Outreach Program
The Rutgers Urban Forestry Outreach Program works with several other organizations throughout New Jersey and the northeast.
Our goal is to connect the personnel and programs at Rutgers to the Center for Resilient Landscapes, the NJ Urban & Community Forestry Program, and the community of consultants and shade tree program volunteers in New Jersey.
It is our hope that by helping to build contacts and connections, the information and tools developed through these programs will be better and more fully utilized in the management of local shade tree resources.
As part of our ongoing outreach effort, we’ve created the following infographics that address some common issues and topics in urban forestry. Please feel free to share these widely!
If you have any forestry related topics you’d like us to address, feel free to let us know!
Mulching Trees Air Quality – Trees Heat & Drought Stress Watering Trees
Plant Field Guides
Check out our visual plant field guides here.
Tree Replacement Guides
Use these handy lists to choose species to plant in your local area. These guides were created by Jean Epiphan, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, ISA Certified Arborist and New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert.
Tree Replacement Guide – North Jersey
Tree Replacement Guide – Central Jersey
Tree Replacement Guide – Southern Jersey
Connect with us
Follow us on social media, @RUForestry or feel free to contact us for more information:
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Dendro Etymology: The Meaning and Origin of Tree Nomenclature and Common or Vernacular Names
By Atomu Saul
Access the full Dendro Etymology book here for free
Excerpt from the book:
This dictionary, with information originating from a large number of resources, covers: 437 individual tree species. 731 vernacular names, 61 families, and 145 genera. 40 of these species are labeled under spp. in order to explain a vernacular name that may be seen in an entire genus or multiple genera. Many trees are commemorated by historical figures, and so at the end of this book, prior to the glossary, there is a section that contains a small biography for each of the 78 people covered in this dictionary, explaining why these trees are named after these people. For the majority of the trees we encounter, the identification process can be simplified by understanding the meaning behind their names—whether scientific or vernacular. Many of these names are indicative of the tree’s features, which helped us quickly connect appearance to identity.
About the Author:
Atomu Saul is an undergraduate at Rutgers University New Brunswick majoring in General Plant Biology, while also studying extensively in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources and completing all coursework in the Urban Forestry Program. Through this, Atomu explores trees from the broad physics and interactions of their ecosystems down to the microscopic atoms that make up their inner workings. Atomu has also served as the Teaching Assistant for Dendrology under Dr. Jason Grabosky, and the President of the Rutgers University Forestry Club outside of the classroom. Additionally, Atomu operates a sawmill on campus, recycling university trees into materials for community and university projects.
Atomu is an avid reader and collector of books on tree physiology, but more importantly, he enjoys sharing the fascinating things he learns with friends and other curious minds. Through this, he has come to appreciate breaking down complex ideas into something more digestible, and he hopes this book provides the same service—offering additional aid in bridging Latin binomials with the physical characteristics used in tree identification.
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Educational Videos:
Check out our tree identification video on conifers. Featuring Dr. Grabosky.
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Campus Tree Inventory
We have a campus inventory of trees! You can check out the map for yourself here:Rutgers University Tree Plotter Map
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These are upcoming forestry related events that you may be interested in.
They are not hosted by Rutgers unless otherwise noted.
If you’re looking for NJUCF Continuing Education Opportunities, please visit our NJUCF Continuing Education page.
NJ Shade Tree Federation 100th Annual Conference
Date: Thursday October 16 & Friday October 17, 2025
Time: Doors open to attendees at 7:30AM
Location: Harrah’s Resort Waterfront Conference Center, 2nd floor Avalon Ballrooms
Venue Address: 777 Harrah’s Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
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Our annual Arbor Day Photo Contest is a fun way to engage with trees in your local environment. With a different theme each year, the inspiration is always changing!
Winners are displayed on our website, social media, and by our partners, the NJ Shade Tree Federation and NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Urban and Community Forestry. Thank you to all who participate!
2026
Details coming soon!
2025
Click here to view the winners of our 2025 Arbor Day Photo Contest!
2024
Please check out the winners of our 2024 Arbor Day Photo Contest
Additionally, click here to see the runners up!
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We are a partner organization with the NJ Forest, Landscape, and Agricultural Pest Roundtable, an interdisciplinary team comprised of representatives from the NJ Department of Agriculture, NJ State Forest Service, USDA APHIS, Rutgers University, and the US Forest Service. The Task Force works to collaborate on pest management decisions and advice, and to consolidate and disburse information and resources relevant to these pests in New Jersey.
NJ Forest, Landscape, and Agricultural Pest Resources:
- Emerald Ash Borer
- Spotted Lanternfly
- Beech Leaf Disease
- Elm Zizag Sawfly
- Asian Longhorned Beetle
- Spongy Moth
- Pine Shoot Beetle
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- Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station has published hundreds of fact sheets on a wide variety of topics.
- Rutgers NJAES Environmental & Natural Resources Fact Sheets
- How to Hire a Tree Care Professional
- Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.Visit the links below to learn more.
- i-Tree is a state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed software suite from the USDA Forest Service that provides urban and rural forestry analysis and benefits assessment tools. The i-Tree tools can help strengthen forest management and advocacy efforts by quantifying forest structure and the environmental benefits that trees provide.The i-Tree website offers a multitude of training opportunities for their free software. Most recently they conducted a 2023 i-Tree Open Academy, and the recordings are available here. If you are interested in learning more about the value of your urban forests check it out!