2024 Woody Plant Conference Schedule

7:30 am - 9:00 am

7:45 am - 8:45 am

Explore the grounds of Scott Arboretum

Explore the grounds of Scott Arboretum on a guided tour.

9:00 am - 9:05 am

Live Stream opens for those joining us virtually.

9:00 am - 9:15 am

Welcome from Director of the Scott Arboretum Claire Sawyers

9:15 am - 10:15 am

What is a native plant? What plants are truly invasive? Let us cut through much of the noise and talk about the underlying causes rather than the symptoms to truly assess where we should be focusing our time, energy, and money on these complicated issues. Exclusionary ecology cannot put the genie back in the bottle so let us try rethinking our approach to built landscapes to achieve realistic, optimum outcomes.

10:15 am - 10:40 am

Browse and purchase books sold by the Hardy Plant Society-Mid-Atlantic Group and purchase raffle tickets to win items donated by sponsoring organizations (in-person participants only).

10:40 am - 11:30 am

Japanese flowering cherries are among the most heralded aspects of spring. This talk will discuss the introduction of flowering cherries into the United States, their description and promotion in the early 20th century, and efforts to preserve cultivar diversity. It will provide insight into arboricultural practices to help preserve and extend the life of these beloved trees. Tony will also discuss the role of botanic gardens in introducing, developing, and preserving, cultivated genetic diversity.

11:30 am - 12:20 pm

ArbNet is an award-winning, international community of arboreta and woody-plant-focused professionals that has been instrumental in helping establish, grow, and network arboreta around the world. Sponsored and managed by The Morton Arboretum, ArbNet was launched in 2011 to identify and support arboreta, define professional standards, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experience, and other resources. The ArbNet community has grown to nearly 700 accredited arboreta across 40 countries and now engages with more diverse audiences and arboreta, including urban and municipal arboreta, schools, cemeteries, retirement communities, and other types of community-led organizations that plant and care for trees. Through ArbNet, arboreta and tree professionals around the world can work collaboratively as part of a broad, inclusive network to bring awareness to the importance of trees and other woody plants, support tree planting and proper care, increase tree equity and access, and advance tree research and conservation.

12:20 pm - 1:20 pm

Browse and purchase books sold by the Hardy Plant Society-Mid-Atlantic Group and purchase raffle tickets to win items donated by sponsoring organizations (in-person participants only).

1:20 pm - 2:10 pm

Managing the Crisis at Tyler Arboretum with Mike Karkowski Native Woody Plants to Know with Ethan Dropkin

2:10 pm - 3:00 pm

As landscapers and gardeners we typically spend most of our time thinking above ground. We spend countless hours selecting the right woody plant, considering the right exposure, combinations, size, color, and textures. Woody plant success is equally dependent on what is going on below ground. A scientific understanding of soil chemistry, biology, physics, and fertility makes us all better at our craft. This talk will address basic soil principles, and how we can use them to build and maintain “healthy” soils that maximize woody plant success.

3:00 pm - 3:25 pm

Browse and purchase books sold by the Hardy Plant Society-Mid-Atlantic Group (in-person participants only).

3:25 pm - 3:30 pm

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Modern arboriculture recognizes trees as the center of tree-based ecosystem and yet, in practice, we all too often manage trees as isolated organisms. This lecture will introduce you to Ecological Arboriculture, a holistic approach to caring for trees, woody plants, and landscapes, that considers trees as habitat, food sources, and ecosystem engineers. We will present recent research and philosophy that blends ecological horticulture and arboriculture, while dialing in on practices that everyone, from professional arborists to homeowners can use to cultivate beautiful landscapes that are also vibrant ecosystems.

4:30 pm - 4:35 pm

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Join the reception with speakers for an additional $20 (in-person participants only).

7:30 am - 9:00 am

7:45 am - 8:45 am

Explore the grounds of Scott Arboretum

Explore the grounds of Scott Arboretum on a guided tour.

9:00 am - 9:05 am

Live Stream opens for those joining us virtually.

9:00 am - 9:15 am

Welcome from Director of the Scott Arboretum Claire Sawyers

9:15 am - 10:15 am

What is a native plant? What plants are truly invasive? Let us cut through much of the noise and talk about the underlying causes rather than the symptoms to truly assess where we should be focusing our time, energy, and money on these complicated issues. Exclusionary ecology cannot put the genie back in the bottle so let us try rethinking our approach to built landscapes to achieve realistic, optimum outcomes.

10:15 am - 10:40 am

Browse and purchase books sold by the Hardy Plant Society-Mid-Atlantic Group and purchase raffle tickets to win items donated by sponsoring organizations (in-person participants only).

3:00 pm - 3:25 pm

Browse and purchase books sold by the Hardy Plant Society-Mid-Atlantic Group (in-person participants only).

10:40 am - 11:30 am

Japanese flowering cherries are among the most heralded aspects of spring. This talk will discuss the introduction of flowering cherries into the United States, their description and promotion in the early 20th century, and efforts to preserve cultivar diversity. It will provide insight into arboricultural practices to help preserve and extend the life of these beloved trees. Tony will also discuss the role of botanic gardens in introducing, developing, and preserving, cultivated genetic diversity.

11:30 am - 12:20 pm

ArbNet is an award-winning, international community of arboreta and woody-plant-focused professionals that has been instrumental in helping establish, grow, and network arboreta around the world. Sponsored and managed by The Morton Arboretum, ArbNet was launched in 2011 to identify and support arboreta, define professional standards, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experience, and other resources. The ArbNet community has grown to nearly 700 accredited arboreta across 40 countries and now engages with more diverse audiences and arboreta, including urban and municipal arboreta, schools, cemeteries, retirement communities, and other types of community-led organizations that plant and care for trees. Through ArbNet, arboreta and tree professionals around the world can work collaboratively as part of a broad, inclusive network to bring awareness to the importance of trees and other woody plants, support tree planting and proper care, increase tree equity and access, and advance tree research and conservation.

12:20 pm - 1:20 pm

Browse and purchase books sold by the Hardy Plant Society-Mid-Atlantic Group and purchase raffle tickets to win items donated by sponsoring organizations (in-person participants only).

1:20 pm - 2:10 pm

Managing the Crisis at Tyler Arboretum with Mike Karkowski Native Woody Plants to Know with Ethan Dropkin

2:10 pm - 3:00 pm

As landscapers and gardeners we typically spend most of our time thinking above ground. We spend countless hours selecting the right woody plant, considering the right exposure, combinations, size, color, and textures. Woody plant success is equally dependent on what is going on below ground. A scientific understanding of soil chemistry, biology, physics, and fertility makes us all better at our craft. This talk will address basic soil principles, and how we can use them to build and maintain “healthy” soils that maximize woody plant success.

3:25 pm - 3:30 pm

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Modern arboriculture recognizes trees as the center of tree-based ecosystem and yet, in practice, we all too often manage trees as isolated organisms. This lecture will introduce you to Ecological Arboriculture, a holistic approach to caring for trees, woody plants, and landscapes, that considers trees as habitat, food sources, and ecosystem engineers. We will present recent research and philosophy that blends ecological horticulture and arboriculture, while dialing in on practices that everyone, from professional arborists to homeowners can use to cultivate beautiful landscapes that are also vibrant ecosystems.

4:30 pm - 4:35 pm

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Join the reception with speakers for an additional $20 (in-person participants only).