Eric Wiseman

Dr. Eric Wiseman is an Associate Professor of Urban and Community Forestry at Virginia Tech, based in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation within the College of Natural Resources and Environment. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from Virginia Tech and a Ph.D. from Clemson University. His research focuses on arboricultural practices, urban forest ecophysiology, and urban forest management, with a particular emphasis on tree physiological responses, urban canopy assessment, and sustainable urban forestry practices. He teaches courses such as FREC 2254, 3354/3454/5454G, and coordinates Virginia's Big Tree Program.

Dr. Wiseman's educational background includes a B.S. in Forestry and Wildlife (Virginia Tech, 1996), M.S. in Forestry (Virginia Tech, 2001), and Ph.D. in Forest Resources (Clemson, 2005). Before academia, he worked as an arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Professional.

His research interests span urban forest assessment technologies, tree-soil interactions, and the socio-economic impacts of urban trees. Notable projects include geospatial canopy analysis, energy conservation via shade trees, and urban wood utilization. He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with recent work emphasizing climate resilience, carbon sequestration, and urban forestry career pathways.

Key awards include the ISA Early-Career Scientist Award (2012), Virginia Tech's Outstanding Teaching Award (2019), and the Alex L. Shigo Award for Arboricultural Education (2016). His outreach includes leadership roles in the Virginia Urban Forest Council and Arboricultural Research & Education Academy.

Dr. Wiseman’s teaching integrates field skills with urban forestry theory, emphasizing practical applications. He advises students on topics like tree risk assessment, urban canopy policy, and sustainable landscape design. His lab focuses on bridging academic research with community forestry practices, particularly through the Virginia Big Tree Program, which documents and conserves champion trees.