Download - TCI Mag 9.06 Front...TREE CARE INDUSTRY – SEPTEMBER 2006 After the tragedy of a young woman losing her life in the Boston tunnels, I opened the Boston Globemid-July to the headline,

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TREE CARE INDUSTRY – SEPTEMBER 2006

After the tragedy of a young woman losing her life in the Boston tunnels,I opened the Boston Globe mid-July to the headline, “The culture of

stressing costs over safety.” You know I was going to read that article. Afterall, TCIA just launched this industry’s only safety certification – the CertifiedTreecare Safety Professional (CTSP) program – evidence of our determina-tion to help companies establish a culture of safety.

My eyes drifted down the page to the highlighted words, “Big Dig over-seers fell victim to one of the iron laws: ‘Fast, good, or cheap? Pick two.’” The cartoon above depictedan open grave dug with a tombstone above it that reads, “The Big Dig.”

David Luberoff opened his July 16th editorial by saying, “How could this happen? How could a proj-ect once touted as one of the 21st century’s engineering marvels have such fatal and seemingly obviousproblems. In coming weeks we’ll learn more details about just what went wrong. But it’s already clearthat part of the problem was that for more than a decade public officials in charge of the Big Digoveremphasized concerns about the project’s costs and under-emphasized the need to build a safe, well-built project. That’s not to say that they ignored concerns about safety and quality. Rather, they createda culture that was skeptical of – and at times hostile to – those who raised such concerns.”

Wow – in one sentence, he captured so much of what we have to deal with in this business every day.First, he acknowledges that culture is created. Whatever culture you have in your company, you havecreated it – with your words, with your actions, with your body language, with what you ignore, andwith what you pay attention to.

Secondly, he noted that it’s not just what the policy manual says about safety; it’s not what gets saidat the safety meetings; it’s how you interact with your people that tells them what value your companyreally holds around safety. So you can have all the pieces of paper in place, but if one of your employ-ees slows down a job, costs you production hours, brings up concerns about a piece of equipment andwaits for a replacement, works a little slower to be safer or, to be safe, decides to approach a job differ-ently than your salesman bid it – your reaction to those decisions creates the environment around whichyour employees will either repeat behaviors that ensure each other’s safety or know that they will paya price for doing so.

The question then becomes, is the culture you are creating, preparing your company for the inevitablefatality/serious injury, or doing everything to avoid that – at all costs? Based on the reports that havebeen filed in Massachusetts so far, the fatality in the tunnels of the Big Dig was predictable, planned for,and utterly preventable. You may blanch at the words, “planned for,” but yes, in fact, those decisionsthat were made in the interim laid the groundwork for the inevitable fatality.

There were decisions made at every step of the way by contractors and by public officials as towhether or not they were going to take appropriate interim actions that would ensure the public’s safe-ty. Regardless of how many months or years that the investigation takes, there will be points along theway that are clear that a decision was taken and a culture was created that allowed those decisions to bemade. A number of them have already been identified.

It’s your choice. Is your company working toward the inevitable fatality? Are you creating the culturethat permits that? Are you making decisions every day that are propelling you toward that day? Which oneof your employees will it be? If you aren’t working toward establishing a culture of safety every day, thenyou are working toward the inevitable establishment of a culture that will result in the inevitable fatality.

Remember – culture doesn’t happen; it’s created. The result of what you create is inevitable.

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Cynthia Mills, CAEPublisher

The Inevitable Fatality ...Outlook

TCI's mission is to engage and enlighten readers with the latest industry news and information on regulations, standards, prac-tices, safety, innovations, products and equipment. We strive to serve as the definitive resource for commercial, residential,municipal and utility arborists, as well as for others involved in the care and maintenance of trees. The official publication of thenon-profit Tree Care Industry Association, we vow to sustain the same uncompromising standards of excellence as our membersin the field, who adhere to the highest professional practices worldwide.

Tree Care Industry

Publisher

Cynthia Mills, CAE

Editor

Mark Garvin

Managing Editor

Don Staruk

Technical Editor

Peter Gerstenberger

Art Director

Richard May

Advertising Sales

Sachin Mohan(516) 625-1613

Classified Advertising

Suzanne Blanchette(603) 314-5380

Accounting/Editorial/Sales Offices

3 Perimeter Road, Unit 1Manchester, NH 03103Phone: (603) 314-5380Fax: (603) 314-5386

E-mail: [email protected]

Circulation

TCI, PO Box 15907 North Hollywood, CA 91615-5907

Fax: (603) 314-5386

Tree Care Industry Association

Officers & Directors

Thomas J. Golon, ChairWonderland Tree Care, Inc.

Oyster Bay, New York

Jeanne Houser, Vice ChairMcFarland Landscape Services, Inc.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scott Packard, Senior DirectorWright Tree ServiceDes Moines, Iowa

Tom TolkaczSwingle Tree Company

Denver, Colorado

Randy J. OwenOwen Tree Service, Inc.

Attica, Michigan

Terrill CollierCollier Arbor CareClackamas, Oregon

Tony GannAltec Industries, Inc.

Birmingham, Alabama

Erich SchneiderSchneider Tree Care

Taylors, South Carolina

Ron KeithArbor Masters Tree & Landscape

Shawnee, Kansas

Benjamin G. Tresselt, IIIArborist Enterprises, Inc.Lancaster, Pennsylvania


The Official Publication of the Tree Care Industry AssociationTree Care Industry Volume XVII Number 9

SEPTEMBER

Alternative Fuels for Utility Trucks are Coming ...By David Rattigan

New ANSI Z133 Stresses Aerial Rescue PreparednessBy Rick Howland

Tree/Shrub Insect Pest Management Update –Part II: New pesticides and when to use themBy Dr. Dave Shetlar

Fertilization 101: What to Use and WhenDr. Lakshmi Sridharan

Thin Kerf Sawmills: Why Waste Profits When You Can Profit from Waste?By Jack Petree

OutlookBy Cynthia MillsA culture of safety doesn’t happen; it’s created.

Cutting EdgeNew products and services, and news in the tree care industry.

TCI EXPO Brochure & Registration Form

Industry AlmanacImportant regional and national meetings and activities.

Features

Departments

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20

38

48

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(Continued on page 6)Copyright 2006 by the Tree Care Industry Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. The Tree Care Industry Association is dedicated to the advancement of commercial tree care businesses. Reference to commercial products or brand names in editorial does not constitute an endorsement by Tree Care Industry magazine or the Tree Care Industry Association. TreeCare Industry (ISSN 1059-0528) is published monthly by the Tree Care Industry Association, 3 Perimeter Road, Unit 1, Manchester, NH 03103. Subscriptions $30 per year (Canadian/International orders $45 per year, U.S. funds; $2.50 per singlecopy). Periodicals postage paid at Manchester, N.H., and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tree Care Industry, PO Box 15907, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5907.

Hybrid Trucks

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Profit from Waste

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4 TREE CARE INDUSTRY – SEPTEMBER 2006


TREE CARE INDUSTRY – SEPTEMBER 2006

The Official Publication of the Tree Care Industry AssociationTree Care Industry Volume XVII Number 9

SEPTEMBER

Management ExchangeBy Wayne OutlawCompanies that respond to higher fuel prices quickly with a positiveapproach, stressing value of services, will ultimately come out ahead.

Branch OfficeBy Paul HuffStrive for success by letting yourself and others shine.

Washington in ReviewBy Peter GerstenbergerOSHA is soliciting public comment concerning employer paperworkrequirements specified in its standards on PPE for General Industry.

Letters to the Editor

Giving BackBy M. Janet BornancinAfter three successful fund-raisers, the TREE Fund looks to the future.

Classified AdvertisingYour source for jobs, equipment and supplies.

Buyers’ Guide Supplement

TCIA ReporterSafety and training products, news, commentary and benefits of membershipwith the Tree Care Industry Association.

Advertiser Listing

From the FieldBy Elmer PykeI never thought I’d get sued!

Departments

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EXPO brochure

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Understanding and Troubleshooting Hydraulic SystemsBy Bill Warren

Fraud’s Cost Makes Precaution a Cheap AlternativeBy Christian A. Smith

When It’s Time to Grow, Where Do You Find the Money?By William J. Lynott

How to Attract, Keep & Motivate Your WorkforceBy Gregory P. Smith

In the TCI Equipment Locator supplement:

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... and they may change your world... and they may change your world... and they may change your world


By David Rattigan

Fuel costs are rising like the spaceshuttle. The Middle East is a tinder-box and half of the Alaskan pipeline

is closed for repairs. If you run a tree carecompany, you know exactly how that hitsyou. Higher prices at the pump transferdirectly to the bottom line, with no appar-ent respite for a nation dependent onforeign oil.

For good reason, the focus has neverbeen greater on the development of alter-native energy, both for power generationand machinery.

For that reason, in the not-so-distantfuture, hybrid bucket trucks will save fueland operate with less noise in residentialneighborhoods. Trucks will be powered bybiodiesel fuel straight from the fryolater at

the local McDonald’s. Climbers will userocket packs strapped to their backs.

OK, maybe that last scenario is a littlefar fetched.

But with thousands of private and publicinterests focused on fuel economy, a treecare company executive should expect anopportunity to make changes in his fleet.

Pay particularly close attention to a pilotprogram being run across the country (andin one Canadian province). Beginning latein 2005, 14 utilities have added 24 diesel-electric hybrid bucket trucks to their fleetsfor a one-year program to determinewhether positive results from controlledtests will translate into similar results in thefield. In the simplest terms, the diesel-elec-tric hybrid truck engines get better fuelefficiency on the road and on the job site.

A hybrid electric vehicle combines an

internal combustion engine and an electricmotor powered by batteries, merged to runa conventional engine more efficiently andcutting down on fuel use. In the utilitytrucks, the hybrid power train also helpspower the hydraulic lift of the bucket.

While a traditional bucket boom is pow-ered by the truck’s engine as it idles, thehydraulic bucket in these trucks is run bythe transmission’s power take off (PTO)feature, courtesy of the hybrid power train.The PTO allows the truck to be shut off forlong periods of time while the bucket is inuse. If the power drains, the transmissionautomatically turns the truck on, and theengine recharges the batteries, without theloss of hydraulics.

In controlled tests, the hybrids save sig-nificant amounts of fuel when the truck isrunning, and more because the bucket isoperated with the truck’s engine turned off.It also cuts back on emissions, because the

This hybrid utility truck is being built for a Hybrid Truck Users Forum(HTUF) pilot program. HTUF is a partnership among commercial inter-ests and the U.S. Army’s National Automotive Center. InternationalTruck and Engine Corporation developed the vehicle, using EatonTrucks’ hybrid power train and an Altec lift. Courtesy of EatonCorporation - Truck Group.


truck is operating for less of the time.

“Our early results have been very favor-able,” says Carol Peters, a spokespersonfor TXU Electric, the largest electricitytransmission and distribution company inTexas with 114,000 miles of power linesand serving 3 million homes and business-es. TXU is one of the utility companiesparticipating in the program, and put thetrucks into the field this spring. The com-pany is documenting how the trucksperform, and at this early juncturehave found the hybrids to be per-forming well.

“They conserve fuel, and they’requieter,” says Peters, adding thatsome operators have observed thatthere’s a safety benefit in a buckettruck that is used without the dieselengine of the truck running. “It’s safer,because they can hear,” she says.

The program is part of the work beingdone by WestStart-CALSTART, anadvanced transportation technologies con-sortium based in California. The non-profitorganization has approximately 130 mem-bers worldwide, including both private

companies and public agencies.

“Our goal is to build and grow anadvanced transportation technologiesindustry, new technologies such as hybrids,advanced and renewable fuels, and newsystems of transportationthat cut emissions,effect energy

effi-

ciency and create jobs,” says Bill VanAmburg, senior vice president atWestStart-CALSTART. He’s the programmanager for the Hybrid Truck Users

Forum (HTUF), a partnership among com-mercial interests and the U.S. Army’sNational Automotive Center. HTUF is run-ning the pilot program.

“The Army is looking at hybrids becauseof all the advanced capabilities and fuelservices they need put into vehicles that

they deploy,” Van Amburg says.“They also know that if theydid it completely alone,nobody would be able toafford it, including the

Army.”

Several years ago, the Armywanted to find out if there was

any commercial interest, identifywhere that interest was, and whether

there was a hybrid use in the commercialworld. From there, they determined that themutual interest could be put to use, sharinginformation and working together. HTUFwas formed in 2001.

The pilot program conducted by the util-ities should be of particular interest to treecare companies for two reasons. First, util-ity trucks work hard and often, as treecompanies do. Second, when the pilot pro-

TREE CARE INDUSTRY – SEPTEMBER 2006 9

Schematic of Hybrid system for utility trucks. Courtesy of Eaton Corporation - Truck Group.

Hybrid powerpack system


gram is completed and the hybrids go intomass production, prices will come down.

“You look at any one of the tree-trim-ming trucks that are out there, from thelarge tree trimmers or signal trucks in thepublic fleets, or boom-bucket trucks in theutility fleets,” Van Amburg challenges.“They’re pretty similar devices. There aresome differences in application, but that

base truck’s the same thing, and doing thesame work.”

International Truck and EngineCorporation developed the vehicle, usingEaton Trucks’ hybrid power train.

In developing a request for proposals,the utilities laid out performance goals,which included having the vehicle be able

to shut off at the work site and still be ableto raise the bucket, and 50 percent greaterfuel efficiency. The group also requiredthat the truck was on the path to short-termcommercialization. The models used fea-ture an International 4300 cab chassis witha pre-production hybrid-electric enginefrom Eaton.

“These trucks, at least in (controlled)testing in the duty cycles we picked, cutfuel use 40 to 60 percent,” Van Amburgsays. “That’s pretty significant!”

As a follow-up project, Van Amburg is inthe process of putting together anothergroup of commercial truck users for a pur-chase of 100 more, with a broader selectionof uses including some tree applications.

“I have worked with several tree compa-nies that are interested,” he says. “We’ll seeif they want to step up or if they want towait one more round. Over the next coupleof years, I think we’ll see these trucksmove into the multi-hundreds and the goalis to get them into the thousands in the nextcouple of years in terms of yearly produc-tion.”

Of course, the hybrid utility trucks willface barriers when going from pilot pro-gram to broader acceptance by commercialtree care companies. The foremost barrieris price. With new technology built at lowvolumes, the drive lines will be expensive.While the utilities bought the trucks in thepilot program, some additional fundingwas provided by WestStart-CALSTARTand by the U.S. Army, which will benefitfrom the research.

The Internal Revenue Service has prom-ised a tax credit for heavy-duty hybridtrucks, which is still in the process of beingfinalized.

International has said it expects to rollthe hybrid utility trucks out as productionvehicles in the near future, possibly thisfall. Most importantly, as production vol-ume goes up, the hybrids will becomemore affordable.

“We hope in two or three years, there’ll




be a pretty solid business case,” VanAmburg says. Although it has yet to beproved in the field, he theorized that theremay be reduction in maintenance costs andengine life could be extended.

“We’ve still got to get some data onthat,” he says.

Mark Lloyd, Eaton’s hybrid market

development manager, says the companyhas had several inquiries from tree carecompanies. In many ways, the tree careworksite applications are similar to thoseof the utility companies, he notes, includ-ing the fact that utility trucks may beparked in the same spot for several hours.

The emission reduction goal may not beas strong an issue for some tree care com-

panies as it is for energy companies, Lloydnotes. Also, because they work withengine-powered tools that are loud any-way, he isn’t sure that the quiet of thehydraulic lift would be highly valued.

However, Lloyd notes, “It’s hard to beatthe fuel efficiency.” If a tree care companyconsidered noise and emission reductionsto be ancillary benefits, all the better, hesays, as well as the benefit to a company’simage from running trucks that save onenergy.

As with many of the utility companiesinvolved in the pilot program, TXUElectric already uses many trucks that runon biodiesel fuel, part of an evolving effortto not only reduce dependency on foreignoil but also improve the environment.

The current program represents anextension of that desire. While the upfrontcost is substantial, if the program succeedsand the truck goes into mass production,says TXU’s Peters, there will be benefitsacross the industry and beyond. “Oncethere’s enough demand, the price willcome down,” she says.

Other forces may also push the hybridsinto broader commercial use.

“When diesel pushed through $2.50towards $3 a gallon, the payback period forthese trucks, even at their current prices,certainly got more interesting,” VanAmburg says. “It made the case for themand their volume prices pretty solid.”

While is wasn’t a requirement or even arequest that companies involved in the pro-gram power their trucks with biodiesel fuelor a blend, many already did. Because run-ning a biodiesel engine cuts petroleumconsumption even more, Van Amburgsays, “It starts to become an interestingstrategy if you care about global securityand care about global warming issues.”

Eaton – which developed and suppliesthe hybrid drive train – is involved in pilotprograms in other fields as well. There arecurrently 90 FedEx trucks using hybridpower trains built by Eaton, and the com-






By David Rattigan

The next time you’re about to chuckan apple core out the window, you

may want to consider whether you couldone day use it to drive to work.

Every day brings another report onbiodiesel, a diesel-equivalent fuel that isone of the hottest alternative fueloptions available today.

Consider these news stories from oneweek this summer:

In Fargo, N.D., city officials are study-ing whether switching to biodiesel fuelwill increase the efficiency of city buses.School officials in Little Rock, Arkansas,are considering the same thing.

In New Mexico, the governor’s officeannounced that the Rail Runner Express,a new commuter train operating on a 20-mile line between Albuquerque andBernalillo, would make the switch fromregular diesel fuel to biodiesel.

The trend is an international one.Japanese companies in Tokyo havestarted a feasibility test on the “compact9kWDiesel Cogeneration System,” anexhaust heat recovery equipment pack-age that mixes electricity with 100percent recycled biodiesel fuel forrecovering heat. And in Greece, twomajor energy companies announced ajoint project to build a biodiesel pro-cessing plant.

Processed from a variety of products,

from cooking grease to soybean oil,biodiesel is cleaner and cheaper thanoil-based fuels. Often mixed with diesel,it also provides better fuel efficiencythan traditional diesel fuel. Unlike manyother alternative fuels, which requireengine modification to run, biodiesel isrun in a diesel-engine.

Now comes a new form – NanoDiesel, a high grade straight fuel madefrom organic waste.

Washington-based Green Power,Inc. is making the rounds this falldemonstrating the waste-to-fuel tech-nology that can create fuel from aneveryday landfill. The company plans

Biodiesel is Already Here, and Now Comes Nano Diesel

(Continued on page 16)


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pany plans to add more to its fleet, accord-ing to Don Alles, marketingcommunications manager for Eaton.

“If the prototype program proves success-ful, they would like to convert significantamounts of their fleet over to alternativepower,” says Alles, whose company alsorecently announced an agreement to providethe hybrid drive train to trucks used by UPS.In the field, he said, the 15,000 to 18,000-pound FedEx delivery trucks demonstratedfuel savings up to 50 percent.

In addition to those programs involvingstop-and-go delivery trucks, the companyrecently announced its intention to applyhybrid power to heavy-duty trucks, class Abig rigs. The company has also workedwith general delivery trucks.

“Utility and working trucks may reallyend up being a sweet spot for hybrid,because their power demands are not onlywhen they’re rolling down the road butalso when they’re stopped,” Alles says. “Ifwe can save them fuel, and eliminate idlingat the work site, that’s good. Consider, forinstance, your readers operating a tree serv-ice. They come into a residential area. Thatresidential area would prefer that thosetrucks not be blowing diesel soot and mak-ing noise for eight hours a day whilethey’re at the work site. This is an opportu-nity for them to avoid that kind of stuff.”

Alles says he expects the feedback fromthe pilot program, consistent with other

tests, to reinforce the value of the new tech-nology.

“There’s no loss in performance from aconventionally powered truck to a hybridpowered truck,” he insists. “In fact, if thecustomer wants it, there are even opportu-nities for a greater level of performancethan we’ve previously seen with a conven-tional power truck. It’s all compromise –how much performance do you want, ver-sus how much fuel do you want to save.”

He adds, “I’ve been told by techniciansthat we can squeal the tires on a hybridtruck – the only issue is that most cus-tomers don’t need their tires to squeal and,of course, you’re wasting fuel and powerwhen you do that.”

Many of those in the oil industry wonderwhether, and when, the demand for oil willexceed new supplies, and see the resourcebeing more restricted and expensive incoming years.

“Even if you don’t care that we’re run-ning out, you do care about the cost of it,”Van Amburg says. With global competitionfor a restricted resource, the price will cer-tainly go up. “That being the case, if youhave strategies that cause you to use less ofit and still do the same work for your busi-ness, that’s going to be good all the wayaround.”

Not a lot of options

Other than biodiesels and diesel-electrichybrids, there are plenty of other alterna-tive energy projects/products out there that,at this point, don’t fit the needs of theindustry. Some very bright minds haveworked for years to develop alternativefuels and alternative types of transporta-tion; tests and prototypes have beendeveloped for cars run on solar power,hydrogen, etc. But the size and weight ofthe cars, trucks and SUVs favored byAmericans are not conducive to manyenergy alternatives, notes James Worden,president of Lawrence, Mass.-basedSolectria Renewables, LLC, and an experton solar energy. Vehicles have never been aprimary focus of that industry, he says,because they’re energy-inefficient.

“Vehicles these days are too heavy andbig,” Worden says. “In 20, 30 or 40 years,when fuel is $10 a gallon and people wantto find a different way because they don’twant to spend $150 bucks to fill their tank,then vehicles will get lighter and more effi-cient, no matter what. That’s a guarantee.Unless people are going to change theirway of life, and it’s practically guaranteedthat’s not going to happen.”

With that sobering reality, the tree careand utility market might consider itself for-tunate to have the options of biodiesel and,soon, diesel electric hybrids available tothem. As WestStart-CALSTART’s Bill VanAmburg says, we’ll now have to see if thetree care industry is going to step up.


“Even if you don’t carethat we’re running out,you do care about thecost of (oil) ... If you havestrategies that cause youto use less of it and stilldo the same work foryour business, that’sgoing to be good all theway around.”

Bill Van Amburg

to build its first processing plant nextyear and, according to a pressrelease, has a tentative agreement tobuild one in India, in partnershipwith private companies in that coun-try. It is planning a quick expansion.

“We really can convert regularhousehold waste, medical waste,anything that is not radioactive,

metal, glass or porcelain, into dieselfuel,” says Michael Spitzauer, CEOof Green Power, Inc.

By cleaning the landfills and using itas fuel, the process actually cleans theenvironment.

So, never mind the apple. Look atthe branches and leaves piled in theback of your truck. Think about takinga long drive for the weekend.

Biodiesel, and now Nano Diesel(Continued from page 14)



Vermeer makes Jessica Heldmarketing manager

Vermeer Manufacturing Company hasnamed Jessica Held to the role of market-ing communications manager. Shesucceeds Tony Briggs, who was recentlypromoted to director of underground sales.

In her new role, Held will develop cor-porate marketing objectives and strategiesfor the industrial product segments, directglobal advertising efforts, oversee allbranding initiatives and manage and coor-

dinate corporateevents, tradeshows and publicrelations efforts.Held joinsVermeer after ayear and a half asthe owner andoperator of Studio104, a graphicdesign and adver-tising studio.

Previously, Held spent six years at Vermeeras the senior graphic designer in the mar-keting department.

Oshkosh Truck to acquireIowa Mold Tooling Co. Inc.

Iowa Mold Tooling Co. Inc. (IMT), aleader in field service vehicles and truck-mounted cranes, has announced the signingof an agreement to be acquired by OshkoshTruck Corporation through a merger. IMTis a portfolio company of American CapitalStrategies, Ltd.

“This is a great opportunity all-aroundfor IMT,” said Steve Fairbanks, president ofIMT. “Oshkosh’s acquisition strategy statesthat they acquire market leaders, and we arehonored that we are seen in that light by acompany as prestigious as Oshkosh.”

IMT, headquartered in Garner, Iowa, is amanufacturer of field service vehicles andtruck-mounted telescopic cranes and artic-

ulating cranes. Oshkosh Truck, based in aOshkosh, Wis., is a manufacturer of spe-cialty commercial, fire and emergency, andmilitary trucks, and truck bodies. Withsales of about $3 billion for its fiscal 2005,Oshkosh employs more than 8,000 peopleworldwide. IMT employs about 375 peo-ple, and the company is expected tooperate as a wholly owned subsidiary ofOshkosh Truck Corporation’s commercialsegment.

John Deere Engine Worksmakes its 1-millionth engine

John Deere Power Systems and its dieselengine factory, John Deere Engine Works,reached two notable milestones this spring.The Waterloo, Iowa, factory simultaneous-ly celebrated its 30th anniversary andproduced its one-millionth engine.

Total production of John Deere enginesworldwide exceeds well over 5 million. Toaccommodate the rising global demand forthe engines, John Deere now manufacturesengines at five factories: Waterloo, Iowa;Saran, France; Torreon, Mexico; Rosario,Argentina; and Pune, India.

The one-millionth engine manufacturedat the Engine Works in Waterloo was a Tier2/Stage II PowerTech™ 8.1L engine, and itwas installed in a John Deere 9996 cottonpicker. John Deere presented a gold key to

the buyer of the unit.

“We are proud to announce that EngineWorks employees produced the one mil-lionth engine. This milestone is the resultof the efforts of all our employees – fromproduct design through manufacturing tosales and customer support,” says JeanGilles, senior vice president – John DeerePower Systems. “This engine reflects theinnovation, commitment, quality andintegrity of our employees as did the firstengine that came off the Engine Worksassembly line 30 years ago.”

Bartlett adds office,expands U.S. business

As Bartlett Tree Experts nears its 100thanniversary, the company is also nearinganother milestone – 100 office locations inthe U.S., Canada, Great Britain andIreland. With the addition of an office inAccokeek, Maryland, Bartlett now haswell over 90 locations and is continuallylooking for new growth opportunities.

The Accokeek office opened earlier thisyear as a result of the acquisition ofMoran’s Tree Service. Two other acquisi-tions in 2006, Shamrock Tree Service inDelaware and Northwood Tree Care inNew York, also aided Bartlett’s expansionin existing operating areas.

“As we approach our 100th anniversaryyear, I’m proud of how far this companyhas come and excited about what the futureholds,” said Robert A. Bartlett, Jr.,Chairman of Bartlett Tree Experts. “Ourcontinued growth demonstrates our com-mitment to this company, its employees,and to the arboricultural industry as awhole.”

Bartlett conducts thorough evaluationsto ensure each company it acquires sharestheir mission of protecting trees and shrubsin our environment. Over the comingmonths, Bartlett will be working to inte-grate the acquired companies and provide aseamless transition for customers.

Cutting Edge - News

Long-term commitment to the U.S. market – FAE USA, Inc.has broken ground for a 35,000-square-foot building inHall County, Georgia, to manufacture and distributemulching attachments throughout the United States.

Jessica Held


ArborWolf Stump SpaceGrinderWolfGroup International’s new ArborWolf Stump

SpaceGrinder for skid steers/articulated loaders incorporatesinnovations that cut straight to increased productivity. Its ultrasimple design requires no electric connections, no extra hoses,and no extra controls. The innovative low speed, high torquetechnology allows you to cut up to 8 inshes per pass, and reducethe cleanup area dramatically. For safety, the cutting wheel ispositioned sideways so the chips don’t get thrown at you or your machine. The ArborWolfStump SpaceGrinder is available for any machine with a universal skid steer mount andthat produces 18 to 40 gpm. Contact WolfGroup International at 1-800-905-2265.


Cutting Edge - Products

Please circle 193 on Reader Service CardPlease circle 192 on Reader Service Card


CedarCide mosquito, snakecontrol via sprinklers

CedarCide Industries and Dow Corninghave developed a 100 percentwater soluble insect controlagent that can be delivered inthe water stream ofsprinkler systemsfor effective elimi-nation of ants,mosquitos,f l i e s ,f l e a s ,c h i g g e r s ,scorpions, no-see-ums, grubs and evenvenomous snakes. MSC is a cedar oil andsilicone-based, chemical free formulation.Silicone is a derivative of quartz.Combined, the result is that of a slowrelease cedar oil aroma encapsulated in sil-icone, which is effective in the impairmentof the pheromone-driven insects’ mentalcapacities as well as the masking of thekeremone emitted by all matter. Unlikenatural or synthetic pyrethroids, MSC has azero toxicity level, harboring no carcino-genic estrogen mirroring effects. It is safeto children and pets. It has no effect onsight-driven beneficial pollinators such asladybugs, butterflies or honey bees. It isnot harmful to amphibians such as frogs,toads and lizards, however it does repelheat seeking and pheromone driven ven-omous snakes. CedarCide’s Pestigatorinjection system kit comes with one gallonof MSC, a Dosatron Injection Pump andthe necessary valves and controls requiredto install the apparatus in any new or exist-ing irrigation system. Other injectionsystems can also be used for the delivery ofMSC to the water stream. The objectivesare to repel and displace the insect; to inter-rupt the insect egg layer cycle and to createa barrier of re-entry. Repeat applicationspromote a high carbon residual in the soilthat enhances microbial activity. ContactCedarCide via www.cedarcide.com or 1-800-842-1464.


Send Cutting Edge Product information to: Don Staruk at [email protected]

Bayer’s new injectable Merit® insecticide for tree careBayer’s Merit® Tree Injection insecticide received registration from the Environmental

Protection Agency in July. Merit® Tree Injection insecticide offers arborists a new weaponin controlling pest infestations with, according to Bayer, moreactive ingredient than other injectable products on the market.Applicators can inject a higher concentration of imidaclopridwith less volume, which also allows for improved operationalefficiency, flexibility and control. Injected directly into the tree

trunk or root flare tissue, the product is translocated throughout the tree to provide systemicprotection. It’s the fastest way to get Merit into the tree and to the pest. While the tradi-tional application methods – such as soil drench or soil injection – provide long residualcontrol, Merit Tree Injection offers faster curative action and the flexibility to use the pes-ticide where drenching is not feasible. With one application, Merit Tree Injection providesyear-long control of a variety of insects, including difficult-to-control invasive pests suchas the emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle and hemlock woolly adelgid. Other pestscontrolled include: aphids, leaf miners, borers, leaf beetles, Japanese beetles, leafhoppers,lace bugs, scale, psyllids. Availability is expected in fall 2006. Contact BayerEnvironmental Science at 1-800-331-2867 or www.bayerprocentral.com.

SherrillTree’s Compost Tea Spray RigsSherrillTree’s new Compost Tea Spray range from 50 to 950 gallon skid, trailer and com-

mercial truck-mounted units, giving tree care operators and lawn maintenanceprofessionals their choice of pumps, hoses and engine sizes. Theability to customize these units will also allow operators tomatch their desired unit to their spraying and/or injecting needs.The SherrillTree Compost Tea spray rig models incorporate fea-tures such as tank aeration, direct injection systems, ceramiccleaning nozzles and double walled insulated application tanksespecially designed for compost tea applications. SherrillTree

experts work with each customer to customize a spray rig design to fit specialized require-ments. The entire line of SherrillTree spray rigs is designed specifically for the professionaluser, offering a self-contained and compact spraying solution for today’s applications.Contact SherrillTree at (336) 908-0887 or [email protected].




Please circle 195 on Reader Service CardPlease circle 194 on Reader Service Card

RJL Handi-StrapsRJL Innovations’ Handi-Straps™ is a revolution in the

performance of work increasing lifting capacitywhile decreasing threat of injury. Handi-Straps

will virtually adapt to any exercise of liftingor pulling by hand engagement. From

shoveling to picking up objects to drag-ging or pulling objects;Handi-Straps will per-

form at optimumlevels. The rubber-

ized strapextension extends just

past the fingers and is to be used to secure objects andengage the Handi-Straps apparatus. The strap apparatus isfastened by a loop in which the hand, excluding the thumb,is inserted. This loop is padded and includes a piece of verydurable webbing to protect the hand from injury, such as ahard surface collision, abrasives or sharper objects, whilemaximizing grip ability. It also reduces hand and fingerstrain. For full medical testing reports or toe contact RJLInnovations visit www.handi-straps.com.

Security Locknut expands metric optionsSecurity Locknut Inc. has developed its Security Locknut product in

sizes M10 through M52. Previously offered in selectmetric sizes only, this locknut has use in any appli-cations where shock, vibration, stress orenvironmental conditions cause fastener failureor periodic maintenance requires reusability.With the Security Locknut being completelyvibration & shock proof, it has found favor in useon applications such as chippers, stump grinders,shredders and screens in the tree care industry. Too often,the quality of the fasteners on a piece of equipment is overlooked, yet theyare traditionally a primary cause of equipment failure. For a small, incre-mental increase in cost, products like the Security Locknut make thedifference. With the locking performance delivered by an elliptical springsteel locking concept, the Security Locknut radially locks onto a bolt ormating shaft. Installation and removal require no special tools – only astandard torque wrench or ratchet. Security Locknut is heat-resistant to 750F (395 C), and offered in coarse and fine pitch metric sizes compatible withClass 8.8 or Class 10.9 bolts. Heavy and jam styles are available, as areAmerican standard finished and heavy hex patterns. Contact SecurityLocknut Inc. at (847) 970-4050 or via www.securitylocknut.com.


Events & Seminars

September 5, 2006Ornamental & Turf DiagnosticNovi, MIContact: MGIA, (248) 646-4992

September 9, 2006Arborist Climbing/Rigging Combo seminarVermeer/SherrillTree Gear Uses/Applications seminarGarner, NCContact: 1-800-768-3444

September 12, 2006Arborist Climbing/Rigging Combo seminarVermeer/SherrillTree Gear Uses/Applications seminarCharlotte, NCContact: 1-800-768-3444

September 12-13, 2006Hazard Trees/Trees, People & the Law seminarsNational Arbor Day Foundation, Denver, COContact: www.arboday.org/hazardtrees; 1-888-448-7337

September 12-15, 2006Florida Turfgrass Assoc. 54th Conference & ShowHyatt Regency Coconut Point, Bonita Springs, FLContact: 1-800-882-6721; [email protected];www.ftga.org

September 14-16, 20062006 ACTC Annual ConferenceHon-Dah Resort-Casino Conference Ctr, Pinetop, AZContact: Arizona Community Tree Council,www.aztrees.org; 602-354-3023

September 16, 2006Arborist Climbing/Cabling seminarVermeer/SherrillTree Gear Uses/ApplicationsMurfreesboro, TNContact: (615) 545-4312

September 19-22, 2006ArborMaster Training Programs, Two 2-day modulesLevel 1 Climbing & Level1 Precision FellingLongmont, CO Contact: ArborMaster Training, Inc: (860) 429-5028;[email protected]; www.arbormaster.com

September 22-24, 20061st New England Student Conference & Job FairNew England Chapter ISASouthern New Hampshire location tbaContact: T. Walsh (603) 867-0899; [email protected]

September 28, 2006MGIA`s 2nd Annual Snow Mgt. Conf. & ExpoTroy, MI Contact: (248) 646-4992

September 30-October 4, 2006Society of Muni Arborists Annual Conf & Trade ShowCrowne Plaza Resort, Asheville, NCContact: Mark Foster (828) 259-5979; www.urban-forestry.com

Oct. 2-4, 2006Annual Field Day & MeetingVirginia Tech & Mid-Atlantic Chptr-ISAVirginia Tech Hampton Roads Ag Research & Ext CtrVirginia Beach, VAContact: (757) 363-3906; [email protected];www.vaes.vt.edu/hampton

October 3, 2006Building With Trees seminarNational Arbor Day Foundation, Columbus, OHContact: www.arborday.org; 1-888-448-7337

October 4, 2006ISA Certified Arborist Exam Marriot North, Round Rock, TXContact: www.isa-arbor.com/certfication


Industry Almanac

More almanac online!

For the most up to date calendar information, visitwww.treecareindustry.org�� news�� industry calendar

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October 5-6, 2006ISA Texas Annual Tree ConferenceRound Rock Marriott, Round Rock, TXContact: Mike Walterscheidt; (512) 587-7515;[email protected]; www.trees-isa.org/events/

October 9, 2006Tree Hazard & HabitatRisk Assessment & Ancient Tree Mgt. seminarSturbridge Host Hotel & Conf. Ctr, Sturbridge, MAContact: Safetrees, LLC, www.safetrees.com

October 10, 2006It’s All About the WaterFarmington Hills, MI Contact: MGIA, (248) 646-4992

October 10, 2006Building With Trees seminarNational Arbor Day Foundation, St. Louis, MOContact: www.arborday.org/bwtseminar; 1-888-448-7337

October 11, 2006 Tree Hazard & Habitat WorkshopMiddleburg Community CenterMiddleburg, VA (Washington, D.C., area)Contact: Safetrees LLC www.safetrees.com

October 12, 2006MGIA Compliance 2006 and Test-n-TuneShelby Township, MI Contact: (248) 646-4992

October 13, 2006Tree Hazard & HabitatRisk Assessment & Ancient Tree Mgt. seminarThe Dawes Arboretum, near Columbus, OHContact: Safetrees, LLC, www.safetrees.com

October 17, 2006Tree Hazard & HabitatRisk Assessment & Ancient Tree Mgt. seminarThe Mountaineers Building, Seattle, WAContact: Safetrees, LLC, www.safetrees.com

October 18, 2006Identifying, Treating & Managing Hazardous TreesBrea Community & Conference Center, Brea, CAContact: Ted Stamen (949) 454-2409

October 19, 2006Tree Hazard & HabitatRisk Assessment & Ancient Tree Mgt. seminarFinley Community Center, Santa Rosa, CAContact: Safetrees, LLC, www.safetrees.com

October 20, 2006Perennial Plant ConferenceScott Arboretum, Swarthmore Coll., Swarthmore, PAContact: Longwood Gardens (610) 388-1000 x507;www.longwoodgardens.org

October 27-29, 2006NJ Shade Tree Federation ConferencePhiladelphia Cherry Hill Hilton, Cherry Hill, NJContat: Bill Porter or Donna Massa (732) 246-3210

October 27-28, 2006PHC’s Plant Biology WorkshopPresented by Dr. Donald H. Marx, Frogmore, SCContact: www.planthealthcare.com

November 7, 2006Tree Care WorkshopOklahoma State University, Stillwater OKContact: Mike Schnelle (405) [email protected]

November 7-8, 2006Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) workshopPrior to TCI EXPO 2006Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MDContact: Peter Gerstenberger 1-800-733-2622;[email protected]

November 9-11, 2006TCI EXPO 2006Tree Care Industry AssociationBaltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MDContact: Deb Cyr 1-800-733-2622, Ext. 106; [email protected]; or www.tcia.org

January 17-19, 2007Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show (Mid-Am)Lakeside Center at McCormick PlaceChicago, ILContact: www.midam.org

February 6-8, 2007Nw England GrowsBoston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, MAContact: www.negrows.org

February 11-15, 2007Winter Management Conference 2007Tree Care Industry AssociationHilton Cancun Golf & Spa Resort, Cancun, MexicoContact: Deb Cyr 1-800-733-2622, Ext. 106; [email protected]; or www.tcia.org

March 6-7, 2007MGIA’s 20th Annual Trade Show & Convention Rock Financial Show Place, Novi MIContact: (248) 646-4992

April 16-18, 2007Trees & Utilities National ConferenceNational Arbor Day FoundationTuscany Suites, Las Vegas, NVContact: www.arborday.org/TUconference1-888-448-7337

May 18-19, 2007SAWLEX Sawmill & Logging ExpoColumbia, SCContact: (207) 799–1356; www.sawlex.com

June 5-7, 2007National Oak Wilt SymposiumAustin Hilton, Austin, TexasContact: Mike Walterscheidt, (512) 587-7515,[email protected]; www.trees-isa.org/events/



Send your event information to:Tree Care Industry,

3 Perimeter Road, Unit 1,Manchester, NH 03103

or [email protected]



By Wayne Outlaw

We are in an economic environ-ment that creates a uniquedynamic. In last month’s article

we reported that in a June online surveytree care companies expressed that theyexpect the recent increase in gas prices tohave a significant effect on both them-selves and their customers. The full effector increase has yet to flow through the fulleconomic cycle. In the first few months ofa change such as this we see leading indi-cators, but not the full impact. Thecompanies that respond quickly with a pos-itive strategy or approach will ultimatelycome out ahead.

It has already started to show. Thosecompanies who responded to the surveyreported that they have already started tosee the impact in terms of the level of com-petitiveness and price pressure. Fiftypercent said “it is more competitive” and10 percent of those surveyed said “it ismuch more competitive with other treecare companies.” The increased competi-tion with other tree care companies maycause an unhealthy response of getting intoprice battles rather than raising value to getand keep customers.

The typical response in business to anincreased cost is to increase the price. Thatjust makes good business sense; however,if it is the only response, there may beunintended consequences that will bepainful. Tree care companies that are ableto keep or maintain the additional cost thatis passed on to customers will be those whonot only are effective in communicatingthis price change, but also those whounderstand their customers very well and

relate additional value to them, which willoffset the impact of the increased cost.

No, I am not suggesting giving addition-al services that will erode the increase andbe counter-productive to keeping profits ata healthy level. What I am suggesting isthat now is a great time to develop a betterunderstanding of your customers’ needsand clearly demonstrate that your companyis meeting those needs better than any oneelse.

Now is a great time to evaluate how your

company is positioned in the marketplaceand, most importantly, find out how yourcustomers perceive your company. Thosewho provide greater value by deliveringwhat customers “really need” fare far bet-ter in all types of market conditions,especially when margins tighten. It is espe-cially important to know how prospectsand customers perceive your company,because it affects how you compete forbusiness.

According to the survey responses, thegreatest increase in competitiveness has

Delivering Higher Value and Avoidinga Price Squeeze

Current Competitiveness with Other Tree Care Companies

Percentage

Less competitive 3%

Somewhat less competitive 3%

Same 33%

More competitive 50%

Much more competitive 10%

Total 100%

Survey by Outlaw Group, Inc. June, 2006

Level of price pressure or price resistance today compared to 12 months ago

Percentage

Much less 1%

Less 8%

Same 34%

More 46%

Much More 12%

Total 100%

Survey by Outlaw Group, Inc. June, 2006

Management Exchange



been with homeowner accounts; followedclosely by commercial. While the combi-nation of utility and government businessis more competitive, competition here hasnot increased recently as much as in othersectors. Regardless of which customersyou serve, the question is how to build per-ceived value to not only win the job, but toalso be able to do it at a price that enablesa healthy bottom line for the company.

When positioning your company youchoose how you compete, the market youmust go after, and even the willingness ofthe customers to pay for your products,expertise and services. Like a Wal-Martpromotes “everyday low prices,” you canchoose to be “no frills” or a price leader, oryou can choose to be a specialist providingvaluable expert service. Positioning maybegin in the mind of top management andemployees, but ultimately it is in the mindsof your customers. How they perceiveyour organization will determine whetherthey will do business with you, and eventheir willingness to pay a premium forwhat you do.

The “level of value customers perceive”determines their loyalty, and even theirwillingness to pay. It also determines thetime, skills and expertise required fromyour company to deliver that value. Youinstinctively know that if customers valuewhat you do then they will pay a reason-able fee for your expertise. To understandnot just where a company is positioned, butalso how to change its level with clients,we developed the Outlaw Value ModelTM

for our clients. It acknowledges that cus-tomers perceive or have specific levels ofvalue, based on your approach-specificcauses, and that value level has conse-quences to you.

The first level of value is price based.This happens when the customer perceiveswhat you do as a commodity, and sincemany others do it and there is little to dif-ferentiate you from other competitors, theprice – such as cost per hour or the bottom-number on an estimate – is the determiningfactor of who gets the work. If yourapproach is at the price or commoditylevel, the customer perceives you just like

others, having nothing to differentiate youfrom them.

The second level of value is the capabil-ity of service or product being sold. If thebasis of positioning to compete for busi-ness is capability, the organization with thebest, or most appropriate, capability orproduct wins. Those organizations thatposition themselves based on this mustlook for customers who want and need thatcapability. At this level, it is the quality ofthe work that is the driving factor. It mayrequire more sales effort to get customersbecause not everyone perceives the needfor the capability you offer.

The third level of value is service.Companies that provide excellent capabili-ty or products at an equitable or fair pricecan compete on service. It isn’t just doingthe job right, but perceived value is alsobased on the customer’s perception of howthey are treated. This perception of treat-ment is based on all contact, whichincludes what the customer hears, sees andfeels. It includes every contact with thecompany, even afterward. We have all beenin situations where we were the customerand the price paid was reasonable, theproduct or work done was good, but a hav-ing a billing problem erased what should

have been a great experience.

The fourth level of value is meeting theshort-term objectives of the organization orhomeowner, completing the job or projectwell in all aspects. For example, the com-pany handled the job well, the tree carespecialists were knowledgeable andskilled, and the problem was resolvedquickly to meet the stated objective for thejob. Doing this might mean helping a clientat a commercial complex manage thescheduling of a series of jobs, or it mightmean ensuring that potential problems areidentified and reported to the customer. Fora homeowner, it might mean helpingachieve a specific look for the home orsolving a problem on the property.

The fifth level of value for a commer-cial customer is when you help the entireorganization – not just one department –meet its long-term or organizationalobjectives. It may not be just doing thework within the budget, but also helpingbuild the value of the property because ofits trees. The fifth level of value for ahomeowner might mean looking farbeyond simply pruning to building ormanaging the health of the trees toenhance the value of the home andincrease its enjoyment for the owners.

OUTLAW VALUE MODEL®

HOMEOWNER EXAMPLE

APPROACH TO SELLING AND SERVING

LongLong--Term Satisfaction/IncreasedTerm Satisfaction/Increased

Property Value/EsteemProperty Value/Esteem

Job Satisfaction/Completion of Job Satisfaction/Completion of Specific ProjectSpecific Project

CommodityCommodityor Priceor Price

Providing aProviding aCapabilityCapability

Delivering a High Delivering a High Level of ServiceLevel of Service

LongLong--Term Satisfaction/IncreasedTerm Satisfaction/Increased

Property Value/EsteemProperty Value/Esteem

Job Satisfaction/Completion of Job Satisfaction/Completion of Specific ProjectSpecific Project


Providing aProviding aCapabilityCapability


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The first level of value in The Outlaw Value ModelTM is price based, when the customer perceives what you do as a com-modity. Ahe fifth level of value for a homeowner might mean looking far beyond simply pruning to building or managing thehealth of the trees to enhance the value of the home and increase its enjoyment for the owners.



It’s going beyond focusing on a job orcontract for a season; it may be taking alonger view of tree health care.

Where you decide to position yourorganization will determine your competi-tion, your customers, and even the skill,confidence and expertise required by yourstaff. At the lowest level of value, competi-tion and price resistance is at its greatest.While perceived value moves up towardthe fifth level, competition decreases andloyalty and perceived value increase.

If you want to move up to a higher levelof value, what must you do? Most probablyyou must build employee skills and confi-dence, differentiate yourself fromcompetition and be able to uncover andmeet the true needs of customers. Whilemany companies spend most of their train-ing effort building the capability “to dowork,” such as trimming or climbing, it isa good idea to invest in employees’ com-

OUTLAW VALUE MODEL®

COMMERCIAL EXAMPLE

APPROACH TO SELLING AND SERVING

Address Need of Address Need of

OrganizationOrganization

Address Specific Address Specific Business ObjectivesBusiness Objectives


Providing an Providing an Innovative Innovative

Product/ServiceProduct/Service
















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munication skills, interpersonal skills, andeven sales skills that are used to uncovercustomer needs and demonstrate the valueyou provide.

Moving up the Value Model means find-ing ways to differentiate your companyfrom others. This is done not just by havingnewer trucks, but by having a better under-standing of what customers really need,being able to deliver it, and showing cus-tomers what you have done for them.Employees must have the capability touncover, and get the customer to perceive,the customer’s needs. Do not assume cus-tomers know their needs. Employees musthave the communication ability to get thecustomer to see the specific value theyreceive and be able to translate it into long-term satisfaction. While a few customersmay just want trees trimmed; most wanthealthy, beautiful trees that enhance thearea in which they are planted.

At what level of value is your company?The key is not where you or where employ-ees see your organization, but where yourcustomers see your organization. The cus-tomer’s perception of your tree carecompany determines their response to you.

The solution to increased price pressure,or even decreasing budgets, is to visiblydemonstrate to customers the delivery ofadditional value. When people make deci-sions, the decision may be more thanwhich tree care company to work with; itmay be a decision of whether to delay oravoid some work. If they perceive whatyou provide as more valuable, it will be

funded. Just as a person building a newhome can make a trade-off or choice tomove funds from inside amenities to land-scaping, many customers make similarchoices when it comes to deciding to investin tree care or spend on something else. Ifyou, or those who sell for your company,convince the customer that investing in treecare offers more value than other expendi-tures, the price of a gallon of gas or whatsomeone else quoted on a project will beinconsequential.

Positioning your organization at a higherlevel of value can decrease your competi-tion, increase your customer’s satisfaction,and keep your profits healthier. The levelof perceived value determines customer’sactions. Make your positioning a consciousdecision.

In the next article, we will examine howto determine what customers really wantand value from a tree care company, andhow to determine how you are doing indelivering satisfaction in the CriticalService Factors. Very importantly, we willshow its effect on customer loyalty andretention. The following month we willaddress how those who represent yourcompany can be persuasive and gain busi-ness using value to get out of the low pricetrap. We will also examine how to find cus-tomers whose needs fit your company’ssatisfaction.

Take some time to examine your compa-ny and reflect on where you are positionedon the Value Model. Where do you seeyour company? Most importantly, how doyour customers see you? Where do youwant to be in terms of value? Deliveringhigher value will help avoid a pricesqueeze.

Wayne Outlaw is author of “Winning theValue Battle: Selling Against a CheaperPrice to Improve Your Margins andIncome” and “SMART STAFFING: Howto Hire, Reward and Keep Top Employeesfor Your Growing Company.” He has spo-ken for the Tree Care Industry Associationand consults with companies to improveand increase their results. He can bereached via [email protected].


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The customer’s percep-tion of your tree carecompany determinestheir response to you.The solution to increasedprice pressure, or evendecreasing budgets, is tovisibly demonstrate tocustomers the delivery ofadditional value.



Strive for Success by Letting Yourselfand Others ShineBy Paul Huff

Whining and complaining. It’snot only what you hear fromkids during a long road trip in

the car; it’s a problem that plagues the treecare industry nationwide by underminingproductivity, accomplishment and success.

According to a 2003 study by TowersPerrin, employee negativity can hinderworker productivity and performance andcontribute to higher turnover rates. Intoday’s economy, this translates into adiminished ability for you to compete andwin.

The solution is to curb negative thinkingand fear that consumes employees andmanifests itself into whining and com-plaining. In other words, help people shine– be willing to make different choices inthe way we respond to the events of ourlives.

So, as an industry, how do you learn toshine?

First and foremost, understand the phi-losophy behind shine. It’s an expectationmindset that good things are going to hap-pen as a result of doing the right things.People who shine expect to win. Peoplewho do not shine expect disaster and diffi-culty. Ultimately, the most important issueof productivity and success for a businessis attitude.

In order to get on the path to change andallow yourself to shine, you must createvoluntary change in your attitude andbehavior. The goal is to change your beliefs

and create positive expectations about thefuture. The following are seven qualitiesthat will help you shine:

1. Assume responsibility: It seems thatmore and more people do not believe theyare responsible for anything that is consid-ered negative or improper. Acceptingresponsibility requires that you, and every-one in your company, look withinyourselves for your own solutions and takeresponsibility for whatever you are andwhat has happened to you.

2. Expect to win: When the going getstough, you and your employees can’t aban-don your goals and dreams. Theexpectations we have about our futuredrive our thinking, our choices and ourbehavior. Our expectations are the engineof our results. If you and your peopleexpect to win, you will.

3. Be willing to be uncomfortable: Whenit comes to confronting obstacles that mustbe overcome to reach our dreams, it might

take you out of your “comfort zone.”Winning and change require abandoningour comfort zone on a regular basis. Inorder for your company to achieve its fullpotential, everyone must be willing to beuncomfortable.

4. Know what you want: Knowing whatyou want involves coupling specific defini-tions and descriptions to the things youdare to imagine for your company. Youmust be able to see it and touch it with yourmind. And, you must be able to communi-cate those goals to employees in a way thatis compelling and engaging.

5. Ask the right questions: By askingquestions, you’re almost guaranteed alearning opportunity. You’ll help peopleopen up and you’ll have their full attention.

6. Focus on what you can control:Accept reality and focus on the things youcan change by your own efforts.

7. Define your work in terms of differ-ence: The truth is that we can inspire othersin our businesses and our communities andin our homes. By looking at each productand service as an opportunity to make adifference, you can accomplish anythingyou expect and want.

Paul Huff, president of Paul HuffInternational, is a motivational speakerwho works with organizations that want tomaximize productivity and profits by bring-ing out the best in their people. He will bepresenting on this subject at TCI EXPO inBaltimore this November. In addition tohaving spoken to tens of thousands of peo-ple in more than 13 nations, he is theauthor of several books including, SHINE:A Simple Philosophy for Success.

Business of Tree Care



Something’s wrong. Your tree careworker is aloft in an aerial bucket.There’s a problem. Maybe it’s a pre-

existing condition, maybe it’s the heat ormaybe it’s contact with a hot wire.

What to you do?

Your first inclination as a human being,co-worker, or an employer is to perform arescue and first aid. But is that the rightthing to do? Are you putting yourself orothers at risk of becoming a victim, too?

The newly revised “ANSI Standard:Z133.1-2006: American National Standardfor Arboricultural Operations–SafetyRequirements” lists very early in the docu-ment, in section 3.3.4:

“Employees who may be faced with arescue decision shall receive training inemergency response and rescue proceduresappropriate and applicable to the work tobe performed as well as training to recog-nize the hazards inherent in rescue efforts(Annex F.)”

Annex F is basically a flow chart (SeeFigure 1) outlining the decision-makingand actions to be taken in such situations.Study that chart carefully. It is a blueprintfor two things. First, it can be used in thefield to determine quickly which proce-dures need to be taken in the event of anemergency. Having a checklist handy onwhat to do and not to do will speed up res-cue and first aid and minimize decisionsmade with all good intentions but in haste,which could result in further emergency.

Second, and regardless of the size ofyour operation, each step is a wake-up callfor training in emergency or first aid pro-cedures. It is also a checklist of the steps acaregiver or Samaritan needs to take toeffect the best possible result – all of whichcan be taught and refreshed in simple class-es in the field or back at the shop.

John Ball, who is a professor of forestryat South Dakota State University, draws on30 years in arbor care, many of them in thefield managing tree care companies in theMidwest and East. “A number of yearsago, 2001 in fact, we started a researchstudy looking into fatalities in our indus-try,” explains Ball. “We were appalled to

find more accidents than many people sus-pected. Just about every arborist has a warstory; there are few who don’t know some-one who has been seriously injured orkilled. The results should not have sur-prised us, but they did,” he says.

After that, Ball and his team began tolook into non-fatal injuries and reports inwhich OSHA found that serious arbor careaccidents tend to have lifelong conse-quences. “Every one of us suffers fromthousands of nicks and scrapes associatedwith any outdoor employment, but the seri-ous ones resulting in hospitalization tend tohave lifelong effects. These are ones thatare not fast healing, nor necessarily com-

The new ANSI Z133 implores that employees who may be faced with a rescue decision shall receive training in emergencyresponse and rescue procedures appropriate and applicable to the work to be performed as well as training to recognizethe hazards inherent in rescue efforts.

Safety

By Rick Howland


plete healing,” he says.

The next logical step, Ball says, was tolook at how the industry could go aboutsaving lives. “There are two approaches.One is to improve safety with safer workpractices and equipment. And our industryhas made great strides in this area. We dosee a change in attitude by people lookingat achieving zero accidents. There is nosuch thing any more as an acceptable acci-dent rate. We can’t make it zero, but we cancontinue to reduce them,” he says.

The other aspect and truly the reason forupdating documents such as the ANSIZ133 Standard is, as Ball puts it, “If anaccident does happen, how can we changethe outcome? How can we make that a sur-vivable accident?”

The forestry professor says his inquiriesled him to look at medicine’s so-called“golden hour” where, if intervention ismade properly and quickly, a life can besaved.

“Our efforts have been mostly in the areaof aerial rescue, and we were surprised tofind that rescues are more common (thanwe might have thought), and often they arenot the ones we have been practicing for.Our traditional standards have been that weare going to bring a victim down from aheight of about 35 feet and get him to theground in less than five minutes to beginfirst aid. This is a good idea if the victimhas suffered electric shock and is notbreathing or suffered some other traumaand needs rapid descent, say for uncon-trolled bleeding or another problem. Here,we have a small window to get the victimdown and get CPR going.”

“There’s no question that we need tohave arborists who can quickly extract avictim from a tree, but I remind people thatwe need to add more good skills.” Heoffers as an example a tree care profession-al trapped in the canopy of a tree. Perhapsthe rigging failed and a log is pressingdown, pinning or crushing the victim.

“What if you know how to bring down avictim quickly but the first time you haveto perform an aerial rescue the victim is

pinned. Now what do you do?” He asks,what if someone was struck in the head andwas unconscious, or perhaps is consciousbut not acting normally and the victim isfighting off rescuers? What if someone hasa spinal cord injury? What if someone isslumped in the bucket but otherwise OK?

Here a rapid descent may not be the bestsolution, he argues, for “what we don’tknow may in fact make the situation worsebefore medics arrive. Our role should be toget to the victim, to check the condition ofthe victim and stabilize the situation untilemergency rescue teams can arrive. Then,


Adapted from ANSI Z133.1-2006 American NationalStandard for Arboricultural Operations—SafetyRequirements. Copyright 2006 International Societyof Arboriculture. Used with permission.

Aerial Rescue Flowchart


with their expertise, we lower the victim.The conclusion, he maintains, is thatclimbers aren’t rescue people and emer-gency rescue personnel are not expertclimbers. “We need to share the best ofthose skill sets.

“We need to look at our role. Whyextract a victim unless there is an immedi-ate threat to the victim?” Ball asks. “Rapiddescent is not always necessary and maynot be advisable,” he adds. (Another lookat the adjacent flow chart is advisable atthis point.)

Ball says his team’s job has been to gath-er accident data and present it to the ANSIcommittee and to the industry for its proce-dures. While he’s not directly involved indeveloping the new standards and doesn‘tthink it appropriate to be gathering infor-mation and making policy, Ball says theindustry is at a point where it needs toaddress methods to stabilize victims in anyscenario and to hammer out an emergencyprocess built on what we already know.

“We need more training and education inthe field,” he stresses. “I can’t over empha-

size this. We are NOT going to take awaythe skills we know and have trained for. Weare adding to what we know.”

Joe Tommasi, manager of safety & lossprevention at Davey Tree Expert Companyin Kent, Ohio, has sat on the ANSI com-mittee looking into the safety requirementstandards. Regarding the new standard –and especially the section having to dowith aerial rescue (and the aerial rescueflowchart) – he says, “The issue is how tocarry forward the standards we’ve builtupon. In recent years we’ve begun to talkabout expanding and modifying longstand-ing aerial rescue procedures based on amenu of circumstances that may arise.Historically, there is a lot of material onaerial rescue stemming from electrical con-tact events, but aerial rescue is far morethan that.”

Having attended numerous symposiumsto get opinions on different rescue proce-dures, Tommasi says the new requirementsare still a work in process. “Davey and oth-ers have found that the concept oflongstanding rescue procedures take thepremise to render aid as good Samaritan –

to volunteer without becoming a victimyourself.” In the case of electrical hazard,that is to manage the hazard, go on to aeri-al assistance and rely on emergency serviceproviders if one is not capable of renderingaid.

“We need to take the same concept buteliminate the electrical-only circumstanceand apply it to any person in any tree, sayin an open yard with no conductors, wherea person is injured or ill aloft. Many of thesame principals as in electrical hazardsapply. We need to take the best practicesand expand on them,” he says.

That may actually mean minimizing therush to render aid. “Although most peoplein our business think in terms of the elec-trical hazard and of getting people down infour minutes to restore breathing, that isnot always the case.”

“Beyond the TCIA discussions on thepoint, plus symposium groups, we havecome up with proposed new standards anda flow chart that is a visualization of howone might respond to different types ofemergencies aloft.”

He stresses that this is not a “how to,”but from here a business can take each stepin-house and review aerial rescue proce-dures and first aid or develop their ownproprietary information to develop andtrain people for these emergencies.

Tommasi says the first premise is andalways will be to discuss training and toraise awareness to generate acts of pre-vention, then to raise awareness inlife-saving situations, for example emer-gency response practices. He sees theaerial rescue flowchart as a tool that mayassist rescue teams control emotions andto be able to respond quickly and calmly,“and with that comes efficiency,” headds.

“The reality is that these serious aerialrescues are not as frequent as you mightthink, but they are in reality a very seri-ous emergency response situation. And itdoesn’t have to be aloft. The same cir-cumstances can take place on the ground,




so the same concept of assistanceapplies,” notes Tommasi. “And let’s notforget that as the demand for arbor careincreases, so, too, does the potential forrisk.”

He advises to take the profession seri-ously, plan your work and execute it welland, in the event of an emergency, do noharm but be prepared to take proper action.“That is all part of the totality of profes-sionalism,” he says.

Stephen Chisholm Sr., president ofAspen Tree Expert Co. in New Jersey, is a40-year veteran of the business – 30 ofthose years with his own company – and hesits on the ANSI crane subcommittee. Herecognizes that, “We’ve been training foraerial rescue for a long time, especiallyline-clearance tree trimming. It has alwaysbeen a requirement for those in line clear-

ing to train for aerial rescue in the event ofa possible electrocution. You have a four-minute time frame to get into a tree safelyand retrieve a victim of electrocution tobegin CPR. That’s been a longtime require-ment for companies with those services,”he says

“But certainly with tree work you don’thave to be electrocuted to have an emer-gency. It could be a cut from a chain saw,getting stung by wasps or hornets; youcould slip and break a bone. Someone stillhas to come to the rescue. When there’s atree involved, it’s a very different rescuefrom what emergency teams are trained todeal with.”

He points out that an electrical eventcould involve either high or low voltageand each has a result that requires a dif-ferent, specific emergency response.

“The tree care professional needs toknow the importance and difference in adefibrillation from a low voltage shockand complete heart stoppage from a highvoltage line. It’s knowing what to do ifyou’re working in the tree care businessand one of your team gets injured – howto perform a rescue safely and notbecome a victim yourself.”

All of the safety professionals inter-viewed stress that the new ANSI Z133poses significant changes in safety prac-tices for industry. They advise allprofessional arborists to obtain a copyand make its recommendations a part oftheir daily work and company trainingsystems.

To purchase copies of the new ANSIZ133 visit www.tcia.org or call 1-800-733-2622.




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tci mag 9.06_back_v2.qxp 08/22/2006 3:10 PM Page 37


Part II: New pesticides andwhen to use them

By Dr. Dave Shetlar

Last month’s article, “Tree/ShrubInsect Pest Management UpdatePart I: PHC vs. IPM, and providing

sustainable environments,” discussed thechanges in attitudes from one of killing thepest to that of enhancing the health of theplant, and minimizing pesticide use byplanting the right plants for sustainableenvironments. Here, we look at specificpesticides and the pests they target.

First, let’s remember that we are dealingwith the Food Quality Protection Act(FQPA) in our use of pesticides in the land-scape. What has the FQPA done to us? Ithas eliminated most of the organophos-phates and carbamates from urbanlandscape use or it has greatly restrictedtheir usage.

Many and probably most of you have inthe past used Dursban, which contains theinsecticide chlorpyrifos. You can no longeruse Dursban in urban landscapes, howeverthe golf course superintendent that isplunked in the middle of a lot of these com-munities is allowed to use Dursban. Thegolf course is considered by the EPA to bea farming operation, in this case, farminggrass. Unbelievable! The bottom line isthat we seem to have lost a lot of the toolsthat we have been familiar with.

But, if you check carefully you will dis-cover we haven’t really lost many of these

tools; they have morphed and changed. Wethought that acephate (Orthene) was goingto be gone from the landscape, but it is stillwith us. We thought carbaryl (Sevin) wasgoing to be gone, but it is still with us.There are restrictions on the usage ratesand numbers of applications that can bemade in a year, but those tools survive.

What really has me worried is that manyof you have gone ahead and made majorchanges to your programs and you are nowusing bifenthrin (Talstar), lambda-cyhalothrin (Scimitar), or deltamethrin(DeltaGard, Bonide Delta Eight) asreplacements for Dursban. The EPA is nowreviewing the pyrethroids and has alreadystated in their releases that they believe thatthe risk cup for pyrethroids is overflowing.What does that mean to us? It means thatsome of those are going to become restrict-ed-use materials or they will be bannedfrom use in residential sites altogether. I

don’t know which ones, and I don’t knowhow they are going to make the decision,but we need to be aware that this is hap-pening.

The good thing is that we have a lot ofnew insecticide chemistry to deal with.Unfortunately, many have decided that thisnew chemistry might be as bad, or worse,than the insecticides they are replacing orthat all the insecticides within these newcategories are essentially the same. To giveyou an example, the neonicotinoids (ofwhich Merit, or imidacloprid, was the firstto reach the market) were thought to be vir-tually the same in activity. There are nowabout five or six of these neonicotinoidscoming down the developmental pipelineand even entomologists were assumingthat they were all the same. They are NOTall the same. That is like saying thatDursban is the same as Malathion. Theyare not. While both are organophosphates,

Redheaded pine sawfly larvae are not caterpillars and most sawfly larvae are very susceptible to neonicotinoid insecti-cides. All images courtesy of Dr. David Shetlar.


they are very different in their activityspectrum (types of pests controlled), toxi-cological and environmental aspects. Weare finding out that imidacloprid (Merit) isnot the same as clothianidin (Arena) ordinotefuran (Safari).

Unfortunately, because we have not hada lot of experience with this new chemistry,it will take years to figure out the nichesthat each will fill. Let’s face it, Dursbanwas used for nearly 45 years, which is whyit had that five-page label on it. We had agreat deal of experience with Dursban andwe knew how the material worked.

The new tools

I’d like to propose some concepts onhow to use some of these new pesticidesand miticides in order to maximize theirefficacy, even though we don’t have a com-plete data package on field usage. First,let’s take a look at toxicity and see howwell you remember your pesticide cate-gories and their target words or symbols onlabels.

Category I – The label will read “DAN-GER! Poison,” with a skull-and-crossbonessymbol. These pesticides have rat oralLD50s that are 50 mg per kg or less, and areconsidered by the EPA to be “highly toxic.”

Category II – These have “Warning” onthe labels and these pesticides have rat oralLD50s of 51 to 500 mg/kg (milligrams perkilogram). EPA considers these to be“medium” toxic.

Category III – These products have“Caution” on the labels and the rat oralLD50s are 501 to 2,000 mg/kg. EPA callsthese “low” toxicity materials.

Category IV – Many people don’t evenrealize that there is a fourth category.These products also have “Caution” onthe labels, but the rat oral LD50s aregreater than 2,000 mg/kg. The EPA statesthat these materials are “practically non-toxic”!

Now, where do our insecticides fit with-in these categories? In the past, most of ourorganophosphates, carbamates and even

the pyrethroids were category I, II and III,but look at the things that we have avail-able to us right now. Many of you haveprobably tried Azadiractins (Azatin) andthe neem oils a few years ago and youthought they didn’t work. One time weapplied it and it worked fine and the nexttime we applied it and it didn’t seem towork well at all. The reason for that is thatthe original Azatin materials, the originalneem products, were crude seed extractsand what happens is that the neem treesome years produces a lot of Azadin in theseed and other years it puts virtually noneof it in the seeds. If you are just taking acrude extract, some years you have activeingredient in the bottle and other years youhave practically nothing! The manufactur-ers figured that out and now when you buya bottle of something like Azatrol or Neem-Away, when the label states “0.5%azadirachtins,” that is what it has and youcan expect consistent results. We are seeingpeople going back to revisit the use ofthose natural botanical materials and theyare finding that they work! The reason isconsistency.

Also be aware that we have some othermaterials. Dow has a material calledSpinosyn (pinosyn A & B), Conserve),which is a biologically derived material. Itis the waste product of a soil-dwelling bac-teria and it has very good caterpillar killingability and moderate spider mite controlactivity. Those alternate products have verylow toxicity ratings. On the other hand,there are some new insecticides comingdown the pipeline that appear to be more

toxic. You may ask how fipronil(TopChoice) got registered in the southernstates for fire ant and mole cricket control.If you read the label on fipronil, it is usedat 0.004 pounds of active ingredient peracre. You use so little of it that EPA regula-tors figure you are not using enough toeven show up on a radar screen. Rememberthat in toxicology, it’s “the dose that makesthe poison.”

If we take a look at the neonicotinoids,Merit was the first one to hit the market andthe active ingredient, imidacloprid, is tech-nically a category II insecticide. Obviouslywhen we formulate Merit, it comes down toa category III, but the reality is that it wasmoderate to low in toxicity. The same thingis true with acetamiprid, or Tri-star. This isalso a category II.

If we look at the other neonicotinoids,some have very low toxicological profiles.For clothianidin, or Arena, I actually had adispute with a local sales representative onthe toxicity! The rep told me that the LD50of Arena is 3,650 mg per kg while my chartstates greater than 5,000! In this case,Arena, as a formulated product, is actuallymore toxic than the 100 percent activeingredient! They have to put spreader-sticker in its formulation so that it goes intosuspension in the tank and sticks better tothe plant. These inert ingredients are moretoxic than the active ingredient.


Some neonicotinoids only control soft scales, but others,such as Safari, control armored scales like these oyster-shell scales.

The flatheaded appletree borer commonly infests grafteddeciduous trees. Treating the graft junction area on newlytransplanted trees can keep this insect from killing theseplants.


Some of these new materials areabsolutely amazing in terms of their lowtoxicity. Safari (dinotefuran) is turning outto be an absolutely wonderful scale controlproduct – both for armored scales and softscales. Looking at the toxicological profile,Safari has an LD50 of over 2,000. Bottomline for all of the new insecticides – justbecause we say they are “neonicotinoids,”don’t assume they are all the same either in

toxicity or in their spectrum of activityagainst pests.

All of the neonicotinoids are systemic.Some of them appear to move or workfaster than others, but all have translaminaraction. In other words, they will beabsorbed by the leaf tissue if you spray it.More importantly, if you soil or root drenchthey will also move upward through true

vascular translocation. How fast will theymove? Soil-applied Merit typically takes 20to 30 days to achieve effective levels in theplant foliage while Safari takes more like10 to 15 days. Arena is also rapidly moved.

We should be proud that we have new,lower toxicity products to use in our land-scape maintenance efforts! However, withany new technology, we need to under-stand how to maximize the efficacy of ourefforts.

New pesticides to control “tough” pests

I think that most will agree that borersare difficult pests to manage. The mostimportant borer group in urban landscapesis the Agrilus group, which includes thebronze birch borer, two-lined chestnutborer, honeylocust borer and even theemerald ash borer. We have a lot of oaksgoing into our landscapes. I stronglyencourage you, if you discover a newlyplanted oak in a landscape, to treat the treefor the first two years for two-lined chest-nut borer. Merit (imidacloprid) is anexcellent treatment to keep those treesclean for the first two years of establish-ment. After establishment, the oaks canusually fend for themselves. The first twoyears of establishment is when they areliable to get nailed by two-lined chestnutborer.

I see the same thing with honeylocustborer. Honeylocust is very easily trans-planted, but in that first couple of years aftertransplant we often get honeylocust borers.It is another Agrilus species that specializesin attacking stressed honeylocust trees.

We are using a lot of European uprighthornbeam, especially in commercial siteswith a restricted planting box area wherefacility managers want a little tree withupright growth. I often see up to 50 percentof those trees expiring within the first twoto three years because of hornbeam borerattacks. If you can get the hornbeamsthrough the first two to three years ofestablishment, they can take care of them-selves and withstand any hornbeam borerattack.

Finally, we have the emerald ash borer!




While I acknowledge that we can effec-tively treat ash trees to keep emerald ashborer from killing the tree, we still don’trecommend treatments outside quarantinezones. Outside of these areas, if a tree isdiscovered to be infested with EAB, ashtrees within a half mile radius will removedwhether treated or not! Within the quaran-tine zones, if a homeowner wants to investin a yearly treatment to keep their ash treesalive, this can be done.

One borer that has significantlyincreased in Ohio is the white pine weevil.White pine weevil is a poor name for thispest as it loves spruce, especially Coloradospruce and Engelmann spruce, but I evenfound it in mugho pine, Swiss stone pineand even Douglas fir. In landscapes we canmanage this weevil with soil applicationsof Merit.

We also have to be aware that clearwingmoth borers are a common group. Themost important thing to remember aboutclearwing borers is that they are lepi-dopterous (butterflies and moths) pests, notbeetles like the Agrilis and weevils.Neonicotinoids work well on beetles(Coleoptera) but don’t work well againstthe Lepidoptera. What are we going to dowhen we have something like dogwood

that is susceptible to the dogwood borer?Other clearwing borers include the bandedash clear wing, the ash/lilac borer, the oakborer and the peachtree borer. How do wetreat those? In this case Merit is not theanswer.

If we take a look at the borer insecti-cides, in the past we used Dursban andLindane as prophylactic treatments.

Dursban or Lindane typically got 40 to 60days of effective residual. However, thesematerials are now banned from residentialuse. What are the replacements or alter-nates? For prophylactic treatments,pyrethroids have replaced Dursban andLindane, but not all pyrethroids are thesame. Formulation makes all the differencein the world on whether a pyrethroid canform a protective shield of insecticide overthe plant. The two formulations that seemto have the longest staying power are Astro(permethrin) and Onyx (bifenthrin, orTalstar). What is unique about these is thatboth are made by FMC, which is using atermiticide formulation technology thatgreatly extends the residual ability of theinsecticide. When you apply one of these tothe bark of a tree, you will typically get that40 to 60 days of residual action. If you usea simple wettable powder formulation ofthese same pyrethroids, come the first rain,it is all gone. Formulation makes all thedifference in the world.

What about other systemics? You mightbe surprised at the systemics that are stillavailable! Almost every garden center hasDi-syston (disulfoton) masquerading underthe disguise of “2-in-1 rose systemic gran-ules.” If you look at the label, it says thatthe granules can be used on roses, perenni-als, flowers, small trees and shrubs. Areyou going to use that commercially?Probably not, because you have otherchoices that are less toxic.

Acephate (Orthene) was supposedlybeing removed from the market but youcan still use it. There are homeowner prod-ucts and commercial products availableand many of these have useful systemicaction.

What about bark beetles? I will be bru-tally honest! If you have a tree that has barkbeetles, get out the chain saw! A tree that isinfested with bark beetles is doomed. Yourchance of rescuing that tree is slim, at best,because the tree is already dead or dying.The leaves may not have turned brown yetbut once the beetle has gained access tothat tree, the tree had lost its vigor or iseither dead or dying. My suggestion is toremove the infested tree quickly because



Twolined chestnut borer adult is a common pest of newlytransplanted oaks. Such oaks need preventive care fortwo to three years after transplanting to prevent thispest.


the tree will breed more beetles. Check thesurrounding trees. Are there similar trees ofthe same type nearby that are not showingsigns of bark beetle? These trees may needsome protective treatments until the risk ofbark beetle attack has passed.

Scales

Remember that entomologists divide thescales into two groups, soft scales andarmored scales. Soft scales include themagnolia, calico and lecanium scales.Armored scales include oystershell, pineneedle, and euonymus scales. The problemwith armored scales is that once thecrawler settles down, it produces this hardwaxy cover and most of our contact pesti-cides can’t get to the insect. Soft scalestend to feed in vascular bundles causingthem to produce copious amounts of hon-eydew while armored scales feed betweenand within plant cells. Why is this impor-tant? If we are going to use a systemicinsecticide to kill scales, this systemic has

to reach the place where the scale willingest it. This is why Merit will kill a softscale really fast because Merit is permeat-ing those vascular bundles, but Merit is apoor choice to kill armored scales.

If we look at neonicotinoids, someappear to have better systemic activity.Safari (dinotefuran) moves through thevascular bundles, thereby affecting softscales, but it also permeates the tissues,

thereby taking out the armored scales.Taking a look at the physical properties ofArena (clothianidin), I suspect that Arenawill probably do the same thing as Safaribut we just don’t have a database on it yet.

Leafminers

Remember that we have a whole guild ofleafminers that are sawflies, such as thebirch, hawthorn and elm leafminers.Dipterous (fly) leafminers include the hollyleaf miner group, which includes theAmerican, European and inkberry hollyleafminers. We are also seeing majorincreases in Ohio of the boxwood leafmin-ers, another dipterous species. Finally, wehave a few lepidopterous (moth) leafmin-ers, like the solitary oak leafminer.

Again, when considering insecticides forleafminer control, keep in mind whichgroup the leafminer belongs to. If you aredealing with the sawfly or dipterousleafminers, the neonicotinoids are a good



Calico scales are most easily controlled by using a pre-ventive application of a new neonicotinoid insecticide.


choice. However if you are dealing with alepidopterous leafminer, you will need adifferent category of insecticide. In gener-al, we see some pretty good activity of theazadirachtin materials (Azatrol,Neemaway), and we still have Orthene(acephate). The pyrethroids are often regis-tered for leafminer control, but these targetthe adult leafminers, so control is a realissue of timing. If you happen to be apply-ing that pyrethroid the week that theleafminer adults are out and laying theireggs, then you get excellent control. If it israining or you’re busy when these adultsare out, the chances of you getting goodcontrol is slim to none.

Caterpillars

When it comes to caterpillar insecticides,the pyrethroids shine. If you have anyfoliar-feeding caterpillars, you can takethem out as soon as you see them. While

this is a curative action, what about a pre-ventive? You will notice that on the Meritlabel it does say caterpillar “suppression.”Frankly, we don’t see much curative actionby most of the neonicotinoids, but there issome evidence that they can “prevent”infestations. However, preventing caterpil-

lar activity is not the normal way that wehave dealt with these pests. From what I’veseen in the field, Arena (clothianidin) mayprovide some significant caterpillar protec-tive action.

Remember that caterpillars are notsawflies. If you have sawflies, all of theneonicotinoids seem to be very good. Iwould strongly recommend using a pre-ventive application, especially if you haveEuropean pine or redheaded pine sawflies.Remember that roseslugs and pearslugs arealso sawflies. An early application of aneonicotinoids to cotoneasters can keepthese shrubs clean of lacebugs andpearslugs for an entire summer.

Mites

If you had asked me five years agowhere we were headed with miticides, Iwould have stated that we are in real trou-ble. Now we have too many miticides, andit’s difficult to figure out which one to rec-ommend. The real issue is that manymiticides only kill spider mites and we areseeing a significant increase in rust and gall(eriophyid) mites in our landscapes. Atpresent, only Avid (abamectin) and Forbid(spiromesifin) appear to affect both spidermites and eriophyid mites.

I hope the information presented in Part1 of this article will help you figure outwhen you need to spray and how to plant inorder to minimize the need for spraying.Part II should help you supply your arsenalwith tools that will accurately do the job athand with the least collateral damage, tonon-target pests as well as the environ-ment.

Dr. David Shetlar is an associate profes-sor of Urban Landscape Entomology atOhio State University. He earned his BSand MS Degrees in Zoology from theUniversity of Oklahoma and his Ph.D. inEntomology from Penn State. He was anassistant professor at Penn State from 1977through 1983, a research scientist withChemLawn Services from 1984 through1990. He joined Ohio State in May of 1990and he recently co-authored a book,Destructive Turf Insects, Second Edition,with Dr. Harry Niemczyk.



Yellowneck caterpillars are not easily controlled withneonicotiniods, so pyrethroids have to be used.



Dr. Lakshmi Sridharan

Trees are highly diverse plant popu-lations that are grown to satisfy ourvarious needs such as landscaping,

shade, fruit, bloom or foliage production,timber, etc. Trees are known for longevityand resilience. Trees growing in their natu-ral habitats such as forests or woodlandscan reach their full potential with nohuman intervention. Some tree species cantolerate extreme growing conditions – highor low temperatures, dry or water-loggedsoil conditions, acidic or alkaline soil.Other trees need proper care to be healthyand productive – good soil rich in nutrients,organic matter, aeration, water supply, andpest management.

Nutrients

A tree synthesizes starch during photo-synthesis (synthesis of food material usinglight energy), taking carbon dioxide fromthe atmosphere and water from the soil.Photosynthesis is a biochemical activity inwhich a host of enzymes play crucial roles.Enzymes are essentially proteins; for anenzyme to be active it usually needs acofactor such as manganese, magnesium,iron, copper, boron, zinc, etc. In addition tophotosynthesis, for a tree to be alive andproductive it has to perform a number ofother activities – respiration, synthesis ofother complex molecules (proteins, aminoacids, fatty acids, nucleic acids), cell divi-sion, growth, reproduction, etc. To carry onall essential activities, a tree needs essentialnutrient elements.

Structural and functional components ofcells that make up a tree have one or moreessential elements. The essential inorganicnutrients are: carbon (C), hydrogen (H),oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P),sulfur (S), potassium (K), calcium (Ca),magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese(Mn), molybdenum (Mo), boron (B), zinc(Zn), copper (Cu), and chlorine (Cl). A tree

owes approximately 90 percent of its dryweight to carbon and oxygen. Hydrogen,nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium,phosphorus, and sulfur that make up near-ly 8 percent of the dry weight of a plant aremacronutrients. The rest of the elements,Cl, Fe, Mn, Mo, B, Zn and Cu, which con-tribute less than 0.1 percent of the dryweight of a plant, are the micronutrients ortrace elements. Except for hydrogen (fromprecipitation), carbon and oxygen that atree can obtain from the atmosphere as wellas from soil, all the other nutrients areavailable in a healthy soil for root absorp-tion.

Nutrient deficiencies

An absence of any of the essential ele-ments or an inability by the tree to uptakeany of the nutrient elements for use wouldadversely affect a tree’s health. This inabil-ity could be due to very low or hightemperatures, poor aeration resulting inoxygen deficiency, too little or too muchmoisture in the soil, a lack of microbialactivity to convert soil nutrients to

absorbable forms, very low or high pH, etc.Under these unfavorable conditions a treewould develop nutrient deficiency symp-toms. Symptoms such as yellowing ofleaves (chlorosis), abnormal coloration,browning due to tissue death (necrosis),reduced leaf, bloom, or fruit size or pro-ductivity, spindly growth, dieback, etc.,indicate a deficiency of one or more essen-tial nutrients. When such abnormalsymptoms show up, take remedial action tosupply the deficient nutrient or nutrients;an application of an appropriate fertilizercontaining the right amount of deficientnutrient or nutrients may be called for.Since symptoms due to pest or diseaseattacks at times show symptoms similar tonutrient deficiencies, do soil and tissueanalyses (foliar analysis) prior to fertiliz-ing.

Soil test and tissue analysis

Collect soil samples from different loca-tions, place them in a sealable bag, seal andsend it to a soil test laboratory. The labora-tory will give a complete analysis of the

While most trees growing in their natural habitats, such as forests or woodlands, can reach their full potential with nohuman intervention, trees in a landscape often need some help – soil rich in nutrients and organic matter, proper aerationand a sufficient water supply – to be healthy and productive.


soil that should include the amounts of var-ious nutrients, microbial content, organiccontents, soil types and soil pH, and alsoremedial measures for correcting the soilfor healthy tree growth. One needs a tissueanalysis to know that the tree is in a posi-tion to use the soil nutrients. A tissueanalysis provides the exact metabolic sta-tus of nutrients in plant tissues. For thispurpose, collect samples of healthy andunhealthy leaves for analysis. Based on theresults of soil and tissue analysis, useappropriate fertilizers to meet the nutrientneeds of a tree.

Soil pH

Just because it’s in there doesn’t meanthe tree can use it.

Soil pH is an important factor in theavailability of nutrients for root uptake.Very low pH (highly acidic, less than 4) orvery high pH (highly alkaline – more than10) will make certain nutrients unavailableto roots even when present in a soil. Theaddition of sulfur to an alkaline soil willlower its pH; the addition of lime to anacidic soil would increase the pH.Carefully monitor pH when trying tochange it.

Most trees grow well under a pH ofaround 6.8. However, some plants, such asAmerican holly, rhododendron, azalea, pinoak, and some pines, prefer acidic soil – alow pH of around 5.

Fertilizers

A fertilizer contains one or more essen-tial nutrients. Use a fertilizer of your choice– biofertilizers, natural (organic) or chemi-cal fertilizers. Biofertilizers contain livemicroorganisms such as mycorrhizae, bac-teria or algae (See “Biofertilizers BringSoil Back to Life,” TCI March 2006).Cotton seed meal, dried blood, fish emul-sion, animal manure, sewage sludge, rockphosphate, granite dust, kelp (seaweed),wood ashes, coffee grounds, compost, etc.are natural fertilizers. Chemical fertilizersare synthetic fertilizers that contain definiteamounts of inorganic compounds such asnitrates, phosphates, potash, ammonium

sulfate, chelated iron, Epsom salt, etc.

A chemical fertilizer on the label indi-cates the ratio of three major nutrients,nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassi-um (K). NPK 20-20-20 means that 100pounds of the fertilizer contains 20 poundsof each of those nutrients – nitrogen (N),phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). In addi-tion, most fertilizers contain trace elementsand other nutrients. Some chemical fertiliz-ers contain only one compound – Epsomsalt contains magnesium sulfate only.Chelated (iron-EDTA) iron is often usedwhen there is chlorosis due to iron defi-ciency. Chemical fertilizers releasenutrients quickly.

Chemical fertilizers are available aspowder, granules and sticks or in liquidform. Nutrients in liquid fertilizers arereadily available for root use. Slow-releas-ing sticks release nutrients for an extendedperiod.

Organic fertilizers contain feweramounts of various nutrients and releasenutrients slowly and steadily over anextended period of time. Therefore, onehas to apply more organic fertilizers thaninorganic fertilizers. Blood (dried), sewagesludge (activated) and cottonseed meal are

good sources of nitrogen. Bone meal is anexcellent source of phosphorus. Kelp,greensand and ash are good sources ofpotassium. Compost usually is a completefertilizer; the level of nutrients in compostshow seasonal fluctuations and varydepending on the stage of composting.

Nutrients from organic fertilizers areavailable to root absorption by microbialactivity. Leaching of nutrients from chemi-cal fertilizers is more rapid than fromorganic fertilizers.

Time of application

Remember that the need for variousnutrients depends on seasonal variations,the phase of a tree’s growth (vegetative,reproductive or dormant), tree type (decid-uous or evergreen), established or a newtransplant. In spring, when a tree is grow-ing vigorously producing new shoots, itwill need more nitrogen than in a dormantseason. During reproductive phase (flowerand fruit production) a tree needs morephosphorus than nitrogen. During dormantseason, a tree needs potassium and phos-phorus for strong roots, winter hardiness,and disease resistance and not much nitro-gen. Fertilize according to the needs of atree. Indiscriminate, excessive use of fertil-


Sometimes all a tree needs is water. Fertilize according to the needs of a tree. Indiscriminate, excessive use of fertilizer(especially a chemical fertilizer) will do more harm than good.


izer (especially a chemical fertilizer) willdo more harm than good.

Roots can absorb soil nutrients as long assoil temperature does not go below 40degrees. Root growth in woody ornamen-

tals is active in fall and late winter/earlyspring. Hot summer temperatures slow rootgrowth. During the dormant phase, rootgrowth still occurs. Fall to spring is a goodtime to fertilize trees. Apply a balanced fer-tilizer (NPK 10-10-10) early in spring. Do

not hesitate to apply fertilizers in fall.However, use fertilizers containing morephosphorus and potassium and very littlenitrogen during autumn (especially latefall) or dormant phase. Fall fertilization ismore effective in promoting plant growththan spring fertilization. Remember it takesa few weeks to see the effect of fertilizersafter application. Apply slow-release fertil-izers early in the season to avoid newgrowth in late fall.

Do not fertilize young transplants imme-diately after transplantation. Give time forroot establishment. When planted in fall,apply fertilizer in early spring; for springtransplants wait for six to eight weeks aftertransplanting. To overcome transplantationstress, you may apply compost tea or high-ly diluted liquid fertilizer.

Evergreens and most avenue trees do notneed fertilizer once they get established.

Apply fertilizer early in the morning orin the evening and water thoroughly. Donot fertilize when raining, as water-solublenutrients would leach out easily.

Amount of fertilizer

Calculate the amount of fertilizer for atree according to the size of its root zone,which extends beyond the drip line. Thedistance between the outermost branchesof a tree to the base of the trunk is thecrown radius. The root zone extendsbeyond this, to approximately one-and-one-half times the crown radius. So, whenthe crown radius is 10 feet, the radius of theroot zone is 15 feet.

Use the following formula to calculatethe area of fertilization:

root zone = pi x r2The root zone area in this case is:3.14 x 15 (feet) x 15 (feet) = 706.5

square feet

In addition, calculate the amount of actu-al nitrogen present in the fertilizer prior tofertilization. For example, the percentageof actual nitrogen in NPK 10-10-10 is 0.1(10 pounds of nitrogen per 100 pounds offertilizer). Let’s say that you did not want



A fertilizer contains one or more essential nutrients. The need for various nutrients depends on seasonal variations, thephase of a tree’s growth, tree type and whether it is established or a new transplant.




to exceed two pounds of actual nitrogenper 1,000 square feet. When using the fer-tilizer 10-10-10 one has to apply 20 poundsper 1,000 square feet. Use the followingformula to calculate the amount of this fer-tilizer needed for the root zone area of706.5 square feet:

706.5 x 20/1000 = 15.3 pounds

For trees with narrower canopies orunusual shapes, measure the dbh (diameterat breast height) of the trunk. If it is 10inches, multiply it by 1 or 1.5 feet to get theradius of the root zone: 10 x 1= 10 feet or10 x 1.5 = 15 feet.

Remember that less is better than morein fertilization. By applying more fertilizer,especially chemical fertilizers, you couldburn tree roots.

Methods of application

Top dressing is easy and effective asfeeder roots are close to the soil surface,but it is not recommended for grassy areas.Spread fertilizer evenly all around thetrunk but not close to the trunk. Nitrogen iseasily mobile in a soil; hence, use top-dressing. Phosphorus is not that mobile andits level may also vary. Potassium deficien-cy rarely occurs. In any case, fertilizebased on the results of soil and tissueanalysis.

Drilling holes and distributing fertilizersequally in holes around the tree can berather cumbersome and unnecessary. Inaddition, drilling may hurt tree roots. Slow-release fertilizer spikes are expensive andnot really as effective as granules or pow-der. Most tree care companies use soilinjection with liquid formulations. Traceelements can be delivered throughmicroinjections. Foliar applications ofcompost tea or liquid fertilizers are oftenused for correcting nutrient deficiencies.Spray foliage with highly diluted chemicalfertilizers to avoid foliage burning; it is bet-ter to spray leaves early in the morning.

The key rule in fertilization is to fertilizewhen the tree needs the fertilizers. Followmanufacturer’s instructions on the label

when using chemical fertilizers. Naturalfertilizers do not hurt trees or beneficialsoil microflora or fauna. Organic fertilizersimprove soil structure by preventing com-pacting. Biofertilizers and organicfertilizers are eco-friendly. Depending onyour philosophy of maintaining trees, use afertilizer of your choice when your treeneeds fertilization.

Lakshmi Sridharan is a scientist with aPh.D. in molecular biology, botany andmicrobiology. She is author of A PracticalGuide to Growing Roses Successfully.www.lakshmi-sridharan.com.

Spray foliage withhighly diluted chemicalfertilizers to avoidfoliage burning; it isbetter to spray leavesearly in the morning.

ANSI Standard: A300 (Part 2)Fertilization

Adhering to the American National Standardsfor tree care helps make you an expert in theeyes of clients and authorities, such as yourlocal municipality. ANSI standards are recog-nized as the final authority in the United Statescivil court system. Order each part to be certainyour work meets industry standards and to useas a guide for writing work specifications.

Price: $25(TCIA Member Price: $15)

Call 1-800-733-2622 or order online at www.tcia.org



You may have been aware thatOSHA requires employers to pro-vide personal protective

equipment (PPE) to employees when theirwork presents some hazard that can rea-sonably be mitigated through PPE use. Butdid you know that the employer has apaperwork requirement related to PPE use?Currently, OSHA is soliciting public com-ment concerning employer paperworkrequirements specified in its standards onPPE for General Industry.

The Occupational Safety and Health Actof 1970 (the OSH Act) authorizes informa-tion collection by employers as necessaryor appropriate for its enforcement or fordeveloping information regarding the caus-es and prevention of accidents. The OSHAct requires OSHA to obtain such infor-mation with minimum burden uponemployers, especially those operatingsmall businesses.

General Industry PPE standards (29CFR part 1910, subpart I) include severalpaperwork requirements:

� Hazard Assessment, Verification -1910.132, paragraph (d)(1) requires thatthe employer assess work activities todetermine whether there are hazards pres-ent, or likely to be present, whichnecessitate the employee's use of PPE. Ifsuch is the case, the employer must com-municate selection decisions to affectedemployees and verify that a hazard assess-ment has been performed. Paragraph (d)(2)requires that the so-called “certification of

hazard assessment” must contain the occu-pation, the date(s) of the hazard assessmentand the name of the person performing thehazard assessment. This requirement onlyapplies to PPE for the eyes and face, head,feet and hands.

� Training, Verification - 1910.132,paragraph (f) requires that employers pro-vide training for each employee who isrequired to wear PPE. Employers must alsoprovide retraining when there is reason tobelieve that any previously trainedemployee does not have the understandingand skill to use PPE properly. Paragraph(f)(4) requires that employers certify thatemployees have received and understoodthe PPE training. The training certificationmust include the name of the employee(s)trained, the date of training, and the subjectof the certification (i.e., a statement identi-fying the document as a certification oftraining in the use of PPE).

OSHA compliance officers may requireemployers to disclose the certificationrecords during an Agency inspection.

In this public comment period, OSHAhas a particular interest in comments on thefollowing issues:

§ Whether the proposed information col-lection requirements are necessary forthe proper performance of theAgency's functions, including whetherthe information is useful;

§ The accuracy of OSHA's estimate ofthe burden (time and costs) of the

information collection requirements,including the validity of the methodol-ogy and assumptions used;

§ The quality, utility, and clarity of theinformation collected; and

§ Ways to minimize the burden onemployers who must comply; forexample, by using automated or othertechnological information collectionand transmission techniques.

Are you interested in letting OSHAknow how this paperwork requirementhelps or hinders safety and/or your busi-ness? Your comments should referenceDocket No. ICR-1218-0205 and must besubmitted postmarked or received bySeptember 25, 2006. You may mail com-ments to the OSHA Docket Office, RoomN-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,DC 20210. If your comments are 10 pagesor fewer, including attachments, you mayfax them to the OSHA Docket Office at(202) 693-1648. You may submit com-ments through the Internet athttp://ecomments.osha.gov. Followinstructions on the OSHA Web page forsubmitting comments.

Next month in this column, the authorwill present a model PPE program thataddresses this and other aspects of safetyand regulatory compliance.

Peter Gerstenberger is senior advisorfor Safety, Compliance & Standards for theTree Care Industry Association.

Washington in ReviewBy Peter Gerstenberger

Personal Protective EquipmentPart One: Paperwork Requirements



Excellent article on tree appraisal

Thank you for printing an excellent arti-cle on tree appraisal. The two arboristsquoted in the article are first-rate, so itwas full of good information from start tofinish. The dollar value of trees is of grow-ing interest across the country in this era ofexplosive land development and global cli-mate change, which is why Mr. Cullenpointed out that it is so important to under-stand how that value is defined. At onepoint, the author seemed to define treevalue as either “income'” or “aesthetic,”but this seems to leave out most of thevalue that trees contribute to our lives.

The Glossary of Arboricultural Termsdefines “aesthetic” as “artistically or visual-ly pleasing ...,” but there is clearly muchvalue in trees that is neither based on har-vesting income from them, nor on enjoyingtheir mere appearance. Trees clean the airwhen they capture smoke and soot and dirtand other airborne pollutants, particularlycarbon dioxide. Trees intercept storm water,so it can recharge aquifers instead of strain-ing sewage plants. These life-givingfunctions alone have a high dollar value,which has been measured by AmericanForests and the US Forest Service. Treesalso cool our homes in the summer, directlywith shade and indirectly with transpira-tional cooling. Trees provide habitat forwildlife, seen and unseen. Trees shieldglare, muffle noise, and work for us in manyother ways too numerous to mention here.

It is hard to imagine putting a dollarvalue on a tree without considering morethan income or aesthetics. Perhaps theauthor’s definitions are different than theGlossary’s, but I just felt that it was impor-tant to point out the wide range ofcontributions that add to tree value. Thesecontributions are important for consultingarborists to consider when they appraisetree value, and for other arborists to have inmind when they manage trees for theirclients and their communities.

Guy Meilleur, consulting arborist

Better Tree Care Associates

New Hill, North Carolina

Choosing the wrong avenuetree?

It was interesting to see some of theplants recommended for use as street treesin your July 2006 issue (“Choosing theRight Avenue Tree”).

Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflo-ra) is certainly a beautiful tree, but as astreet tree is a poor choice. Its large leath-ery leaves defy decomposition. With theirlarge size, they are extremely noticeablewhen they fall.

Bracken’s brown beauty is a great selec-tion; I do not know a “Barcken’s” brownbeauty.

Mimosa (Albizzia julibrissin) seems atfirst glace to be a great choice, but it is usu-ally on every list of invasive plants. It isalmost impossible to eliminate and is rightbehind kudzu in its ability to overtake otherplantings. It is a gorgeous tree – in someoneelse’s yard (if they are far enough away sothat they don’t share the seeds with you).

I doubt that Dr. Sridharan has had theopportunity to live with some of the plantsthat she so highly praised.

David Henderson

owner, Henderson Horticulture

Pinson, Alabama

Article featured some inappropriate street trees

The article “Choosing the Right AvenueTree” recommends some tree species that,in my opinion, are not really appropriate asstreet trees. Others deserve more discus-sion as to their suitability as street trees.

Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) is listed bythe Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council as aCategory I invasive (“Invasive exotics thatare altering native plant communities bydisplacing native species, changing com-munity structures or ecological functions,or hybridizing with natives.”) and is notrecommended for planting anywhere inFlorida. In fact, most agencies suggest youremove it every chance you get. Othersouthern states where this species growsmay take a similar view of this weed. Bythe way, mimosa is not a broadleaf ever-green, but is deciduous.

Another listed weed in the article is gold-en rain tree (Koelreuteria elegans, a.k.a. K.formosana or K. paniculata). The FloridaEPPC lists this tree as a Category II inva-sive (Invasive exotics that have increasedin abundance or frequency but have not yetaltered Florida plant communities to theextent shown by Category I species. Thesespecies may become ranked Category I, ifecological damage is demonstrated.). The“truckload of golden flowers” generallyproduce truckloads of wild seedlings innorth and central Florida.

Two large trees in the article deserve acautious look. With more than 500 speciesof eucalyptus, choosing the correct one toplant as a street tree is important. Whilesome make beautiful large specimens

Letters

(Continued on page 79)

Ginko or maidenhair, Ginko biloboa. A writer notes thatginkgos are dioecious and that only male trees should beplanted lest your avenues reek with large messy fruit.



By M. Janet Bornancin

As of this writing, three major TreeResearch and EducationEndowment Fund (TREE Fund)

events have just wrapped up and the buzzis great. Our summer golf outing, held inMinneapolis July 30 and sponsored byAsplundh, was well attended and had allhole sponsorships sold out. The Tour desTrees, our largest single fundraiser, wastruly ‘Superior’ as more than 60 cyclists,support staff and wonderful corporatesponsors tallied more than $290,000(gross). Participants safely completedcycling 560 miles from Thunder Bay,Ontario, along the shores of Lake Superiorto Minneapolis, Minn. And last but notleast, the Legacy of Leaves Gala Auction,also held in Minneapolis in conjunctionwith the ISA show, featured plenty of foodand drink, a huge 50/50 cash raffle, and alarger assortment of donated items thanever before to bid on. We cannot thank oursponsors, volunteers and attendees enough– but we’ll try!

We thank everyone who supported theTREE Fund by raising money to ride in theTour, buying a round of golf or sponsoringa hole, bidding on fabulous items that weredonated by great companies, ISA chaptersand individuals, or volunteering to help putthe FUN in fundraising! All proceeds willsupport our mission and we are glad thatyou have chosen to be a part of the TREEFund Future.

BusinessOne way to show our appreciation for

their vote of confidence is to control ourevent expenses and to wisely spend thefunds raised on research grants and schol-arships. Another way to earn the trust ofour supporters is to take the time to planfor the future. Over the past few months,the TREE Fund Board of Directors hasbeen working on its strategic plan for2007-2010. Having discussed our vision,our values and our purpose, the board isworking hard to move the TREE Fund’smission moving forward.

Cross functional task forces were creat-ed early this spring to address issues inGrant Making Policies and Procedures,Communications Priorities, Governance,and our Fund Development Plan. Eachtask force met with consultants, most ofwhom donated their time and expertise, toupdate board members on issues and bestpractices. Each task force prepared recom-mendations for the standing committees ofthe TREE Fund Board.

One common recommendation was toexpand the membership of each committeeto include non-board members. We arepleased to recognize the following individu-als who have volunteered to provide added

expertise to our committees: Hyland Johns,Finance; Alan Siewert, Governance; and JanWatson, Research (Administration). In addi-tion, we are pleased that Ken Palmer hasvolunteered to reconvene the Tree Dynamicsand Arborist Techniques Committee. Theyjust voted to rename this endowment theArborist Safety and Techniques Fund. Wehope to identify more people in the TCIAand ISA communities who can contribute tothe future of arboriculture by volunteeringtheir skills in communications, accounting,law or finance to serve on a TREE Fundcommittee.

ProgramsThe TREE Fund received 12 applica-

tions for the Robert Felix MemorialScholarships this year. After carefullyreviewing the applications, the EducationCommittee made its recommendation tothe Board and the winners will beannounced by the end of August. To get anidea of the impact of our scholarship pro-gram, have a look at this testimonial thatwe received not long ago from a pastscholarship winner:

“I received the Robert Felix MemorialScholarship back around 1998 at Clemson

Connie Head, Gala Auction co-chair, with a sampling ofSilent Auction items.

Tour des Trees riders Harry Banker, Dick Maloney and Elizabeth Renner pedal into the finale at the ISA Field Day in LoringPark, Minneapolis, Minn.


University in Clemson, S.C. I was major-ing in forestry with an emphasis in urbanforestry. At the time, I wasn’t exactly surewhat I was going to do when I graduated.After receiving the scholarship, I realizedthat maybe the best route for me wasarboriculture. I joined the ArboricultureClub and eventually became president ofthe club. I actually received several morescholarships and knew that arboriculturewas the right field for me. I am now presi-dent of Schneider Tree Care in Taylors,S.C. The Robert Felix Scholarship helpedme through school financially and alsohelped by showing me that the field ofarboriculture had better opportunities forgrowth than typical forestry.

Brandon Brown, president,

Plant Health Care Supervisor

In the field of research, the TREE FundResearch Committee evaluated and ranked18 applications received for the HylandJohns Grant. The board reviewed andapproved their recommendation to fund sixprojects for a total of $125,000.

Earlier this year, the TREE Fund Boardapproved $96,625 in John Z. Duling grantsto 13 research projects. An example of oneof the TREE Fund projects that is particu-larly interesting now that hurricane seasonis “Mature Tree Response to Hurricane-related Flooding in Northern Gulf CoastCommunities,” from Hallie Dozier, PhD(and Tour des Trees rider!), Louisiana StateUniversity.

This grant will support initial data col-lection on mature canopy tree response tohurricane-caused floods in coastalMississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Resultsof this study will be applicable to othercommunities in hurricane- and flood-proneregions of the country. The overall studyobjectives are to: (1) collect baselinedescriptive data on mature canopy trees innorthern Gulf of Mexico coastal communi-ties flooded by Hurricanes Katrina (August2005) and Rita (September 2005); (2) gen-erate preliminary predictions forlonger-term survival and growth of maturetrees in hurricane flooded areas. This pro-posal solicits seed money to support thedevelopment of baseline data on mature

trees that apparently survived these stormsplus survival and growth data for two yearsfollowing the storm events. This researchwill generate better understanding of short-term survival and vigor of flood-stressedmature trees, and it will give a baseline forlonger-term survival and growth study.Knowing how floods affect hurricane windsurvivors will help arborists answer thequestion, “What’s going to happen to thistree over the long run?” and help themmake better post-storm care decisions and,potentially, prevent the unnecessary loss oflarge trees.

EventsIn closing, our thanks to Michael Oxman

who sent in this cool photo and story on an

Oregon wilderness tree climb he helped tocoordinate to benefit the Canadian TREEFund. Climbers included Dave Gaugel,Clint Landon and Dan and Ron Koetje ofPortland, Oregon who had placed the win-ning bid on this outstanding weekendadventure during a TREE Fund Auctionlast fall at the Pacific Northwest ISATraining Conference. Looks like a greattime was had by all – and all for a goodcause, tree research and education!

During the TREE Fun(d) TreehouseClimb in early May, 11 climbers spentthree days in an Oregon old growth forestof 5-feet diameter ponderosa pine andsugar pine trees that soared to 185 feet tall.This photo of five climbers in a toweringponderosa pine was shot by Scott Baker,who was in the top of a similar size sugarpine about 100 feet away. Using a crossbow, some fishing line and string, theclimbers were able to set up a strong tra-verse line and pulley system so they couldslide back and forth from tree to tree over150 feet above the ground!

Tree Research and Education

Endowment Fund

711 E. Roosevelt Road,

Wheaton, IL 60187

(630) 221-8127 – www.treefund.org

M. Janet Bornancin is executive directorof the TREE (Tree Research and EducationEndowment) Fund.


Ready to hit the greens at the TREE Fund Golf Outing are Mike Neal, left, of Arizona Public Service and a TREE Fund Boardmember, and Keith Asplundh, Tree Fund vice president.




HELP WANTED

Help Wanted

Earnest Arborist to work with and/or purchase anestablished tree care co. in SE PA. Call JonathanFairoaks (610) 952-5209.

Climber/Aerial Lift Operator

Needed in Stowe, Vermont. Beautiful mountain loca-tion with minimal traffic and no crime. Experiencerequired. Good pay to the right person. Some reloca-tion expenses covered. We will need previous employerreferences. Stowe Tree Experts, PO Box 1557, Stowe,VT 05672, (802) 244-5100, [email protected]

SE Wisc. Co.

Looking for quality people for its growing company.We have a solid client base & are looking for the rightpeople to support us. If you have experience in aClimber/groundsman position & have a clean drivingrecord we want you. CDL license is preferred but notnecessary. We are willing to train right individuallooking to expand their skills. Top pay for the rightcandidate. “AFFORDABLE” Tree Care, LLC e-mail:[email protected] Web: affordabletreecare4u.comfax: (775) 860-1148.

Climber/Production Manager

Min. 5 yrs’ exp. Must know pruning w/o spikes. Year-round, salary, pd vacation/health, help moving.Profit-share/potential partnership. Virginia, nearWilliamsburg, Busch Gardens, VA Beach. (757) 595-8733, [email protected]

Tree Worker 4, Arizona Public Service Company

Several positions available throughout the state ofArizona. Primary Job Functions – Physical ability,knowledge and skill to perform tree pruning, treeand brush removal, herbicide applications from andor near energized power lines utilizing mechanicalequipment or manual climbing techniques and rig-ging as required to ensure work is completed in asafe, efficient manner. Ability to operate and main-tain chain saws, blower, hand tools, ropes andequipment, including lift or manual truck, pickup,ATV, chipper, to safely perform all functions of line-clearance operations as well as other duties asassigned. Must have a high school diploma or equiv-alent and have a minimum of 18 months experience.Apply online at Pinnaclewest.com or fax or mail aresume stating which position you are applying forto: Fax: (602) 371-5008, Mail: APS Staffing-Union,Mail Station 3847, P.O. Box 53999, Phoenix, AZ85072-3999.

Classified Ads



Please circle 39 on Reader Service Card Please circle 1 on Reader Service Card

Advanced Landscape Plant IPM PHC Short CourseJanuary 8-12, 2007.

If you are a commercial arborist, landscape manag-er, or advanced gardener and want to learn moreabout the principles and practices of integrated pestmanagement and plant health care, this shortcourse may be for you. For a detailed description ofthis course and a printable mail-in RegistrationForm (pdf form), or to register online, visitwww.raupplab.umd.edu/conferences/advlandscape/For any questions, please contact: Ms. DebbieWilhoit, Entomology Department, University ofMaryland, College Park, MD 20742 Telephone: (301)405-3913. e-mail: [email protected]

Established Tree Company in North Central Florida

With more than 30 years experience in tree care, isseeking an experienced, highly motivated, self-starter climber/bucketman. Certified Arborist a plus.Must have 3 years’ verifiable experience and a CDLlicense. Competitive salary based on experience. If you want to join a winning team, fax your resumeto (352) 493-4457 or e-mail to [email protected]

East Coast

East coast tree company searching for experiencedResidential Crew Leaders, Climbers and PlantHealthcare Specialists in Maine and South Carolina.Requires: Min 3 years experience and a valid driver’slicense (CDL preferred). We offer year round employ-ment with competitive pay and a comprehensivebenefits package. Lucas Tree Experts, PO Box 958,Portland, ME 04104, Fax: (207) 797-0752, e-mail:[email protected] Visit us on the Web:www.lucastree.com “Growing naturally…since 1926”

Supervisors/Managers

Lucas Tree Experts a leader in the tree care industryboth on the East Coast and in Canada seeks qualifiedSupervisors and Managers for Utility Line ClearanceOperations. College degree or minimum 3 years’ relat-ed experience. We offer competitive pay and acomprehensive benefits package. Send resume to:Lucas Tree, PO Box 958, Portland, ME 04104. Fax:(207) 797-0752, e-mail: [email protected] our Web site: www.lucastree.com “Growing nat-urally…since 1926”


Crew Foreman 1, Electric Line Clearance, ArizonaPublic Service Company

Several positions available in the state of Arizona.Primary Functions – Physical ability, knowledge &skill in tree pruning, tree & brush removal, herbicideapplications from &/or near energized power lines uti-lizing mechanical equipment or manual climbingtechniques & rigging as required for safety. Ability tooperate & maintain chain saws, blower, hand tools,ropes & equipment including lift or manual truck,pickup, ATV, chipper, to safely perform all functions ofline-clearance operations. Direct the activities of theForestry & Special Programs crew to ensure work iscompleted in compliance with APS AccidentPrevention Manual (APM) as well as ANSI industrystandards, OSHA regulations and the APS VegetationManual. Prepare and document all company crewtime reporting, customer profile work sheets, &departmental work tracking reports as required. Musthave a HS diploma or equivalent & a minimum of 2yrs’ exper. Apply on line at Pinnaclewest.com or fax or mail aresume stating which position you are applying for to:Fax: (602) 371-5008 Mail: APS Staffing-Union, MailStation 3847, P.O. Box 53999, Phoenix, AZ 85072-3999.

Established Tree Service Needs FT Climbers.

Requires valid TX driver license/good record, ability todrive standard truck, able-bodied, alert. Prefer ISAcertified arborist, non-smoker, 3 yrs’ exp usingrope/harness. Small business environment located 30miles south of Austin. Owner is ISA certified arborist(TX-0186A) with degree in agriculture. Benefits foreligible employees include vacation & retirement. Paycommensurate w/exp. Send resume w/references [email protected] or Hager Landscape & Tree,Inc., 1324 Old Martindale Road, San Marcos TX78666. Phone: (512) 392-1089 or toll-free (TX only)800-443-8733

Bartlett Tree Experts

Continues to grow in the south with immediateopenings for experienced tree climbers in theSavannah, Atlanta, Hilton Head, Tallahassee,Charlotte, Raleigh and Charleston offices. Benefitsinclude paid vacation, holidays, medical, dental,401(k), training and continuing education.Applicant must be reliable, customer-service andcareer oriented. CDL a plus. Fax or e-mail yourresume to (770) 414-9762; [email protected];www.bartlett.com

Coastal Maine

Seeking a skilled climber to support our company’sdedication to excellence. Competitive benefits, ongo-ing training, and employment flexibility. Owned andstaffed by ISA certified arborists. Please call Jeff atWellTree (207) 721-9210. Will aid in relocation.

Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care

Seeking professionals who are passionate about whatthey do. If you’re motivated, experienced, and dedi-cated to service, you’re just the type of person wewant. Swingle has been a leader in the Denver marketsince 1947, and we’ve since expanded to include theNorthern Colorado/Ft. Collins area. We’re looking toadd key members to our already outstanding team inboth locations:

• Sales Representatives ($45K+ DOE)• Trim Field Supervisor ($40K-$55K)• Certified Arborists with Removal Experience

($38K-$50K+)• PHC Qualified Supervisors ($28K-$45K)* Other outdoor production positions also available

Swingle offers year-round employment plus topindustry wages and benefits including 401(k) withcompany match. We also provide great opportunitiesfor college graduates and student interns! If you area results-oriented professional and looking for acareer opportunity with a growing company, we wantto talk to you! Visit our Web site at www.swingle-tree.com to submit an online application or sendresume and salary history to Dave Vine at: Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care, 8585 E.Warren Ave., Denver, CO 80231; Phone: 1-888-266-6629, Fax (303) 337-0157; E-mail:[email protected]. When it comes to your pas-sion, choose Swingle.

If you have the experience, we have a job for you

Look no further. Need Cert. ISA Arborist for top levelforeman/climber. Bi-lingual a must. $39,000. Call(214) 544-8734.




For People Who Love Trees – www.arborguard.com

Arborguard Tree Specialists, with offices in Atlantaand Augusta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina,seeks experienced sales arborists, crew leaders,climbers and plant health care technicians whodemonstrate a passion for excellence. Arborguardmaintains an exciting and highly spirited team cul-ture that is focused on a positive experience foremployees and clients alike. A decision to join our team will ensure year-roundwork for a prestigious and high-end client base, over100 hours of annual paid training, an OSHA compli-ant work environment, paid vacation and personaldays, paid holidays, paid healthcare and 401(k). If you seek personal and professional development,appreciation, recognition and career opportunities,you may have found them.To explore this unique opportunity, contact:Dennis Tourangeau, Director of Operations, Arborguard, P. O. Box 477, Avondale Estates, GA 30002,or send fax to (404) 294-0090 or e-mail [email protected].

Foreman/Supervisor

Aspen Tree Service, Inc. is a secure, highly regardedtree care company in the Aspen/Pitkin County area ofColorado. We are currently accepting applications fora Certified Arborist or Certified Arborist trainee in asupervisor/foreman position. You must have or obtaina Colorado Driver’s License with no points. For moreinformation, please call (970) 963-3070 or on theWeb at www.aspentreeservicecolorado.com

Sales Arborists

For Leading Tree Care Company, Philadelphia, PA &Naples, FL. McFarland Tree and Landscaping Serviceshas been providing superior arboricultural and horti-cultural services for over four decades. Our clientbase is comprised of the best of the best, serving thePhiladelphia, PA and Naples, FL metropolitan areas.Our salespersons earn the highest commissions inthe industry, following McFarland’s time-tested pro-grams. We are looking for people who want to earn atleast $100K annually. You should have the requisiteskill, passion and the energy to make this happen. Allexperience levels will be considered. If you feel thatyour talents have not been sufficiently rewardedand/or appreciated, contact us immediately. YOUHAVE EVERYTHING TO GAIN! Ed Shebert, PeterMcFarland, McFarland Tree & Landscape Service, 255W. Tulpehocken St., Philadelphia, PA 19144; Phone:(215) 438-3970, Fax: (215) 438-1879, E-mail:[email protected]

Great jobs in Florida! All positions! GreatOpportunities!

Sales, climbers, groundsmen. FT year-round work inSoutheast FL, High-end commercial tree maint. Newequipment/latest technlgy. Ongoing training. Roomfor advancement. Enjoy working in a flexible & pro-fessional environment in the most affluentcommunities in the country. Excellent salary + per-formance bonuses. NOVO ARBOR is a fast growingcompany that values what you have to offer as youwill value what we have to offer! Housing available.Relocation assist. Call (561) 330-9785. Fax resumeto (561) 330-2392, or e-mail [email protected]

Exciting Career Opportunities for Service Industry Managers

Come join one of the largest Vegetation ManagementCompanies in the United States. DeAngelo Brothers,Inc., is experiencing tremendous growth throughoutthe country creating the following openings:

Division ManagersBranch Managers

We have immediate openings in:VA, New England, FL, MO, TX, CO, LA, ILResponsible for managing day-to-day operations,including the supervision of field personnel.Business/Horticultural degree desired with a mini-mum of 2 years’ experience working in the greenindustry. Qualified applicants must have proven lead-ership abilities, strong customer relations andinterpersonal skills. We offer an excellent salary,bonus and benefits packages, including 401(k) andcompany paid medical coverage.For career opportunity and confidential consideration,send or fax resume, including geographic preferencesand willingness to relocate to: DeAngelo Brothers,Inc., Attention: Carl Faust, 100 North Conahan Drive,Hazleton, PA 18201. Phone: 1-800-360-9333. Fax:(570) 459-5363 or [email protected]/AAP M-F


Please circle 8 on Reader Service Card Please circle 29 on Reader Service Card


Operations Manager

D&B Tree Service with offices in Central & EasternMassachusetts, is seeking an Operations Manager tohelp lead our Team. Duties and Qualifications: Thecandidate must have proven tree care industry experi-ence with general tree care work and plant health care.Responsibilities include: Field Training, Production andSafety Management, and Overseeing Daily Operations.Candidate must be goal oriented and have a strongcommitment to Safety and Teamwork. CDL License amust. Certified arborist preferred. Benefits package.Please submit resume to Bob Young: [email protected] fax (617) 471-4777 Ext. 30.

Advanced Tree Care, McKinney, Texas Entry Level Arborist

Learn how to become an arborist and introduce your-self to all facets of tree care and tree remediation.Train under a registered, degreed and licensedarborist. Bachelor’s degree in forestry, arboriculture orother horticulture related fields. An individual with apassion for trees, a drive to learn and a “can-do” atti-tude. Also looking for PHC technicians, foremen andclimbers. Fax resumes to the following: Telephone:(214) 544-TREE (8733); Fax: (972) 569-8370; Mail:Advanced Tree Care, 590 N. Meandering Way,Fairview, TX 75069.

Staff Arborist for TCIA

Trade association for commercial arborist companiesseeks qualified candidate with arboricultural back-ground for full-time position. Position requiresdemonstrable and extensive skills in project manage-ment, managing volunteers and communication –esp. writing skills. Candidate should possess a Bachelor’s degree inArboriculture or closely related field as well as two ormore years’ field experience in arboriculture. He/shemust be willing to take direction and work in a teamenvironment, and must submit current samples ofwriting and undergo personality profiling exercisesduring the interview process. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software prod-ucts in a PC environment needed; experience withdesktop publishing software preferred. Previous expe-rience with volunteer and/or non-profit groupspreferred. Position requires travel at least six times ayear. Ability to speak and comprehend Spanish a plus. Salary and other benefits commensurate with demon-strated experience and abilities. Please send resume and salary requirements [email protected].

Wanted – Licensed Plant Health Care Technician,Boston Area

Experienced spray technician wanted now! Openposition as a result of growth and an internal promo-tion. You will be responsible for operating the PlantHealth Care profit center. Earn top pay, benefits andyear-round employment. Please submit resume to BobYoung: [email protected] or fax (617) 773-3318. (617)471-4777 Ext. 30.

Open Positions for Field Employees, Boston Area

Crew Leaders, Tree Climbers, Arborist Trainees andPlant Health Care Techs needed now! Opportunity toLearn and Earn Top Pay. Benefits and year-roundemployment. www.dbtree.com or (617) 471-4777 x30.

Small NH Tree Company

Looking for the right person to join our high-energyteam. We provide the highest quality tree & planthealthcare in the Upper Valley & Lake Sunapeeregions. Motivation & exceptional customer service amust. Training & tuition re-imbursement. Pay basedon experience. Call Gallagher Tree Service to schedulea confidential interview. (603) 675-2200.

Illinois Certified Arborist/Sales Rep.

This position is an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated and ambitious person, as compensationis based on sales. All Co. benefits & vehicle provid-ed. See our Web site for more information:www.kramertree.com.





Sales Position/Consulting Arborist

22 reasons to make a career at Hartney Greymont: Jobstability. Growth potential. Competitive salary.Excellent benefits. Year-round employment. Growingcompany. Quality reputation. Tuition reimbursement.Learning experiences. Nationally-recognized compa-ny. Team spirit. Employee stock ownership.Up-to-date equipment. Safety focused. Rewardingclient relationships. Award-winning service. Idealfacility. Participation in decision-making. Skillenhancement incentives. Knowledgeable peers &mentors. Value driven organization. Drug free work-place. For more info. contact: Scott McPhee, HartneyGreymont, Inc., 433 Chestnut St., Needham, MA02492; Phone (781) 444-1227; Fax (781) 455-6698;e-mail: [email protected]

Arborist/Sales person in SE PA

Small but rapidly growing full service landscape andtree service company seeks motivated and ambitioussalesperson. Must have basic knowledge of tree care,degree in arboriculture a plus, be ISA certified, anddisplay great communication & leadership qualities.Please fax resume & references to (215) 535-2654 orcall (267) 784-8560.

Ira Wickes/Arborists

Rockland County-based firm since 1929 seeks qual-ified individuals with experience. Arborists/SalesReps, Office Staff, Crew Leaders, Climbers, SprayTechs (IPM, PHC, Lawn). Great benefit packageincludes 401(k) matching, advancement opportuni-ties, EOE. Check us out on the Web at irawickes.com.E-mail your resume to [email protected]; fax(845) 354-3475, or snail mail us at IraWickes/Arborists, 11 McNamara Road, Spring Valley,NY 10977.

Come work with 30 year established, family-owned company

Experienced tree climbers and plant health care techneeded. Top pay, full benefits and year round employ-ment. Please call the Denver Office at (303) 232-0666;fax (303) 232-0711 or Colorado Springs location at(719) 444-8800 fax (719) 630-3209 or apply online [email protected] and specify location.

Cagwin & Dorward Career Opportunities, San Francisco Bay Area

We are accepting applications for experienced, highlymotivated people for the following positions in ourTree Care Department:

Managers ClimbersGroundsmen Spray Technicians

Please call 1-800-891-7710 for applications, or on-line at www.cagwin.com.

TREECO Tree Service

San Francisco Bay Area – A successful 17-year oldbusiness has dynamic opportunities for experiencedarborists to join us as:

• Account Managers• Foreman person

Call for info.(510) 293-6966 [email protected]

Selling Arborist Wanted!

Seeking Consulting Sales Arborists who exceeds salesgoals. Certified Arborist, degree or industry experi-ence a must. Money motivated? Over 6 figure incomepotential. Contact D&B Tree (617) 471-4777 x 30 orwww.dbtree.com

Crew Foremen, Climbers, Groundspersons

Growing mid-size San Diego-based tree service com-pany hiring crew foremen, climbers and groundsmen;minimum 2 years’ experience, $15-$20 an hour, EOE.Certified Arborist a PLUS. Benefits, drug screening.Must have valid driver’s license. Immediate openings,year-round work. Fax resume to (760) 727-3813 orcall (760) 941-3992.

Well established tree company

Is seeking motivated individuals with experience tojoin their team. Bucket truck and climbing a must.MCA and CDL preferred. Great pay and benefits. CallDodge Tree Service, Inc. (978) 468-1711.


Toll-free: 888-68-STUMP (7-8867); 972-247-8809 E-mail: [email protected]; Web: www.kan-du.com

• Over 18 Years Proven Reliability• Fast Grinding• Fast Travel Speed• Shrinks to 29” Wide• 48” Working Width• Grinds 24” Deep and 30”+ High• No Stump is Too Large for The Amazing KAN-DU

The Amazing KAN-DU Stump Grinder ...




Davey Tree – Chicago IL

Foremen & Trimmers. Seeking Experienced &Qualified commercial/residential Arborists for ourChicago teams. Five District Offices throughoutChicago. Seeking Lead Foremen & Skilled Climbers.Full Time, Excellent pay, full benefits available. Bi-lin-gual, CDL & ISA Cert. are all a major plus. DrugScreen required, EOE. Contact/Resume to: GeoffCowan (630) 323-7220, [email protected]

Peterborough/Milford, NH

Broad Oak Tree Care needs 1 tree climber specialistand 1 plant health care specialist to assist our two-crew PHC operation. See complete job posting atwww.broadoaktree.com or e-mail [email protected].

Climber Wanted

Growing Ohio tree co. seeks exper. climber w/ driver'slic. All new equip. incl. bucket trucks. Competitivepay, health insur., pd holidays, sick pay, profit shar-ing & year-round employment. Resume: P.O. Box37403, Cincinnati, OH 45222

Full-time Climber wanted for est. tree care co. 5years’ minimum experience req. Must be motivatedand a team player who is ready to work and has avalid driver’s license. Call Acorn Tree Care (770) 597-6420 or (770) 754-0806 Cumming, Alpharetta, Ga.

All Paradise Tree Service Oahu, HI

Seeking experienced climber. Valid driver’s license amust, certification is a plus. Medical, dental, vision &RX benefits offered. Pay is subsequent to experience.Call (808) 696-5323. Come join us in Paradise!

Experienced climber needed for growing tree co. inSeacoast NH. Strong pruning and removal skills.Arborist cert. preferred. Must have strong work ethic,valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Paycommensurate w/ experience. (603 )765-4421.

Tree Climbers/Sales Reps/Crane + Loader Operator

Enjoy a mild climate while working & playing in Va.Beach, Va. Our easy going crew members with a “Letsget the job done” attitude look forward to having oth-ers join them. Call (757) 425-1995 for info.

Experienced tree crew foreman wanted for young,aggressive business located in the Charlotte, NC,area. Top pay plus incentives. Call Brian at (704)451-1100.

EQUIPMENTFOR SALEAllied Equipment of Wisconsin

Local Rentals, Bucket Trucks to 70 ft., StumpGrinders, Chippers, aerial lift parts & service. Raycoparts, OEM Stump’r Guard. We rent Rayco HydraStumpers/Forestry Mowers. www.alliedutilityequip-ment.com 1-800-303-0269.

Tree Co. Starter Pkg - Army Mobilization forces saleof the following equip

Bucket Truck: 1997 GMC 7500, 366 Gas, 5-Speedmanual, 55' WH, 46.7K Miles. Altec LV1V50 lift runsoff PTO or 3 cyl Kubota pony motor. Forestry Packagehas 11 yd Chip Box. Recent Maint: 4 new rear tires,PTO cable, pony motor throttle cable, exhaust mani-fold, parking brake (manual hand brake) rebuilt, oilchange inspect all UTD. New dipstick tube, batterybox cover, body marker lights. Chipper: 2004 Bandit250 w/Winch, 125 hp Cat diesel engine, Twin diskclutch, under 500 Hrs. Grinder: 2003 Rayco 1625Super Jr. Kohler 25 hp gas engine, 127 Hrs. Allhydraulic self propelled, removable outer wheels,spare set cutters. Have all manuals and notes for all,and basic safety/DOT equip as required included. All Equipment in great condition & has been main-tained according to manuals. Total Pkg $67,900.Pictures avail on Web site at www.clwarborists.com. e-mail [email protected] or call Dee before 7 p.m.(978) 433-4994

For Sale

2000 Morbark Model 2400 chipper, John Deere 180 hpDiesel, Auto feed, only 1,200 Hrs. New $38G, sacrifice $25G; getting out of business. (248) 790-3879.

Chipper For Sale

Good older model drum chipper $2,200. 1996 RaycoSuper Jr. stump grinder.vgc. $5,500. Central IIl.(217) 237-2841, [email protected]



TCI classified ads work!Call 1-800-733-2622

E-mail to [email protected]


(D) Green Pro Services, Inc.

380 South Franklin StHempstead, NY 11550Phone: 516-538-6444Fax: 516-538-2042

Toll-Free: 800-645-6464www.greenproservices.com

Email: [email protected]. Robert R. Riley

(S) John L. Iurka, Certified TCIA Accreditation

Auditor

16 Garden Road Sound Beach, NY 11789

Phone: 631-849-2635Fax: 631-744-0634

Email: [email protected]

(D) J. P. Fuller Inc.

8203-5 Clover Leaf DrMillersville, MD 21108Phone: 410-766-2336Fax: 410-766-2093

Toll-Free: 800-932-5095Mr. Marc A. Lombardi

(S) SafetyFirst Systems, LLC – Affinity Partner

65 Route 4 EastRiver Edge, NJ 07661Phone: 201-267-8900

Fax: 201-342-5800www.safetyfirst.com

Email: [email protected]. Paul Farrell

(D) Standard Equipment Co.

8411 Pulaski Hwy.Baltimore, MD 21237Phone: 410-687-1700Fax: 410-391-6206

Toll-Free: 800-423-5059www.seco1.com

Email: [email protected]. Vernon Bankard

Distributor Green Pro Services, Inc.: Biopesticides,Fertilization Supplies, Soil Amendments, Sprayers &Accessories, Tree Injections/Implants

J.P. Fuller, Inc.: Augers (Earth) & Bits, Blowers(Debris), Cabling & Bracing, Chain Saws &Accessories, Climbing Gear, Fertilization/Aeration

Equipment, Generators, Lawn MaintenanceEquipment, Power pruning Equipment, Rope, SnowRemoval Equipment, Sprayers & Accessories,Sweepers

SafetyFirst, Inc.: Regulatory Affairs/Compliance,Traffic Safety

Standard Equipment Co.: Chippers, Excavators,Hydraulic Tools & Equipment, Knives-Chipper,Knives-Chipper Repair, Mulch Coloring Equipment,Skidsteer Loaders & Implements, Snow RemovalEquipment, Stump Cutters, Stump Cutter Teeth,Trailers/Ramps, Trenchers, Tub Grinders, UsedEquipment

ManufacturerSafetyFirst, Inc.: Traffic Safety

Industry Support & Service ProviderJohn L. Iurka: Certified TCIA AccreditationAuditor, Consulting-Business

SafetyFirst, Inc.: Regulatory Affairs/Compliance,Traffic Safety

Bucket Truck for sale

1992 IH4900, 33,000 GBW; 5,203 hrs.; 123,939 miles;Air PTO. New tires and brakes; Versalift VO-50 hoist.$45,000, call Acton MA area (978) 263-6064. AvailAugust 1st.

Ropes, Ropes, Ropes

All types and brands of professional arborist climbing, lowering and rope accessories at warehouseprices. Call for current price list. Visa, MC, AX. SmallAd – Big Savings, since 1958. 1-800-873-3203.

EQUIPMENTWANTED

Wanted

Kohler M20 engine for a Vermeer 620 chipper. Goodrunning cond. May p/u in Midwest. Contact LarryBreeze @ HP Tree Service (765) 564-4050.

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

ArborGold Software – Complete job management!Phone message center, proposals with built-in land-scape CAD designer, scheduling, invoicing and more.Posts to QuickBooks. Print estimates on site with newhand-held PCs and download to office. Call TreeManagement Systems – 1-800-933-1955, see demoat www.turftree.com

ArborSoftWorx is the industry’s leading businessmanagement software and hardware that boostssales with its DataSync Mobile Office feature; pro-vides anytime-anywhere access to critical data;improves staff productivity; provides the highest levelof depth and breadth in data capture and soundinformation for business decisions – all you demandin a management solution. Call today to learn moreabout the power and flexibility that ArborSoftWorxdelivers. 1-800-49-ARBOR. www.ArborSoftWorx.com.

Hardware and software by an arborist for thearborist. For more information about the industry’s best-selling package, call or writeArbor Computer Systems, PO Box 548, Westport,CT 06881-0548. Phone: (203) 226-4335; Web site: www.arborcomputer.com; e-mail: [email protected].

Professional Chipper Knife SharpeningAny 4 Knives – $60 plus S&H

Fast Turn-Around ServiceOlliff Oak, Inc., 3960 E. Main St

Wauchula, FL 33873(863) 773-4478 Office; (863) 781-3198 Cell

[email protected]

BUSINESSES FOR SALEBusiness for Sale

Tree care co. for sale in SE PA. Owner retiring after 36yrs. Price negotiable. Call Jonathan Fairoaks (610)952-5209.


TCI Buyers’ Guide – AddendumThe following are additional TCIA Associate Member listings that should have been included in theSummer Buyers’ Guide that was included with the July issue of TCI magazine:

Alphabetical Listingof Associate Members of the Tree Care

Industry Association(D) DISTRIBUTOR • (M) MANUFACTURER • (S) INDUSTRY

SUPPORT AND SERVICE PROVIDER

Subject ListingDISTRIBUTOR • MANUFACTURER • INDUSTRY SUPPORT AND

SERVICE PROVIDER


Beautiful Durango, Co.

11 yrs. with excellent reputation & loyal clientele.Good advertising but mainly referral. Straight forwardpruning & removal w/ incredible profit margin.$150,000, equipment included, owner may carry part.Call (970) 259-6269.

Tree Trim & Removal

N. E. Florida. Est. 21 yrs, fully staffed. Choice com-mercial & residential accounts! 2 Trucks & all equipincluded. Gross $250,000-$335,000 per yr & couldtriple income if all calls handled! Turnkey $230,000.Call Linda Miller Realty, (386) 677-9258.

Northern Calif.

Tree Service established in 1978 with a $500K annu-al gross; is located in fast growing area betweenSacramento & S.F. Bay area. Year-round work. Price$325,000 includes equipment. Owner willing to helpwith transition. (530) 308-0565.

SW FL Tree Service Business

Estab. service oriented w/ excel. reputation. RepeatMunicipal, Commercial & Residential Clients.Unlimited potential w/ continually increasing demandin all sectors. Call Fred Kolb, Century 21 Sunbelt(239) 565-7634.

Come to Oregon’s Lush Willamette Valley

and purchase a profitable, growing, and reputableturnkey arbor care corporation. 10 years in business.Perfect for the arborist ready to move ahead in thetree care industry and finally turn a lucrative profit, orperfect for a large company expansion into theWillamette Valley. Over $220,000 conservatively incontracts alone, shows a 20-30% growth yearly,grossed well over $500,000 in 2005, huge growthpossibilities, all computerized with database, neverslow, most equip. paid for, all included, too much tolist. Arborists on staff, owner will stay on temporarilyto network and make transformation easy. Giveawayprice @ $465,000, many sale options. Call (541) 757-TREE, option 3; or e-mail [email protected]

Tree Service in beautiful Rocky Mtns.

Turnkey operation. Operates part of the year – travel,recreate or grow business w/new services. Excellentcash flow, & reputation. Can be home-based. $1.95M.Serious inquiries [email protected]. NDA required

Tree Service in BEAUTIFUL DENVER COLORADO

Est.18 years, $200,000 in COMMERCIAL/REPEAT CUS-TOMERS. 3 ChipTrucks/WoodTruck/2001 Rayco &1979 Stump Grinders, 2 chippers, Stihl Saws & Misc.Equipment. Equipment also avail. separately. Call(720) 373-0707.

Already own or planning to start a tree care company?

The Owner/Arborist Program can show you how tostart or convert an existing business and grow with aproven leader in the tree care industry. We will assistyou with sales & marketing, financial mgt., recruitingand equipment support. Our expertise can aid in yoursuccess. Our systems, coupled with your talent anddetermination, will give you an opportunity to controlyour destiny. Call D&B Tree (617) 471-4777 x30 [email protected]

Near Holden Beach in one of fastest growing coun-ties in NC

Owner retiring after 38 yrs. Tree management &Landscaping contracts in place till 2010. 25+ acresof land f/wood waste grinding site. Too much equip. tolist. $2.2 mil. Call (910) 443-1072.

Tree Business, Boulder, Colorado

Tree Business for sale outside beautiful Bolder, Colo.Three trucks, 2 chippers, stump grinder, wood trailer,saws and lots more. Turnkey. Over $260k gross salesper year. $120,000. (303) 718-1621 or [email protected]

So. Cal (Riverside County)

Very neat and clean, small Tree Service, since 1959.With Home and Shop on 1 plus acre. This is a Turnkeyoperation. Owner selling due to health. Seriousinquiries only. (951) 926-1216.






By Jack Petree

William Jewell makes his livingrescuing wood fiber from his-torically significant trees and

wooden structures then finding ways to putthe wood’s natural beauty on permanentdisplay through the creation of functional-ly useful and artistically shaped objects ofthe woodcrafter’s art.

Using a thin kerf portable sawmill toprocess logs and other tree parts into lum-ber, Jewell, operator of Historical Woodsof America, demonstrates each day thatsome part of the fiber that tree service firmssometimes have to pay to get rid of couldbe, when milled, a potential source of prof-it and an environmental enhancementbenefiting the community.

Waste avoidance can be profitable

From the standpoint of an arborist, wasteavoidance can mean substantial cost avoid-ance. Any “waste” that can be processedinto “product” doesn’t have to be disposedof and that can mean reduced disposalcosts. Even better for the company withwood to dispose of, processing done at aprofit allows for a positive cash flow real-ized from what was once nothing morethan a source of red ink.

“Soft” profits are also important to con-sider. While the general public is often notwilling to spend to be “green,” that samepublic will make positive purchasing deci-sions based on the perceived greenness of acompany if all other things are equal. Anumber of major tree service firms acrossthe nation have made a green approach totheir business a key element in their mar-keting programs, realizing people will

select a firm recognized as being environ-mentally sensitive over a more ordinaryfirm if that choice is an easy one for themto make.

For the public, the benefits of wasteavoidance are also significant. If even halfthe sawable material discarded each year inmanaging the urban forest were to be uti-lized for lumber, thousands of acres offorested land would be left growing toserve the public’s future needs for woodproducts rather than being harvested pre-maturely. All those trees continue to scrubgreenhouse gases from the atmosphere asthey continue to grow.

Atmospheric carbon releases are alsoavoided when waste wood is sawn intolumber, rather than burned, because recov-ered fiber contains the carbon taken out ofthe air as the tree “breathed.” The carbon is

Using a thin kerf portable sawmill toprocess logs and other tree parts intolumber is a potential source of profit fortree care companies and has benefits forthe environment.


trapped (sequestered) in the wood’s cellstructure. The tons of carbon sequestered inthe wood rather than being released to theair as tree parts rot or burn means tons ofgreenhouse gas emissions that might other-wise be released to the atmosphere areavoided.

Waste reduction is a national priority

The service firm recovering salable prod-ucts, either as part of its own operations orin cooperation with other companies suchas those William Jewell operates, taps intoa significant reservoir of opportunity. TheUnited States’ Environmental ProtectionAgency considers source reduction (theconversion of material once considered tobe waste into useful products before it everenters the waste stream) to be “... the key tosolving America’s growing solid wasteproblem.” According to the EPA, “If theentire country adopted source reductionprinciples, the strain on our limited naturalresources would be dramaticallyreduced.”Each day, as they ply their trade,arborists deal with the kind of waste theEPA is talking about; waste that would beconsidered a valued resource if utilizedprofitably to its highest and best use.

Demonstrating the opportunity, the U.S.Forest Service estimates that in the cities ofthe United States alone, enough sawablematerial is produced in maintaining theurban forest to produce in excess of 3.8 bil-lion board feet of lumber each year, anamount equal to “... nearly 30 percent ofthe hardwood lumber produced annually inthe United States.”

Jewell’s success

William Jewell found his true calling inlife in 1997 when, to help alleviate thestress associated with owning a successfulconstruction company, he began craftingwood projects as a hobby. Through thisexercise he discovered he had both a pas-sion for wood and a gift for woodworking.People appreciated Jewell’s gift so muchthat it soon became apparent his hobbycould be the basis of an on-going businessendeavor.

Studying the potential of an unexpected

opportunity, Jewell began to interact withtree service firms in the Fredericksburg,Va., area as he sought the raw materialneeded to pursue his new passion. Hequickly saw that dozens, perhaps hundreds,of historic or otherwise unique old treesthroughout the Mid-Atlantic region, someof them planted in colonial times, werebeing taken down and burned, ground up,or simply dumped in landfills. Feelingcompelled to action in 2001, Jewell pur-chased a 42-hp, diesel-powered LT40Wood-Mizer thin kerf portable sawmill andbegan “saving trees and sawing lumber” tosupport his work under the business names,Historical Woods of America, (HWA) Inc.and American Log Works, Inc., ofFredericksburg, Va.

Portable sawmills such as the Wood-Mizer mill Jewell chose to buy have comeinto their own during the past quarter cen-tury as entrepreneurial men and womenhave sought ways to earn a living in a for-est products industry that has seenincreasing consolidation and globalization.That consolidation in the traditional indus-try means many of the niche markets onceserved by conventional sawmills are nowunderserved or not served at all. In recentyears, increasing numbers (some estimate50,000 or more) of one- and two-person

operations basing their business on “smallmilling” have taken advantage of theresulting opportunity.

Urban foresters have benefited from thenew businesses because logs and other treedebris resulting from tree work are not usu-ally considered desirable by high volumecommercial production sawmills. Thoselogs can, however, be easily and profitablyprocessed by portable sawmills with thelumber being sold to support the operation.

Jewell opted for the Wood-Mizer mill fora number of reasons, but especially for itsthin kerf cut.

Kerf is the thickness of the cut made bythe saw. Kerf is important because moretraditional sawmill technology typicallyremoves 1/4 of an inch or more of woodwhen a cut is made while thin kerf sawslike Jewell’s LT40 use blades as thin as.045 inches, removing just 1/8 of an inch offiber as it cuts. The result can be signifi-cantly more usable lumber recovered froma typical log, an especially important virtuewhen cutting irreplaceable woods likethose Jewell works with on a daily basis.The increased recovery of wood alsoenhances the environmental benefits pro-vided by the sawmills, as they process


William Jewell, shown here, founder of Historic Woods of America, produces lumber from both ordinary trees and thosetrees with historic value, recovering wood that otherwise would either be wasted or underutilized.


waste logs into high value lumber.

Today HWA recovers logs and othertree parts that might have once been dis-carded, or underutilized, from historicallysignificant sites such as George

Washington’s Mt.Vernon plantation, his-toric Andrews Tavern,the 1854 RappahannockRiver Crib Dam andFauquier Street inFredericksburg, Va.,where GeorgeWashington planted 13horse chestnut trees, onefor each colony; treesthat are now at the endof their natural lifespans. In cooperationwith historical societiesand other entities, thewood, and the history itrepresents, is then pre-served in the productsthat Jewell and otherslike him craft and sell.

Jewell emphasizes thathe saves rather than har-vests trees. “I reclaim andmill trees that are unsafe, diseased, dam-aged or are being removed forconstruction,” he puts forward. “I alsoprocess timbers removed from historicalsites. Salvaging trees and recycling timbersis not only a way to preserve a part of ourhistory but is an alternative to depletion ofnatural resources as well. Preserving envi-ronmental balance is an important part ofeverything we do at Historical Woods ofAmerica.”

It is this concern for the environment,and a shared interest in economically dis-posing of removed trees, that has broughtJewell into relationships with tree servicesin his home region. He points out that,“Production sawmills are unwilling to takelogs from backyards and street curbsidesbecause those trees often are laden withnails, wire or spikes. Mills will not riskdamaging a $500 circular saw bladebecause someone may have driven a spikeinto the tree 150 years ago. That means thetrees have been, in the past, most oftenhauled to the landfill, chipped or made intofirewood, sometimes at considerableexpense to the service firm.”

As an alternative, Jewell says, “Myportable sawmill can easily be pulled

behind even a small pickup and I can goright to the logs. I can glean large amountsof lumber from these trees without riskingexpensive damage to my saw. If I do hit anail, I can change the band saw blade inabout 90 seconds and the cost of a newblade is minimal, about $20. Unless thereis severe damage to the blade, it is easilyresharpened at little expense.”

Jewell’s passion for recovering woodfrom waste has allowed arborists near hisFredericksburg home to begin to realizethat logs from trees they remove for theircustomers can be better utilized than theyhave been in the past. As an example herefers to nearby Ashburn, Va., where JimMartin of Growing Earth Tree Care, amember or the Tree Care IndustryAssociation since 1995, has utilizedJewell’s services more than once to sawlumber from trees removed from the urbanforest. “One memorable project,” Jewellrecalls, “included sawing flooring fromwhite and red oak logs.”

“Jim and I became instant friends as aresult of the work we’ve done together,”Jewell adds. “He is a good businessman,puts safety first and is adamant about pro-viding the kind of good service that


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Thin kerf sawmills can allow more usable lumber to be recovered from a typicallog, an especially important virtue when cutting irreplaceable woods with historicor personal value.


Business/Leadership

November 9 - 11, 2006Thursday, Friday & Saturday

Pre-Conference Workshops Wednesday, Nov. 8Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD

TREE CARE INDUSTRYTRADE SHOW & CONFERENCE

WORLD’S LARGEST

Safety

Arboriculture

� Free Keynote sessions

� Free CEUs on trade show floor

� More than 28 educational & training sessions for all personnel in your company

� Team discounts

� Hotel rates starting at $99

www.tcia.org 1-800-733-2622In partnership with Morbark, Inc., Husqvarna,Altec Industries and Vermeer Manufacturing

online at or call

Register TODAY!

Why you & your teamshould be there:



produces satisfied customers whose ‘wordof mouth’ is the best advertising.”

Jewell wishes more public and privateinterests would follow innovative compa-nies like Growing Earth Tree Care inrealizing there is more to the fiber theyremove than waste. Lamenting his own

limitations, Jewell comments that, “I amonly one man with one sawmill and there isso much wood wasted that could be put togood use. My primary business is process-ing trees of historic nature and craftingproducts from them. I am unable to saw allthe logs made available to me and it sad tosee them disposed of rather than used.”

According to Jewell there is great poten-tial for both private sawmill owners andtree services to increase revenues whilemaking a significant contribution to theenvironment by sawing lumber from thestems they recover in managing urbanforests.

“Sawing lumber with a portable sawmillcan be a profitable business,” he claims.“Arborists with thin kerf sawmills couldcut costs and increase income by providingcustomers with the option of turning theirtrees into lumber or marketing the lumberthemselves. It would be good for the cus-tomers, good for business and good for theenvironment if more people explored thisavenue in their own businesses.”

As just one example of the potentialmarketing opportunities possible, Jewellobserves that people are sentimental andget pleasure from having lumber producedfrom their own trees. That was the case, hesays, with a customer who sold the familyhomestead for a development. Since thetrees had to be removed anyway, Jewellwas hired to make lumber for flooring andmolding from the homestead trees to beused in a new home the family was build-ing. Now, he says, “Each day the familywalks on flooring made from trees picturedin family photos.” All that means, he con-tinues, is that wood otherwise destined tobe either underutilized or disposed of wasused instead to produce a high-value prod-uct with inestimable value to the family.

Jewell is one of those rare people whoselife work is also their passion. “The work,”he says, “provides pleasure, fulfillment andpays the bills. This business creates a win-win situation. I either purchase treesoutright from these historical sites or returna portion of proceeds from the sale of rawlumber or finished products to them. Woodis saved, the historical site benefits, theenvironment is improved and history ismemorialized.”



If trees have to be removed anyway, making lumber forwalls, floors or molding of a home or public building, orfurniture to go in the home or building, can ease the lossof an important tree for a family or a community.

Recovering wood from waste allows arborists to betterutilize logs from trees they remove for their customers.



Reporter is the monthly newsletter of the Tree Care Industry Association. TCIA members can access the complete publication at www.treecareindustry.org.

Accreditation not limited tosmall companies anymore!

On June 16, SavATree became the firstlarge tree care company to achieve com-

pany-wide TCIA Accreditation. The processwasn’t easy, but SavATree can now advertisethat all 18 of its locations are accredited by theTree Care Industry Association.

“For the first two years of the program, mostbusinesses earning Accreditation were smallto medium sized,” says Bob Rouse, TCIAdirector of Accreditation. “Some had a secondbranch office, but more operated from a singlelocation with fewer than 20 employees.SavATree is the first truly large company tomake it through.”

As soon as the program was launched,SavATree plunged ahead with the goal ofbecoming the first multi-region company toearn the distinction.

“Accreditation is a terrific initiative byTCIA,” says Daniel Van Starrenburg, president& CEO of SavATree. “We decided to embraceit immediately for three main reasons: First,the customer service experience within theindustry can vary enormously. Any program

that can help make services more consistentindustry-wide should be embraced. Secondly,I looked at Accreditation as a challenge to ourmanagement team to be worthy of independ-ent, outside evaluation. Finally, it is importantto support the initiative of organizations in the

SavATree gains company-wide Accreditation

SavATree’s entire management team with their Accreditation plaques.

Enclosed is your complimentary copy of the2006 revision of the American National

Standard for Arboricultural Operations -Pruning, Repairing,Maintaining, andRemoving Trees, andCutting Brush – SafetyRequirements (ANSIZ133).

ANSI Z133 contains the industry standardsfor safe work practices. Adhering to theAmerican National Standards for tree carehelps make you an expert in the eyes ofclients and authorities, such as your localmunicipality. ANSI standards are recognizedas the final authority in the United Statescivil court system.

The Z133.1 safety standard undergoesreview and revision on a five-yearcycle. For the 2006 standard, allsections were completely rewrit-ten and updated, and a newsection was added to addresssafe use of equipment-mounted winches. Inaddition, safety require-ments for ropes andclimbing equip-ment, cabling,rigging and p e s t i c i d eapplication havebeen included.

The index is a new fea-ture that allows readers toquickly locate all references to a par-ticular topic throughout the standard. Theglossary has been greatly expanded, and the

terms are cross-referenced to the rules inwhich they appear, another feature designedto make the standard easier to use.

You and your crews need to be aware ofthe many significant changes made to

Z133 since its last revision, in2000. If your firm needs

additional copies of theStandard, this is your opportu-

nity to order more atdiscounted prices.Introductory prices will be avail-

able from TCIA through October 1,2006. Quantity orders will be charged

actual shipping costs. After that time theprice will return to $15 per standard for

TCIA members. Please see your August Reporter for your

free copy and the introductory rates, and callthe TCIA at 1-800-733-2622 to take advan-tage of this money-saving offer.

Here’s your new Z133 standard – compliments of TCIA!New standard for safe work practices



industry that seek to improve it. I thought thatsigning on quickly might prompt others.”

SavATree has already earned a reputationfor high end tree care in some of the wealthi-est and most competitive markets in thecountry. Yet, Van Starrenburg isn’t worriedabout the possibility that Accreditation mighthelp smaller companies in his markets com-pete directly by raising their levels ofprofessionalism.

“We excel where competition is stiffest,” hesays. “If Accreditation raises the bar in theindustry, we’ll just have to raise our level ofservice higher. The customer is the beneficiaryin the end.”

“We were interested in TCIA Accreditationfrom the start,” confirms Dane Buell,SavATree’s safety director, who spearheadedthe company’s efforts. He admits that thebranch managers were apprehensive at first,but they embraced it once the process started.

“Our president put Accreditation on thefront burner and made it clear that this presti-gious industry recognition was something thathe was totally committed to obtaining,” con-firms Luann O’Brien, vicepresident of marketing andsales. “The Accreditation processwas never far down on anybody’s‘To Do’ list. Once we got start-ed and got the first fewbranches on board, everyonewas excited about becomingthe first big company to be accredited.”

One of the criticisms Buell has had of thetree care industry has been the inconsistentstandard of work. He also has seen whataccreditation programs have done to advanceother industries.

“A more standardized approach benefits anindividual business and helps raise the consis-tency level for an entire industry,” he stresses.“For example, in the accounting industryfinancial audits are consistent and quality isupheld. Closer to home, I have seen some ofour tree care vendors raise their quality andconsistency level after going through an ISOor total quality process. Accreditation is a sim-ilar venture where a company has to followbest business practices.”

Buell notes that many of the requirementsfor Accreditation were already in place atSavATree, but having a third-party set of eyeswatching over them perhaps raised managers’level of attention.

The first branch to go through all the workwas SavATree’s Norwalk, Conn., office. BranchManager Mike Schoeni, who has been withSavATree for 17 years, manages 30 peoplefrom his location, with an average of 20 on the

production side. Schoeni volunteered to bethe first branch more than two years agobecause he views the program as innovative

and of benefit to his operation. “Accreditation is an opportu-

nity to show our employees thatwe care about making this a profes-

sional organization, that we careabout theirsafety and thequality ofwork we do,”

says Schoeni. “It gives us onemore reason to push employ-ees to comply with safety andtree care standards. Whenwe bring people in fromother companies, they seethat we stress safety and theyappreciate that they are nowworking for a professionalcompany.”

In addition to employeerecruitment and retention,Schoeni believesAccreditation helps withclient recruitment and reten-tion – from the standpoint ofquality jobs and as a way tomeasure one company fromanother.

“There’s a huge benefit toour branch with clients,” hesays. “Since we were one of thefirst, clients hadn’t heard about the program,of course. But we mention it to them and askthem to compare our work as an Accreditedcompany against some of the substandardwork being offered. The customers don’t know

until you educate them, so we talk about bestpractices and pruning standards – and givethem one of the Accreditation marketingbrochures. It gives customers another way tojudge the next estimate in terms of what theyare paying for.”

Schoeni estimates that the Accreditationprocess took about five hours a week over

three months – off and on. Alot of that 60 to 70 hoursinvolved finding the neededdocumentation, then settingup a way to make sure it isthere on a daily basis. Onevalue of Accreditation,according to Schoeni, is thatnow that all the paperwork isin order, “our attitude is let’skeep it in order.”

To a great extent SavATreehad already standardized itsbusiness practices frombranch to branch.Standardization leads to busi-ness efficiencies, explainsBuell, and also to a consistentlevel of tree care customerservice. One gapAccreditation turned up wassome inconsistent recordkeeping on training.

“Some of the training docu-mentation files for some of ourlong-term employees needed to be

brought up to speed,” says Buell. “We haveone employee who has been with the companyfor 16 years. He is a great employee and welltrained. Once we looked at some of the docu-mentation of his training, we found we needed

CCoommppaannyy CCiittyy SSttaattee CCEEOO AAccccrreedd.. ddaatteeIntegrity Tree Service, Inc. Scottsdale AZ John Eisenhower 9-Apr-06Tree Tech, Inc. Foxboro MA Andrew W. Felix 16-May-06The Tree Mann, Inc. Laporte IN Dennis Mann 24-May-06Hoppe Tree Service Mequon WI Dean Hoppe 2-Jun-06SavATree - Cape Cod Mashpee MA Daniel Van Starrenburg 12-Jun-06SavATree - Danbury Danbury CT Daniel Van Starrenburg 12-Jun-06SavATree - Manassas Manassas VA Daniel Van Starrenburg 12-Jun-06SavATree - Mountainside Mountainside NJ Daniel Van Starrenburg 12-Jun-06SavATree - Old Brookville Old NY Daniel Van Starrenburg 12-Jun-06SavATree - Princeton Princeton NJ Daniel Van Starrenburg 12-Jun-06SavATree - Rockville Silver Springs MD Daniel Van Starrenburg 12-Jun-06SavATree - Southampton Southampton NY Daniel Van Starrenburg 12-Jun-06Barrett Tree Service Sheffield MA Winthrop Barrett 13-Jun-06SavATree - Bedford Hills Bedford NY Daniel Van Starrenburg 16-Jun-06SavATree - Mainline King of PA Daniel Van Starrenburg 16-Jun-06Kerns Brothers Tree Service Wilmington DE John M. Kerns 26-Jun-06

Companies accredited during the second quarter

SavATree door hanger – front



to bring it up to date.”As a multi-branch corporate

entity, SavATree had some advan-tages over smaller companieswhen it came to fulfilling therequirements for Accreditation. Awell-documented business planwas already in place. One of thegoals of Accreditation is to instillbest business practices in theindustry and raise the level of pro-fessionalism. A dispute orcomplaint-resolution system isone of the requirements. SavATreealso had this area covered.

Every customer is logged intoSavATree’s database by client.They run reports on how oldcomplaints are, how many, thenature of the complaint, and theclient. And they track resolutionwith set policies on how they

respond.Buell notes that Accreditation

helped build consistency. “Everybusiness in our industry has achallenge asking employees todo certain things for regulatorycompliance reasons,” he says.“For whatever reason it doesn’thappen consistently. For exam-ple, pre-trip or post-tripinspections on trucks. You canhave all of the policies in theworld and all of the forms avail-able. It might even become thefocus of the month for a branch,then compliance falls off.

“Knowing that there is athird-party set of eyes on com-pliance requirement helps themanagement team keep closewatch and helps the employeesmake sure things happen,”

Buell says. “The employees know this isn’tjust a paperwork exercise for the boss or cor-porate headquarters. They know they aretrying to achieve a higher standard as a team,a branch, a company than anyone has metbefore. That is a lot more powerful than aforeman saying ‘Do your inspections becausethe government wants us to.’”

No one wants to be the employee who coststhe company its Accreditation. But beyondfear, SavATree’s employees have taken anenormous amount of pride, at all levels of thecompany, in having an outside auditor confirmthat they are meeting or exceeding industrybest practices.

For their marketing, SavATree is doingsome internal promotion to congratulateemployees and share in the celebration. Theyare also using some of the TCIA supplied pro-motional materials and they created cards forexisting clients and door hangers dedicated toAccreditation.

TCIA in June appointed James R.Egenrieder and Randall J. McDonald as

TCIA-approved Accreditation auditor/con-sultants. Both are now ready to review treecare companies for, or assist them with,applying for and achieving TCIAAccreditation.

McDonald of Butler, Pa, was the secondTCIA-approved Accreditation auditor/consultant in the nation. His credentialsinclude 32 years of experience in the treecare industry. Following forestry college atPaul Smith’s College of Forestry, McDonaldlearned the art andscience of tree careworking with TheDavey Tree ExpertCo. in positionsfrom tree climberto district manager.After working withDavey, he helpedpioneer the intro-duction andimplementation ofbiostimulants in thetree care industry.As senior vicepresident for Plant Health Care Inc.,McDonald developed new markets andhelped research mycorrhizal fungi – anenvironmentally-friendly method of main-taining and improving tree health – with the

Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England,and lectured with the United States GolfAssociation in Ireland.

Egenrieder, of Harrisburg, Pa., was thethird TCIA-approved Accreditation audi-tor/consultant in the nation. Hiscredentials include more than 40 years incomputer science, system development,implementation and management. Hetaught computer science to graduate stu-dents at Shippensburg University inShippensburg, Pa. Mr. Egenrieder alsoacted as a consultant to Good’s TreeCare, Inc. in Harrisburg, Pa., developingdocumentation for many of the businessactivities that led to Good’s being TCIAaccredited. Egenrieder is also the presi-dent of NIOD (New Ideas, OriginalDimensions), which has divisions in land-scape design and consulting, computerconsulting and new product development.His current volunteer activities includePenn State Master Gardener, board mem-ber of the Pennsylvania chapter of theAmerican Chestnut Foundation, memberof the Pennsylvania Nut GrowersAssociation, and advisor to West HanoverTownship.

As TCIA-approved Accreditation audi-tor/consultants, Egenrieder and McDonaldare specifically qualified to provide consult-ing services for companies that may needassistance getting accredited. In order to

maintain a high ethics standard, approvedauditors who consult with a company arenot permitted to review that same company.

The Accreditation credential representsthe only businesspractices andc o m p l i a n c ereview process inthe tree careindustry. Underthe process, treecare businessesundergo exten-sive review ofp r o f e s s i o n a lpractices aimedat safeguardingconsumers.

Becoming an Accreditation auditor/con-sultant is no easy task. The pair wererequired to undergo a rigorous examinationof qualifications and experience, attend anintense workshop, successfully conduct asupervised site visit and then submit a writ-ten audit report for review.

For more information about theAccreditation program, contact Bob Rouseat 1-800-733-5380 x117, or [email protected]. Contact JimEgenrieder at (717) 652-0793 [email protected]. Contact RandallMcDonald at (724) 352-8988, [email protected].

Two new Accreditation Auditors appointed

James Egenrieder

Randall McDonald

SavATree door hanger – back


With elections approaching, both Houseand Senate leadership are pushing an

agenda that will bolster Republicans’ chancesat the polls and energize the GOP base. Thisincludes two big ticket items for business –-immigration and the estate tax.

In late June, the House passed legislationthat would permanently reduce the estate taxby exempting most estates under $10 millionand cutting rates for others. Senate leadershiphas struggled to secure the 60 votes needed tomove the legislation and is considering alter-natives, such as attaching it to unrelatedlegislation that is likely to pass.

While Senate leadership seems bent onpassing estate tax legislation, their counter-parts in the House appear focused on stoppingefforts to create guest worker programs andexpanding legal immigration. On May 25, theSenate passed a comprehensive immigrationreform bill by a vote 62 to 36. The bill, S. 2611,would provide a pathway to legal residency formillions of undocumented workers, expandimmigration opportunities for highly skilledworkers, create a temporary guest worker pro-gram, establish new employment verificationprocedures and increase boarder secu-rity. The House passed its ownlegislation, H.R. 4437, last December.The House bill, however, does notcontain any program for guest orundocumented workers, focusingexclusively on border security andimmigration enforcement.

Normally, the House and Senate wouldattempt to hammer out differences betweenthe bills in conference. Many HouseRepublicans, however, have voiced strongopposition to the Senate bill, claiming thecountry should secure its boarder and fix theemployment verification system prior to

expanding immigration opportunities or creat-ing guest worker programs. In response to thisopposition, House leadership announced thatit would hold hearings throughout the summerto examine possible problems with the Senate

bill. The hearings will delay anyactions on the legislation until end ofthe summer.

Finally, rumors continue that theSenate may make a second attempt atmoving legislation that allows smallbusinesses to pool together and offerhealth insurance across state lines

(known as small business or association healthplans). In May, Senate leadership was fivevotes short of the 60 needed to close debateon the bill. The House has already passed sim-ilar legislation.OOuurr aaddvvooccaaccyy eeffffoorrttss

For the last several months, TCIA has been

meeting with policy makers urging creation ofa separate OSHA standard for arboriculturebased on the ANSI Z133. Our efforts haveincluded multiple meetings with OSHA repre-sentatives, including Assistant Secretary forOSHA Ed Foulke, Deputy Secretary JonathanSnare and head of OSHA enforcement RichardFairfax. During those meetings, we discussednot only the need for a separate standard, butpotential problems with proposed loggingstandard enforcement directives OSHA hasbeen considering. We are hopeful that this dia-logue with OSHA will promote greaterunderstanding of the issues facing our industry.

Nonetheless, we felt the need to pursue amore comprehensive strategy to advance ourinterests, also meeting with staff from theHouse and Senate committees with OSHAoversight and representatives of the SmallBusiness Administration’s Office of Advocacy.In May, we formally petitioned OSHA for arule and presented at the SBA’s OSHARoundtable the case for a separate standard.We also continued to work with other businessgroups to advocate for an adequate and legalsource of labor for our industry throughchanges that would increase the number ofseasonal worker visas (H-2Bs) and otherstrategies to supplement the domestic work-force through immigrant and temporary guestworker programs.

MMoovviinngg ffoorrwwaarrddAs we move forward, our key focus remains

securing a separate standard and avoiding anenforcement directive that would expand thelogging standard to tree care work. We arealso working to secure a Susan Harwood grantto bring TCIA’s Electrical Hazards AwarenessProgram to thousands of arborists workingnear energized lines.

Voice from Washington

Immigration and estate tax top GOP agenda;OSHA standard for arboriculture tops TCIA’s agenda

Rich Alt of Lewis Tree Service, left,

presents a check from the Voice for

Trees political action committee to

Rep. Randy Kuhl, R-NY, a supporter of

balanced DOT regulation.

Overall, Buell thinks that Accreditationconfirmed that the company already hadgood systems in place. “In a large companywith many branches consistency from loca-tion to location is an important challenge.We don’t want a client in Boston to have adifferent experience than a client in NewYork. Accreditation really helped with that.”

It should also increase compliance by pro-

moting employee pride. “We are on much bet-ter footing with D.O.T. compliance now,” hestresses. “The Federal Motor Carrier Standardapplies, and each state interprets it differently.To have a third party look at how we are com-plying state by state is very valuable.”

Having gone through the process from theperspective of a large company, Buell can seewhy smaller companies are the ones gaining

the most benefits from Accreditation. “For the small company, this process forces

them to spend the time on what they havenever had the time to focus on,” he says. “Thattime spent will free up more time for theirfuture success. This process forces owners tosit down and build the foundation to growtheir business – and have more time in thefuture to become a stronger business.”



appropriate in an estate or park setting,their brittle wood is a concern wherebranches can fall on vehicles or pedestri-ans. Tulip-poplar is my favorite southernhardwood – in the forest. Anyone who hasone growing in their yard will attest to thelarge number of branches that drop fromthis tree during the course of a year.

One should note that ginkgo are dioe-cious and that only male trees should beplanted lest your avenues reek with largemessy fruit. Also hickory nuts can presenthazards to pedestrians.

My point here is not to nitpick an articlethat is restricted to a few pages but toemphasize the importance of knowing asmuch as possible about species you plan toplant. The author prefaces the article bynoting important factors to consider whenchoosing the right tree for the right loca-tion. Missing from the list, however, isevaluating the species for potential hazardsto people and the degree of future mainte-nance required when these trees areplanted in a street setting. Also a factorbecoming more and more important allover the United States is whether the treewill become a pest in the landscape. I amby no means a rabid native plant propo-nent, but once an invasive exotic specieshas been identified in your area, it shouldbe removed from your plant palette. It’s theright thing to do.

When I present a list of “recommendedtrees,” there will be some that are tried andtrue (some may say “tired” and true) whileothers may be considered experimental. Isuggest that the client plant a small numberof the experimental trees and watch howthey develop before investing heavily inany one species. Also, there is no substitutefor local knowledge. What may work inCalifornia may not work in Florida in thesame Hardiness Zone. Consult local uni-versity, extension, and grower experts aswell as neighboring community tree care

professionals when considering a newselection. These brainstorming and net-working sessions will benefit everyoneinvolved.

David Fox, CF, technical services man-

ager, Natural Resource Planning

Services, Inc., Gainesville, Florida

Lakshmi Sridharan responds: The ever-green mimosa mentioned in the article isAlbizia julibrissin. I have been living withthis and Magnolia grandiflora for the past15 years. In California, we love them. I feltat home when I saw them in Italy.Residents of California are fussy people;they would not grow trees that make lifedifficult for them. One has to use avenuetrees that are proven successful in theirareas, paying attention to longevity, beau-ty and maintenance.

Regarding Mr. Fox’s letter, mimosa isevergreen in my area. It could be decidu-ous in Florida and other places. I havechecked with the director of the Universityof California Santa Cruz arboretum and afew other horticulturists in this area. A treethat is deciduous in one place can be ever-

green in some other place.

As for golden rain tree, it is a greatavenue tree, well suited for our climaticconditions. Several horticulturists havepraised this tree as the most suitableavenue tree in our area. The photosaccompanying the article were actual pho-tos taken on our streets, notcomputer-generated pictures. Not all thephotos were published in the magazine. Letthe Floridian take a visit to California tosee eucalyptus, mimosa and the goldenrain tree on our streets.

If these trees cause problems in Florida,they can choose what is best for them. Ihave emphasized several times that peoplehave to select what does well in theirregion. “One man’s food is another man’spoison.” If I have to write about the char-acteristic features of all the avenue treesmentioned in the article, it would be abook, not an article of 2,000 words.

Two worlds of arboricultureMany thanks for the article entitled

“Two Worlds of Arboriculture: TheMaryland Story” by Peter Gerstenberger inthe July 2006 issue of TCI. Administeringa licensing program is challenging – thereare many voices opining, and the opinionsvary significantly. However, the benefits tothe practice of arboriculture and to oururban forest resources far exceed the prob-lems posed by those challenges.

Activity under the bill has acceleratedsince the article was written. With only 23percent of the effective period elapsed, wehave issued 53 licenses under the grandfa-thering provisions (a 7 percent increase inthe number of licensees). Even if this trendmoderates, the bill will almost certainlyhave a long-term effect on the Tree Expertlicensing program.

I would like to highlight a point regard-ing the grandfathering provision (somemay call it an amnesty) noted in the arti-


Letters

The evergreen mimosa mentioned in the original article,Albizia julibrissin, as it appears in the author’s Californianeighborhood. Photo courtesy of Lakshnmi Sridharan.

Avenue trees(Continued from page 54)



1. Almstead Tree & Shrub Care Co. .............................. 59Altec Industries Inc. .................................................... 11

2. Alturnamats, Inc. ........................................................ 723. Arborjet, Inc. ............................................................... 464. Bailey’s ....................................................................... 445. Bandit Industries, Inc. ................................................ 23

The F. A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company.................... 606. Beaver Squeezer Grapple, LLC.................................. 707. Bishop Co. .................................................................. 368. Border City Tool & Manufacturing Co. .................... 619. Buckingham Manufacturing Co. Inc. ........................ 3410. The Care of Trees, Inc. ............................................... 6411 Corona Clipper, Inc. ................................................... 1512. Davey Tree Expert Co. ............................................... 6213. Doggett Corporation.................................................... 5214. Fanno Saw Works ....................................................... 2215. Fecon, Inc. ................................................................... 1316. G & A Equipment, Inc. .............................................. 1917. Giuffre Brothers Cranes .............................................. 2018. IML-Instrument Mechanic Labor, Inc. ...................... 6219. J. Davis Tree Service, Inc. ......................................... 2920. J. P. Carlton Company ...................... Inside Back Cover 21. Jameson, LLC.............................................................. 4222. Jarraff Industries, Inc. ................................................. 1023. Lewis Utility Truck Sales, Inc. .................................. 2824. Loftness/US Attachments............................................ 1225. Mainka Enterprises, LLC............................................ 2626 J.J. Mauget Company ................................................. 4127. Morbark, Inc. ................................................................ 3

28. Nelson Tree Service, Inc. ........................................... 5829 New York Parks & Recreation.................................... 6130. Opdyke, Inc. ............................................................... 2131 Oregon Cutting Systems Group.................................. 7332. Petro-Canada .............................................................. 4533. Rainbow Treecare Scientific ....................................... 4334. Rapco Industries, Inc. ................................................. 6035. Rayco Manufacturing, Inc. ........................................... 536. Red Wing Shoe Company........................................... 4037. Royal Truck & Equipment .......................................... 2738. SavATree ..................................................................... 6339. Schodorf Truck Body & Equipment Co. ................... 5940. SherrillTree .................................................................... 741. SilkyUSA .......................................... Inside Front Cover42. Southco Industries, Inc. ............................................... 1443. Stump Removal Inc./KAN-DU................................... 6344. TCIA Accreditation ..................................................... 3145. TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) .. 3746. TCI EXPO ................................................................... 7147. TCIA Membership ...................................................... 47

TCIA PACT ................................................................. 5548 TCIA Shop Online - New Z133 ................................. 6749. Teupen America .......................................................... 3550. Tree Awareness ............................................................ 6651. Trees, Inc. ................................................................... 6652. Vermeer Manufacturing Co. ......................................... 153. Vitamin Institute .......................................... Back Cover54. Western Tree Equipment & Repairs ........................... 5055. Zenith Cutter Co. ........................................................ 51

Please tell these advertisers where you saw their ad.They appreciate your patronage.

Reader Service No. * Page No. Reader Service No. * Page No.

* Please circle this number on the Reader’s Service Card for more information.

cle: it supports the use of business bestpractices and use of processes like TCIAAccreditation. As noted in the article, thebill offered by the Department of NaturalResources and passed by the MarylandGeneral Assembly provided grandfather-ing for businesses that can prove theirlegitimacy by submission of tax returnsfor the tree expert business for the pastthree years, and submission of any one offour other documents for the tree expertbusiness for the past three years (virtual-ly all applicants have chosen liabilityinsurance certificates from among theoptions for submission). The bill wasspecifically intended to extend the grand-

fathering only to those firms that had fol-lowed certain business best practices,namely, that they had filed tax returns forthe business and maintained valid insur-ance for the business. The provisionscannot be addressed retroactively. Youcan almost hear some applicants saying,“If I knew they were going to offerlicenses based on it, I would have keptmy insurance paid up! I would have filedtax returns each year!” Practitioners inMaryland suddenly found that they wereeligible to obtain a coveted license if theyhad followed these basic, legally requiredsteps; those who did not remain on theoutside.

You never know what benefit (or loss)you may incur related to use of, or lack of,business best practices. Many practition-ers are good arborists but have difficultyadministering aspects of the business endof things. TCIA Accreditation helps firmsget their house in order with regards tobusiness best practices, and should beapplauded for providing this valuabletechnical assistance to tree care companies.Michael F. Galvin, Registered

Consulting Arborist #432

Supervisor, Urban & Community

Forestry, Maryland Department of

Natural Resources-Forest Service

Annapolis, Md.


By Elmer Pyke

Inever thought I would ever get sued. Istressed safety. I went on the theorythat the customer is always right. If a

customer complained, I would go over-board to try to satisfy them. We took thetime to do the job safely and right.

Well, you are probably won-dering, “If you were doingthings so well, how come youwere being sued?”

Good question!

I sent a crew to the customer’shome, explaining that the jobwas removing some willowlimbs overhanging our cus-tomer’s swimming pool. I toldthem the neighbor refused toremove the limbs, or allow us toremove them. But we wouldtrim the tree anyway.

I stressed that the work had to done with-out going on the neighbors property and,repeating myself, that we had to stay on thecustomer’s side of the line. Not being ableto climb the tree, and doing everythingfrom the customer’s side, would make thejob more difficult, but nothing a goodclimber couldn’t handle.

With two men holding a 10-foot lad-der, the climber could work off theladder and, using a pole pruner alongwith a pole saw, take the limbs off insmall pieces. Yes it would be a slow,tedious job. But we were getting paid todo it. Someone once told me, if the job

was easy, they would have done it them-selves!

About a month later, I got a call from thepool owner, very upset, saying their neigh-bor was suing them for $35,000, claimingwe ruined their tree and lowered the valueof their property. I informed the customer

that I had public liability insurance, and Iaccepted the responsibility for the suit.While talking to my customer, I acted calmand confident, but I was really all shookup! When I talked to the crew the nextmorning, I asked them, “What, the%<£&#$ did you guys do on that job?”They defended their actions.

“We couldn’t do the job without climb-ing the tree. We got permission from theowner’s daughter to climb the tree.” Theywere surprised when I told them we werebeing sued for $35,000.

I contacted my insurance company,telling them I was being sued. I was sur-

prised by the change in attitude from theinsurance people; they wanted me to hiremy own attorney. According to them,their attorney would be representing justthe insurance company, and I needed myown lawyer to represent me. When Italked to the attorney, he assured me thathe represented me. I asked him about my

getting a lawyer, but his facialexpression told me what hedidn’t want to put into words:“Don’t get a lawyer.”

It took two years for the caseto come to trial. The trial lastedonly two hours, but the truefacts came out. The owner ofthe tree had a son who hadworked for another tree service.When he found out we hadtrimmed his mother’s tree, andremembering hearing from theowner of the other tree servicethat trees have value, he hatchedhis get-rich-quick scheme.

He talked his mother into suing us, alsogetting his sister to lie and say she didn’tgive my men permission to trim the tree.His next move was to have the owner of theother tree service do an evaluation on thetree. The tree service owner did the evalua-tion but he didn’t sign it; he apparentlythought something wasn’t quite right aboutit. Their lawyer said the evaluation had tobe signed, so he forged the other tree serv-ice owner’s signature. Their case fell apart.

Elmer Pyke is founder of Elmer PykeTree Specialist in Syracuse, N.Y. Thisexcerpt is from what he hopes one day willbe a book.


From the Field

TCI will pay $100 for published “From the Field” articles. Submissions become the property of TCI and are subject to editingfor grammar, style and length. Entries must include the name of a company and a contact person. Send to: Tree Care Industry, 3Perimeter Road, Unit 1, Manchester, NH 03101, or [email protected].



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tci mag 9.06_back_v2.qxp 08/22/2006 3:17 PM Page B

Download - TCI Mag 9.06 Front...TREE CARE INDUSTRY – SEPTEMBER 2006 After the tragedy of a young woman losing her life in the Boston tunnels, I opened the Boston Globemid-July to the headline,

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