Prescription Pruning Qualification (PPQ)

@ Clubhouse at the Woodcreek
on Tuesday, July 28-30, 2026
in Roseville, CA


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Non Member: Day 1 only

$200.00

Non WCISA Member: Day 1 only

Sale ends Jul 10

Non Member Rate: 3 Days

$650.00

Non WCISA Member Rate: 3 Days

Sale ends Jul 10

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This practical, applied program guides arborists through the process of strategically planning, specifying, and implementing an objective-based pruning approach. It will make you a better arborist by showing you how to incorporate industry standards and ISA BMPs with current research and practice. The PPQ is the culmination of the commitment of the Florida Chapter ISA Pruning Credential Committee who are passionate about making trees more compatible with urban and suburban environments.

Vision statement: Develop a new industry paradigm whereby no tree – or group of trees – is pruned without a prescription.

Goal: Improve communication between prescriber, production arborist and tree owner. Increase clarity when preparing work orders.

What this program does: The new paradigm shifts the decision of which branches to prune from the production arborist to an informed prescriber. It establishes a protocol resulting in consistency between the arborist preparing the prescription and the production arborist. This credential teaches you how to prescribe and perform pruning in accordance with industry standards and ISA’s BMP supported by the latest research and experience.

Why should I get this qualification?

  1. Improves professionalism for new and seasoned arborists.
  2. Establishes a standardized, accountable, objectives-based pruning process.
  3. Teaches an approach that increases life expectancy and clearance and reduces likelihood of failure.
  4. Improves your ability to explain to tree owners, contractors, and crew why and how to prune.

Who should get this qualification?
Arborists who prune trees or prescribe pruning or people who prepare and manage pruning contracts.

There are two types of attendees for this training: Producers and Prescribers

production arborist (Producer) working in trees, or anyone, seeking an organized process of evaluating tree owner and arborist conditions of concern, and an approach to pruning designed to solve these concerns.

pruning prescriber (Prescriber) is a certified arborist.

Two training tracks are offered: (1 DAY Registration only)
Day 1 – Producers –Spend the day with Dr. Ed Gilman
Producers are finished with the training at the end of day one, and each receives a certificate of completion. There is no exam. ISA certification is not a prerequisite.

Day 1, 2 and 3 – Prescribers – Take your knowledge to the next level! No walk in registration will be allowed for this option.
The second and third day of training focus on preparing pruning prescriptions using many examples which include outdoor exercises. This is an interactive program with many activities. There is a review and a multiple-choice exam on the third day. Those passing the exam become PPQ qualified.-Must be an ISA Certified Arborist.

Manual: Producers and prescribers each receive a Pruning Prescription Manual and Workbook.

For more information on the qualification - please link to the Florida ISA website 

Prescription Pruning Qualification – Florida Chapter ISA (floridaisa.org)

Agenda:
Day 1: Producers and Prescribers in the same class

  • Introduction with definitions
  • Tree Architecture
  • Response to Pruning Cuts
  • Guiding Urban-compatible Tree Architecture (pruning)

Day 2: Prescribers only

  • Prescription Approach to Pruning
  • Preparing Prescriptions
  • Outdoor Prescription Exercises and Discussion
  • Mature Trees and Palms

Day 3 (half day): Prescribers only

  • Review
  • Exam

Registration Information

  

Cancellation Policy:
Cancellation refunds (less $25) will be honored if requested 10 days prior to the event. 

Request for special Testing Accommodations:
If you have an accommodation request please contact Rita Franco (rita@wcisa.net). 
Request needs to be received prior to registering.

CEUs: 
Attending only 1 Day: Producer: (Not obtaining the qualification).

ISA - 7 CA/CTW/MS
7 BCMA - P

Attending all 3 Days: Prescriber: (Obtaining the qualification).
ISA - 15.5 CA/CTW/MS
15.5 BCMA - P

Speakers:

Dr. Ryan Klein, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida. His research focuses on the risk associated with urban trees and their survival following hurricanes and other intense storms. Ryan’s interests center around exploring the impacts that urban forests have on the health and safety of urban populations. He views the relationship between people and their natural surroundings as being especially significant since most of the world’s population live in urban areas and urban sprawl continues to consume our remaining natural spaces. Ryan is currently the Education Representative on the Florida Chapter ISA Board of Directors and is a member of the Education Committee

Carson Smith, is a partner and Operations Officer at O’Neil’s Tree Service in Palm Harbor, Florida. As Operations Officer, his duties include training, advancing safety, and managing crews to provide the highest standard of tree care. Carson is an ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist, Florida ISA Prescription Pruning Qualification (PPQ), and a NCCER Certified crane operator. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Florida Chapter ISA.

Location

Clubhouse at the Woodcreek
5880 Woodcreek Oaks Blvd
Roseville, CA 95747