SUMMER 2021 ISSUE
S O U T H E R N C H A P T E R O F T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L S O C I E T Y O F A R B O R I C U LT U R E
ISA
S UTHERN Greening Safety City
A unique partnership between the Knoxville Police Department and UT Forestry Faculty connects the canopy to cover safety-conscious students with green infrastructure. PAGE 6
UT Landscape Architecture students Sam Daniel and Seth Zanoni worked with Walker Fowler and Maya Rao on the Planting Plan for Safety City in Knoxville, TN.
AM_ISA_commitment 2021.qxp_Valued 6/28/21 1:30 PM Page 1
COMMITMENT
ARBORMETRICS — 15 years of dedication to vegetation management programs
w w w. A R B O R M E T R I C S . c o m • 1 . 8 6 6 . 6 8 5 .1 8 8 0 t o l l f r e e
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SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
Message from the President by Jason Gordon
On behalf of the Southern Chapter Board of Directors, we hope you have been having a productive and enjoyable summer. As I end my term as President, and Kasey Krouse soon takes over, I reflect on the challenges and successes of the past year. For example, despite COVID-19 interrupting several of Southern Chapter’s plans, such as an inperson annual conference, our strong leadership was able to pull us through to land on our feet. Our state directors, Executive Committee, Executive Director, and contracted personnel keep the train rolling and Southern Chapter continues to be a very strong organization with a bright future. As well, we must celebrate the successes of our members. These awards represent the outstanding achievements of members and groups in the Southern Chapter region. Please visit our website for more information on awards and nominate a deserving colleague for next year’s awards. I look forward to seeing you in Winston-Salem, NC, next year. Have a wonderful summer and let your state directors know of any events, news, or concerns. We’re here to support our members.
n O utstanding
Arbor Day Activities Wake Forest Tree Board, NC
n O utstanding
Landscape Beautification Activities Walnut Creek Wetland Community Partnership, NC
n A ward
of Merit - David Vandergriff, Griff Arbor
n H onorary
Life Membership Nancy Beckemeyer, Georgia Power
n A ward
of Achievement Jimmy Walters, Southern Chapter Past President
n A ward
for Excellence in Arboriculture Chardin Detrich, Smart Fellers Tree Works
n P resident’s
Award Kasey Krouse, City of Knoxville, TN
n E ducation
Award Barbara Fair, NC State University Joe Burgess, Georgia Forestry Commission (retired)
n J ohn
G Martin Award Sam Adams, University of Tennessee
n S outhern
Chapter Memorial Scholarship Lassie Stiles, University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources Community Forestry and Arboriculture program
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
PAGE 3
Southern Chapter Update & Report
by Skip Kincaid, Southern Chapter Executive Director
Here we are amid the dog days of summer. Long days of heat and humidity, and a workload to make sure we get a good dose of that summer sweat every day. I used to think of the phrase “dog days” as being that part of the year when it’s too hot even for a dog. But as I typically do, I looked it up. It’s actually a reference to the sun’s alignment with Sirius, the dog star, this time of year. Who knew? As another old phrase goes, “Learn something new every day.” Speaking of learning something new … see what I did there? If you haven’t already done so, give some thought to pursuing some new tree wisdom. Part of our mission here at Southern Chapter is to promote and provide opportunities for you to become tree smart. Be sure to take time to read the “BiWeekly Branch” that we email to members about every two weeks and check out the Southern Chapter website for a complete list of current educational opportunities. There is a big demand for the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) lately. The Chapter has offered three courses so far this year, plus three renewal courses. Three more courses are scheduled for North Carolina, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico. Demand indicates we’ll likely add two more dates before the end of the year. Our website has current information about TRAQ course offerings. If you need to renew your TRAQ qualification, you can still sign up for a live renewal course or you can now register for a virtual renewal course. The Chapter will soon be offering the virtual renewal classes that will greatly reduce your need to travel. Stay tuned for more details. We’re getting some inquiries about what the upcoming change in Chapter boundaries will mean for our current members who live in Georgia. While we haven’t been formally given a date yet, it appears that the changeover will occur around the end of the year. Members who reside in Georgia will have the option of joining the new Chapter, or can remain Southern Chapter members, or can maintain membership in both. As in the past, you can continue to pay your Chapter dues when you renew your ISA membership. Be sure to check your Chapter affiliation when you renew to confirm you are retaining membership or joining the Chapter of your choice. You can also join the Southern Chapter at any time by visiting the Southern Chapter website. Chapter membership will keep you informed of events and news in the southern region and will
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SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
let you take advantage of reduced registration fees for Chapter events. Those savings alone pay for your membership. Live events are certainly back, and we hope it stays that way! Be socially responsible and think about others as we continue to navigate variants, vaccines, masks, and distancing. In addition to TRAQ and other events being live, we are also planning a Chapter Tree Climbing event in Knoxville, TN, for September 17-19, 2021. We’ll have plenty of awards for winners, but there will be no qualifiers for the 2022 International Tree Climbing Championship. Qualifications for that event will take place at the Chapter TCC next spring. Lastly, mark your calendars for March 26-29, 2021. The Chapter’s annual Tree Climbing Championship will be March 26-27, and the Annual Conference and Trade Show will take place March 27-29 in Winston-Salem, NC!
Do you know someone who stands out in our industry? Check out the Southern Chapter’s online awards page. You’ll find an impressive list of honorees, award criteria descriptions, and a link to the nomination form. Award of Merit Award of Achievement Honorary Life Membership Award for Excellence in Arboriculture Education President’s Award John G. Martin Award Award of Arboricultural Research Award for Excellence in Arboriculture
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PAGE 5
Greening Safety City
From Tennessee Greentimes, Summer 2021
by Robert Walker Fowler, Forestry Masters student; Dr. Sharon Jean-Philippe, Associate Professor; David Vandergriff, Adjunct Assistant Professor in the UT Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Department; Seth Zanoni and Sam Daniels, Master of Landscape Architecture students in the College of Landscape Architecture; and Dr. Jennifer Richards, Assistant Professor in the UT Agriculture Leadership, Education and Communication Department On April 15, 2021, students and faculty from the University of Tennessee’s forestry and landscape architecture departments joined the Knoxville Police Department and local businesses in a tree planting event at Safety City Park. More than 30 volunteers from these groups came together to plant 27 trees throughout the park. This was the culmination of a year’s work undertaken by students at the university, and the first step in what is hoped to be a continuing partnership between KPD and UTK students at Safety City. Established in about 2000, KPD’s Safety City complex was created to teach skills and good safety habits to K through 4th grade elementary school-aged students about vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle, and fire safety. Enclosed within the Knox County park, Safety City is a completely miniaturized community. The facility has roadways, crosswalks, small-scale buildings, traffic signs and signals, and replica housing. Hands-on exercises include classroom instruction and role-playing, a simulated fire event that teaches how to work with firefighters and safely escape from a building, and the instructional visit culminates with attendees piloting child-sized vehicles around the community while safely navigating the roads and following traffic signs and signals. What Safety City lacked was tree canopy coverage. Safety City’s most active season is in the summer months when children attendees are on summer break from school. Safety City, which has a high proportion of impervious surfaces More than 30 volunteers joined KPD officers, Safety City staff, and UT Forestry faculty and students on the April 15, 2021 planting event. with little shade from trees, had become a perfect microcosm of the urban heat island effect. To help address this critical, and missing, aspect of community with the goals of maximizing canopy coverage and improving infrastructure, Knoxville police reached out the forestry faculty landscape aesthetics. at UT a year prior to the planting event with their problem and Once a plan was chosen, students began recruiting the help of a request for assistance. Educators at Safety City hoped that the local businesses to overcome budgetary constraints and acquire urban forestry department at UT would provide guidance and asall the needed material for a successful planting. Trees in the plan, sistance in establishing a functional tree canopy that would provide which included Hawthorne (Crataegus spp.), Ginkgo (G. biloba), cooling shade for visitors. After agreeing to help, forestry students Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus), Sweetgum (Liquidambar and faculty enlisted the help of landscape architecture students at styraciflua), Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), Sycamore (Platanus occiUT to design a functional and aesthetic plan that would meet the dentalis), White Oak (Quercus alba), Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica), challenges and needs of the Safety City facility. Twelve hardy continued on page 8 tree species were selected to be placed throughout the park PAGE 6
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
PAGE 7
Greening Safety City continued from page 6
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum), and Princeton Elm (Ulmus americana), were donated by SiteOne Landscaping Supply of Knoxville. The team was also extremely grateful for the time and effort volunteered by Terry Raby with Airtech Tools, also Knoxville-based, who excavated all of the tree-planting holes for the project. Finally, planning came to fruition: Safety City now has a miniature urban forest which, at maturity, will provide many benefits for the park and its users. Although the planting is concluded, the project is a continuing effort for students at UT. Now that the trees are installed, students and faculty plan to take advantage of the park’s educational mission. Age-appropriate outreach materials and lesson plans are being develTwenty-seven balled and burlapped trees were donated by SiteOne Landscape Supplies, with planting hole oped to educate visitors about how an excavation contributed by Terry Raby of Airtech Tools. urban forest functions and the benefits that urban forests provide. Lesson plans will be prepared for local educators whose classes visit Safety City. not only to provide the benefits of a healthy urban forest, but to Educational signage will also be created for placement alongside make visitors aware of these benefits and engage young visitors’ the trees planted into the park. The ultimate goal of the project is growing interest in our natural world.
Together Again! 80th Annual Conference & Trade Show March 26-29, 2022 ~ Winston-Salem, NC
–
Save the Dates March 26–27 March 27 March 28–29
Tree Climbing Championship Workshops ~ Golf Tournament Opening Party ~ Trade Show Conference & Trade Show
Learn more at isasouthern.org/conference PAGE 8
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
PAGE 9
Tree happenings in NC - an update of efforts, events and partnerships by Leslie Moorman, North Carolina Director
Happy summer, my fellow arborists and tree-care professionals. This year has been a doozy and I know that I am taking advantage of some summer vacations to reset and re-energize. For those of you in NC—or if you are curious to know what NC is up to—here’s a little update on what we have going on this summer and fall. NC Trees & Storms: In August, the NC Forest Service’s Urban & Community Forestry Program, in partnership with Dr. Barbara Fair from NC Cooperative Extension and the NC Urban Forest Council, will be presenting their NC Trees & Storms: Readiness, Response & Recovery program to NC local government and tree-care professionals in a series of workshops. The program is a planning and implementation process that will help communities reduce tree storm damage, conserve the benefits trees provide, and help ensure an efficient and effective response and recovery from tree-damaging storm events. To learn more about the workshops, click here.
Economic Impact Study of Urban & Community Forestry in the South: Understanding the economic impact of urban and community forestry activities is important to workforce development, government policy, and industry forecasting. The effort will gather information about the economic activities of public and private organization involved in urban and community forestry throughout the 13-state region of the southern United States. The U.S. Forest Service and its state forestry agency partners are sponsoring the survey. NC State University is leading a team of researchers at several universities who will use the survey data to perform an economic analysis of urban and community forestry in the southern states. Keep an eye out for the survey in your email in the coming months and be sure to participate.
You may also see and hear some public service announcements aimed at getting the public to take steps to protect their trees even before a storm hits. Additionally, we hope to educate folks to beware of unscrupulous sales people trying to convince them to remove all of their trees after the storm. This happens all too frequently, and means the loss of tree canopy, which we all know we cannot afford! We will also be producing some educational brochures for both public and professional tree-care audiences. Contact NCUFC for more information on these activities. Arboriculture Certificate Program: The NC Urban Forest Council has been working with Alamance Community College, NC State University, and FA Bartlett Tree Experts to develop an arboriculture certificate program that is geared toward those interested in joining or are new to the tree-care profession. The certificate program is a 12-week hybrid course with in-person, hands-on training combined with remote/virtual education. It meets once a week from November 29, 2021 through March 21, 2022 for a very affordable $183. Many topics will be covered such as pest management, introductory and advanced arboriculture, tree climbing, business communications, equipment operation and maintenance, conversational Spanish, and more. This is the perfect opportunity for you or your employees to further your tree-care career. To learn more or register for the course, visit this link.
NC State University: Dr. Kelly Oten at NC State University is currently working on a few projects about management of invasive forest pests. She continues research on long-term sustainable management of the emerald ash borer, an invasive wood-boring beetle now known to occur in 62 NC counties. Attempts to establish biological control agents across the state are currently being evaluated for success and investigations into ash with potential resistance to borer attack begin this fall. Work on the Asian longhorned beetle, an invasive wood-boring beetle detected in South Carolina last year, has also begun. With current management focused on eradication of the Asian longhorned beetle in areas where it’s found, Dr. Oten and Dr. Dave Coyle (Clemson University) are working on alternative ways to eradicate the pest when using heavy equipment isn’t feasible. When it comes to invasive species, management is most successful and less costly if an invasion is detected quickly. This year, Dr. Oten teamed up with NCDA&CS-Plant Industry Division and the NC Forest Service to spread the word on two invasives knocking on our doorstep: the Asian longhorned beetle in South Carolina and the spotted lanternfly in Virginia. The Poolside Pests program aims to empower North Carolinians to learn to identify these pests and to report if they see them.
Great NC Tree Conference: On September 16-17 in Durham, NC, the NC Urban Forest Council will be hosting their 12th annual conference (in-person) themed “Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives.” The conference has one day of indoor instruction followed by an outdoor field day held at Durham Central Park. The conference will focus on the health benefits of urban trees and green spaces, as well as the importance of managing to maintain healthy trees in a manner that provides accessibility to these benefits for all residents. Presentations by experts and practitioners will explore opportunities to integrate potential health benefits into management and planning. Our field day will feature treemanagement practices and landscape design projects that promote a healthy, diverse urban forest. Click here to learn more about the conference. PAGE 10
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
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SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
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Don’t miss out on continuing education opportunities and ISA CEUs!
Upcoming Events & CEU Opportunities in the Southern Chapter Region Check out all the new CEU opportunities listed below. This list is kept current on the Southern Chapter website as well. Save the site to your “favorites” as an easy access portal for events and registration information. If you know of opportunities we haven’t listed, please share! Email skincaid@isasouthern.org and I’ll get it posted. While many of the face-to-face workshops and conferences have been canceled, we have worked hard to partner with organizations to be sure you get a wide range of opportunities to stay sharp. This list contains upcoming events that we are aware of. All the courses and conferences listed provide opportunities to earn ISA CEUs that help you maintain your ISA certifications. ISA is also offering no cost quizzes for articles to give you more opportunities to earn CEUs.
Expanded Complementary CEU Quizzes for ISA Members To assist ISA members who hold credentials in earning continuing education units (CEUs), ISA is now providing online quizzes from both Arborist News and Arboriculture and Urban Forestry dating back to the beginning of 2018 at no cost to members. New Detective Dendro online quizzes will also be made complimentary to ISA members as they are published throughout the year. You will receive notices as new serial publications are added to our online platform. Log in to the ISA website and log in to your MyISA account. Make your way to the page for Arborist News CEU quizzes, www. isa-arbor/store/ceuquizzes/110. Add the quiz to your cart, proceed to the checkout, and look for the content to appear on your personal dashboard under the header “My Quizzes.” Please note: CEUs for any given quiz/product may be earned only once per recertification cycle by each credential holder. Only online quizzes apply; mailed quizzes will not be accepted for CEUs. ISA will not issue refunds for previously purchased quizzes.
Webinar Developers and Hosts TREE Fund https://treefund.org/webinars TREE Fund and ISA Southern Chapter are partnering to provide webinars that feature some of the speakers from the ISA Southern Chapter Conference that was canceled. Check out the link to these and other great webinars offered by TREE Fund and its partners. Urban Forestry Today http://www.urbanforestrytoday.org/ Forestry Webinars http://www.forestrywebinars.net/ Urban Forest Connections USDA Forest Service https://www.fs.fed.us/research/urban-webinars/ Utility Arborist Association https://www.gotouaa.org/project/webinars/ UAA posts several webinars on their website. North Carolina Urban Forest Council https://www.ncufc.org/events.php NCUFC posts several webinars on their website. Georgia Arborist Association https://georgiaarborist.org/All-Events A wide range of excellent topics and presenters are planned. Arborjet Webinars https://arborjet.com/training/webinars/ Aborjet provides a series of educational events covering a wide range of plant health care topics provided by experts. You can register for live broadcasts or watch recorded content as well. PAGE 12
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
Professional Arborists Association of Mississippi (PAAM) http://paam-ms.com/ Join PAAM for a series of webinars through this fall that will cover a variety of arboriculture topics. Each session provides 1 ISA CEU. Alabama Extension https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/ landscaping/raising-trees-webinar-series/ A series of webinars covers a wide range of topics for arborists. Check out the series HERE and see each session described in the list below. Alabama Extension and University of Georgia Extension and The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at University of Georgia These fine organizations have partnered to provide a series of webinars that will take place once a month and cover arboriculture topics en Español. Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements Webinars https://www. treecarescience.com/articles/events/2021-webinars Check out this extensive list of webinars on a variety of tree care topics. If you know of opportunities we haven’t listed, please share. Email skincaid@isasouthern.org to get it posted.
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Educational Events July 20-22, 2021 AUFA Urban Forestry Certification Program Aldridge Gardens, Hoover, AL The Alabama Urban Forestry Association and the Green Industry Web will hold their two day training session to earn this certificate. Info and registration HERE. July 21-22, 2021 South Carolina Vegetation Mgmt Association Annual Conference Greenville, SC Join the South Carolina Vegetation Management Association for this their live annual conference. Info and registration HERE. July 22, 2021 3-5pm Eastern Pest Manager Updates WEBINAR Presenter: Willie Chance, Ray Hess Willie Chance offers another pest manager update with relevant information for those that handle pesticides and plant health care issues. Info and registration HERE. July 28-30, 2021 TRAQ Full Course (live) Registration is now closed University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez, Puerto Rico Please read the “ISA TRAQ Application Guide” to be very clear about application and renewal requirements and details about the credential and the courses. Applicants for the either course must register by June 21. Additional information can be found on the ISA Southern Chapter website. July 29, 2021 1-2pm Eastern Managing Pine Bark Beetle in the Urban Landscape Auburn Extension WEBINAR Presenter: Beau Brodbeck, Ph.D. In light of last year’s hurricane, pine bark beetles are expected to be a concern this summer. This seminar will discuss conditions that cause pine beetle outbreaks, bark beetle identification, and management strategies for urban landscapes. Info and registration HERE. August 3-4, 2021 9:30am-1pm Eastern Increasing Urban Wood Utilization from Tiny Towns to Mega Municipalities Southern Urban Wood Network WEBINAR Join the Southern Urban Wood Network to hear how urban wood is being utilized across the South. Topics include how COVID affected wood waste volumes, success stories of public/private partnerships, urban wood certification, and more! Info and registration HERE. August 27, 2021 Noon-1pm Eastern Herbaceous Invasives in Urban Areas UGA Extension WEBINAR Presenter: Dr. David Clabo Join University of Georgia Extension for this session about herbaceous invasives. Info and registration is available from Hallie Harriman at hallie.harriman@uga.edu. PAGE 14
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
August 30, 2021 TRAQ Renewal Class (live) August 31-September 2, 2021 TRAQ Full Course (live) full course reg is closed City of Charlotte - Engineering and Property Management Please read the “ISA TRAQ Application Guide” to be very clear about application and renewal requirements and details about the credential and the courses. Applicants for the either course must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend. Additional information can be found on the Chapter website. RENEWAL COURSE REGISTRATION HERE FULL COURSE REGISTRATION HERE September 8, 2021
8:30am-Noon Eastern
Urban Tree Summit Virtual Event (Live tours on Sept 9, 16, and 23) Montgomery Parks and Casey Trees, Washington D.C., present the tenth annual conference — Urban Tree Summit. Presentations will focus on the health and welfare of trees in our increasingly developed landscapes. Learn from some of the country’s leading experts about innovative efforts to plant, protect, and preserve trees in urban and suburban settings. Info and registration HERE. September 16-17, 2021 Great NC Tree Conference: Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives Durham, NC NC Urban Forest Council’s 12th annual conference (in-person). One day of indoor instruction followed by an outdoor field day held at Durham Central Park. Info and registration HERE. September 20-22, 2021 TRAQ Full Course (live) Registration will close Aug 20 Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge, Louisiana Please read the ISA TRAQ Application Guide to be very clear about application and renewal requirements and details about the credential and the courses. Applicants for the either course must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend. Additional information can be found on the Chapter website. FULL COURSE REGISTRATION HERE October 5-6, 2021 ISA Certified Arborist Prep Course Harbison State Forest Environmental Education Center Columbia, SC A two-day prep course for those searching for a great review, or to prepare for the Certified Arborist exam. Registration for the October 7 exam is not included, and separate registration is required. To register for this course sponsored in part by the South Carolina Forestry Commission, you can register HERE.
Educational Events
What’s that weird noise in the Mountains?
October 7, 2021 ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist EXAM Harbison State Forest Environmental Education Center Columbia, SC ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist Exams are scheduled for Thursday, October 7, 2021. Applicants for the exam must register by September 20, 2021, at the ISA website. Registering for an exam includes creating or logging in to your ISA account at https://www.isa-arbor.com/ and then clicking to find the test date and location.
by Perry Odom, At-Large Director
I recently moved to SE Tennessee from Tallahassee, FL ... specifically Turtletown, TN. And while that was a culture shock in itself, I was not prepared for the weird noise coming from the mountains surrounding my new home. Growing up in the woods of north Florida, I was very familiar with the soothing sound of cicadas in the trees every summer evening. Well, when I first heard that “weird noise” at my new home in the mountains, I thought someone’s car or house alarm was going off. So, like a good citizen I called the local sheriff ’s office to report it. Boy, was I embarrassed when the nice lady dispatcher told me (with a chuckle) that the noise I was hearing was cicadas. “But that isn’t what cicadas in Florida sound like,” I told her. “No sir,” she said, “these are Mountain Cicadas, and they should be through in a week or so.” I will now be able to sit on my front porch and enjoy the “weird noise” of the “Mountain Cicadas,” relieved in my newfound knowledge that my neighbor’s cars or houses were not being broken into.
November 15-17, 2021 TRAQ Full Course November 19, 2021 TRAQ renewal Course Transylvania County Parks & Recreation Activity Ctr, Brevard, NC Please read the “ISA TRAQ Application Guide” to be very clear about application and renewal requirements and details about the credential and the courses. Applicants for the either course must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend. Additional information can be found on the ISA Southern Chapter website. FULL COURSE REGISTRATION HERE RENEWAL COURSE REGISTRATION HERE
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Both the forest and the trees
by Kasey Krouse, President-Elect
“Can’t see the forest for the trees” is an expression that we have all heard. This term commonly used in politics and business can literally apply to our industry. Early in our careers we digest as much information as possible about trees, such as how trees grow, how to maintain trees, and how to prevent a tree from being impacted by pests and diseases. The information we gather about trees form the basis of how we will make decisions in our careers and jobs. As our industry continues to expand, so does our knowledge of trees. We may sometimes find ourselves at odds with other professionals in the industry on how to apply the overwhelming amount of information we have received throughout our careers. An old colleague of mine once told me that it would be more productive to plant a tree with a group of middle school children than a group of arborists; the group of children may just watch as you dig the hole, but a group of arborists would sit around and debate about the size of the hole before ever getting started.
2020-2021 Southern Chapter Officers President: Jason Gordon UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources (706) 542-1011 Jason.Gordon@uga.edu Executive Director: Skip Kincaid (888) 339-8733 skincaid@isasouthern.org President Elect: Kasey Krouse City of Knoxville (865) 215-6113 kkrouse@knoxvilletn.gov Vice President/Treasurer: Nancy Beckemeyer Georgia Power Company (404) 590-9376 nsbeckem@southernco.com Chapter CoR Representative: David Vandergriff Griff Arbor|Hort (865) 705-4983 griffarbor@gmail.com Tree Climbing Championship: Scott Winningham (931) 261-1967 sawinningham@charter.net TREE Fund Liaison: (open) Past President: Jimmy Walters Urban Forest Advisors LLC (864) 992-0252 jimmy.3t@gmail.com Media Director and Editor: Sarah Mitchell (336) 409-7805 sarahmitchell@live.com Conference Planner: Connie Hilson (217) 766-1044 conference@isasouthern.org PAGE 16
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
I think many of us have experienced these types of moments in our career. As a municipal forester, the decisions I make are on display for all to see. I have received calls from fellow arborists offering up advice on how to solve a tree-related matter, giving alternative solutions to decisions that have already been executed, trying to sell me the latest and greatest tree products, or just to ask when I am going to get around to a matter that is personal to them. As a public official, these calls are typical and at times merited. It’s always great knowing that there is interest and others who I can call on for advice. However, many times these problems, products, or situations are a failure to “see the forest.” It’s not only our fellow arborist who may fail to “see the forest,” but our clients, supervisors, and industry leaders. The list could go on and on. Decisions and choices may be made that impact the more vocal, those with more financial resources, the tree that is most noticeable, the coworker who always complains, or because it’s just the way it’s always been done. We may have a client who chooses to go with the company that is the cheapest, but fails to see the final product. We have a supervisor who asks us to complete a job for an important client, but fails to give us proper equipment. We have a coworker or colleague who wants to talk about how much they know about trees, but they fail to ever start up the saw. Early on in my career, I was a “tree” person. I often failed to make choices and decisions that were long term or big picture. I would spend a lot of time thinking about how my choices would benefit me. If planting a block of 100 trees and 1 of them died, I would have perceived the project as a failure. Through the years, I have refocused my attention on the “forest” and not making it so much about me or what I know, or what went wrong, but what can I do to better the situation, the job, or organization. Focusing on the “forest” tends to bring partners to the table, eases decision making, and allows for more sound choices for projects, in my job, and career. Sometimes we have to take a close look at the “tree” but always keep in mind that the “tree” is part of the “forest.”
News from Louisiana
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. (1937). Lumberjacks at dinner. Camp near Effie, Minnesota Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/ items/f4594700-fd67-0136-95d5-59786699bdeb.
by Hallie Dozier, Louisiana State Director
Summer is here with long work-days, and folks eyeing their trees with suspicion and worry. We are, once again, in what we call The Fifth Season – AKA Hurricane Season. In my role as Extension Specialist, I have been fielding many calls regarding “sick” trees lately. And the commercial guys are hopping. My clients call me before they reach out to the commercial companies. They ask, “Can I save this tree?” or “How much will it take to do this?” and “Can you make a recommendation?” And that is when I am so happy that I have a growing list of local, state licensed AND ISA credentialed tree-care specialists at my fingertips. Those special cases, where the owner wants to retain the tree in the landscape, are when I must distinguish between the (as Don Blaire named them in Arborist Equipment 2nd Ed., 1999) the Euc Man and the Oak Man to make recommendations. When it comes to keeping these large, old, significant trees in the landscape, I will always refer the client to one of the Oak Men (read ISA Certified Arborist). Our efforts to promote ISA credentials are paying off and, overall, we are seeing greater levels of professionalism among our ranks. Following declines in COVID numbers and increases in vaccination numbers, we are looking forward to building a new normal. To meet the need to provide CEUs for licensed arborists, we offered live-streamed online programs throughout Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 in addition to in-person sessions (with proper distancing and other safety precautions). It took some work to get it running smoothly, but we successfully served. We will continue our 2021 calendar with a blend of small, in-person meetings and online. And this is the plan for 2022 as well. At this point, it seems that our new “normal” includes some live, online content along with in-person sessions. Additionally, we have worked with Southern Chapter to bring another TRAQ course to Louisiana, September 20-22 in Baton Rouge on the Louisiana State University campus. Look for updates in the Bi-Weekly Branch. This is going to be fun!! Please visit www.lsuagcenter.com/arborist for schedule updates.
SAFER TOGETHER SAFETY IS MORE THAN JUST A NUMBER. When we say safety is a value, it means more than spreadsheets and charts. It means coming together to ensure everyone goes home safe. From companywide training programs like Davey Performance Excellence to empowering crew level safety leadership, it means everyone has a role to play, and every day is a #safetyday. daveyutilitysolutions.com/safety
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
STORM RESPONSE
LINE CLEARANCE
ASSET MANAGEMENT
ECO CONSULTING
COMMUNICATIONS CONSTRUCTION
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2021
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Southern Chapter 2021 Election The election results are in! We had more than 300 members cast ballots. Thank you! Here is the list of Southern Chapter officers for the coming year. Be sure to congratulate them when you get the chance. Offices and states with an asterisk were recently elected and will be installed at the upcoming Chapter Business Meeting on August 11, 2021. Invitations to that virtual Annual Business Meeting will be mailed to current Chapter members. If you would like to reach out to the Southern Chapter Board of Directors, you can do so by visiting the Chapter website. President ............................. Kasey Krouse President-elect* .................. Jeffrey Morgan (newly elected) Vice President*.................... Matt Searles (newly elected) Past-President...................... Jason Gordon Chapter CoR Rep................ David Vandergriff Director at Large................. Perry Odom Alabama................................ Gary Ickes Arkansas*............................. Patti Erwin (newly elected) Georgia*............................... Gregory Dortch (newly elected) Louisiana............................... Hallie Dozier Mississippi*.......................... Steve Dickey (newly elected) North Carolina.................... Leslie Moorman Tennessee............................. Sam Adams South Carolina*................... Sara Hollar (re-elected)
2020-2021 State Directors Alabama: Gary Ickes Ickes Tree Service, Inc. (251) 945-5144 gary@ickestreeservice.com Arkansas: David Raines Raines Tree Care (479) 244-5228 david@rainestreecare.com
Mississippi: David Fulgham Fulgham’s Inc. (662) 255-5127 david@fulghamsinc.com North Carolina: Leslie Moorman NC Urban Forest Council (252) 653-6277 ncufc1@gmail.com
Georgia: Jeffrey Morgan Georgia Power Company (404) 821-8733 jgmorgan@southernco.com
Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands: (open)
Louisiana: Hallie Dozier LSU AgCenter (225) 281-3264 hdozier@agcenter.lsu.edu
South Carolina: Sara Hollar City of Columbia (803) 545-3862 Sara.Hollar@columbiasc.gov
Tennessee: Sam Adams University of Tennessee - Knoxville (865) 679-8710 smada.home@gmail.com At-Large: Perry Odom Consulting Arborist (423) 241-0030 TNBound52@Outlook.com
Southern Chapter ISA Website: www.isasouthern.org Phone: (888) 339-8733 E-mail: skincaid@isasouthern.org Skip Kincaid, Exec. Director 1609 Missouri Avenue St Louis, MO 63104