ISA pending)
Jennifer Forman-Orth • Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources

3:00 p.m.
Event Concludes & Exhibitors Move Out

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Practical IPM for New England Landscapes (ISA/MDAR pending)

Phil Perron, MCA
Director of Plant Health Care
Barrett Tree Service East

If you care for trees or manage landscapes in New England, this session is for you. We’ll break down Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in a way that makes sense—what it is, why it matters, and how it can make your work more effective and sustainable. We’ll look at the tools and equipment that help you keep pests under control, from basic monitoring gear to treatment options that work. You’ll also get tips on building a strong IPM team—whether you’re hiring new staff or helping current team members grow into new roles.

Find out which techniques and products consistently get results, and which ones aren’t worth your time. We'll also show you how IPM fits into a strong Plant Health Care (PHC) program, helping you provide even more value to your clients.

You'll leave with real-world strategies you can start using right away, plus updates on industry trends, new products, and label changes you should know about. Whether you're starting fresh or looking to improve your current approach, this session will give you practical tools to succeed.

About our presenter: Phil Perron, MCA has been involved in the green industry for the past 25 years. After receiving a degree in forestry resource management from the University of Vermont in 2000, he began his career at Hartney Greymont in Needham, MA. In 2002 he became an MCA. In 2014 he joined Barrett Tree East where he is currently the Director of Plant Health Care.

EDUCATION SESSION 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

Sustainable Groundcover Choices

Joanne Vieira
Director of Public Gardens & Horticulture
The Trustees of Reservations

A comprehensive review of resilient groundcovers suited to a variety of challenging landscape conditions across Massachusetts. This session will guide you in selecting the right groundcovers for sun, shade, and diverse soil types. Learn about low-maintenance, climate-resilient plants that thrive in local conditions, support biodiversity, and reduce the need for water, fertilizers, or pesticides. Native species and sustainable choices that enhance ecological health while adding beauty and texture will be highlighted. Site-specific plant recommendations, strategies for dealing with dry or moisture-retentive soils, and tips for establishing and maintaining groundcovers with minimal input. Whether you're working with shaded woodland areas, sunny slopes, or coastal settings, you’ll leave with an extensive palette of options to create attractive, functional, and environmentally sensitive groundcover plantings.

About our presenter: The workshop will be led by Joann Vieira, Director of Public Gardens and Horticulture for The Trustees.  Joann is a respected landscape professional with over 35 years of hands-on experience in selecting and cultivating plants suited to New England gardens. Joann  will share invaluable insights and expert recommendations for creating resilient, low-maintenance landscapes that stand the test of time.

EDUCATION SESSION 1:30 - 2:20 PM