2024 ASCA Annual Conference

The ASCA Annual Conference is the industry's exclusive event that focuses on providing you with the tools and knowledge you need to thrive as a Consulting Arborist. Not only will you be exposed to education you can't find anywhere else, but you will also gain access to the best resources in the industry - our attendees. We look forward to getting together in Tucson, Arizona for top-tier education and networking!

Conference Highlights

Pre-Conference Workshop: Conservation Arboriculture, Speaker: Neville Fay, MA (Hons), MICFor, MArborA, FLS, FRGS
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 | 1:00pm - 5:00pm
(Additional Registration Fee Required)

Neville Fay's workshop on Conservation Arboriculture provides a comprehensive exploration of the discipline, emphasizing its evolution, principles, and practical applications. Originating from influential organizations like the Veteran Tree Initiative (VTI) and the Ancient Tree Forum (ATF) in the UK, Conservation Arboriculture blends traditional practices such as cultural pruning and tree art with contemporary ecological insights. The workshop explores the profound significance of ancient and veteran trees, elucidating their ecological roles as keystones in biodiversity-rich landscapes. Participants will gain interdisciplinary perspectives on topics ranging from tree-fungi symbiosis to habitat management, emphasizing sustainable approaches for tree health and longevity. Practical case studies offer insights into innovative strategies for habitat creation, soil  health restoration, and long-term management planning, encouraging a holistic approach to arboriculture that balances current needs with future sustainability as a philosophy and model of 21st century arboriculture.

Pre-Conference Optional Activity: University of Arizona Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 | 8:45am - 12:00pm (bus will depart from hotel lobby at 9am)
SOLD OUT! Click here to be added to the waiting list. 

The University of Arizona Laboratory of Tree Ring Research (LTRR) is a hub of inter-disciplinary research, teaching, and outreach excellence at the University of Arizona (UArizona). The LTRR is an academic research unit based in the College of Science. Worldwide the LTRR is a preeminent center of dendrochronology - using the information stored in the annual rings of trees to understand and quantify interactions among our Earth's climate, ecosystems, and societies. The LTRR excels in developing and advancing novel approaches to solve scientific questions of societal relevance, and to communicate these questions, their answers and consequences to researchers, student populations (K-6, 7-12, undergrad, grad), the general public, resource managers, and policymakers alike.

Explore the world's first dendrochronology center, where ancient tree rings reveal secrets of climate history and human civilization. Delve into cutting-edge research techniques that date back thousands of years, unraveling environmental mysteries and historical timelines. Engage with leading researchers who are pioneering advancements in the field, and witness firsthand how their discoveries are shaping our understanding of the past. This tour offers a unique opportunity to connect with the living history etched in wood and see how science bridges the ancient and the modern.

Post-Conference Optional Activity: Photography Field Workshop, Speaker: Rick Burress
Saturday, December 7, 2024 | 1:30pm - 4:30pm
(Additional Registration Fee Required - Maximum 20 Participants)

"Taking & Processing Great Photos of Trees"

In this 3-hour indoor/outdoor workshop, Rick Burress of Artistec Inc. will explain and demonstrate the necessary creative and technical aspects of photographing trees. How to 'see,' how to frame, how to capture, and how to edit or post-process on the computer or cell phone. He will show the over-arching workflow and interact with you live. Hands-on demonstrations and on-site training and teaching will take place. Bring your DSLR or other camera. It will be incredibly useful to your photography competence.

Post-Conference Workshop: Tree Biology & Wound Responses, Speaker: Dirk Dujesiefken
Saturday, December 7, 2024 | 2:00pm - 5:00pm
SOLD OUT! Click here to be added to the waiting list. 

After a short introduction about the biology of trees, the growth and structure of trees, we will move on to the wound reactions in wood, bark and cabium as well as the CODIT Principle. Parts of trees with wounds will be used for this and we will analyze them together. We will examine natural wounds (e.g. broken branches, cracks) as well as wounds caused by arborists (e.g. pruning wounds, boreholes).

The aim of this workshop is firstly to understand the different reactions of a tree. Building on this, the focus is on tree inspection and the assessment of various defects on the tree. In addition, the workshop also deals with tree care, especially crown pruning: which measures can be tolerated by the tree and which cause long-term damage?

The practical analyses are intended to visualize the various reactions of trees and promote better management for vital and safe trees.

Additional Post-Conference Activity:

Post-Conference TPAQ - Hosted by WCISA
Sun. Dec. 8 - Mon. Dec. 9, 2024
Marana Police Dept. Meeting Room
Marana, AZ

If you want introductory training in the theory and application of current tree and plant appraisal, register now to attend the TPAQ course hosted by WCISA. This event will utilize both instructor-led discussions and case scenarios to illustrate concepts allowing participants to become familiar with the relevant methods and techniques used to approach plant appraisals and the ability to make reasonable judgements about the value of trees and landscape plants.

Click here for more information and to register!

***Please note - this is a separate event and registration from the 2024 ASCA Annual Conference.***

Available Again This Year: On-demand Video Purchase Options

ASCA is excited to share that we will once again be recording all of the educational sessions taking place on Days 1-3 of the conference. As a member benefit, all members who attend in-person will receive complimentary access to the recorded videos after the conference. For those who may not be able to join us in person this year, the education session videos are available for purchase. More details and purchase options can be found here. 

Thank You 2024-2025 Platinum Sponsor
Conference App Sponsor

Thank You 2024-2025 Silver Sponsor
Registration Sponsor

Thank You 2024-2025 Silver Sponsor

Thank You Conference Key Card Sponsor

Thank You Lanyard Sponsor

Thank You General Sponsor

Thank You to Our Co-Sponsors

Thank You to Our Conference Exhibitors
Arborjet | Ecologel
ArborSystems
Bartlett Tree Experts
DutchTrig
IML North America
Rainbow Ecoscience
SHFP
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
TreeDiaper
Voss Signs
Western Chapter ISA