Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Arborist Examination Reference Materials

Reference Materials
There is no single reference, that provides a complete preparation for the arborist examination.  However, the applicant should obtain a copy of the Pesticide Applicator Training Manual, as part of the exam is based on this text.   Additionally, the following list of materials may be useful in preparing for the exam.  It includes references on tree identification, general arboriculture, and tree insects, diseases and disorders. Cornell Core Manual, Available from the Cornell Store (necessary for the exam) *

Cornell Category 3: Ornamental and Turf Manual (Companion manual to the above book.) *

Adams, Roger and R.J. Packauskas. 1995. Integrated Pest Management for Insects and Related Pests on Ornamental Plants: A Guide for Arborists and Groundskeepers, #94-16, University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Storrs, Connecticut 06269. *

Connecticut General Statutes and regulations applicable to arborists. Updated March 2023

Available through the CTPA:
Douglas, Sharon M. 2003. Disease Management Guide for Connecticut Arborists , Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut.

Welch, Kenneth and T. M.  Abbey. 2002. Pesticide Guide Toward Integrated Pest Management for Connecticut Arborists, Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven Connecticut.

The above two booklets are updated biannually and are distributed through a cooperative agreement with the Connecticut Tree Protective Association (CTPA). Each book is $30 and $8 shipping. They may be purchased by contacting CTPA by email or phone:
Email: cathy@ctpa.org 
Phone: 203-484-2512
www.CTPA.org

ANSI  Z133.1   American National Standard for Arboricultural Operations-Pruning, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees, and Cutting Brush-Safety Requirements Revision 2001, American National Standards Institute, New York, NY. **

ANSI A300 Part 1, Tree Care Operations- Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance-Standard Practices Revision 2001,American National Standards Institute, New York, NY. **

ANSI A300 Part 2, Tree Care Operations-Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance-Standard Practices (Fertilization) Revision 1998, American National Standards Institute, New York, NY. **

ANSI A300 Part 3, Tree Care Operations-Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance-Standard Practices (Support Systems, Cabling, Bracing, and Guying), Revision 2000, American National Standards Institute, New York, NY.**

ANSI A300 Part 4, Lightning Protection Systems, 2002, American National Standards Institute, New York, NY.**

**  The ANSI standards are available from Global Engineering Documents, Customer Service Department, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, CO 80112,  phone: (800) 854-7179,  www.global.ihs.com  Note that  companion simple language guides are available from the International Society of Arborists (ISA); see contact information below.

Hartman, John Richard et al. 2000.  Pirone’s Tree Maintenance,  7th edition, Oxford University Press, New York, NY 10016.  ISBN : 0195119916. (The updated edition of Pirone’s  standard text on arboriculture.)

Shigo, Alex L., Tree Basics, 1996, Shigo & Trees, Associates, P.O. Box 769, Durham NH 03824-0769. ISBN: 094356316X.

Other Publications and Sources of Information of Interest to Arborists

Dirr, M.A. 1998. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, 5th edition, Stipes Publishing Co. Champagne, Illinois 61820. ISBN: 0875637957.

Gilman, Edward F. 2002. Illustrated Guide To Pruning, , 2nd edition, Delmar Publishers, Clifton Park, NY 12065-8007.  ISBN: 0766822710.

Harlow, W.M.1995. Textbook of Dendrology, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, NY 10036.ISBN: 0070265720.

Harris, Richard W. 2003. Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, 4th edition, Prentice-Hall, Englewood, NJ 07632. ISBN: 0130888826.

Johnson, W.T. and H.H. Lyon, 1991, Insects That Feed on Trees and Shrubs, Comstock Publication Associates, ISBN: 0801426022.

Moorman, Gary W. 1992. Scouting and Controlling Woody Ornamental Diseases in Landscapes and Nurseries. #AGRS-62. Publications Distribution Center, Penn State University, University Park PA, 16802.

Petrides, G.A. 1998. A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs, Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, MA 01107. ISBN: 039535370X.

Pirone, P.P. 1978. Diseases and Pests of Ornamental Plants  5th edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY 10010. ISBN: 0471072494.

Shigo, Alex L. 1986. A New Tree Biology/ with Dictionary, Shigo & Trees Associates, PO Box 769, Durham, NH 03824-0769.  ISBN: 0943563127.

Sinclair, W.A., H.H.Lyon & W.T. Johnson. 1987. Diseases of Trees and Shrubs,  Cornell University Press, Ithica, NY 14850. ISBN: 0801415179.

Symonds, G.W.D.1974 The Tree Identification Book, William Morrow & Co., New York, NY 10010.  ISBN: 0688050395.

Tattar, T.A., 1989, Diseases of Shade Trees. Academic Press, New York, NY 10003. ISBN: 0126843511.

Useful Web Sites

Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station  portal.ct.gov/caesFact sheets, on-line Plant Pest Handbook are available

Connecticut, State of: Online access to government  portal.ct.gov

Connecticut Tree Protective Association  www.CTPA.org
An educational organization dedicated to promoting the care of Connecticut’s trees.

International Society of Arboriculture  www.isa-arbor.com
Many books, workbooks, CD’s and videos pertaining to tree care are available from ISA.

ISA website for the general public  www.treesaregood.com

Tree Care Industry Association (formerly know as NAA)  www.natlarb.com
A National tree care trade association.

University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System www.extension.uconn.edu

University of Connecticut Integrated Pest Management ipm.uconn.edu/

Arboriculture Courses

Arboriculture courses may be available at the following locations. Although not specifically designed for arborist licensing, they provide general instruction in the care and maintenance of trees, which may be helpful to those planning to take the exam. Classes are in the evening or Saturday.

Connecticut Tree Protective Association
P.O. Box 356
Northford, CT 06472-0356
Phone: (888) 919-2872 (toll free in state), (203) 484-2512 (voice and fax)
www.CTPA.org

The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens
151 Brookdale Road
Stamford, CT 06903-4119
Phone: (203) 322-6971

Naugatuck Valley Community Technical College
750 Chase Parkway
Waterbury, CT 06770
Phone: (203) 596-8633 or (203) 575-8040

The Cooperative Extension System - Statewide Locations is a source for research based information on horticulture, natural resources and the environment.

For more information please contact the Pesticide Management Program at (860) 424-3369, deep.pesticideprogram@ct.gov 

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Content Last Updated on March 14, 2023