Decay-Testing, Biology, Bio-Mechanics
Understanding biomechanical principles and biology in relation to assessing trees for decay.
June 16-17, 2025
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
University of Minnesota – St. Paul Campus
Plant Growth Facilities West
1552 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
Workshop Description
In this workshop, Chris Luley, Ph.D. (President, Urban Forest Diagnostics, LLC) discusses fungal identification, biology and life cycles. He also explains how different decay organisms interact with their host. Frank Rinn, inventor of the RESISTOGRAPH and ARBOTOM (Owner, RINNTECH) discusses tree biology and biomechanics, and how breaking forces act on trees in various states of decay. The information provided by these experts will assist you in managing trees with decay more effectively.
Agenda
Day 1
7:45 am – Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:20 am – Welcome
8:30 am – Luley – Assessing trees for decay – Luley
9:20 am – Rinn – Wood anatomy, wind-load, and basic tree biomechanics
10:30 am – Break
10:45 am – Luley – Biology of decay fungi: decay types, life cycles, and fruiting
11:35 am – Rinn – Shell-wall thickness and breaking safety of mature trees
12:25 pm – Lunch (provided)
1:00 pm – Outdoor Session: Luley and Rinn will demonstrate tree assessment using basic and advanced testing methods including visual, sounding, DNA testing, and resistance drilling (resistograph)
2:20 pm: Break
2:35 pm: Rinn – Basics, possibilities, and limitations of tree inspections
3:25 pm: Luley – Introduction to TreeRot.com and identification of common decay fungi, what they mean to stability
4:15 pm: Wrap up
Day 2
7:45 am – Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:20 am – Welcome
8:30 am – Luley – Decay fungi identification: Part 2
9:20 am – Rinn – Advanced tree biomechanics
10:30 am – Break
10:45 am – Luley – Root decay fungi identification, assessment, and management
11:35 am – Rinn – Calculating tree-safety
12:25 pm – Lunch (provided)
1:00 pm – Outdoor Session: Rinn will demonstrate tree assessment advanced testing using sonic tomography (Arbotom)
2:20 pm: Break
2:35 pm: Rinn – Basics, possibilities, and limitations of tree inspections
3:25 pm: Luley – Does biology trump biomechanics?
4:15 pm: Wrap up/Evaluations
CEUs
13.5 ISA CEUs
Registration
$325 – Non-Member
$295 – MSA Chapter Member (each individual must be a member to receive this rate).
You can checkout with a credit card or choose to receive an invoice to pay by cash or check.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation notices submitted to MSA on or before June 9, 2025, will receive a refund less a $25 per registrant cancellation processing fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after June 9.
Questions
msa@msa-live.org