2025 11th Annual Tree Diversity Conference Presented by Bartlett Tree Experts
Urban forests throughout the world are under increasing threats of pests, diseases and the effects of climate change. In the Intermountain West, swiftly changing weather conditions and an arid climate challenge us to create diverse urban forests. Our 11th annual Tree Diversity Conference brings together experts from around the world to explore the relationships between species diversity, landscape design and horticultural practices. Join us to engage in a discussion of strategies, successes and solutions to creating a diverse urban environment.
Price: $95 Public, $85 Member*, $55 Student
*Promotional price available to all members of Colorado Nursery & Greenhouse Association, Colorado Tree Coalition, and American Society of Landscape Architecture.
Note: A recording of the symposium will be available to all program participants for 14 days following the program date.
11th Annual Tree Diversity Conference Agenda
8:30 a.m Welcome by Phillip Douglas and Bartlette Trees Experts
8:50 a.m. Urban Nature - Human Nature by Dr. Peter Del Tredici
10:00 a.m. Tree Care in Stressful Times by Drew Zwart
11:10 a.m. Choosing the Right Plant for the Right Spot: Species Selection in the Urban Environment by Greg Paige
12:20 p.m. Lunch break
1:30 p.m. Watching the trees grow: What shapes the planting success of multiple tree species along an urban Front Range greenway? by Chrissy Alba
2:30 p.m. Trees You Should Know by Kadin Bieberich
Speakers & Lecture Topics
Peter Del Tredici presents: Urban Nature - Human Nature
Urban ecosystems embody the complex interplay between humans and natureïur desire for neat, orderly landscapes contrasted with our fear of messy ecological chaos. This presentation explores plantsâoth native and non-nativeôhat grow without cultivation in cities despite stressful environmental conditions. Cities, along with the plants and animals they sustain, can be considered "novel" ecosystems that reflect a tumultuous past and offer a glimpse into an unpredictable future.
The spontaneous vegetation that inhabits our urban areas is as cosmopolitan as the cities populations and, in many cases, better adapted to the changing environmental conditions than the native species that once grew there. Like it or not, these novel ecosystems have become the new normal. They not only help make our cities more livable but also help clean up the mess we¶e
Drew Zwart presents: Tree Care in Stressful Times
As abnormal weather conditions become increasingly common across North America, woody plants face rising levels of physiological stress, leading to more stress-related diseases and insect problems. While treating primary pests and diseases is often straightforward, mitigating stress-related issues in the landscape can be more challenging.
This presentation explores what ðlant stress really means, providing a physiological foundation for understanding its impact. It also highlights recent research on heat and drought stress avoidance and tolerance in woody plants and examine the secondary disease issues that are becoming more prevalent in Colorado and beyond.
Greg Paige presents: Choosing the Right Plant for the Right Spot: Species Selection in the Urban Environment
Urban landscapes face constant challengesärought, invasive insects, poor soil and other stressors can turn even the greenest spaces into battlegrounds for tree survival. In this engaging talk, discover how thoughtful species selection can transform these struggles into success stories for our urban trees. Learn about standout tree species from past evaluations and explore exciting new candidates from current work at the JC Raulston Arboretum. Leave inspired to plant with purpose and nurture a thriving urban canopy.
Chrissy Alba presents: Watching the trees grow: What shapes the planting success of multiple tree species along an urban Front Range greenway?
Urban trees endure harsh conditions, including drought, heat stress, pollution and poor soilãhallenges climate change will only exacerbate. Semi-arid cities like Denver will struggle even more to maintain a healthy tree canopy. Knowing which trees can survive and thrive in the future requires a robust understanding of the factors influencing tree success in today³ cities. This talk shares findings from three years of field data tracking the survival and growth of several commonly planted Front Range trees, along with observations of the biological and societal factors that drive successful urban tree planting.
Kadin Bieberich presents: Trees You Should Know
Western Oklahoma has quite a unique climate. During the summer, Western Oklahoma experiences approximately 120 days over 90° and 40-60 days over 100°, putting us in the AHS Heat Zone 9. Extreme weather challenges only compound as, during the winter, we routinely reach temperatures as low as -20°, comparable with winters in Zone 5 of the USDA Hardiness Zone Map. Being able to handle the extreme temperature swings is just one of the many hurdles trees and plants must endure, especially as we continue to experience increasingly obscure weather patterns.