Welcome to the GAA

A resource for tree care professionals and the public to protect and care for Georgia's trees.

    Education & Training

      • January 08, 2025
      • January 09, 2025
      • 2 sessions
      • Rome-Floyd County Library 205 Riverside Pkwy NE, Rome, GA 30161
      • 16
      Register

      WILDFIRE RISK REDUCTION QUALIFICATION


      Rome-Floyd County Library
      January 8-9, 2025

      9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

      205 Riverside Pkwy NE, Rome, GA 30161

      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.

      Hotel Block:

      Hotel Block information coming soon.



      • January 08, 2025
      • June 18, 2025
      • 6 sessions
      • ZOOM [VIRTUAL]
      Register


      Webinar de Temas de Arboricultura Virtual en Zoom

      1 sesión virtual por mes hasta junio 2025

      12pm EST- 1pm EST

      registro requerido

      Tenemos una nueva oportunidad educativa disponible para trabajdores de arbol hispanohablantes. La serie Raising Trees o Creciendo Arboles tendrá un webinar en Español cada mes empesando en 09 de octubre. En cada webinar puedes aprender sobre temas de arboricultura que te ayudaran en tu trabajo y para estudiar para el Examin de Arbolista certificiado por la ISA. 

      The Raising Trees Webinar Series will begin offering a monthly one-hour webinar in Spanish beginning October 09. Retitled as Creciendo Arboles, this webinar is co-produced by Auburn University Extension and the University of Georgia. 

      Programa del seminario web

       Fecha Horario  Tema  Descripción 
       9 de octubre  12pm EST Conceptos básicos de la poda prescrita en Arboles Aprenda los métodos de poda que promuevan la salud y estética de los árboles, minimizando el daño al árbol.
       20 de noviembre  12pm EST conciencia sobre los peligros de líneas eléctricas: Seguridad del trabajador de arboles El programa explica el estándar de la industria de la arboricultura para trabajar cerca de las líneas eléctricas y otros servicios públicos.
       08 de enero  12pm EST selección del sitio y establecimiento de árboles Proporciona Información sobre la selección de sitio adecuado, preparación, el mejor proceso de plantación, y el mantenimiento subsecuente de árboles urbanos.
       12 de febrero  12pm EST Preservación de árboles durante la construcción Describe los mejores métodos para mitigar el daño a los árboles cerca de sitios de construcción y áreas donde hay excavaciones.
       14 de marzo  12pm EST La importancia de un suelo saludable para el crecimiento de árboles urbanos Explica técnicas para proteger y tratar los suelos en beneficio de los arboles en áreas urbanas
       09 de abril  12pm EST Identificación y manejo de especies invasivas que afectan los arboles Especies invasivas Identificación y manejo de especies invasivas que afectan los arboles.
       14 de mayo  12pm EST Identificación y Evaluación de Peligros para trabajadores de Industria Arborícola Identificación y Evaluación de Peligros para trabajadores de Industria Arborícola, y como implementar las mejores prácticas de seguridad en la industria
       18 de junio  12pm EST Irrigación para árboles urbanos: Agua desde el suelo hasta las hojas Analiza formas de proporcionar agua a los árboles basándose en la irrigación eficiente y lo ultimo en Tecnología de riego en la arboricultura

      Para registro por favor entre su informacion aqui:

      Enlace Para Registro

       https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fGTZmz42RqGu9TJZ6P2Xgw?fbclid=IwY2xjawFj2i1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbX8XfaXWmgduPIEpfcZCuRouMoQHD7uXJR1oWZOIcklDbju0acrNHpaIQ_aem_ZBsfrnW1dBpvbnCzEvHlJw#/registration



      • January 31, 2025
      • 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      • Vermeer Southeast 1320 Gresham Rd NE, Marietta, GA 30062
      Register

       

      Capacitacion para especialistas en astilladoras y motosierras en español

      Spanish Language Chipper Specialist & Chainsaw Specialist Training

      viernes 31 de enero

      8am-5pm

      Vermeer Southeast 1320 Gresham Rd NE, Marietta, GA 30062

      costo: $35 per person

      GRATIS para los miembros de GAA 

      lonche inclyudio 

      traer tu motosierra y equipo de protección personal

      El viernes 31 de enero se llevará a cabo un taller de capacitación en seguridad de la TCIA sobre trituradoras (astilladora) de madera y motosierras de un día completo en Atlanta Forest Products, 1080 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW.

      El curso de Especialista en Operadores de Trituradoras (astilladora) y Motosierras de la Asociación de la Industria del Cuidado de Árboles está diseñado para capacitar al personal de cuidado de árboles en los peligros, así como en las prácticas aceptadas para el funcionamiento de las trituradoras (astilladora) de ramas y otras tareas asociadas. Este curso brindará a los trabajadores de la cuadrilla de árboles una capacitación formal que aumentará la participación en el cumplimiento general de la seguridad de OSHA y la autovigilancia.

      Las lesiones que involucran trituradoras (astilladora) de ramas y motosierras son una preocupación importante para las empresas de cuidado de árboles y los empleadores de paisajismo, así como para los trabajadores de cuidado de árboles que operan el equipo. La información anecdótica sólida del campo indica que los operadores de trituradoras (astilladora) y motosierras reciben poca o ninguna capacitación formal sobre el funcionamiento de las trituradoras (astilladoras) y las motosierras y el mantenimiento en el campo.

      Los accidentes en los lugares de trabajo pueden ocurrir en cualquier momento y los profesionales del cuidado de árboles deben saber cómo reaccionar. Cuando un trabajador de árboles se lesiona o queda incapacitado, los compañeros de equipo son los primeros en responder a la situación de emergencia.

      acerca el instructor

      Leo Roldan

      Leo es un entrenador profesional de Nueva York, apasionado por la educación bilingüe, con más de 20 años de experiencia. Solo por mencionar algunas de las cualificaciones que posee:

      • Arborista certificado por la ISA
      • Trabajador de árboles certificado por la ISA
      • Especialista en plataformas elevadoras certificado por la ISA
      • CTSP
      • Líder de equipo calificado.
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Spanish Language Chipper Specialist & Chainsaw Specialist Training

      Friday January 31st, 2025

      8am-5pm

      Vermeer Southeast 1320 Gresham Rd NE, Marietta, GA 30062

      cost: $35 per person

      FREE for members of GAA 

      lunch included 

      Bring your chainsaw and personal protection equipment

      A TCIA full-day wood chipper and chainsaw safety training workshop will be held on Friday January 31st, 2025 at Atlanta Forest Products 1080 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW.

      The Tree Care Industry Association’s Chipper and Chainsaw Operator Specialist course is designed to train tree care personnel in hazards, as well as accepted practices for brush chipper operation and other associated tasks.  This course will provide tree crew workers formal training that will increase involvement with overall OSHA safety compliance and self-policing.

      Injuries involving brush chippers and chainsaws are a significant concern for tree care companies and landscape employers as well as the tree care workers who operate the equipment. Strong anecdotal information from the field indicates that chipper and chainsaw operators receive little or no formal training on chipper and chainsaw operation and field maintenance.

      Accidents at job sites can happen at any time, and tree care professionals must know how to react. When a tree worker is injured or incapacitated, fellow crew members are the first to respond to the emergency situation.

      about the instructor

      Leo Roldan

      Leo is a professional trainer from New York ,he has a passion for bilingual education, with more of 20 years of experience. Just to mention a few qualification that Leo has:

      • ISA certified arborist
      • ISA. Certified tree worker specialist
      • ISA certified aerial lift specialist
      • CTSP
      • Qualified crew leader.


      • February 26, 2025
      • 8:00 AM
      • February 28, 2025
      • 12:00 PM
      • 2555 Lexington Rd. Athens GA 30605
      • 20
      Register

      ISA TRAQ FULL COURSE -

      TREE RISK ASSESSMENT QUALIFICATION


      February 26-28th


      COURSE LOCATION: 

      Athens Clarke County Landscape Management Office 

      2555 Lexington Road

      Athens GA, 30605

      Instructor:

      Jimmy Walters 

      14.5 CEUs Available

      Registration Deadline:

      January 28th, 2025

      (Slots fill up fast!  Register now!)

      Registration Cost:

      $625 - Georgia Arborist Association & ISA Member Rate

      $625 - Georgia Arborist Association Member Only Rate (not a member of the ISA)

      $700 - ISA Member Only Rate (not a member of the GAA)

      $795 - Non-Member Rate (not a member of ISA or GAA)

      If you are interested in becoming TRAQ qualified, please take some time to read the “ISA TRAQ Application Guide” available here - TRAQ-App-Guide.pdf . The guide will provide details about the application process and let you know what pre-requisites are required to apply for the credential.

      The TRAQ course and credential provide an opportunity for professionals in the arboriculture industry to expand their knowledge through education and training in the fundamentals of tree risk assessment. This qualification promotes the safety of people and property by providing a standardized and systematic process for assessing tree risk. The results of a tree risk assessment can provide tree owners and risk managers with the information to make informed decisions to enhance tree benefits, health, and longevity.

      COURSE DESCRIPTION

      Earning the qualification requires attendance at a 2-day educational course followed by a ½-day assessment that includes both a written and field exams. The first two days are typically 8am-5pm and the third day (exam day) is 8am-noon. It is required that you attend the entire course and successfully complete the assessment in order to receive this qualification. Coffee and a light breakfast are typically included each day along with lunch the first two days. If overnight travel is needed you will need to make hotel reservations on your own.

      At the bottom of this email you will find recommended accommodations as well as more information about the location

      The course includes Tree Biology and Mechanics, Tree Inspection and Assessment, Data Analysis and Risk Categorization, and Risk Reporting. The Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Course prepares the participant to take the TRAQ assessment to become ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. Once registered, you will receive a course Manual and a Course Workbook that you can read and study to prepare for the course. It is strongly suggested that you read the materials prior to the course. Not all of the materials on the exams will be covered in detail in the classroom. The Manual and Workbook are essential parts of the learning process for this course.

      Meet the Instructors:

      Jimmy Walters: Certified Arborist since 1996. SC Registered Forester. 1971 graduate of Clemson University, BS Forestry. Retired with over 40 years service with SC Forestry Commission. Retired as Program Coordinator for Urban and Community Forestry in SC. Charter member of SC Urban and Community Forestry Council (now Trees SC).  Board of Directors, SC Vegetation Management Association, active in the SC Green Industry Association. Past President, Southern Chapter ISA and member of Florida Chapter as well. Now operating an arboricultural consulting firm, Urban Forest Advisors, LLC. Skilled teacher and public speaker. Many classes and lectures on Hazard Tree Management (old terminology) and Tree Risk Assessment prior to TRAQ. 

      HOTEL BLOCK INFORMATION:

      COMING SOON

      Disclaimers, Important Information, & Refund Policy:

      • Applicants for TRAQ courses must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend. These classes often fill up quickly since class size is limited. Register as early as possible to avoid missing the location you want!

      • The FULL course is required for those qualified applicants that wish to earn the TRAQ credential.

      • This class provides the needed exams that must be passed to earn the TRAQ credential.

      • Please bring your own hard hat and vest to the event.

      • Please bring your government ID.

      • Be sure to bring your course materials. (This will be mailed to you by the ISA in advance.)


      ***Cancellation & Refund Policy -
      All cancellations made after the registration deadline of the event, no-shows, or those found to not have the required pre-requisites will not be eligible for refund. Cancellations made prior to the registration deadline/shipment of course materials are eligible for full refund. Cancellations made within 1 week of the registration deadline will be eligible for full or partial refund if GAA is able to fill their spot with a waitlisted registrant. All refunds are subject to a 3.5% credit card processing fee.
      • February 28, 2025
      • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
      • Hyde Farm Park 721 Hyde Rd, Marietta, GA 30068
      • 30
      Register