Tree Steward Manual 2021

What is this book?

This is the training handbook for Virginia Cooperative Extension’s advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward training. While this handbook is meant to help Extension Master Gardeners during their training as tree stewards, it is also a useful reference book for anyone interested in trees!

What is the Extension Master Gardener program and what is tree steward training?

Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) are trained volunteer educators who bring the resources of land-grant universities to the people of Virginia. Virginia’s EMG program consists of more than 4,000 volunteers who annually contribute 400,000+ hours of volunteer service related to home horticulture in Virginia. Volunteers receive more than 30 hours of training through their local Virginia Cooperative Extension office and serve their communities through projects like school and community gardens, horticulture help desks, and educational programs.

EMGs can also choose to receive additional training in one of three advanced program areas: trees, water, or land care. This handbook guides EMG volunteers seeking certification as an Advanced EMG Tree Steward. Tree Steward training programs can be offered through a local Extension office if there is sufficient local interest.

Introduction

To be an Extension Master Gardener Tree Steward (EMG TS) is to see new wonders: where once you walked in a park and enjoyed a mass of greenery for the shade, now you will recognize individual friends in the trees which provide that shade. When you see a venerable giant, you will know something about how it got to be that way. Trees are the largest living things on earth, and they are vital to the web of water, air and food which makes life possible on our fragile planet. You are about to learn how to learn about them, how to take care of them, and how to help our communities value them as they deserve. You may even be able to help tackle some of our worst challenges in urban tree survival under hostile conditions, or the preservation of healthy rural forests from significant ecological threats.

On a more mundane plane, this chapter describes Virginia Cooperative Extension Advanced Master Gardener Programs, considering especially Tree Stewards. It explains the conceptual design of the manual, with discussion and examples of practical ways for new EMG TS to support VCE objectives and improve their communities.

This manual is based upon the assumption that all EMG TS students are fully qualified EMG and are therefore familiar with the VCE Master Gardener Handbook (the basic class text). If it has been a while since training, or if you are a transfer from another state, then review may be appropriate. Each chapter in this manual will say up front which basic chapters and/or topics are relevant.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand Virginia Cooperative Extension Advanced Master Gardener program goals.
2. Understand what VCE EMG Tree Stewards do to advance VCE goals.
3. Know the intent and organization of this Training Manual.