Penn State Extension will offer the “Arborist Short Course,” a series of 10 webinars intended to strengthen arborist skills with training in tree biology, care and risk management while preparing participants for the certified arborist exam.

The webinars will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 23, 28 and 30 and Feb. 4 and 6. Participants can attend the live online webinars or view recorded lectures, if their schedules conflict with the live sessions.

The training is aimed at arborists and tree workers, landscape contractors, municipal workers, landscape architects, and park and grounds maintenance staff, but is open to anyone.

Instructors will discuss tree biology, tree planting and establishment, tree identification and selection, tree pruning, protecting trees during construction, cabling, bracing and lightning protection, tree insect and disease diagnosis and management, soils, water relations and tree nutrition, and urban forest management.

Organizers recommend participants obtain the “Arborists’ Certification Study Guide” for the course, especially if planning to take the International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist exam.

Participants must register by midnight Jan. 3. The registration fee includes live webinars as well as access to lecture recordings and downloadable resources and references on all covered topics.

More information about the course is available on the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/arborist-short-course-series.