Windridge Landscaping was asked to put on a Tree Risk Assessment Lab for about a dozen Urban Forestry Students by their professor Billy Newman. Our ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Certified Arborist & Qualified Tree Risk Assessor (TRAQ) on staff, Jennifer Hughes volunteered to lead the lab and introduce the students to the ISA methodology for Tree Risk Assessment. Karen Stanley of the Virginia Department of Forestry was present to talk about risk assessment in forestry and talk about the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) treatments & experimental pasture plantings that have been preformed at the farm.

Dabney Lancaster Community College is one of the few Community Colleges in the state that offers these kinds of courses & specializations in Forestry. They have a dynamic & growing program, and we here at Windridge are committed to furthering the education of up and coming professional members of the Green Industry. Jennifer brought her relationship with the college with her from her time in the City of Lexington where she served as the City Arborist for over six years. They spent several hours on Wednesday, April 16th out in the beautiful weather learning and applying new risk assessment techniques.

McCormick Farm is also the site for the Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research Center through Virginia Tech and is open to the public. It is an absolutely beautiful and historic place to visit. The grounds are a perfect place to spend a day picnicking with the family, touring the mill and other structures, strolling around the pond; or just sitting under the magnificent Beech tree getting ideas for you next landscape project.