Prescription Pruning Qualification (PPQ)
This practical, applied program guides arborists through the process of strategically planning, specifying, and implementing an objective-based pruning approach. It will make you a better arborist by showing you how to incorporate industry standards and ISA BMPs with current research and practice. The PPQ is the culmination of the commitment of the Florida Chapter ISA Pruning Credential Committee who are passionate about making trees more compatible with urban and suburban environments.
Vision statement: Develop a new industry paradigm whereby no tree – or group of trees – is pruned without a prescription.
Goal: Improve communication between prescriber, production arborist and tree owner. Increase clarity when preparing work orders.
What this program does: The new paradigm shifts the decision of which branches to prune from the production arborist to an informed prescriber. It establishes a protocol resulting in consistency between the arborist preparing the prescription and the production arborist. This credential teaches you how to prescribe and perform pruning in accordance with industry standards and ISA’s BMP supported by the latest research and experience.
Why should I get this qualification?
Improves professionalism for new and seasoned arborists.
Establishes a standardized, accountable, objectives-based pruning process.
Teaches an approach that increases life expectancy and clearance and reduces likelihood of failure.
Improves your ability to explain to tree owners, contractors, and crew why and how to prune.
Who should get this qualification?
Arborists who prune trees or prescribe pruning or people who prepare and manage pruning contracts.
There are two types of attendees for this training: Producers and Prescribers
A production arborist (Producer) working in trees, or anyone, seeking an organized process of evaluating tree owner and arborist conditions of concern, and an approach to pruning designed to solve these concerns.
A pruning prescriber (Prescriber) is a certified arborist.
Two training tracks are offered: (1 DAY Registration only)
Day 1 – Producers –Spend the day with Dr. Ryan W. Klein
Producers are finished with the training at the end of day one, and each receives a certificate of completion. There is no exam. ISA certification is not a prerequisite.
Day 1, 2 and 3 – Prescribers – Take your knowledge to the next level! No walk-in registration will be allowed for this option.
The second and third day of training focus on preparing pruning prescriptions using many examples which include outdoor exercises. This is an interactive program with many activities. There is a review and a multiple-choice exam on the third day. Those passing the exam become PPQ qualified. — Must be an ISA Certified Arborist.
Manual: Producers and prescribers each receive a Pruning Prescription Manual and Workbook.
For more information on the qualification - please link to the Florida ISA website
Prescription Pruning Qualification – Florida Chapter ISA (floridaisa.org)
Agenda:
Day 1: Producers and Prescribers in the same class
Introduction with definitions
Tree Architecture
Response to Pruning Cuts
Guiding Urban-compatible Tree Architecture (pruning)
Day 2: Prescribers only
Prescription Approach to Pruning
Preparing Prescriptions
Outdoor Prescription Exercises and Discussion
Mature Trees and Palms
Day 3 (half day): Prescribers only
Review
Exam
About the Speakers:
Dr. Ryan Klein, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida. His research focuses on the risk associated with urban trees and their survival following hurricanes and other intense storms. Ryan’s interests center around exploring the impacts that urban forests have on the health and safety of urban populations. He views the relationship between people and their natural surroundings as being especially significant since most of the world’s population live in urban areas and urban sprawl continues to consume our remaining natural spaces. Ryan is currently the Education Representative on the Florida Chapter ISA Board of Directors and is a member of the Education Committee
Rob Calley serves as the small production company representative on the PPQ Committee. Rob is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) and Certified Arborist (CA), He is also a Certified Tree Care Safety Professional (CTSP) and has the ISA TRAQ Assessment (TRAQ) and Florida Chapter ISA PPQ. He was president of the Florida Chapter ISA in 2020 and currently serves as the Chair of the Florida Chapter Marketing Committee. He is the recipient of “The True Professional of Arboriculture Award” in 2019.