Instructors will include Paul Orr, Jimmy Culpepper, Tom Campbell, Hallie Dozier and Scott Courtright. The cost for all 6 sessions is $60 members and $95 for nonmembers, which includes $35 for a one-year membership.

Know The Urban Forest Where We Live! ~ Thursday, March 19, 2009
Class Topic: Native Tree Identification
Participants will learn tree and shrub identification skills and practice those skills as they tour the arboretum grounds during its peak spring display of fresh new leaves, flowers and seeds. By the end of the class, everyone will have a better understanding of the diversity and characteristics of Louisiana trees and plants. Hands-on activities will include the installation of tree and plant identification signs along the arboretum trails. A construction plan for tree and plant identification markers for the home garden will be provided for each participant.

Designing With Hurricane Resistant Trees! ~ Thursday, March 26, 2009
Class Topic: Native Tree Selection
Hilltop Arboretum is an outstanding example of landscape design the native way. Planting designs that pair indigenous tree and shrub associations dominate the arboretum and are a hallmark of Emory Smith’s original planting designs. A restoration planting design for the beautiful ravine that flows through the heart of the arboretum will be used to illustrate the native plant design concept. A hands-on planting project will engage everyone in the restoration of native trees and shrubs along the banks of the ravine.

Planting Trees For Our Changing Climate! ~ Thursday, April 2, 2009
Class Topic: Tree Planting
Hilltop Arboretum provides the perfect setting to learn the right way to plant a tree. A tree planting demonstration will illustrate the step-by-step process required to plant a tree successfully and essential aftercare techniques. The complexities of urban soil necessitate appropriate tree selection for optimum growth and will be an important topic of the class. A tree planting project will engage participants in the reforestation of native trees (American Beech, Big Leaf Magnolia, Hophornbeam, Blue Beech, Silver Bell & Yellow Poplar) in the cathedral area of the arboretum. Participants will have the opportunity to purchase native trees and plants for their home gardens from the Hodge Podge volunteer nursery, located on the arboretum property and tended by a committed core of volunteers.

Canopies Matter! ~ Thursday, April 9, 2009
Class Topic: Tree Pruning
Manage healthy tree canopies and minimize the risk of wind damage by learning basic tree pruning skills including the best tools for the job and how to use them. Pruning demonstrations will show basic procedures for training young trees in containers, crown raising and thinning, and dead wooding in more mature trees while emphasizing tool safety. For more extensive tree pruning needs, learn basic must-know information for selecting a qualified, licensed arborist. Quality pruning tools will be available for purchase at the Hilltop Gift Shop.

The Root of the Matter! ~ Thursday, April 16, 2009
Class Topic: Tree Maintenance
Urban soil, compacted and depleted of essential organic matter and nutrients, is a strong contributing factor in poor growth performance of trees, so don’t underestimate the significance of “Tree Root Stuff.” Procedures to assess the condition of urban soils and simple techniques to restore healthy soil profiles will be taught. The benefits of tree mulching and fertilization will be discussed. Mulching and fertilization demonstrations will round out the session.

The Tree Doctor! ~ Thursday, April 23, 2009
Class Topic: Poor Tree Health: Insects & Diseases
Look at your trees with a new eye. Learn the language of trees; how to "see" and respond to what your tree is telling you about its health. This session will train participants to identify signs of declining tree health and insect and disease problems. An overview of the most common insect and diseases of trees will be presented with special attention to those prevalent in the greater Baton Rouge area.