ReLeaf Michigan offers educational presentations and workshops for homeowners throughout Michigan, each one tailored to the needs of the community. Whether the educational opportunity focuses on teaching the correct pruning technique, selecting the right tree for the right location or learning how to protect your trees from diseases like oak wilt, these in-person educational sessions are valuable opportunities for residents to hear expert advice, ask questions, and gain an understanding of how we can each do our part to help our trees stay healthy for many years into the future. Please note, a small presentation fee and travel expenses may be charged. 

Available Topics for Presentations:

Click on each presentation title to learn more
*Presentations with an asterisk can be adapted for youth education 

​Basic Tree Care and Maintenance

​This presentation covers the benefits of trees, tree biology, how to choose trees and plant them properly, and how to prune trees. 

Protect Oak trees from Oak Wilt Disease

​Learn all about how to protect your oak trees. Speaker will discuss what oak wilt is and which trees are affected, what causes its spread, control measures and treatments, how to protect your trees, important dates and restrictions, removal, disposal, transport, and storage of diseased oak wood, and guidelines for hiring a tree service or arborist. 

​Proper Tree Planting in the Urban Forest

If you’ve wondered why the trees you’ve planted in your municipality are not surviving, this presentation is for you. The speaker will walk you through the necessary steps, from starting from scratch to ensuring your investment survives. We’ll discuss the importance of soil, tree fertilizer, what to ask for when going out for bids, and how when a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Benefits of an Urban Tree Canopy*​

​This presentation will cover the basics of why a tree canopy is so important while outlining the quantifiable benefits trees provide to a community. Trees affect our environment, energy bills, economy, and even the value of our homes. You'll also learn why planting trees of diverse species will support a healthy community forest that will live for generations to come.

The Latest Insects and Diseases ​

​The speaker will walk you through the most recent insects and diseases that are causing trouble in Michigan trees. 

Importance of Trees to You and Your community: How Trees Pay Us back

​Research has come a long way, and it is now possible to quantify the environmental, health and economic benefits derived by the trees in a community. Learn how trees are improving your health, boosting the value of your property, and even increasing the city's prosperity. This educational presentation is a great way to learn about the value trees add to the community and why they are a valued component of a community's green infrastructure.

Ten Things Homeowners Should Know About Their Trees

​We will cover how to select trees for your landscape, the importance of and function of roots, general tree maintenance, and when/how to hire a tree service.

Trees and Shrubs: Basic Care and Prep for Winter ​

This presentation will be teaching techniques to keep your landscaped plants healthy and ready to withstand the often-harsh Michigan winters.

Native Michigan Landscape Trees ​

​Discussion will include what makes a tree 'native' and when they are best used or when a non-native would better suit the goal. The speaker will also give you tips for making the most of native plants' best qualities: lower maintenance, less disease and pest problems and more wildlife.

Tree Selection - How to Decide ​

​This presentation walks you through the basics of tree selection and how to identify the best trees for your project.

Plant It Well, Enjoy It Forever: Best Practices for Planting and Maintaining Trees

​This talk covers the basics of planting, what to do and what not to do, and how to ensure that the trees you plant will leave a legacy. 

What's Up with My Tree? How to Determine the Problem and What to Do

​The speaker will discuss the most imminent threats facing our trees in Michigan. The presentation will include identification and mitigation measures to ensure the long-term health and vitality of Michigan's trees. 

Tree Risk: It's Real and Requires Assessment ​

This presentation will identify the common defects in trees that compromise their structural integrity and discuss measures to prevent and manage structural weakness. Covered topics will include defining tree risk assessment, what makes a tree risky, identifying structural defects in trees, categorizing & prioritizing tree risk and mitigating tree risk.

Healthy Trees in the Home Landscape

​Choosing the correct trees and shrubs is also key. This class lists good and bad trees, why you should choose tree “A” over tree “B”; It also explains micro-climates (environmental conditions). Finally, Oak Wilt is a devastating disease of Oaks. learn how to recognize it, and what you can do to help prevent it 

The Michigan Big Tree Hunt*​

​This presentation will cover the Michigan Big Tree Hunt, a contest run by ReLeaf Michigan to identify the largest tree in each county, and the largest in the state! This presentation will cover how to submit a tree for consideration, how to properly measure trees, how to help out in the contest, and more!

I Like that Tree, is it Right for Me?

​This presentation covers a great line-up of trees and how to pick the ones that will not only brighten your fall but thrive on your site. Whether you plant for yourself or hire a tree planting crew, this presentation provides essential information on how and what to look for to make sure it is done correctly 

Available Topics for Hands-On Workshops:

Click on each workshop title to learn more

Pruning workshop

This tree education workshop addresses the correct way to prune trees and shrubs for their long-term health and vitality. Participants will learn the basics of pruning, including the biology of a tree, proper timing for pruning, and how to make a proper cut. Safety will be stressed as well as debunking some pruning myths.

How to Plant a Tree; Basic Care and Maintenance Required

This workshop introduces elements of tree planting, maintenance of newly planted trees, and benefits of trees to the environment and your quality of life. We will discuss tree biology, the various benefits of planting trees, urban forest management, and how to best plant a tree. Then we will demonstrate and provide a hands-on opportunity to plant trees and perform maintenance to newly planted trees and existing trees as available.

Citizen Arborist Program Pruning Workshop

A version of our pruning workshop dedicated to Citizen Arborists.

​Big Tree Hunt guided walk*

This workshop will discuss ReLeaf Michigan's Big Tree Hunt contest and will included a guided walk. We will show you how to measure trees for the contest, and will discuss how to submit your measurements.

Watch Recordings of Past Webinars
You can also watch recordings of past webinar talks at our Tree Planting Resources page.