February 4, 2026

Getting to the Root of the Problem with Container-grown Trees

Explore a decade of research on root defects in container-grown trees and strategies for mitigating these issues.
Presented by: Bert Cregg, Ph.D., Professor of Horticulture and Forestry, Michigan State University

Handout: (Posted here when available.)

White Grubs and Other Turf Pests

Learn about the biology, management, and emerging trends of turfgrass pests including white grubs, chinch bugs, and cutworms.
Presented by: PJ Liesch, Extension Entomologist / Director – Insect Diagnostic Lab, UW-Madison

Handout: (Posted here when available.)

February 11, 2026

Effects of Construction Activities on Trees in the Landscape

Understand how construction impacts tree health and discover methods to predict and prevent long-term damage.
Presented by: Gary Johnson, Professor Emeritus of Urban and Community Forestry, University of Minnesota

Handout: (Posted here when available.)

Workhorse Perennials for the Landscape

Discover reliable, low-maintenance perennials that deliver lasting beauty and performance across diverse garden settings.
Presented by: Mark Dwyer, Horticulturist & Landscape Designer

Handout: (Posted here when available.)

February 18, 2026

Fundamentals of Optimizing Turf Fertilization

Gain insights into science-based lawn fertilization practices that balance performance with cost-effectiveness.
Presented by: Dr. Doug Soldat, Professor, UW-Madison Extension

Handout: (Posted here when available.)

The Aesthetics of Rain Gardens: Designing for Function & Beauty

Learn how to design rain gardens using native plants to achieve natural, clean, or hybrid aesthetics.
Presented by: John Gishnock III, Owner/Landscape Architect, formecology, LLC

Handout: (Posted here when available.)

February 25, 2026

Top Five Diseases of 2025

Review the most notable plant diseases diagnosed at this he clinic in 2025 and their implications for landscape management.
Presented by: Dr. Brian Hudelson, Director, Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic, UW-Madison Extension

Handout: (Posted here when available.)

Flowering Shrubs for all Seasons

Explore a diverse selection of flowering shrubs that provide year-round interest, curated from Wisconsin’s largest woody plant collection.
Presented by: David Garison Stevens, Ed Hasselkus Curator, Longenecker Horticultural Gardens, University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum

Handout: (Posted here when available.)

Bert Cregg, Ph.D
Professor of Horticulture and Forestry, Michigan State University

Dr. Bert Cregg is a professor of Horticulture and Forestry at Michigan State University. He conducts research and extension programs on the physiology and management of trees with a focus on urban forestry and nursery and Christmas tree production.

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PJ Liesch
Entomologist, UW-Madison Extension

Patrick (PJ) Liesch is an Extension entomologist and the director of the University of Wisconsin Insect Diagnostic Lab. PJ also provides entomology-related outreach throughout the state, including regular appearances on Wisconsin Public Radio.

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Dr. Mike Schuster
Researcher, University of Minnesota

Mike Schuster, PhD, is a dynamic and dedicated researcher in the Department of Forest Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Schuster’s work delves into the intricate interactions between global environmental shifts and their impact on plant communities and ecosystem processes, with an emphasis on how invasive plant species, climate change, and nitrogen deposition shape our natural world.

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Mark Dwyer
Horticulturist & Landscape Designer

Mark Dwyer is currently the Garden Manager at the Edgerton (WI) Hospital Healing Garden and operates his own landscape design and consulting company, Landscape Prescriptions by MD. Prior to this, Mark was Director of Horticulture for 22 years at Rotary Botanical Gardens (Janesville, WI). Mark has degrees in landscape architecture and urban forestry.

Dr. Doug Soldat
Soil Extension Specialist/Faculty, UW-Madison

Doug Soldat is a professor and turfgrass extension specialist and chair of the Department of Soil Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Doug completed his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Soil Science from UW-Madison and earned a Ph.D. in Plant Science from Cornell University. His research and outreach programs are focused on improving turfgrass nutrient and water use efficiency. Doug teaches courses on turfgrass management and general soil science at the University of Wisconsin. 

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John Gishnock III
Owner/Landscape Architect, formecology, LLC

Dr. John Gishnock III is owner, licensed landscape architect, and sustainable landscaping advocate of formecology LLC, a Madison-based landscape design / build / care firm. At formecology LLC, John applies over 30 years of experience to focus on the use of native plants, rain gardens and prairie gardens, and natural stone hardscapes to achieve a low-maintenance, functional, and beautiful landscape for homeowners, small businesses, and public spaces.

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Dr. Brian Hudelson
Director, Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic, UW-Madison Extension

Brian Hudelson, affectionately known as “Dr. Death”, is the director of the UW-Madison Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic (PDDC).  The PDDC provides expertise in diagnosing plant disease problems, and information on plant diseases and their control to a wide range of clientele throughout the state of Wisconsin and beyond.

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David Garison Stevens
Ed Hasselkus Curator, Longenecker Horticultural Gardens
University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum

David is curator of Longenecker Horticultural Gardens, the U.W. Arboretum’s arboretum, which contain Wisconsin’s premiere collection of woody plants. His work background includes tree breeding and selection, greenhouse facility management, public garden supervision, and commercial vegetable production. He has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech and U.W.-Madison respectively. When not at the Arboretum, he helps run a 130-acre certified organic farm near Baraboo, WI with his wife Jane, with whom he was awarded the prestigious Organic Farmer of the Year award by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service in 2020..