Bridging the Gap Between Arborists and Landscape Architects Through Standards of Practice - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/HSW)

Recorded On: 09/16/2026

Landscape architects seek lasting, resilient landscapes, yet gaps between design intent and implementation often lead to preventable tree failure. Learn from standards authors and practitioners how the ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards strengthen specification writing, improve constructability, and enhance long-term tree performance.

Learning objectives:

Explain what the ANSI A300 standards are, who uses them, and how they influence tree survival, constructability, and long-term landscape performance.
Identify key interdisciplinary collaborators and their roles in aligning design intent with implementation to improve project outcomes.
Identify updates to the ANSI A300 standards and key specification language ("shall," "should," and "may") that strengthens enforceability in construction documents.
Apply arboricultural standards to improve planting, pruning, and establishment specifications within your own projects.

Deb Hilbert

Asst. Prof. of Arboriculture and Urban Forestry

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Dr. Deb Hilbert is an urban tree scientist, strategist, and educator. She is an Assistant Professor of Arboriculture and Urban Forestry at ESF, where she teaches students about tree care and urban forest management and conducts research on urban tree establishment and survival; nursery tree diversity, quality and availability; and urban tree selection. She is Vice President of the Arboricultural Research and Education Academy, an ISA Certified Arborist (+ TRAQ), and a consultant. She brings both scientific expertise and practical field experience to understanding how we can help urban trees thrive.

Celia R. Nichols, ASLA, PLA, ISA

Principal Landscape Architect, Certified Arborist

Nichols Landscape Architecture, Inc.

Celia Nichols, a professional Landscape Architect and certified Arborist with more than thirty-seven years of experience and is President of NICHOLS Landscape Architecture who “Provides Creative and Sustainable Solutions for Outdoor Spaces and Places.” Her practical experience and design involvement spans from community town-planning, regional malls, multi-acre community developments, institutional, redevelopment projects, urban plazas, streetscapes to recreational facilities. She has been the Florida Conference Chair for three state ASLA conferences. She currently represents ASLA as a member on the ANSI A300 Committee. Celia has a high level of integrity and has an award-winning reputation at the state and local levels.

Richard Hauer

Director of Urban Forestry

Eocene Environmental Group

Richard Hauer is the Director of Urban Forestry at Eocene Environmental Group and Professor Emeritus of Urban Forestry at the UW Stevens Point. He received his B.S. from the UW Stevens Point, M.S. from the University of Illinois, and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Rich has conducted research in tree biology, urban forest management, emerald ash borer management, trees and construction, tree risk management, and ice storms. He received the 2018 & 2024 L.C. Chadwick Award for Arboricultural Research and 2023 Alex L. Shigo Award for Excellence in Education. He has 200+ publications and 600+ talks throughout the world.