The Georgia Arborist Association (GAA) is proud to announce that it has been awarded funding to launch a statewide initiative aimed at improving community safety and resilience by assisting eligible homeowners with tree removal and replanting.

This program will provide critical assistance to homeowners—particularly low-income residents and seniors—who face risk from dead, dying, or structurally compromised trees but lack the financial means to remove them. In addition to reducing the likelihood of storm-related damage, the program includes the planting of new, site-appropriate trees to help restore and strengthen Georgia’s urban canopy.

Through this program, GAA will manage community outreach, administer the application process, coordinate with certified arborists and contractors, and oversee the replanting of replacement trees. The initiative will focus on areas identified through the Georgia Grant Match Waiver Mapping Tool as communities in need of additional support.

We will be hosting a Contractor Information Session & Q&A on January 8th at 9:00 a.m. (Please register here for the Zoom session). This meeting is designed to clarify the application workflow, outline expectations, and address any early questions so that we can process applications efficiently. Arborists and tree care companies are essential partners in this work, and we want to make sure you are fully supported as the program launches.

View the program webpage here: https://www.georgiaarborist.org/trap
(Note: The homeowner application itself is not yet active.)

    

Curso de preparacion para el examen de arborista certificado por la ISA®

ISA Certified Arborist®  Exam Review Course

Ubicación: 

Alpharetta City Hall Community Room

2 Park Plaza
Alpharetta, GA 30009

15 y 16 de enero, 2026

8am-5pm

Fecha límite de inscripción: 10 de enero, 2026

Costo:

$100 - Miembros de la GAA

$175 - No miembros (incluye 1 año de membresía a GAA)

$175 - Patrocinio de una reservacion 

***Oportunidades de becas disponibles: consulte la sección Notas importantes para conocer el proceso y la elegibilidad***

Presentado por:  

Miguel Sarabia, CA

About our speakers: 

Durante dos sesiones de día completo, el instructor y arborista certificado Miguel Sarabia ayudará a los asistentes a prepararse para el examen con charlas que cubrirán la biología de los árboles, la identificación de los árboles, la ciencia del suelo, el manejo del agua, la nutrición y fertilización de los árboles, la selección, instalación y establecimiento de árboles, la poda, el soporte de los árboles y la protección contra rayos, el diagnóstico y los trastornos de las plantas, el cuidado de la salud de las plantas, la evaluación de los árboles y la gestión de riesgos, los árboles y la construcción, la silvicultura urbana, la seguridad de los trabajadores de los árboles y la escalada y el trabajo en los árboles. Los asistentes también aprenderán sobre la elegibilidad para el examen y sobre cómo rendirlo.

 NOTAS IMPORTANTES::

Los asistentes deben combinar esta clase con el estudio de la Guía de estudio para arboristas certificados por la ISA (no incluida en la inscripción al curso). Los primeros 5 registrantes recibiran una copia de la guia gratis. 

Los asistentes son responsables de completar su propia solicitud para el examen a través de la ISA. Este es un proceso de 2 pasos que comienza con una solicitud y, una vez aprobada por la ISA, puede registrarse para la fecha y el lugar del examen que elija. Las tarifas del examen las maneja la ISA y no están incluidas en la inscripción para este curso. Puede encontrar una copia de la Guía de solicitud para arboristas certificados de la ISA AQUI. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre el proceso, ¡la GAA puede ayudarte!

Solicitantes

Hay becas disponibles para trabajadores de cuidado de árboles con un mínimo de 3 años de experiencia en la industria y que vivan o trabajen dentro del área del mapa CJEST 

Los solicitantes deben estar empleados dentro del estado de Georgia. La beca cubre el costo del curso y el libro de estudio, pero no incluye la membresía gratuita. Puede solicitar una beca aquí. Si solicita una beca, asegúrese de registrarse para mantener su lugar; en lugar de pagar, simplemente elija "facturarme". La fecha límite para solicitar la beca es el 15 de Mayo de 2025.

10 CEUS DISPONIBLES

***Para aquellos que quieran inscribirse en el curso como actualización y ya sean arboristas certificados, pueden recibir 10 CEU.******

 INFORMACIÓN DEL HOTEL 

 

¿Tiene preguntas? Comuníquese con un administrador de GAA al 470-768-8530 o al correo electrónico maria@georgiaarborist.org

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ISA Certified Arborist®  Exam Review Course

Location:

Alpharetta City Hall Community Room

2 Park Plaza
Alpharetta, GA 30009

January 15 & 16, 2026

8am-5pm

Register by: January 10, 2026

Cost:

$100 - GAA Members

$175 - Non-Members (includes 1 year of GAA membership)

$175 - Ticket Sponsorship

***Scholarship Opportunities Available - See Important Notes section for process and eligibility***

Presented by:

Miguel Sarabia, CA

About our speakers:

During two full-day sessions, instructor and certified arborist Miguel Sarabia will help attendees prepare for the exam with talks covering tree biology, tree identification, soil science, water management, tree nutrition and fertilization, tree selection, installation and establishment, pruning, tree support and lightning protection, plant diagnosis and disorders, plant health care, tree assessment and risk management, trees and construction, urban forestry, tree worker safety, and climbing and working in trees. Attendees will also learn about exam eligibility and how to take the exam.

IMPORTANT NOTES::

Attendees must combine this class with studying the ISA Certified Arborist Study Guide (not included in course registration). The first 5 registrants will receive a free copy of the guide.

Attendees are responsible for completing their own exam application through ISA. This is a 2-step process that begins with an application and once approved by ISA, you can register for the exam date and location of your choice. Exam fees are handled by ISA and are not included in registration for this course. A copy of the ISA Certified Arborist Application Guide can be found HERE. If you have any questions about the process, GAA can help!

Applicants

Scholarships are available for tree care workers with a minimum of 3 years of industry experience and who live or work within the CJEST map area.

Applicants must be employed within the state of Georgia. The scholarship covers the cost of the course and the study book, but does not include the free membership. You can apply for a scholarship here. If you apply for a scholarship, be sure to register to hold your spot - instead of paying, simply choose "bill me." The deadline to apply for the scholarship is May 16, 2025.

10 CEUS AVAILABLE

***For those who want to enroll in the course as a refresher and are already certified arborists, they can receive 10 CEUs.******

HOTEL INFORMATION

Monthly Virtual Training:

ASC Z133-2026 Updates

January 20th 6:15-7:30 pm. with Tim Walsh 

1 ISA CEU 

Topic Covered:

ASC Z133-2026 Updates

The ASC Z133 standard serves as the cornerstone of arboricultural safety in North America. The upcoming 2026 revision introduces some of the most significant structural and technical changes in the standard’s 50-year history. This presentation provides a focused overview of the Z133–2026 updates, with particular attention to high-impact changes affecting electrical hazard classification, drop zone management, aerial operations, rigging practices, chainsaw use, and emergency response requirements.

The session will explore the new four-level electrical arborist qualification system, updated Minimum Approach Distances (MADs), and revised language that shifts many practices from “should” to “shall.” Attendees will gain insight into OSHA alignment, consensus standard development, and practical field implications of the updated standard. Special emphasis will be placed on how these changes reflect a modern, learning-based safety philosophy—one that balances compliance with operational realities.

Whether you are a utility arborist, municipal forester, safety manager, or crew leader, this session will help prepare you to adapt field practices, training programs, and safety plans in alignment with the new standard.

Meet the Speaker- 

Tim Walsh

Tim Walsh is the Vice President of Safety and Training at The Townsend Company, LLC, where he leads efforts to advance a modern, learning-focused safety culture across a nationwide workforce. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Safety at the University of Massachusetts, building on master’s degrees in Ergonomics (UMass Lowell) and Urban Forestry (University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point), where he also earned his bachelor’s degree.

With over 35 years of experience as a climbing arborist, business owner, and industry leader, Tim holds multiple professional credentials, including Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP), Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP), ISA Certified Arborist, and Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist.

Tim has been a voting member of the ASC Z133 committee and recently chaired two task groups for the upcoming 2026 revision. He has contributed to national safety initiatives through his past involvement with the NORA Safety Workgroup, helping drive research and innovation in high-risk industries.

A committed industry volunteer, Tim serves on the Board of Directors for the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and is a Past President of the Utility Arborist Association (UAA), where he previously chaired both the Safety and Professional Development Committees. In recognition of his impact, he was honored with the UAA’s Will Nutter Silver Shield Award in 2022.

He also contributes to industry knowledge as a member of the TCI Magazine Editorial Advisory Committee, where he helps shape thought leadership for the arboricultural profession.

Time: 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

Agenda:

6:15 pm-6:30 pm: Introduction & settle in, Q&A rules, & CEU sign in instructions

6:30 pm-7:30 pm: Training Session

Cost: FREE to all GAA Members and Business Supporters.  $20 for non-members

ISA CEUS: 1

Questions?

Please email us at info@georgiaarborist.org

***This training is recorded and will be sent by email to all registrants within a week of the event***

Questions?

Please email us at info@georgiaarborist.org

***This training is recorded and will be sent by email to all registrants within a week of the event***

WILDFIRE RISK REDUCTION QUALIFICATION

January 21-22, 2026

9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Alpharetta City Hall

2 Park Plaza
Alpharetta GA, 30009

11.5 CEUs applied for

The threat wildfire poses to residents increases everyday as more communities are built in natural areas. Recent fire seasons have seen increasing property loss and death associated with wildfire. We know that it is not a question of if a fire will start, but when.

The Wildfire Risk Reduction Qualification (WRRQ), developed by Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Chapter ISA, expands the reach of the state forestry agency’s wildfire prevention messaging while equipping certified arborists with another tool in their tool box to meet client needs.

As professionals who have daily interaction with the public, arborists can help reduce wildfire risk and protect lives, homes and landscapes. When homes and their surrounding property are protected, ecosystem benefits are protected as well.

The Partnership:

The GAA will provide education and credentialing to their membership. The Georgia Forestry Commission and trained instructors from the GAA will provide expertise in fire behavior, wildfire prevention, home ignition zone, fire-resistance species, and arboriculture. Instructors for the WRRQ courses offered by the GAA are composed of a cadre of experts.

The Qualification:

As an ISA Certified Arborist, have you considered how your skills and experience can improve the safety and quality of tree care to protect people and ecosystems from wildfire? Becoming Wildfire Risk Assessment Qualified will increase your knowledge on how to evaluate and mitigate property from the threat of wildfire, allowing you to provide that service to clients and constituents.

The Course:

Explore how wildfire moves through a landscape and learn to identify mitigation options that can be recommended or performed on client properties to reduce the risk of loss from wildfire. This course will incorporate classroom sessions and conduct field exercise on homes near the training center with 11.5 CEUs applied to your ISA Certified Arborist credential. A written exam and field test must be successfully passed to gain the qualification. Total course time is 16 hours.

Registration Cost: 

$250 GAA Members
$300 Non-members

Coffee, Snacks, Lunch and all necessary course materials will be provided. A certificate and patch will be presented upon completion of course and successful passing of the exam, given on the final day of the course. 

Hotel Block:

TBA

Winter Management Workshop and Award Ceremony

Nominations for awards now open!

Please nominate your peers, colleagues and friends for awards here.

Please join us for an afternoon of of education and an evening of networking & celebration with friends! Together we will welcome in the New Year as we celebrate our accomplishments & recognize those who have given their extra time & energy to help the GAA and the industry professionals we serve. 

Flinchum's Phoenix 

650 Phoenix Rd, Athens, GA 30605

January 24th 2026

1 pm - 9:30 pm

3.5 CEUS

 Agenda 

1:00 pm - Check In and Get Settled 
1:30 PM - How to Start a Successful Tree Care Company From Two Perspectives 
2:45 PM Break
3:00 PM - The Art of Tree Care Marketing with Edward Morrow
4:15 PM - Success Sales Strategies Roundtable of Industry Experts
5:30 PM - Break and Get Ready for Dinner

6:00 PM - Open Reception and Networking
7:00 PM  - Dinner and Awards Ceremony 

About the Speakers -- more information to follow: 

Edward Morrow, an ISA Certified Arborist/author, created Tree S.T.A.R.S. to inspire the next generation of green industry professionals. He develops engaging tree programs to help audiences/neighborhoods ease their tree care fears. Professional collaborations include: The TCIA, ISA, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, and Georgia Master Gardeners Association.

Matt Carpenter started his career in arboriculture in 2010 while attending Brigham Young University in Provo, UT. He worked for two years on the BYU campus tree crew under the direction of the campus arborist. There he earned a B.S. in Landscape Management with a minor in Business Management in December 2012. Matt joined Bartlett Tree Experts in 2014 in the San Francisco Bay Area. There he held positions as Arborist Climber, Plant Healthcare Specialist and Arborist Representative. In 2017, Matt and his family relocated to Atlanta, GA where he worked as an Arborist Representative until 2020 when he became the Local Manager of the Tucker, GA office.

An ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Matt is also Tree Risk Assessment Qualified and holds  a GA Pesticide Applicator's License. He currently serves as a Board Member on the Georgia Tree  Council. Matt enjoys helping his clients get the most out of their landscapes by utilizing Bartlett's  industry-leading scientific research to build species-specific programs tailored fit to the client's  needs.

Matt and his wife, Milanne, have been married since 2010. They and their four children live in  Gwinnett County. Matt enjoys supporting his kids in their various activities which typically leads  to plenty of time at the soccer fields, karate dojo, and local theater. In his spare time, Matt enjoys playing basketball and traveling with his family.

Chris Melvin - Chris has been a business owner since 2019. He spent 3 years working across the nation as a subcontractor, mastering his trade. Now, he is focused on bringing that expertise back home to build a strong local business. His promise is simple: "Quality first, and always keep my word!"

More speaker information to come!

Just Award Banquet Members $55
Just Award Banquet Non-Members $75

Attendee Registration includes dinner & drinks for in person attendees

All Industry Professionals Welcome!

Bring your team & invite your friends!

Dress: Business Casual

Hotel Block information available soon!

SAVE THE DATE!

PHC Day: Full day plant and soil care workshop

February 13th 
9 a.m. until 4 p.m. 

Lilburn Activity Building
788 Hillcrest Rd NW, Lilburn, GA 30047

Agenda and more information Coming Soon!

for tabling opportunity, please select ''Table'' in the ticket options

for sponsorship opportunities please contact our coordinator at 470-768-8530

In the last few years, insurance companies have increasingly influenced the removal or treatment of trees on residential property, sometimes to the detriment of the benefits trees provide to the homeowner. This summit brings together arborists and insurance professionals to improve communication, align tree-risk practices with sound arboriculture, and develop collaborative strategies that protect both homeowners and the urban canopy. 

 

Hosted by the University of Georgia, Auburn University, Georgia Arborist Association, and Smart Home America  

March 10, 2025 
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
University of Georgia Gwinnett Campus
2530 Sever Road
Lawrenceville, GA 30043

Room #110

Please RSVP as seats are limited to 40 attendees.

Academia de Trepadores

4 cursos de dia completo 

marzo-junio 2026

miembros de GAA: $75 por curso/$250 academia completa 

miembros del publico $100 por curso/$350 academia completa 

evento en español 

 

El programa ISA Certified Tree Climber es la única certificación global de trepadores en toda la industria que evalúa conocimientos y habilidades frente a estándares aceptados internacionalmente relacionados con habilidades y prácticas laborales seguras. Como parte integral de su trayectoria profesional, ser un profesional en trepa de árboles certificado por la ISA le permite demostrar sus competencias como trepador y demonstrar su pasión continua por el aprendizaje y el desarrollo en esta industria.

Para ser elegible para el examen, debe tener lo siguiente:

1.) Dieciocho meses de experiencia en escalada en arboricultura

2.) Capacitación actual en rescate aéreo físico (práctica), RCP y primeros auxilios

En esta guía del programa se encuentra disponible toda la información para solicitantes, candidatos y titulares de credenciales.

Las partes interesadas deben solicitar y aplicar para presentar el examen de Escalador Certificado de Árboles de la ISA a través de https://www.isa-arbor.com/

Convertirse en candidato para una certificación de la ISA es un proceso de dos pasos a través de tu cuenta en línea MyISA.

1. Primero, aplica en línea o envía una solicitud completada.

2. Cuando recibas la notificación de que tu solicitud ha sido aprobada, podrás inscribirte a través de tu cuenta en el sitio web para presentar el examen.

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Tree Climber's Academy

4 full-day courses

March-June 2025

GAA members: $75 per course/$250 full academy

Members of the public: $100 per course/$350 full academy

this is Spanish language event 

Course 1: CPR and First Aid for Arborists, Electrical Safety, Intro to Ropes

Course 2: Aerial Rescue

Course 3: Knots, Ropes, Rigging, and Safety

Course 4: Physical Evaluation Test Day

 

This Spanish language academy is designed to help current tree climbers meet the pre-requisite qualifications needed for the ISA Certified Tree Climber Specialist exam and gain further understanding about technical tree climbing .  Each course is designed to meet one of the qualification needs. The last course of the academy is an exam day where current ISA tree climber examiners will asses testers following the ISA practicum guidelines.

The ISA Certified Tree Climber program is the only global, industry-wide climber certification to test knowledge and skills against internationally accepted standards related to skill and safe work practices. As an integral part of a career journey, being an ISA Certified Tree Climber allows you to show your competencies as a professional climber and ignites a continued passion for learning and development in this industry. To be eligible for the exam, you must have the following:

• Eighteen months of climbing experience in arboriculture
• Current training in a physical (practice) aerial rescue, CPR, and First Aid

Important applicant, candidate and credential holder information is available on this program guide.

Interested parties must still request and apply to take the ISA certified Tree Climber exam via https://wwv.isa-arbor.com/ 

Becoming a candidate for an ISA certification is a two-step process through your online MyISA Dashboard.

1. First, apply online or submit a completed application.

2. When you receive notice that your application is approved, you may then enroll through your website account to take an exam.  

HOTEL INFORMATION

Evaluación de la Salud del árbol

viernes 22 de mayo, 2026

9am-12pm

Legacy Park 500 S Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30030

Gratis con registro, espacio limitado

Una evaluación de riesgos de los árboles es su oportunidad de obtener una medida completa y comprender la salud de sus árboles y los riesgos potenciales que puede enfrentar. Los árboles pueden fallar de diversas formas; un arborista experto sabrá qué tipo de falla es más probable para un árbol determinado y podrá brindar asesoramiento significativo sobre las formas de reducir el riesgo de ese tipo particular de falla anticipada.

Una evaluación de riesgos puede ayudarlo a localizar árboles o áreas problemáticas y nuestro arborista certificado le explicará qué se debe hacer con ellos. Algunas de las razones para programar una evaluación de riesgos incluyen:

• Salud de los árboles: los árboles brindan comodidad y atractivo exterior a su propiedad. A menudo, puede medir la salud continua de sus árboles con una evaluación de riesgos de los árboles, asegurándose de que se mantengan saludables y felices.
• Riesgos del seguro: el daño a los árboles no siempre está cubierto por el seguro del propietario, especialmente cuando no está relacionado con una tormenta. Una evaluación de riesgos no solo puede evitar que tenga que lidiar con daños, sino que también puede ayudar a que su seguro cubra una parte de los daños.
• Daños a la propiedad: un árbol o una rama caídos pueden causar daños importantes a su hogar o propiedad. Desde una canaleta rota hasta un techo o ventanas destrozadas. Una evaluación de riesgos de los árboles le ayudará a saber dónde se encuentra antes de que las cosas se dañen.

Problemas y riesgos comunes que incluyen:

• Madera podrida o corteza en mal estado
• Cables eléctricos aéreos
• Copa demasiado crecida
• Ramas de árboles muertas o dañadas
• Ramas de árboles desprendidas o colgantes
• Posibles daños en el techo o el vehículo
• Crecimiento de hongos alrededor de las raíces y la base del tronco
• Plagas y enfermedades
• Erosión de las raíces
• Tronco inclinado
• Salud o daños en los árboles adyacentes

Acerca del instructor: Juan C. Carrasco es el Director de Cuidado de la Salud de las Plantas en Atlanta Arbor y un Maestro Arborista Certificado por la Junta con más de 30 años de experiencia dedicada a la industria verde.