Ecological Arboriculture

So many of us love our trees, yet they’re still too often seen and cared for as ornaments in our gardens or isolated organisms, rather than as dynamic parts of a living landscape. In reality, trees can serve as the heart of thriving ecosystems that support the birds and wildlife we love.

This workshop introduces the principles of ecological arboriculture—a holistic approach to caring for trees, woody plants, and landscapes that recognizes trees as habitat, food sources, and essential ecosystem engineers. Explore how planting strategies, species selection, and arboricultural practices can be adapted to enhance biodiversity and ecological function in the landscape while creating beautiful spaces and healthier trees.

Class level: All

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Instructor Bio:

Christopher Roddick is a practicing arborist and was the head of Arboriculture and Foreman of Grounds at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for 30 years before moving to Northwest CT to start Sweet Birch Land & Tree.

Chris practices ecological arboriculture, a holistic approach to caring for trees and land that uses a modern understanding of tree and soil biology, ecology, and organic practices as a base for maintenance and cultivation decisions. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and a NOFA AOLCP.

By looking at trees as the center of tree-based ecosystems, Chris consults on veteran tree care, tree species selection, and conducts specialized pruning. He advises on landscape design, selecting shrubs and herbaceous plantings that support trees and work together for beauty, function, and ecology.