Indiana Arborist - Hoosier Arborist, Spring 2023

Board of Directors

President

Andrew Mertz

4444 Linton Lane

Indianapolis, IN 46226

317-508-4909

Andrewsmertz@gmail.com

IAA Chapter Representatives

ISA Liaison

Rick Carter

SaveATree LLC

4721 East 146th Street

Carmel, IN 46032 (317) 846-3778

rcarter@saveatree.com

Vice President

JEFF HAGFORS

Lead Veg Mgment, Program Manager

Jeff.hagfors@duke-energy.com

Secretary

Kellee Weis

765-676-1275

Kellee.Weis@duke-energy.com

TREE Fund Liaison

Tom Ordway

Duke Energy

451 N. Boehning St. Indianapolis, IN 46219 Phone: 317-899-8971

thomas.ordway@duke-energy.com

Area Representatives

Chapter Administrator

Lindsey Purcell

Executive Director of the Indiana Chapter of the ISA

ISA BCMA #1432b ASCA

RCA #673

PO BOX 946

Cicero, IN 46034

Office | 219-295-0048

Past President

Jon Xanders

Xanderbuilt Tree Care

820 E. Main Street

Westfield, IN 46074

jon.x@xanderbuilt.net

Utility

Anna Byers

Vegetation Management Specialist II

1619 West Defenbaugh St. Kokomo, IN 46902

Anna.Byers@duke-energy.com

Line Clearance

Mike Rogers

Synergistic Solutions

357 South State Road 135 Greenwood, IN 46142

Phone: 317-414-8689

mjrogers@iquest.net

Commercial Representative

Joe Schultz

Nature’s Canopy

15268 Herriman Blvd

Noblesville, IN 46060

joe@naturescanopy.com

Supplier

Stacie Songer

Corteva

920-213-832

Stacie.a.nelson@dupont.com

Agency, Institution and Municipal

Bill Kincius

Urban Forestry Manager

City of Indianapolis

1200 S. Madison Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46225

317-327-7014

Bill.kincius@indy.gov

Nursery and Landscape Industry Representative

Kyle Daniel

Nursery and Landscape Outreach Specialist

Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture

Purdue University

daniel38@purdue.edu

Phone: 765-494-7621

Academic Education and Research Advisor

Clifford S. Sadof

Professor and Extension Specialist

Department of Entomology

Purdue University, Smith Hall

901 West State Street

West Lafayette, IN 47907-2089

Office: 765-494-5983; Fax: 765-494-2152

csadof@purdue.edu

Landscape Entomology Laboratory

PSSA Representative

Ben McCallister

bmccalli@purdue.edu

Contacts

Lindsey Purcell 219-295-0048

Newsletter Editor - Ashley Mulis

IAA Business Manager

ashley@indiana-arborist.org

Webmaster - Diana Evans

195 Marsteller

West Lafayette IN 47907

Phone: 765-494-3583

Fax: 765-496-2422

evans44@purdue.edu

P.O. Box 946

Cicero, IN 46034

The IAA could not produce the quality programming and top-notch networking events without the generosity of our Platinum Sponsors:

President’s Corner

Andrew Mertz, IAA President

I saw an interesting tidbit written by Adam Grant on LinkedIn. Mr. Grant is an organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of Business of which I follow from time to time.

He states that asking kids “What do you want to do when you grow up?” is sending them the wrong message about work itself. In essence, what he is saying is your job does not have to be your entire identity or define you as a person.

As spring is here, for most of us, work is ramping up and Mr. Grant’s argument may be sage wisdom for the existing arboricultural work force as well. Work-life balance is still all the rage albeit a tiresome cliché. But that doesn’t mean its wrong either.

When most of us are asked what we are, we answer that with question with our occupation. I.e., I am an arborist. That may be our entire and complete identity to casual acquaintances and work affiliations. Some of us were “born into” this profession, others deliberately choose this profession, and others found their way here a different way. Regardless of how you got here, arboriculture in any form, commercial, utility or other can be an a demanding and consuming occupation. You will eventually feel like there are not enough hours in the day to do everything, including balancing personal life along with it.

So, as we head into the busier season, don’t forget to set aside time for the other important things that make you, well you. A spouse, parent, fishing enthusiast, golfer, BBQ enthusiast, reader, etc., make time for what is really important. The work will be waiting for you anyway. Also please remember to set aside enough downtime to get the rest you need. Time management is a constant struggle and an important quality for sanity and satisfaction for family and career.

This advice may be hard to take seriously this time of year. But if you make time for yourself and the other important things you cherish, you may be surprised to see yourself become a better boss, employee, and arborist.

With that, I am heading outside to play fetch with the dog and check the wildflowers before I sit back down and work on a report.

A good job can mean many things to those in the workforce. Typically, it means earning good pay and benefits, and opportunities for advancement. On the other hand, there is no straight-forward answer on how to land that good job. The job journey isn’t the same for everyone which means mapping the journey is a unique and often exciting experience. The good news for many professional arborists is that it doesn’t require a college degree to land a good-paying job. This is where professional certifications can be a profitable and boost that job journey for those who don’t have that college education, according to a recent Gallup report. Certifications appear to be advantageous specifically for workers with a high school diploma and no postsecondary education.

Being certified in a profession leads to greater employment and more confidence in career prospects. This is exactly what the International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist can create for our industry. Additionally, qualifications such as the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification led to better opportunities as well. The Tree Care Industry Association offers the CTSP(Certified Tree Safety Professional) credential within their organization and is nationally recognized. Credentials are proven to create higher job satisfaction rates, including career advancement opportunities. Fifty-two percent of those with certifications say they’re satisfied with such opportunities compared to 37 percent of those without certification. Additionally, 36 percent with certifications say it’s likely they’ll be promoted in their job versus 24 percent without.

The opportunity of employers providing certification options to their staff are much more sought after by job seekers. Workers with certifications are more likely to see their job as a career, 54 percent, than those without certification, 37 percent. In addition, those with certifications are more likely to be satisfied with certain job characteristics like, enjoyment of day-to-day work, having a sense of purpose, and the ability to change things about the job when dissatisfied. The report says

those findings suggest increasing the use of certifications in many service industries provide workers with more opportunities to work their way up from entry-level jobs to positions offering a track to advancement. “Certifications are more and more important to employers,” add many HR professionals. “You see them listed more frequently and employers are demanding them, asking for them, hiring for them”.

There are few things that demonstrate professionalism more than advancing yourself, personally and jobwise. If you have those credentials, promote them, apply them, and keep them! If you don’t… what are you waiting for? Contact me for more information and how to get certified or qualified. Be safe, stay well.

HELPING ARBORISTS

Cold Injury During a Very Mild Winter?

Kyle Daniel, Purdue University

Remember the pre-Christmas freeze? What about the extremely long fall? The Midwest experienced aboveaverage temperatures through most of the winter, but those extremely cold temps in late December made for more than a few pipes to freeze in the southern part of the Midwest.

The dichotomy in weather patterns over the last several years has been mind-boggling. We’ve gone from flooding to drought in most recent growing seasons, to the extremes in temperatures this winter. Though it’s an inconvenience for us, plants don’t have the option of heated seats or umbrellas, thus stress or death can occur in these extremes.

experienced in mid-late December. We’ve observed some perennial evergreens, i.e., American holly, Meserve holly (Fig. 2), and skip laurel (Fig. 3), damaged or killed during this winter, especially in the southern parts of the Midwest. In addition, some deciduous trees have significant bark cracking (Fig. 4). Though these plants are hardy well below the temperatures that were experienced, the maximum dormancy wasn’t yet reached by plants due to the warm temperatures so late into the winter season.

East of the Mississippi River, the 2022-2023 winter has been significantly milder than average, based on past climate models (Fig. 1). We don’t typically have cold injury in late December, but drastic changes in temperatures can cause pernicious effects on plant health. The entire state of Indiana had the drastic changes in temperature December 22-27, 2022 (Table 1).

There’s on-going evidence of damage across the Mi dwest from the late/long fall and extreme cold that was

Plants survive through the winter by entering a phase of dormancy in which the plant is in a state of suspended animation. The dormancy process in plants is a complicated series of internal events caused by external events, that allow perennial plants to protect themselves during environmental changes, such as winter.

Endodormancy and ecodormancy are the stages of dormancy in which the plant has ceased growing. These processes use short days and environment to enter and exit dormancy. Endodormancy includes induction, maintenance, and release. Induction is the process that starts dormancy and is triggered from the reduction in daylight hours, followed by decreasingly cold temperatures to achieve maximum cold hardiness. Maintenance is the accumulation of chilling hours throughout the winter. Release occurs when the number of chilling hours has been fulfilled, thus entering ecodormancy. While endodormancy has internal requirements prior to exit dormancy, ecodormancy is mediated by environmental factors and can come out of dormancy once the environmental (i.e., temperatures) is suitable to resume growth.

Figure 1. Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index for winter 20222023 in the United States from the Midwest Regional Climate Center. https://mrcc.purdue.edu/research/awssi/indexAwssi.jsp

Figure 2. Leaf abscission formation and separation.

Table 1. The high and low temperatures (F) in Evansville, Indianapolis, and Fort Wayne December 22-27, 2022. Data courtesy of the National Weather Service.

An interesting phenomenon that I noticed in late fall/early winter was the length of time plants held onto leaves in the fall of 2022. Fall color came and went, but many species held onto the leaves long after leaves turned brown. Some species have a tendency to hold onto leaves throughout the winter, especially juvenile oaks, but many other species exhibited similar attributes over the past winter season

I suspect that the long fall delayed the abscission layer from fully forming until much later than normal. Leaf abscission and senescence are processes that occur in plants due to multiple factors, including response to dormancy, shade avoidance, and compartmentalizing injury/disease. Abscission and senescence rid a plant of individual leaves for the overall well-being of the entire organism. During this process, an abscission zone forms with a protective layer of suberized cells to seal off the separated portion of the senesced leaf and petiole. This process prevents winter injury from occurring.

So, what should we expect?

In the coming few weeks:

• As weather warms, expect calls from homeowners regarding overwintering problems.

• As bud break begins, marginally cold hardy plants may have dead branches.

• If root damage has occurred, bud break may occur normally, but defoliation will follow due to a reduction in the ability to uptake water.

• If possible, wait to prune until after bud break so that dead branches can be removed.

• According to the National Phenology Network (https://www.usanpn.org/usa-national-phenologynetwork), spring is about three weeks early in the Southeast. If trends continue, bud break and flowering will be very early in the Midwest. This will increase the chances of late frost/freeze damage to plants. As of publication, magnolia are in bloom in the southern half of Indiana. Expected low temperatures will most likely freeze the blooms.

• Plants that have experienced damage from the winter will need to be watched carefully throughout this growing season to prevent other stresses, including drought.

Remember, if you have symptoms on plants you manage, the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory is a great resource to ensure the causes of plant problems. You can learn how to submit samples here: https://ag.purdue.edu/department/btny/ppdl/

Figure 3. White arrow heads point to the abscission zones. (E) Mature abscission zone appears in brown; GUS precipitate in blue. Scale bars correspond to approximately 1 mm (A–C); 0,5 mm (D,E). Black arrowheads point to the forming (D) and mature abscission zone (E). Image via Jin, et.al. (2015).

Oak Wilt

Jeff Hagfors, Duke Energy

CAUSES

Oak wilt, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum has become a serious disease threat to oaks in the eastern and central United States. While the spread of oak wilt has not been rapid, it can be found in all counties of Illinois and 18 other states. The estimated range of oak wilt runs from southern Michigan through central Pennsylvania along the Appalachian Mountains south to Georgia, westward to the Great Plains and including much of Texas, then northward into Minnesota.

All oaks may be susceptible to oak wilt. However, the red oak subgenus (red, black, pin, and scarlet) is more susceptible to oak wilt than the white oak subgenus (white, bur, English, swamp white, and chinkapin).

Trees in the red oak group usually die quite rapidly, often within weeks or months after infection. Erythrobalanus

Trees in the white oak group typically develop symptoms more slowly, showing branch dieback for years before dying. In some cases, white and bur oaks recover after one year of infection.

SYMPTOMS

The primary symptom of oak wilt is the wilting of leaves and defoliation. Browning begins on the margin of the leaf and moves inward, and there is a distinct line between dead tissue and living tissue. Leaves normally fall before they have completely browned trees in the red oak group

An additional sign of the disease is the presence of fungal spore mats on Trees in the red oak group. They split the bark open and attract insects with their fruity odor.

While in white and bur oaks the wilting may occur on branches scattered throughout the tree. Streaking of the sapwood beneath the bark is a sign of the defense response of the tree, and provides further evidence of oak wilt in trees in the white oak group

Isolated branch loss or sections of death and decline is usually found in Trees in the white oak group

is

CONTROLLING THE SPREAD

The most important aspect of oak wilt control is physical disruption of the root grafts between infected and healthy trees. Trees within the trench line, trees that cannot be trenched, and small groups of trees are good candidates for Propiconazole (Alamo) ESPECIALLY ON A PREVENATIVE BASIS

Depending on the situation, various management options are available.

Minimize Pruning.

Avoid any unnecessary wounding of oaks. Oaks should NOT be pruned between April 15 and October 15. Open wounds attract beetles that are most active during this period, increasing the likelihood of infection. If pruning is necessary during this time period, sterilize tools between each cut and paint the wound with nontoxic tree wound dressing. The safest time to prune oaks is after the first hard frost, or November 1 until April 1. Remove Infected Trees. Time is of the essence for success. Dead or infected red oaks should be removed from the site before they produce fungal spore mats the following spring. Nearby trees of the same species may also need to be removed because of the disease moving through root grafts. Consult a certified arborist about trees to be removed.

Sever Root Grafts.

Root grafts can be severed with mechanical trenches or chemical methods. Again, consultation with a certified arborist is recommended. Mechanical trenching equipment can be used to cut through the roots around an infected tree, creating a barrier 31/2 to 4 feet deep. Do not trench too close to the trunk of a tree. Several barriers will provide the best protection.

Although mechanical barriers are generally more effective than chemical barriers in stopping the spread of oak wilt, chemical barriers are the best option when space is limited for trenching by the presence of sidewalks, driveways, utility lines, or other obstructions. Most chemicals recommended for treating oak wilt have a label restriction that requires a licensed pesticide applicator to apply the chemical.

Remove Infected Wood.

Another way to prevent oak wilt spread is to stop the movement of infected logs and firewood. New pockets of the disease occur when beetles visit transported logs that contain fungal mats. Logs from the red oak group should not be transported unless all bark is removed. Trees in the white oak group do not form mats and can be used safely as firewood. Fungicide Injections. Propiconazole (Alamo) is labeled for oak wilt management on both red and white oak groups under certain conditions. Consult with a knowledgeable Certified Arborist in your area. This option

TIMING and HOW

There is no known chemical treatment that is capable of “curing” the disease; however, fungicide research is continuing. The development of new oak wilt pockets can be avoided, however, by either preventing the development of spore mats of the fungus on diseased trees or by preventing the transfer of fungal spores to healthy trees. In practice this 16 17 involves removing dead or diseased trees and avoiding injury to healthy trees. Remove Infected Trees

Trees that are infected with or have died from oak wilt should be removed and properly treated to prevent development of spore mats. These treatments include debarking, chipping or splitting, and drying the wood. Covering dead wood with plastic, burying the edges for 6 months, and then air drying for a similar time will kill the fungus and any associated insects.

Trees that die in summer should be removed and treated before the following spring, which is when new spore mats can develop. If the wood is sufficiently dried, however, spore mats will not develop.

A word of caution: Removing a diseased tree that is still living may actually facilitate the spread of the disease by accelerating the movement of the fungus into adjacent

practical only for high value trees.

trees that are grafted to it by the roots.

die before root grafts can be re-established. The oak wilt fungus does not survive in the root systems of dead trees for more than a few years. 18 19 The potential for spread of oak wilt through grafted roots is especially high after a diseased tree is removed or dies.

While a diseased tree is still living and intact, there is some resistance to fungal spores moving through root grafts into the roots of healthy trees. The removal or death of a diseased tree removes this natural resistance to spore movement, and spores may then travel more freely through interconnected roots.

To avoid this problem, disrupt interconnected roots before removing living diseased trees as described in the section on “Controlling existing infection centers.” Avoid Injuring Healthy Trees Freshly wounded trees that are growing outside of existing oak wilt centers can be visited by beetles transporting spores of the fungus. Because open wounds create avenues for infection, damage to trees from construction, pruning, or severe storms may lead to new infection centers. Avoid injury to oaks during favorable conditions for infection, which in the North occur in spring and early summer, when spore mats are present and the beetles are flying. Favorable conditions usually occur between April 15 and July 1 in the Lake States

In particular, pruning or construction activities in or near oak woodlots during the susceptible period often results in injury to oak trees that leads to infection.

If construction activity, tree removal, or pruning is unavoidable, or if storms injure oak trees during the critical period, the wounds should be treated with a commercial tree paint or wound dressing. If whole trees are removed during the critical period, the stumps should also be treated with tree paint. It is very important that the fresh wounds be treated immediately because the insects that carry spores of the pathogen are often attracted to these wounds within a very short time. Tree paints are normally not recommended for general use, but using these products in this situation can protect trees from oak wilt. In the North, tree paints are not necessary if trees are wounded during the dormant season; however, judicious use during the rest of the year is recommended.

Controlling Existing Infection Centers Once the oak wilt fungus becomes established in a stand that includes a high proportion of oak, it will often continue to spread through the grafted root systems of the trees, infecting healthy oaks.

Disrupting the connections between the roots of infected and healthy trees limits the spread of oak wilt and is an effective control measure. Infected trees and their roots will usually

Therefore, the timing of a root disruption treatment is critical. Roots should be disrupted before an infected tree dies or is removed, or within a short time of tree death, for maximum protection of healthy trees. Interconnected root systems can be disrupted with a trencher, vibratory plow, or other equipment or chemicals.

http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/howtos/ht_oakwilt/identify_ prevent_and_control_oak_wilt_print.pdf

http://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-and-plantadvice/help-diseases/oak-wilt

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-28-w. pdf

Famous Women Landscape Architects in Indiana

Rita McKenzie, Retired IAA Executive Director

Claire R. Bennett, born in 1928 in Burlington, Vermont, was the first woman to enroll in the mechanical drawing at her high school, earned her A.B. in architectural sciences at Radcliffe College in 1949, and completed the first year of an M. Arch. at Harvard Graduate School of Design. When Bennett moved to Indianapolis in 1958, she wanted to apply her LA Design knowledge while caring for her four children, eventually founding her own firm Claire Bennett Associates.

Her body of work contributed to the landscape designs at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Canal Walk, and White River State Park. Among her many accomplishments, in 1978 she was elected president of the Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (INASLA), served as the president of the National Society from 1990 to 1991, and in 1995 appointed to the National Urban Forestry Council by US Secretary of Agriculture.

Mary Deputy Lamson - Being from Indiana, Claire Bennet’s name might be familiar to you, but how about Mary Deputy Lamson? Mary was born September 6, 1897, in Paris Crossing, Indiana, located in Jennings Co. After two years at State Normal School in Mankato, Minnesota, she returned to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where in 1919 she earned a B.A. and M.A. in English. She then entered Cambridge School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and completed the three-year degree in two years.

Mrs. Lamson worked for Ruth Dean in New York City until Dean’s death in 1932 and in 1934 opened her own company in New York City, concentrating her talents on large estates, college campuses, farms, small suburban gardens, city backyards and penthouses from Maine to Florida. One of her notable works was at Pretty Penny, residence of Helen Hayes

in Nyack, New York. In 1935 she was awarded an M.L.A. from Smith College which had merged with Cambridge.

From 1917-1929, Mrs. Lamson corresponded with then Indiana University President William Bryan regarding a landscape plan at IU. In the end she designed a garden at the president’s home but was never able to submit a design for the university.

She published two books, Gardening with Shrubs and Small Flowering Trees (1946) and Garden Housekeeping (1951). In 1950, Mrs. Lamson spoke to the Indianapolis Garden Club about landscaping concepts.

One paragraph from the Indianapolis Star might sound like familiar advice, “When buying shrubs, consider their size at maturity and rate of growth. Small, slow growing young evergreens for example, cannot catchup with tall half-grown dogwoods in time for you to enjoy the combination. Observe species’ habitats before planting.” Sound familiar??

Editors Note:

The Indiana Arborist Association accepts guest articles from membership at large and will also re-publish relevant articles from other publications. Articles may be published, regardless of the beliefs or world view of the author, as long as the article is relevant to the arboricultural community. Some opinions and statements by guest authors may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the IAA Board or individual members.

Great Company Highlight

Brandendberger Associates

by Jon Xanders, Xanderbuilt Tree Care

Happy Spring Arborists! After what seemed like a LONG Winter of weather that was all over the place, its now time to ramp up for the growing season. I hope you all had a chance to have a little down time and reflect on last year. It’s a great time to carry over decisions to a new year that worked for you, as well as make some changes on things that maybe did not play out quite the way you thought they would. Regardless, I hope you all have a safe and fruitful upcoming season.

For this edition of the Hoosier Arborist I decided to highlight a company I had the privilege of visiting late this winter. Brandenberger Tree Care Professionals is a company out of Auburn, IN; which is a town just north of Fort Wayne. Mason Brandenberger and his wife Eryka have been in business now for 10 years, which is a HUGE milestone for any company. They have come a long way from their humble beginnings operating out of the trunk of an old Chevy Malibu as they mentioned to me.

My original objective for the visit was to discuss an initiative we are working on for the IAA with Mason. You will be hearing more about this program soon and is a topic for many new articles. Before we got started with our conversation, he invited me to sit in on some team meetings with his staff and just observe how they operate. Needless to say, I was blown away with the level of professionalism and integrity in which they operate. From the managers, meeting to discussing projects that were either just completed, in process, or upcoming, to the entire team meeting discussing the companies core values; I was super impressed. What struck me as quite unique is that during the team meeting, Mason gave all of his employees an opportunity to share what was on their mind. He asked them questions like, “what do you feel you could do all day and not get tired of?” and “what is weighing heavy on you?”. What that does is allow them to open up in a comfortable, family like atmosphere. You see, they are not just focused on the growth of the company, they invest time and energy into the growth of their team members so that they can provide any assistance possible to help them become the best version of themselves. Providing a positive atmosphere with a focus on personal

growth will have an exponential return on the quality of the work happening in the operation. My impression of their staff was that they were all in a good mood, super professional, approachable, knowledgeable, and overall great people. Mason and I joked around about the possibility that they were just putting on a show for me. HA! He did make sure to be candid that this was the highlight reel and just like all companies, they have moments of weakness and mistakes. This can be true for all of us. Running a tree company myself, I could really appreciate the investment they provide for their team members. That is time that could be used out in production; keeping up with the current work load and bringing in operating funds. This is not what they hold of the highest value. Brandenberger Tree Care is taking a different approach to their operation and I see it as a company setting the standard that all tree care operations should strive for.

In closing, building a successful company that provides high quality services for tree care is great, but an even greater reward is changing the lives of the individuals you work with. “Rising tide raises all ships” is a quote Mason used that truly embodies what they are doing here. No matter what the size of company, with this world we live in, should be an objective we all should be reaching for.

Brandenberger Associates Staff

Mason and Eryka Brandenberger

NOTHING LESS THAN TOUGH.

Your job requires nothing less than tough. Whether you’re digging, cutting, shredding, loading or moving, we have one line of equipment versatile enough to make any job a whole lot easier. Ask your dealer today about our compact and grounds maintenance equipment.

BOBCAT OF INDY 2935 Bluff Road Indianapolis, IN 46225 317-787-2201

BOBCAT OF ELLETTSVILLE

700 East Temperance

Ellettsville, IN 47429

812-287-8042

BOBCAT OF ANDERSON

2075 East County Road 67 Anderson, IN 46017 765-643-4222

BOBCAT OF HOWARD COUNTY

613 W Main Street Greentown, IN 46936 765-628-2800

BOBCAT OF COLUMBUS 890 N National Rd Columbus, IN 47201 812-775-1470

BOBCAT OF INDY NORTH 4489 S Indianapolis Road Whitestown, IN 46075 317-769-4946

A New Frontier for Arborists – Urban Silviculture

BC Fischer, Clinical Professor Emeritus, O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University and Bloomington Urban Forestry Research Group (BUFRG at https://urbanforestry.indiana.edu/)

Introduction

Urban silviculture is a developing/new concept being talked about by urban foresters that arborists also need to understand. It is the adaption of the forestry practice of silviculture to urban natural forest areas, forested patches, or woodlots (hereafter urban forested patches). Silviculture is the theory and practice of controlling the establishment, composition, structure, and condition of forest stands to meet landowner objectives. Historically, it focuses on timber production and other economic and environmental benefits of forests. By definition a forest stand is a contiguous community of trees sufficiently uniform in composition, structure, age, size-class(es), spatial arrangement, site quality, condition, or location to distinguish it from adjacent stands. Larger forests are collections of forest stands.

The practice of silviculture has broadened over the past couple of decades to address a broader range of management objectives rather than focusing primarily on timber with the introduction of ideas such as management for complexity, sustainability, and resilience, as well as management for specific non-timber objectives such as carbon storage, biodiversity, watershed protection, wildfire protection, etc. (1, 2, 3)

Let us examine briefly how urban silviculture may differ from traditional silviculture practices. Urban forest patches are an important component of the tree canopy in cities but are often overlooked by city leaders and decision-makers, and often lack formal management frameworks. One approach to addressing this deficiency may be to borrow from traditional forest management frameworks and practices. Although urban forested patches share similarities with rural forests, the impacts of urbanization on forest stand dynamics may require modification of these methods and in some cases development of novel silvicultural guidelines.

Examples of how urban silviculture differs from traditional silviculture thinking includes the following:

Stands vs patches - Rural forests are typically divided into forest stands to distinguish separate units based upon forest condition and differing site characteristics. Figure 1 is an example forest stand delineation. In urban areas forested areas are small and separated from other forested areas by non-forest spaces, thus each urban forest area is considered a single forest stand. Figure 2 is an example of urban forested patches across several neighborhoods within a city.

Figure 1. A forest with separate stands delineated.

Figure 2. Urban forested patches in a city.

Establishment of rural forest stands relies on either artificial (planting tree seedlings) or natural regeneration from seeds, and these regeneration efforts are coordinated with tree harvesting – partial or complete canopy removal. In urban forests tree planting may include seedlings or larger trees (saplings, etc.) in specific targeted locations to increase canopy cover.

Why do arborists need to know about silviculture? Especially in urban forest areas?

I am a forester and specifically a silviculturist by training (forest oriented) and I never think as an arborist (tree oriented) even when I am in the city. So, I think in terms of groups (stands) of trees whether they are in a natural setting, or a park or even just a neighborhood of street and yard trees. In any of these settings I mentally think about the current species composition, structure (one size class, a few size classes, or all size classes), and the condition of the forest. Additionally, what should be addressed next in terms of regeneration (both natural and human-planted), thinning (density management), and structural shifts to better meet the management goals of tree owners or managers moving forward.

A recent article (4) highlights silvicultural thinking about urban forested natural areas and represents a new twist to urban forest management. The article refers to European urban silviculture thinking back to the about 2000 (5), which did not surprise me. There is a long history of urban ecology in Europe focused on urban forested natural areas dating to at least the 1970s.

Simple take home messages for an arborist

1) Recognize that urban silviculture creates a better connection with urban foresters. This can result in collaborative planning, and better communications with the public on benefits of urban forested patches.

2) Identify when urban silviculture needs to be applied. Whether it is an actual urban forested patch, or a neighborhood of trees, managing for species and

structural diversity is important to create an urban forest that is resilient to climate change, or whatever other challenges arise. Various roles an arborist might perform in urban silviculture are numerous. Arborists know how to plant trees, whether small or big. There are also tree management tasks arborists address on a regular basis such as pruning and plant health care. Individual or small groups of tree removals to create spaces to plant new tree species to enhance diversity. General tree care to maintain tree/forest quality. Inventory systems and tree inspection systems to monitor the urban forest from a health and risk management perspective. There are many roles for an arborist to play in urban forest management and thinking like a silviculturist can create a positive influence how one addresses the management of a neighborhood’s tree population.

References

1. Puettmann KJ, Coates KD, and Messier CC. 2012. A critique of silviculture: managing for complexity. Washington, DC: Island Press.

2. Fahey et al.2018. Shifting conceptions of complexity in forest management and silviculture. Forest Ecology and Management. 421:59-71

3. Jain T.B. 2017. The 21st Century Silviculturist –Discussions. Journal of Forestry: 117(417-424).

4. Piana MR, Pregitzer CC, and Hallett RA. 2021. Advancing management of urban forested natural areas: toward an urban silviculture? Frontiers of Ecology and the Environment. 2021; doi:10.1002/ fee.2389

5. von Gadow K. 2002. Adapting silvicultural management systems to urban forests. Urban For Urban Greening 1: 107–13.

If in doubt, take a smaller piece

By Dr. Brian Kane, ISA Certified Arborist Massachusetts Arborists Association Professor University of Massachusetts- Amherst

Rigging is one of the most hazardous tasks a climbing arborist does. It involves working aloft, cutting with a chainsaw, and large pieces of wood moving rapidly—sometimes, very close to the arborist. To avoid injuries and property damage, climbing arborists must estimate the rigging loads and predict the movement of the piece once it’s cut.

Few studies have carefully measured loads in a rigging system; knowing what they are and how they change with different rigging tools is essential to maintain safety. If the loads at different points in a rigging system are known, it helps climbing arborists understand how to manage loads to minimize the likelihood of failure of a component in the rigging system, including the tree itself.

We measured tension in the lead and fall of a rigging line secured at the base of a tree and conducted drop tests with different rigging lines (new and used) and blocks (traditional blocks with a rotating sheave and rigging rings). Presumably, a traditional block would offer less friction than rigging rings. When there’s less friction, the load at the anchor will be greater, increasing its likelihood of failure. But if there’s more friction, then a shorter length of line carries the load, increasing its likelihood of failure.

We didn’t find compelling evidence that traditional blocks or rings were preferable. One reason is that the presumption that traditional blocks offer less friction than rings is based on slowly raising or lowering loads, which are not like

the “shock loads” that often occur when rigging. If the sheave of the block can’t rotate quickly enough to keep up with the shock load, the rigging line will slide along the sheave, just as does when sliding over rigging rings. The surest way to reduce the likelihood of failure is to rig smaller pieces.

Thank you, Dr. Kane, for your insightful information. You can see Dr. Kane’s TREE Fund webinar from February 2021, “Loading a Tie-in Point While Climbing” HERE and complete a 20-question quiz online for an opportunity to earn CEU credits. For more information and for the quiz link, visit our Webinar Archives page and scroll down to the listing.

Survey to help Canadian TREE Fund

Our friends at the Canadian TREE Fund have teamed up with the University of British Columbia on a survey gathering the opinions of arborists.

A University of British Columbia research project is asking Canadian and American arborists and urban foresters their opinion on research needs in arboriculture and urban forestry and how industry professionals are receiving information. Those who partake in the survey will be entered into a drawing for one of ten gift cards in the amount of $100 CAD each to an arborist supply store. Please consider participating in the anonymous survey by visiting https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/ SV_2nTfr0MfT1tIodw. Any comments or questions can be directed to the Primary Contact and Co-Investigator Alexander Martin (arbmarta@mail.ubc. ca) or to the Principal Investigator, Dr. Andrew Almas (andrew.almas@ubc.ca) of the Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia

Ride with us at the Tour des Trees this fall

Rider numbers are growing and people are getting excited! Have you always thought about joining us at the Tour des Trees? This is the year to ride!

Join TREE Fund for 380+ miles at this year’s ride from Reno, NV, past Lake Tahoe, and into northern California. Ride dates are September 26 to October 2. This year’s ride is shaping up to be a beautiful, can’t miss event, so add your name to the list today!

For more information and to register, visit www.treefund.org/tourdestrees.

Free Webinars

TREE Fund is proud to partner with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to bring you free education offerings. We are now able to accommodate up to 3,000 participants!

Tuesday, March 21. 1:00pm CST.

*Note updated day and time

Presenter: Dr. Andy Kaufman, University of Hawaii. Building Urban Tree Resiliency by Mitigating Below Ground Infrastructure Techniques. ISA CEU Credits: BCMA Science: 1; Climber Specialist: 1; ISA Certified Arborist: 1; Municipal Specialist: 1 Register Here

TREE Fund’s 1-hour webinars are free and offer 1.0 CEU credit for live broadcasts from the International Society of Arboriculture and the Society of American Foresters. Registration and information will become available on our website approximately two weeks before each webinar date.

Missed a webinar? Watch it anytime on our website.

CEU Credit for Recorded Webinar

TREE Fund now offers ISA CEU credits for one recorded webinar: “Loading of a Tie-in Point While Climbing.” If you missed this webinar, you can now watch the recording and earn ISA CEU credits by completing a 20 question quiz with 80% accuracy. Learn more on our website.

For more than 75 years, Townsend Tree Service has been helping customers across the country meet their IVM goals by providing world-class service in the following areas:

• Utility, pipeline and transportation line clearing, maintenance and growth control.

• Drainage and right-of-way clearing, maintenance and growth control.

• Storm and disaster emergency response.

• Chemical and herbicide applications. Find out how we can help you.

God save the Earth: A faith-based campaign to plant one million trees

Steve Thomas US Coordinator Mennonite Men +1.574.202.0048 www.MennoniteMen.org

As a child, I loved being in nature and climbing trees. While I don’t recall what I noticed one day, I remember feeling worried. I wrote a message, placed it in a corked bottle, then floated it down the creek. My message? “God save the Earth.”

As climate change worsens, many people make this prayer. I now realize, however, that God doesn’t answer prayers like this while we stand by and wait. God answers our prayers with our cooperation and actions.

We see in the news people suffering the loss of their homes, food supply or clean water. All of this is projected to worsen as extreme heat, storms, flooding, fires, and droughts increase in frequency and intensity with climate change.

In Indiana, I’m rather insulated from these impacts. What really gets my attention, however, are my grandchildren Lily and Leo. I imagine our grandchildren asking two questions about climate change: “Did you know? And what did you do?” I hope to answer with, “Yes, I knew about our climate crisis and here’s what we did about it . . .”

What can we do? We must use less fossil fuel, turn to renewable energy and adjust our diet, to name a few actions. Protecting forests and planting trees are also among the most critical actions we must take.

As the best means to sequester carbon dioxide, trees are the most essential natural climate solution to mitigate global warming. With their unparalleled capacity to capture and store carbon, protecting and increasing tree cover are frontline actions to mitigate catastrophic climate change.

In an effort to address climate change, I coordinate JoinTrees, a faith-based campaign to plant (establish) one million trees. This campaign is rooted in biblical

wisdom and scientific knowledge with the aim to restore the Earth.

The first and last chapters of the Bible feature trees of life, revealing their importance for the Earth. The woodland garden of Eden in Genesis represents what its Creator intended on Earth: beauty, biodiversity and abundance where trees give life with God. The last chapter of Revelation presents the tree of life again as a central part of the new Earth for healing.

In Genesis 2:15 we read that God put the human creature in the garden to serve and protect it as its steward. This stewardship includes planting, tending and protecting trees so they may serve their critical role in the ecology of God’s creation.

Ancient wisdom recognized the importance of trees, as does modern science. Studies demonstrate that trees have benefits far beyond beauty, shade, wood, and food. For our ecosystems, trees sequester carbon, cool the planet and moderate the climate. Trees improve water and air quality and stabilize soil. Providing food and shelter, trees support biodiversity, which is increasingly endangered.

Trees reduce storm water runoff, cool urban heat centers and curb energy use. Trees promote community interaction and reduce aggression and crime. Trees have surprising personal health benefits. With their

valuable ecosystem services, trees provide a great return on investment. According to i-Tree, each $1 invested in urban trees returns $3.93 in Goshen, IN where I live, and $6.09 in Indianapolis.

Of all these benefits, our JoinTrees campaign especially focuses on engaging communities of faith to work with trees as an essential natural climate solution. This campaign involves planting trees on private, business and church properties, marginal land, public rights-of-ways, and international projects. In the last two years we have planted over 100,000 trees and have plans this spring to plant over 60,000 more. One congregation within the city of Goshen will plant over 2,500 trees on their property this spring. Find more on our campaign here. For a community project, see A Forest of Faith.

Let’s take action and cooperate with God to answer prayers to save the Earth. Let’s all do our part by protecting and planting trees.

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Steve Thomas, MDiv, is the U.S. director for Mennonite Men. An ISA certified arborist with a graduate certificate in urban forestry from Oregon State University, he coordinates the JoinTrees campaign to plant one million trees with communities of faith.