Landscape Architecture Resource

I'm currently studying for my Arborist Certification with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Building on my biology background, and of course landscape architecture, it seemed like the next logical step. And a fun one. After all, as a landscape architect the more you know about trees the better.

The topics of the exam include:

• tree identification
• tree-soil relations
• water management
• tree nutrition and fertilization
• tree selection
• installation and establishment
• pruning
• tree support and protection systems
• diagnosis and plant disorders
• plant health care
• tree assessment and risk management
• trees and construction
• safety
• climbing and working in trees

Even if you're not interested or qualified to become an arborist, you can join the ISA as a supporting member to learn more about trees and how to take the best care of them.

Some other tree related resources:

• some great photos from the University of Guelph Arboretum
• info on tree care at Tree Help dot com
• a great blog on native plants in Ontario
• online seminars for arborists
• how to identify and control noninfectious diseases of trees
• a handy online tree identifier key from Ohio
• a really cool blog on arborsculpture (growing living sculpture with trees)
• and a great visualization of how trees grow

and please read about tree roots and the problems they don't cause