German Tree Care Conference 2019: International variety of topics with high practical relevance
From 7 to 9 May 2019, the German Tree Care Conference in Augsburg will enter its 27th year. Just a few weeks ago, the organisers of the Tree Care Event were able to extend their contract with Messe Augsburg by five years - and have concrete plans for the future: the globally recognised symposium is to be further expanded as an international forum for practical exchange in tree care. The event is already taking a major step in this direction in 2019: with the British Neville Fay and the American Dr. Margaret Lowman (Canopy Meg), the organisers were able to win two international experts in arboriculture as speakers. In addition, the entire programme in the Great Hall, the Climbing Forum and the trade show for tree care promises a multi-faceted spectrum of topics. In addition to the topic "Trees on dykes and dams", the focus will be on the vitality assessment of trees and the increasing spread of mistletoe, which already represents an existential problem for trees in some regions.
International experts speak in Augsburg
The German Tree Care Conference and especially the Climbing Forum have always been internationally oriented. In 2018, participants from more than 20 nations came to the conference in Augsburg. "The worldwide exchange is very important to us and we would like to continue to promote cooperation with speakers and visitors from all over the world in the coming years. We are particularly pleased that Neville Fay and Meg Lowman have confirmed their attendance in 2019," says Prof. Dr. Dirk Dujesiefken, organiser of the German Tree Care Conference. British Neville Fay, a member of the consulting institute Treework Enviromental Practice, will return to Augsburg at the request of many participants. He will talk about the professional handling of ancient trees and present his view of tree care in detail. Dr. Margaret D. Lowman from the California Academy of Sciences is a biologist, educator, ecologist and writer. She is also known to a broad international audience outside her field of expertise. As the "mother of canopy research", she specializes in the ecology of tree canopies and the relationship between plants and insects. The "Canopy Meg" will give the opening lecture in the Climbing Forum and give an overview of her treetop research in the Great Hall. All lectures will be simultaneously translated.
Problems with mistletoes
Also in 2019, the German Tree Care Conference will take a look outside the box and take up topics that are rarely discussed at other tree conferences. In addition to the focus on "Trees on dykes and dams", two lectures will also be focused on the increasing spread of mistletoe. "In the past, one was happy to see a mistletoe in a crown of a tree. But due to excessive mistletoe infestation, more and more trees are dying. In some regions whole orchards are in danger", explains Dirk Dujesiefken and adds: "There must be a rethink in the handling of mistletoe, because too many mistletoes become an existential problem for the tree. Our speakers give facts and recommendations for action for arborists and local experts".
Methods of vitality assessment
The assessment of the vitality of trees has led to increasingly controversial discussions in recent years. Which criteria are good indicators for the assessment of trees, are there different international approaches and which experiences from forest damage surveys can also be used for urban trees? Four lectures on this topic are on the agenda. "Our goal is always: a productive, solution-oriented exchange from which our participants can take as much as possible with them for their daily work," concludes Dirk Dujesiefken.
Trade show bigger than ever
Due to the constantly growing demand on the exhibitor side, the conference-accompanying trade show will be even bigger in 2019. The exhibition area in the hall will be expanded and there will again be numerous practical demonstrations.
The English programme for the entire conference is available at www.wetree.de.