Tree Injection & Systemic Treatments: When, Why & How to Do Them Right

Presented by William Scott
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist | Urban Forest Professional

Tree injection and systemic treatments can be effective tools for managing insects, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, and other plant health problems—but successful treatment requires more than choosing the right product.

This course examines how systemic materials move through trees and how tree physiology, environmental conditions, application method, and timing influence treatment success. Participants will compare trunk injection and infusion with soil-applied, basal bark, and other systemic approaches while learning how to select appropriate treatment candidates, troubleshoot poor uptake, evaluate results, and determine when alternative strategies are needed.

Learning Objectives

Participants completing this course will be able to:

• Explain how tree physiology and environmental conditions influence systemic treatment uptake and distribution.
• Evaluate whether a tree is an appropriate candidate for systemic treatment.
• Compare trunk injection, infusion, soil-applied, basal bark, and other systemic treatment methods.
• Select appropriate treatment timing and application locations.
• Recognize causes of poor uptake or unsuccessful treatment and identify alternative approaches.
• Apply systemic treatment, monitoring, and retreatment principles to private, utility, and publicly managed trees.

Earn the Following CEUs Upon Completion:

• 3.5 CEUs – ISA Certified Arborist
• 3.5 CEUs – BCMA Science
• 2.5 CEUs – BCMA Practice
• 2.0 CEUs – ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional
• 0.5 CEUs – ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist