CITY ARBORIST SETS TREE CARE TRAINING SERIES.Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer For the first time in its seven-year history, the city Parks and Recreation Department is offering an arborist training program for volunteers who want to know more about the care and maintenance of trees. The 15-week program - with flexible starting times Noun 1. starting time - the time at which something is supposed to begin; "they got an early start"; "she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her" commencement, get-go, offset, outset, showtime, start, kickoff, beginning, first depending when participants want to sign up - involves hands-on training and studies in 10 disciplines, including soils, insects and disease, and tree physiology Tree physiology The study of how trees grow and develop in terms of genetics; biochemistry; cellular, tissue, and organ functions; and interaction with environmental factors. . Participants will learn how to plant trees, prune prune, popular name for a dried plum. Fruits of the many varieties of Prunus domestica, which are firm-fleshed and dry easily without removal of the stone, are gathered after falling from the tree, dipped in lye solution to prevent fermentation, dried in the them, recruit volunteers and complete a tree planting project. Graduates will receive certificates and may qualify for academic credit at local colleges. ``The No. 1 goal is to train people in the (tree care) profession and the execution of volunteer activities,'' said Greg Hoffberg, a certified arborist The Certified Arborist credential identifies professional arborists who have a minimum of three years' full-time experience working in the professional tree care industry and who have passed an extensive examination covering all facets of arboriculture. and the city's volunteer tree planting coordinator. ``It's something I've been wanting to do for a long time. I decided to go for it this year.'' Hoffberg said the program will give him a steady supply of educated volunteers for the city's Neighborhood Leaf Out Program, which plants, cares for and gives away trees to community groups. ``The Neighborhood Leaf Out Program has been exploding and I need help,'' said Hoffberg, who last year oversaw o·ver·saw v. Past tense of oversee. 2,000 volunteers who helped plant 750 trees and care for 475 more. He also said the new program will give participants needed job skills. ``They can come out and learn a trade with me and use me as a reference,'' Hoffberg said. ``It really benefits the youth as far as getting their foot in the door.'' Volunteer Michele Chummings already has plans to join the program. She joined Neighborhood Leaf Out last year because it was one of the few volunteer activities she could enjoy with her 8-year-old son, Kevin. ``I wanted him to do some kind of community volunteerism vol·un·teer·ism n. Use of or reliance on volunteers, especially to perform social or educational work in communities. volunteerism ,'' Chummings said. ``This gives him respect for his community and it does the same for me. I feel like I'm giving back a little.'' For information on the program, call Hoffberg at 294-2567. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (Color only in SAC Sac: see Sac and Fox. SAC - 1. An early system on the Datatron 200 series. [Listed in CACM 2(5):16 (May 1959)]. edition) Greg Hoffberg wants thearborist program to bring out volunteers. Tom Mendoza/Daily News |
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