Workshop offered on making trees more drought resilient

Prolonged drought can have severe and long-lasting effects on trees. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Nevada Division of Forestry, will present workshops, “Trees and Drought: An Arborist Series,” Sept. 26, 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sept. 27, 8:15 a.m. to noon.

Classes will provide information on current threats to our trees, how trees respond to water stress and strategies to make our community trees more drought resilient.

According to Heidi Kratsch, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension horticulture specialist, trees may exhibit visible damage from drought in the short term. In the long term, they may reduce flower and fruit production and eventually die if damage is severe. Drought-stressed trees are also less able to protect themselves and become more susceptible to invasion by insects or disease.

“Drought is something we’ll have to deal with for many years to come,” she said. “Learning to deal with one of our most valuable resources, our trees, is critical, because trees cool our landscapes, keep our homes cool, keep our cities cool, keep carbon in the ground and take carbon dioxide from the air, which fights global warming.”

Sept. 26 workshops include the following:

8:30 a.m. – How to Successfully Grow Fruit Trees in the High Desert Climate, taught by Phil Pursel, sales representative for Dave Wilson Nursery, Hickman, Calif.

10 a.m. – Tree Pests to Watch for in a Changing Climate, taught by Richard Hoenisch, plant pathologist for University of California, Davis

1 p.m. – Selecting Trees for Drought Resilience, taught by Larry Rupp, Extension horticulture specialist for Utah State University

2:30 p.m. – Bigtooth Maple: Developing New Cultivars for Outstanding Fall Color in Western Landscapes, taught by Rupp

Sept. 27 workshops include the following:

8:30 a.m. – Water Stress and Trees: How Forgiving Are They?, taught by Roger Kjelgren, professor of landscape horticulture for Utah State University

9:30 a.m. – Trees and ET, Evapotranspiration (outdoor demonstration/discussion), taught by Kjelgren

10:30 a.m. – Estimating Tree Water Use, taught by Kjelgren

The workshops will be held live in Reno, at 4955 Energy Way. Friday’s workshop will be available via videoconference at Cooperative Extension offices in Carson City, Elko, Eureka, Pahrump and Yerington. Workshop cost for Reno with lunch provided is $20 and covers certificates of attendance, refreshments and International Society of Arboriculture and Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Units for both full-course and one-day participants. Cost without lunch in Reno is $10. There is no fee for participants at the videoconferenced locations. Participants must register before Thursday.