This year Milwaukee was host to the annual three day conference for the International Society of Arboriculture. Arborists from around the world traveled to Milwaukee to discuss best practices and share information about how to protect and nurture our urban canopy. And as you might guess, it takes some work to keep it healthy. Local arborists tackle everything from invasive species like the Emerald Ash Borer to everyday stressors like road salt and drought.
Ian Brown is an Urban Forestry Technical Services Manager and ISA Certified Arborist/Municipal Specialist for the City of Milwaukee, and Eric Petersen is also a trained Urban Forestry specialist and is the president of the Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA). They spoke with Bonnie North in the Lake Effect studio about the challenges the local tree population faces, as well as how arborists from around the globe help one another in their quest for a healthy urban and rural environment.
"They're all facing similar issues - whether it's budget constraints or how to deal with a tree that's leaning over a street, whatever it might be...it's really neat to hear their story. And it helps us realize we're together with this, we're not alone in Wisconsin or in Milwaukee. That it's really issues that we all face, and talking to someone from overseas is pretty neat when they're talking the same language of tree language," says Peterson.
The International Society of Arboriculture’s annual conference is in Milwaukee August 2nd - 6th. You can find out more information about how you can do your part in helping your neighborhood trees at http://treesaregood.org/.
