Even more trees are coming to Denver! Building on the success of the March 2014 Tree Diversity Conference, five different tree experts will be speaking at the Denver Botanic Gardens this coming March to present more ideas about underutilized tree species and cultivars. The time of losing many of our ash trees to the emerald ash borer will soon be upon us and the urgency of making wise replanting choices is greater than ever.

Our outstanding new program includes a professor of plant sciences and horticulture who hails from a very cold climate, an experienced Asian plant explorer and arboretum collections director, one of our country's foremost tree nursery propagators and two of the Front Range's best-known urban foresters. In addition to specific trees, we'll be hearing about some of the challenges climate change presents and about the role government can play in promoting more varied tree selection. Join us to further expand your menu of tree choices and together let's develop a more stable and secure urban forest!

2015 Lineup

Kathleen Alexander, Boulder, CO City Forester

Kris Bachtell, Collections Director, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL

Tim Buchanan, Ft. Collins, CO City Forester

Greg Morgenson, Woody Plant Research Specialist, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

Keith Warren, Plant Propagator, J. Frank Schmidt Nurseries, Boring, OR.

Schedule

(Subject to Change)

9:00 Welcome

9:05 Chad King, DU Sustainability

9:15 Keith Warren, J. Frank Schmidt: Selection and Introduction of New Tree Cultivars--Which Ones for Colorado?

10:00 Keith Warren: Q & A

10:15 Coffee Break

10:30 Kathleen Alexander, Boulder Forestry: Balancing Tree Species Diversity and Design

11:00 Kathleen Alexander: Q & A

11:15 Greg Morgenson, NDSU: Trees for South (and North) of the Border

12:00 Greg Morgenson: Q & A

12:15 Lunch Break

1:15 Tim Buchanan, Ft. Collins Forestry: Potential New Trees for the Front Range

1:45 Tim Buchanan: Q & A

2:00 Kris Bachtell, Morton Arboretum: In a Changing World--The Role of Plant Exploration, Evaluation and Introduction

2:45 Kris Bachtell: Q & A

3:00 Panel Discussion, all 5 Speakers

3:30 Close

$75, includes all programming and lunch

Rocky Mountain Gardening Elective

This class will help you to develop your skills in succession planting and extending the growing season to get 11-12 months from your vegetable garden. Learn the importance of plant family names and how to group them successfully and rotate them, cool and warm season crops and when and if you can replant for another season of certain crops. We will also cover techniques and materials to extend the season successfully so you can plant early in spring and keep certain crops going until late fall and into winter.

Members $39, Non-Members $44

Instructor: Patti O'Neal

This class provides an accessible introduction for anyone interested in raising backyard hens. Join Sundari Kraft, of EatWhereULive and Heirloom Gardens to learn how to choose the perfect chickens (best breeds and how/where to purchase), care for chicks and create housing and fencing. Participants also learn how to navigate financial considerations, overcome common challenges and get proper livestock licenses.

$35 member / non-member

Instructor: Sundari Kraft

Instructor:

Sundari Kraft is the owner of a beautiful flock of Denver backyard hens. She is the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Urban Homesteading," and successfully worked with city officials to change Denver's chicken laws.

This class provides an accessible introduction for anyone interested in raising backyard dwarf dairy goats. Join Sundari Kraft, of EatWhereULive and Heirloom Gardens, to learn how to choose the perfect goats (best breeds and how/where to purchase), make housing and fencing, feed, collect milk, breed and provide proper medical care and hoof trimming. Participants also learn how to navigate financial considerations, overcome common challenges and get proper livestock licenses.

$35 member / non-member.

Instructor: Sundari Kraft

Instructor:

Sundari Kraft. Sundari is the proud owner of Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats. She is the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Urban Homesteading," and successfully worked with city officials to improve Denver's goat laws.

Interested in floral design? Learn how to get started in this class - how to choose appropriate flowers, select containers, use floral foam, how color influences your bouquet, and how to make those flowers last their longest. Have all your cut flower questions answered by an expert and take home an arrangement that you make yourself.

Bring a small, sharp knife; OR sharp shears that you won’t need to use again for paper or fabric; OR garden clippers (no anvil cutters). There will be some clippers to borrow if you don’t have your own. Also, professional clippers will be available to purchase for $10.00. $24 materials fee provides flowers and container.

Instructor: Margaret Binet, AIFD, CPF, PFCI

$47 members, $52 nonmembers

Image: Courtesy of Nanimo off Flickr