2024 Texas Oak Wilt Qualification

Overview

Join the Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Chapter ISA for the Oak Wilt Identification and Management Qualification Course and Assessment. This two-day workshop is for ISA Certified Arborists and will show you how to identify and manage oak wilt in Texas. Hye is located halfway between Johnson City and Fredericksburg.

Each participant that successfully completes the course and passes the assessment will receive the status of Oak Wilt Qualified. Their qualification will be noted on the Texas Oak Wilt website as well as on any handout and other materials referencing qualified individuals. Dr. David Appel, Texas A&M, and Texas A&M Forest Service Oak Wilt Suppression Project personnel Dr. Demian Gomez, Robert Edmonson and Erin Davis will be conducting the training.

Class size is limited to 25

Agenda

Wednesday June 12, 2024

8:00-8:20 Registration/Coffee

8:20-8:30 Welcome/Introductions/Oak Wilt Qualification Objectives-ISAT Representative

8:30-10:00 Tree Biology & CODIT-Dr. David Appel, Texas A&M University

10:00 - 10:15 Break

10:15-12:30 Oak Wilt Biology, Control Techniques & Extent in Texas-Dr. David Appel, Texas A&M University

12:30 - 1:00 Lunch (provided)

1:00-2:15 Oak Wilt in Relation to Other Tree Diseases -Dr. David Appel, Texas A&M University

2:15-2:30 Break

2:30-3:30 Texas A&M Forest Service Oak Wilt Suppression Project - Dr. Demian Gomez, Texas A&M Forest Service

3:30-4:00 Five Step Diagnosis for Oak Wilt, Texas A&M Forest Service OW Suppression Project

Thursday June 13, 2024

8:00-8:00 Registration/Coffee

8:30-9:30 Diagnosis & Treatment Planning - Robert Edmonson, Texas A&M Forest Service

9:30-12:30 Sampling and Fungicide Injection Demonstration - Dr. David Appel, Texas A&M University

12:30 –1:00 Lunch (provided)

1:00-1:30 Oak Wilt Qualification Protocols/Partnership Website & Contacts-ISAT Representative

1:30-2:30 Qualification Exam

2:30 Adjourn when finished with the exam

CEU's

Certified Arborist 10.5
Municipal Specialist 10.5
BCMA Science 10.5

Course Pricing

ISAT member: $275.00 USD
Non-ISAT member: $350.00 USD

Member pricing is an exclusive benefit to ISAT members only. You must be a current ISAT member at the time of registration. (Click Here to renew)

Cancellation Policy

A processing fee of $50 USD will be charged for all cancellations received on or before May 30, 2024. Cancellations after May 30, 2024, will be charged the full amount of the registration fee. Cancellation requests must be emailed to [email protected].

Texas Oak Wilt Identification and Management Qualification Course and Assessment

Speakers

Dr. David Appel

Dr. Appel is a professor emeritus in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology (PLPM) at Texas A&M University. Since coming to Texas A&M in 1981, his research program has focused on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of forest and shade trees, with an emphasis on the devastating oak wilt epidemic in central Texas.

Dr. Demian Gomez

Demian works as the Regional Forest Health Coordinator for the Texas A&M Forest Service with focus in Central and West Texas. Dr. Gomez obtained his Bachelor and MSc in Forest Entomology studying invasive forest pests in commercial pine and eucalyptus plantations, and a PhD from the School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida in 2020. His doctorate research focused on identification resources, emerging forest threats and pathways of introduction.

Erin Davis

Erin is a Staff Forester with the Texas A&M Forest Service based in Kerrville, with experience in educating communities and landowners in oak wilt management, proper tree care, and land management. She has a degree in Renewable Natural Resources and Forestry from Texas A&M University.

Robert Edmonson

Robert Edmonson has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management from Texas Tech University and is a Biologist with the Texas A&M Forest Service. He has been assisting central Texas landowners in managing oak wilt and with general land stewardship since 1993.