SUMMER 2022 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
Asian longhorned beetle alert PAGE 3
AM_ISA_ 2022.qxp_Valued 4/13/22 1:17 PM Page 1
DEDICATION
ARBORMETRICS — COMPREHENSIVE 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 2022
ALB makes its debut in South Carolina’s Lowcountry by Dena Whitesides, South Carolina Forestry Commission
While many have been seriously distracted with the impacts of the worldwide COVID pandemic during the past two years, a new invasive-exotic pest has made its debut on the urban landscape front in South Carolina’s low country. In May 2020, a landowner in Hollywood—a small, remote community in the Charleston region—noticed a rather large, blackand-white-spotted insect that intrigued her. She snapped a picture and shared it with her son (who happens to be an entomologist) in the hopes of finding out what it was. As the story goes, her knowledgeable son identified this exotic specimen, without hesitation, as the one-and-only notorious Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), otherwise known as the ALB. He advised her to immediately contact invasive pest regulatory officials in South Carolina. Little did this landowner know how important her actions would become and how important that picture was. The ALB has been in North America since 1996 and has already devastated hundreds of thousands of trees in five other U.S. states, including New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Illinois. So far, control and management of this pest has been effective when caught early. If left unchecked, ALB can wreak havoc and cause devastating losses. You are probably wondering how the ALB made its way into the South Carolina. No one knows for sure, according to Dr. David Coyle, Invasive Species Professor with Clemson University. He did confirm that the oldest emergence hole dates to 2013 and that the genetic analysis of Hollywood’s ALB population matched that of Ohio, which suggests that it may have been transported into SC by firewood. Forest pests have been known to hitch-hike into new areas in wood packing material such as crates and pallets used in imports coming into the U.S. from China. Over the past two decades, trade with China has increased exponentially, and risk of invasive forest pests can be attributed to this rise in trade. Firewood has also been a common place for ALB and other invasive insects to harbor and be easily transported to new places. Awareness and education are keys to stopping this tree killer. Working together as professionals, we can be watchful for signs of invasive pests like the ALB, report signs and symptoms, and spread the word.
ATB Identification Adult beetles are very conspicuous; They are large, shiny, and jet-black with white spots. Insect bodies are bulletshaped and approximately 1-1.5 inches in length. This insect has very long antennae with alternating bands of black and white, and six bluish-tinted legs. ALB larvae are long, white, Don’t mistake ALB for the worm-like and 1.25 inches in native Pine Sawyer beetle length and have segmented (Monochamus carolinensis), bodies. In addition to looking which has a brown colored for the beetle itself, be sure body, white spots, and long to keep an eye our for tree brown antennae. damage. Look for adult ALB beetles during summer and fall when they are most active. Check for them during June through October on tree trunks, branches, walls, outdoor furniture, vehicles, sidewalks, and even in pool filters. Vulnerable Tree Species The ALB is known to attack a variety of hardwood trees and prefers at least 13 different host genera. They seem to have an affinity for the Acer genus, with particular interest in red maple (Acer rubrum), Sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and silver maple (Acer saccharinum). All these species, especially Acer rubrum and Acer saccharum, are very popular urban landscape trees and planted quite extensively across SC. According to Dr. David Coyle, ALB’s infestation patterns suggests these secondary hosts in order of susceptibility: Eastern poplar/E. cottonwood (Populus); Weeping willow/Black willow (Salix); Elm (Ulmus); Birch (Betula sp.); and Sycamore (Platanus). Other host species of honorable mention susceptible but not used by ALB include Mountain ash, Sugarberry/Hackberry, Buckeye/Horsechestnut, Katsura, Golden raintree (Koelreuteria), and Mimosa.
continued on page 4
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2022
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ALB
continued from page 3
ALB Life Cycle and Destruction
Working Within Quarantined Areas
The ALB is merciless against host trees in their path, as trees are immediately cut off from water supply and starved of nutrients and starches. Adult females first chew shallow depressions directly into the bark of the host tree (also known as egg niches) and lay a single egg the size of a grain of rice just under the bark. Two weeks later it hatches into a white, worm-like larva and begins to bore into the host tree, feeding on the tree’s living phloem and xylem tissues as it enters and works its way into the tree. Over the course of a year, the larva creates tunnels as it consumes the tree from the inside out. The larva eventually retreats to the heartwood for its pupal stage (13-24 days). Once fully developed into an adult beetle, it emerges from the host tree by chewing its way out, leaving behind large exit holes in the trunk and piles of frass that collects at the base and on branches of its tree victims. Newly emerged adults spend 10-14 days feeding on the tree’s leaves and bark before mating and laying eggs. Adult beetles are known to be active from June to October. Though they can fly up to 400 yards to locate another tree or mate, they often remain at the same host tree for multiple generations.
• Be vigilant. Look for any of the six signs of the ALB and report.
Managing Infestations There is no treatment or cure for ALB. Successful eradication involves removal of infested and exposed trees which can become a complicated, expensive, and emotional issue for landowners. Since ALB spends much of its life cycle within the heartwood, contact insecticides are not a practical option for eradication of this pest. Management focuses on cutting, chipping, burning and replacement with non-host species.
• Follow federal and state quarantines regarding proper disposal of wood refuse and wood material movement. Remember that forest pests are harbored within wood materials and often unknowingly transported to other places by movement of wood materials like firewood, logs, branches, and trimmings/debris. • When working with landowners on replacement trees, select non-host species. • Highway 17 corridor is an area of high concern. If you are working in this area, be on high alert. For more information on the quaratine regulations in South Carolina, visit this website. • Federal quarantine information can be found here. A couple of “silver-lining” thoughts on ALB. First, this forest pest likes to feast on two of the south’s invasive-exotic trees, Golden raintree (Koelreuteria panniculata) and Mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissen). While ALB is not a practical solution for controlling these two invasives, I do like the thought of some of our invasive trees sitting prey for ravaging insects. Second, this insect has a very distinctive appearance. It’s very large and noticeable, as well as slow and dopey. The sooner we find where this pest makes its home next, the better handle we’ll have on controlling its spread and protecting the urban and rural forest trees of South Carolina with full eradication of this pest. One Final Note
• Large, round exit holes (.25 inch) on trunk and branches
To the landowner who first found the ALB in Hollywood, SC ... Thank you! Thank you for your keen eye and your curiosity for nature. Your actions have led to improved awareness and education about the destructiveness of the invasive Asian longhorned beetle pest in South Carolina and have undoubtedly led to better protection of our treasured trees in the urban landscapes and rural forests.
• Frass (sawdust-like materials) on trunks or piled on the ground and branches
Six Signs of Infestation • Large adult black beetle with white spots, long antennae with black and white bands, six legs, and bluish legs/feet. • Shallow egg niches on bark surface (egg laying sites)
• Larva in chopped wood • Pupae in chopped wood This invasive pest can cause massive destruction and loss, but management and control are absolutely possible and can be a reality with early detection and regulation measures in place. Federal and state authorities working together in South Carolina have established a 73-square-mile quarantine area which includes Hollywood, Charleston, Ravenel, John’s Island, and portions of Dorchester County. Signs of infestation could take 3-4 years to reveal an attack of a tree. As you are working up-close-and-personal with trees, especially with maples, be on the lookout for the distinctivelooking ALB and its signature damage. If you see something, say something. Report your findings here: ALB Reporting Tool. You may also contact Dr. David Jenkins with the SC Forestry Commission or Dr. David Coyle with Clemson University. PAGE 4
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2022
Resources More information on the Asian long-horned beetle: ALB State Quarantine Regulation ALB Quarantine Map ALB Federal Quarantine Regulation Clemson University 2020Asian Longhorned Beetle USDA-APHIS: ALB USDA Invasive Species HGIC: Asian Longhorned Beetle Blog HGIC: Asian Longhorned Beetle Factsheet Dr. David Jenkins, Forest Health Director SC Forestry Commission, (803) 896-8838 Dr. David Coyle, Forest Health & Invasive Species Clemson University, (864) 656-9766
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Apprenticeship & Arboriculture by Chris Diffley, North Carolina Director
Our industry is unique. Rarely has there been a time that I’ve been asked my profession, and not had someone follow up with a string of questions. Mostly about when I can come by the house to look at their trees, but also: “What does that mean exactly?” “I didn’t know you could climb trees for a living.” “How did you get started in that industry?” Despite interest and a degree of fascination surrounding our work in the trees, arboriculture is rarely mentioned as a career option. Most of the people I work with love what they do, and yet never intended this to be their field. How to make this someone’s first choice, and not a career they fell into, is a question many people have spent a lot of time and effort trying to answer. For Heartwood Tree Service, the apprenticeship model has become one answer. After sitting in on a discussion about apprenticeship last year, our Training and Development Coordinator Bill Hickman was inspired. He set to work trying to develop an apprenticeship program for our company and got as far as the bureaucracy surrounding anything involving a government agency before being stymied. The idea was put on the backburner until I had the good fortune to volunteer at the registration booth for the final day at the Southern Chapter Conference and Expo this year in Winston-Salem (I’m not sure I’ll ever volunteer for anything that early ever again, it was a bit touch-and-go, to be honest). Anyhow, one of the other volunteers happened to be Dr. Elizabeth Riley, Department Head of Horticulture and Agricultural Biotechnology at Alamance Community College. I’ll blame the early hour, but I didn’t do the mental math required to realize she was also speaking on apprenticeship later that day. Our conversation naturally turned to work and when she began laying out what she has been doing, I immediately began texting Bill. Finding out that community colleges are equally as interested in apprenticeship, but were having an equal amount of difficulty finding companies to participate as we were in figuring out how we take a dream and turn it into reality, was exciting. For those unfamiliar with an apprenticeship model compared to an internship or traditional on-the-job training provided by an employer, there are a few key differences. PAGE 6
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2022
First, the program is formalized, with a journeyman certificate awarded upon completion of the program. Because classroom time is required for certain subject matter, this certificate can also quickly meet the requirements for a twoyear degree with a few additional general classes. Second, it has a definite begin- and end-date. We found a three-year timeline made the most sense for us (particularly coinciding with ISA certification eligibility), but that is up to the creator’s discretion. Third, there is a progressive wage scale that must be used as the apprentice meets the hours and requirements needed to reach the next bracket. The company sets the wage, but it must show progression as each benchmark is met. For an employee, knowing where they are and where they will be without having to negotiate is helpful, and for a company trying to manage and predict labor costs, knowing the expense for three years is equally useful. Finally, the company has to track hours and proficiency of on-the-job learning, while also ensuring the classroom obligations are being met. The hybrid model we landed on was a minimum of 5,400 hours of OJL with an additional 440 hours of related instruction which will occur through Central Piedmont along with a checklist declaring their competency within each job task. The benefits of this model are the replicability within almost any company without a tremendous outlay of resources, the practical training the apprentice receives, the job security both apprentice and the company enjoy, and the formalized documentation/certification at the end. The idea that everyone will stay at the company they begin with for 20 years or more is noble, but not necessarily grounded in reality any longer. But if we can keep a few while also sending trained professionals out into the world, there are far more trees to care for than we will be able to tackle on our own anytime soon. To put a final happy button on the story, after returning from the conference, we got to work with Liz and our local college, Central Piedmont Community College. From there we were connected to Sylvia Jones with ApprenticeshipNC, and things began to take shape. As of June, we had our Arborist Program accepted by the Department of Labor and will begin enrollment now. If anyone is interested in beginning an apprenticeship program at your company, please reach out to me and also visit apprenticeship.gov. It can feel daunting, but there are great people out there who are equally interested in seeing you succeed.
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Water is life
by Anne Randle, Alabama Director As arborists, we spend much of our time discussing pruning and removal, but for those of us who handle planting and maintenance as well, summer finds us madly rushing to keep trees properly watered through triple-digit temperatures and drought. It seems inevitable that construction projects end in July and August, and innocent little trees are stuck in the ground with an irrigation system designed for turfgrass. Landscape crews are then assigned the daunting task of keeping these trees alive during the South’s harshest season for both plants and people. This is the time of year I find myself refreshing my understanding of plants’ water needs. Although I’m not as seasoned as some of you readers, I’m always surprised by the amount of research that has gone on since my undergrad days at Auburn University. We follow standards based on the most current recommendations: Water trees thoroughly at planting. The planting hole should be filled after the tree is placed, and if a water bag is being used, go ahead and fill that as well. This is more for the people than the plants; It gets us in a good habit and makes sure everyone sees how to properly fill the watering bag. Water weekly, applying 3 gallons of water per trunk diameter inch. Most of our trees are planted at 2-inch diameter, so they should receive 6 gallons of water each week. Current recommendations call for twice weekly watering, but I find that that stretches us beyond staff capacity. Maintain watering regimes until dormancy in the fall. If we have a particularly dry fall, we may continue watering every other week until we reach freezing temperatures. At that point, we remove watering bags. In Alabama, we usually receive adequate rainfall to sustain trees toward the end of the fall through the winter. I’m currently learning a lot about water and all the other things that go on underneath our feet as I read James Urban’s Up by Roots. It’s a must-read for those of us on the maintenance side of arboriculture. I’m also marking my calendar for opportunities to hear directly from the folks doing research that builds our understanding of trees. There are several great meetings coming up in Alabama: the Urban Forestry Certification Program July 19-21 in Hoover and Aug 4-5 in Fairhope; Landscape 101 on Aug 16 in Pelham; and the Alabama Urban Forestry Association Conference October 10-14 in Athens, AL. I look forward to hearing from the experts in our field and getting to visit with my fellow Alabama arborists. See you soon!
Honor someone who stands out in our industry Check out the Southern Chapter’s online awards page for an impressive list of honorees, award criteria descriptions, and 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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SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2022
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2022
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Message to the Membership
Jeff Morgan, Southern Chapter President I hope you all have stayed safe and are hydrating! If you’re like me, you are not questioning if summer is here, as the high heat index and pop-up thunderstorms have already become the norm. The longer days and a full work (and personal) schedule are commonplace. While you are no doubt busy, I hope that you can find the time to visit the Southern Chapter website to learn more about the Annual Conference that will be held in Chattanooga, TN, in March of 2023. It is a great opportunity for industry peers to get together to become TRAQ qualified, earn CEUs, participate in (or watch) our 41st Tree Climbing Championship, walk the tradeshow floor, interact with vendors, and talk to presenters and speakers. Chattanooga is a great, central location that should provide reasonable travel for members of every state. But this is not your only opportunity to get together or earn CEUs; There are more events listed on the Chapter website, social media platforms, and email blasts. Our Board of Directors (find the list on the last page of this pubication) have been busy planning the next annual conference, TRAQ events, and other opportunities within the Southern footprint. We are excited to announce that we will be adding two Regional Workshops to our annual workflow starting spring of 2023. These workshops will bring value to our membership in the form of education, training, programs, and lectures. We intend to rotate these workshop locations around the Chapter states each year. Please be on the lookout as these workshops and locations are finalized in the coming months. The actions and direction of the Southern Chapter are not only made by the Board of Directors, but are guided by its many committees comprised of board members and volunteers from our membership. These positions are vital to Southern Chapter. They help develop, plan, coordinate, and guide discussion for our various committees: Membership, Education & Program, Scholarship, Strategic Planning, and others. If you are interested in volunteering your time to sit on any of the committees, please visit the Committees page and select the “Contact Us” button at the top of the page. In closing, I would like to thank Skip Kincaid (Executive Director), Sarah Mitchell (Newsletter Editor and Social Media Director), and Connie Hilson (Conference Manager). These are members of the executive team who work very hard throughout the year to make sure the Southern Chapter and its many events run smoothly. PAGE 10
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2022
Urban food forestry
by Jaq Payne, Master’s Student, University of TN Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Urban food forestry is the ancient practice of modeling urban agriculture after the structure of the forest, with all of the biodiversity and complexity that it comprises. When we think of urban agriculture, the vision usually includes raised garden beds of monocrops: single crops grown in a single bed, apart from other plants and separated from the potentially contaminated urban soils. Revisioning to include food-producing trees (or “edible trees”) as central to the design of the garden shifts the focus of the urban gardener. Rather than the garden being comprised mostly of annual crops requiring planting, harvesting, and removal each year, the garden becomes a more permanent ecosystem. Focusing the design of an urban garden around edible trees reveals a new way of thinking about how we grow food in the city, a way that is much closer to how our landscapes naturally grow. In a forest, all of the light and resources are used as efficiently as possible; If there is a patch of sunlight, something will spring up to absorb it. If there is abundant water at the base of a hill, plant life will respond by growing vigorously in that area to utilize the available resources. Using these types of principles to guide our agriculture leads to a more efficient use of space, a more biodiverse ecosystem, and an overall healthier garden. Furthermore, the urban food forest can be a gathering place for the community, allowing for the nourishment of both body and spirit. For some underserved urban communities, a food forest can be an accessible source of joy and nutrition for many generations to come. A great deal of the fresh foods we eat are annual crops and require a large yearly investment: the seeds or seedlings must be planted, the plants must be watered, the food must be harvested, and the plants must be removed to make way for the next crop entering that space. An edible tree, however, may require a larger initial investment but requires less yearly maintenance: it needs some pruning to guide it to the proper shape and some watering when the tree is young, some protection from mowers and damage while it’s small and tender, but once the tree is well-established, it pretty much takes care of itself. American Persimmon trees don’t need to be ripped up and replanted every year. When planted in the proper location and tended with care, they can live around 60 years. For those many decades that the fruit tree will live, it returns nutrients to the earth through dropping leaves, twigs, branches, flowers, and fruit ... all nutrient-bearing organic matter that can improve urban soil. Rather than planning the garden solely on a year-long cycle, planting and replanting continued on page 18
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Ground Penetrating Radar by Steve Dicke, Mississippi Director
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is new technology that can create images of root location and depth under a variety of surfaces. Take this example of how GPR was used to look at roots of a declining tree. Soil compaction in the lawn area was so high that more roots grew under the asphalt. For a 3-D view of roots, watch this short video.
81st Annual Conference & Trade Show
March 25-28, 2023 | Chattanooga, Tennessee
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 3.25–26 Tree Climbing Championship 3.26 Workshops, Golf Outing, Opening Party, Trade Show 3.27–28 Conference & Trade Show
Learn more at isasouthern.org/conference PAGE 12
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2022
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2022
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Southern Chapter Report by Skip Kincaid, Southern Chapter Executive Director
I’ll start off this message with a sincere hope that you are staying cool and working safe. It’s hot out there! Some areas are getting soaked while others are barely seeing a drop. Not sure if that’s climate change or just nature’s usual way of messing with those of us who work outdoors. I like to think that the services we provide our members are a bit more predictable and reliable! A great example of that is the current list of educational events, prep classes, exams, qualification classes, and conferences. Be sure to review the current events section of this newsletter to see all the offerings that are waiting for you to sign up and take part. As a reminder, you can always find a list of current events on the chapter website. Southern Chapter News Another hot topic you’ll find on the website is save-the-date information for the 81st ISA Southern Chapter Conference and Trade Show in Chattanooga, TN, March 26-28, 2023. If recent visits there are any indication, there will be plenty to see and do while you’re in town for the conference. The Chapter’s “conference crew” will begin putting together a stellar program and, of course, the Tree Climbing Championships will take place March 24-26. Mark your calendars now. And speaking of tree climbing, many of our TCC winners from this year’s event are making final plans to attend the NATCC in Minneapolis and the ITCC in Copenhagen. We’ll keep you posted with news about their travels and competition. ISA Southern Chapter was proud to sponsor the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop (WTCW) held June 3-5 in Efland, NC. The folks at WTCW continue to provide excellent tools for climbers to up their game and learn the safety, skills, and sisterhood needed to succeed. Several women from the Chapter attended and were kind enough to pass along thank-you postcards. Nice touch! If you happen to be aware of an arborist interested in becoming an ISA Certified Arborist, the new 4th Edition of the Arborist’s Certification Study Guide is now available on the ISA website. The old version was out-of-print and printing/delivery delays created a void in availability for the last few months. Also, take a look at the upcoming events section and take note that there are currently three exams scheduled in the next few months with prep courses scheduled prior to each one. Locations include Fayetteville, AR; Columbia, SC; and Knoxville, TN. Many thanks to all the organizers and volunteers who make those events and exams happen. TRAQ Updates Opportunities for the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) credential are abundant as well. The 2½ day course for those wanting to earn the credential are scheduled for Charlotte, NC (sorry, it’s already full!) and Hattiesburg, MS. Again, many thanks to those local hosts who help make those events possible. If you already have the TRAQ credential and are within 18 months of your 5-year expiration date, we have now made it much easier for you to renew. We plan to host the new virtual option for renewal four times a year. Two are planned for the remainder of this year and four will be held next year. You can renew from the comfort of your home or office computer. The review course is a six-hour live webinar hosted by the Southern Chapter. Once you attend the online review, you then have 90 days to complete the exams process. The practical exam is a self-submitted basic tree-risk-assessment form, and the written exam is a computer-based exam that you complete at your home or office. PAGE 14
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2022
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 we’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.
Webinar Developers and Hosts TREE Fund
https://treefund.org/webinars
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/ North Carolina Urban Forest Council https://www.ncufc.org/events.php Georgia Arborist Association https://georgiaarborist.org/All-Events Arborjet Webinars https://arborjet.com/training/webinars/ Professional Arborists Association of MS (PAAM) http://paam-ms.com/ Alabama Extension https://www.aces.edu/blog/ topics/landscaping/raising-trees-webinar-series/ Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements Webinars https://www.treecarescience.com/articles/ events/2021-webinars
Educational Events
Most events are approved for ISA CEUs. Check each registration site for details. July 21, 2022 11:00am-Noon Central North Carolina Green Industry Council Water Symposium McKimmon Center at NCSU, Raleigh, NC Join the North Carolina Green Industry Council to learn how experts are working to use and adjust soil, trees, plants, turfgrass, and water in the landscape to lessen the effects of the environment and help the landscape thrive. Information and registration information HERE. July 21, 2022 11:00am-Noon Central WEBINAR How Urban Trees Can Detect, Remediate, and Prevent Contamination of Soil and Groundwater Presenter: Dr. James Landmeyer Tennessee Urban Forestry Council and UT Extension offer this webinar that describes the role trees play in healthy soils. Information and registration information HERE.
August 3, 2022 TRAQ Renewal VIRTUAL Course 8:00am - 3:00pm Co-hosted by ISA Southern Chapter and ISA Texas Chapter REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED August 17, 2022 9:00am-3:00pm Eastern 2022 JoCoPlants Show Scott Kerr Building, Raleigh, NC This one-day event will provide a robust trade show and educational sessions for the green industry. Information and registration information HERE. August 18, 2022 11:00am-noon Central WEBINAR Eradicating Invasive Plants at Overton Park Instructor: Bill Bullock This one-hour webinar event is offered by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council and UT Extension. A dedicated local volunteer will describe efforts to improve stand quality by eradicating invasive plants in a Memphis area park. Information and registration information HERE.
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Educational Events August 22, 2022 TRAQ RENEWAL Course CHARLOTTE, NC - Available August 23-25, 2022 TRAQ FULL Course CHARLOTTE, NC - Registration Closed City of Charlotte - General Services Please read the “ISA TRAQ Application Guide” to be very clear about the full course prerequisites and renewal requirements and details about the credential and the courses. Applicants for the course must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend. Additional information can be found on the Southern Chapter website. If class has filled, you can email and ask to be placed on a waiting list. RENEWAL Course Registration Link HERE CHARLOTTE August 25, 2022 8:30am-3:00pm Central ISA Certified Arborist Prep Course Washington County Extension Office, Fayetteville, AR The Arkansas Urban Forestry Council (AUFC) has organized a one-day certified arborist prep course. Information and registration for the prep course only are found HERE. The ISA exam will be offered the same day after the course. You will need to register for the exam separately (see exam info below) Registration for the exam IS NOT included in the prep course registration. August 25, 2022 4:00pm-7:30pm Central ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist EXAM Washington County Extension Office, Fayetteville, AR ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist Exams are scheduled for the evening of August 25. Applicants for the exam must register by August 11 at the ISA website. Registering for an exam includes creating or logging in to your ISA account and then clicking to find the test date and location. August 30-31, 2022 9:00am-4:30pm Certified Arborist 2-day Prep Course Saluda Shoals Park, Columbia, SC Instructor: Jimmy Walters ISA Southern Chapter and the South Carolina Forestry Commission are offering a two-day prep course and review. Information and registration information HERE. While the course provides material relevant to preparations for the ISA Certified Arborist exam, the course DOES NOT include the exam. You must register separately for the September 1 exam.
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SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2022
September 1, 2022 ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist EXAM Harbison State Forest Environmental Ed Center, Columbia, SC ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist Exams are scheduled for September 1. Applicants for the exam must register by August 16 at the ISA website. Registering for an exam includes creating or logging in to your ISA account and then clicking to find the test date and location. September 15, 2022 11:00am-noon WEBINAR Tree Owners Rights and Responsibilities Instructor: Wes Hopper This one-hour webinar event is offered by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council and UT Extension. Mr. Hopper is an experienced arborist and is currently the Natural Resources Manager for Germantown, TN. He will provide valuable and hard-to-find information about tree issues that tree owners and arborists will appreciate. Information and registration information HERE. September 22-23, 2022 Field Encounters Bossier City, LA The AgCenter at Louisiana State University has created this workshop to address pesticide use safety and invasive species. Information and registration information HERE. September 21-22, 2022 8:00am-5:00pm Certified Arborist 2-day Prep Course City of Knoxville TN Public Work Service Center Instructor: Jimmy Walters ISA Southern Chapter and the City of Knoxville are offering a two-day prep course and review. Course Information and registration information HERE. While the course provides material relevant to preparations for the ISA Certified Arborist exam, the course DOES NOT include the exam. You must register separately for the Sept 23 exam. September 23, 2022 ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist EXAM City of Knoxville TN Public Work Service Center ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist Exams are scheduled for September 23. Applicants for the exam must register by September 7 at the ISA website. Registering for an exam includes creating or logging in to your ISA account and then clicking to find the test date and location.
Educational Events October 4-6, 2022 TRAQ FULL Course HATTIESBURG, MS Hattiesburg MS Train Depot Please read the “ISA TRAQ Application Guide” to be very clear about the full course prerequisites and renewal requirements and details about the credential and the courses. Applicants for the course must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend. Additional information can be found on the Southern Chapter website. If class has filled, you can email and ask to be placed on a waiting list.
November 2, 2022 8:00am - 3:00pm Eastern TRAQ Renewal VIRTUAL Course Co-hosted by ISA Southern Chapter and ISA Texas Chapter Please read the “ISA TRAQ Application Guide” to be very clear about the full course prerequisites and renewal requirements and details about the credential and the courses. Applicants for the course must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend. Additional information can be found on the Southern Chapter website. If class has filled, you can email and ask to be placed on a waiting list.
FULL Course Registration Link HERE HATTIESBURG, MS
VIRTUAL RENEWAL TRAQ course registration HERE.
October 4, 2022 9:30am-3:00pm Dealing With Invasive Pests Cannon Center, Greer, SC Instructors: Coyle, Jeffers, Vargo Invasive species are a major concern to South Carolina. Join Clemson Cooperative Extension for this full-day workshop on dealing with invasive species in South Carolina. Information and registration information HERE.
November 9-10, 2022 ISA Certified Arborist Exam Preparation Course Raymond, MS Email for information and registration HERE.
OUR STORY IS SAFETY More than 50 years ago, we published This We Believe, a safety declaration that focused on the well-being of our people, families, and communities. It established safety as a value in our culture, not a mere priority or slogan, and defined safety as a moral obligation that is everyone’s responsibility.
“Safety is a VALUE. If someone classifies it as a priority, I believe they may be in the wrong line of work.”
This we still believe. Learn about Davey’s commitment to safety by scanning the code.
Joshua Pressley, Account Manager
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Urban food forestry
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every year, we can begin to think generationally. What type of garden will our children inherit? What can we leave behind to feed our grandchildren? Thinking about the way the garden could look in 50 years is a valuable practice, but for communities facing food insecurity at this very moment, the idea of waiting three or more years for a tree to produce fruit can be a major downside. While the urban food forest is centered around the edible trees, one of the benefits of its design is its versatility. Take a walk through any of our beautiful forests and you’ll see many different types of growth patterns: large, towering overstory trees shading large areas; smaller understory trees shedding their leaves in their little circles; plants growing on the forest floor in the available sunlight; tangly vines crawling up the sturdy trees; and the unseen vegetation growing in the rhizosphere where roots reside. These growth forms are reflected in the urban food forest; While the large, towering overstory trees like a strong pecan or walnut tree take many years to stand to their full height, the understory trees like a dwarf peach tree take root and begin to flourish. As those trees spend a couple of years gathering resources to produce fruit, the vegetation below springs up. In the urban food forest, this space could be filled with annual crops like leafy greens and peppers, or even small shrubs like raspberries and elderberries. Trailing vines of grapes and purple passionflower can drape themselves over trellises, adding dimension to the cityscape. Root vegetables like potatoes, radishes, and carrots can enjoy their quiet darkness in the soil itself. All resources, including light and water, are used as efficiently as possible in the small spaces generally available to urban gardeners. With the right plants, the urban food forest can provide sustenance in the short-term as well as putting resources to a long-term vision of sustainable and biodiverse agriculture. What is the benefit of investing in this kind of biodiverse ecosystem? Not only can this setup help restore urban soils to something more fertile and life-giving, but the pollinators and wildlife appreciate it as well. Over the past several years, we have been coming to a deeper understanding of the idea that plants are in constant communication with each other – although we cannot see it, there is chemical communication happening through the air and underground communication happening below the soil surface. Investing in edible trees that live for many years allows that below-ground communication to become stronger: mycorrhizae can more fully colonize the soil, creating networks that allow trees and plants to share nutrients, communicate danger, and bolster immune systems. Companion planting is another ancient practice that has modern benefits. Planting native wildflowers by your fruit trees can increase the yield of your trees by attracting more pollinators PAGE 18
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which benefits all plants that rely on pollinators. On the flip side, companion planting can keep pests away from your delicious fruit by planting “trap crops” which catch pests and attract parasitoids that devour the pests before they can get to your food. Additionally, with a biodiverse planting of multiple species, one pest cannot ruin your whole crop. A diverse system is a resilient system, and in order to successfully feed our communities in the long term, we must build resilient urban agriculture. Community is key to the success of an urban food forest. When an urban food forest is implemented thoughtfully with input from the community, it can be a haven for those whose nutritional needs are greater than what is available in their neighborhood. In many American low-income public housing communities, the only fresh food within convenient walking distance is from the gas station or the Dollar Store. If those communities have a food forest, their relationship to their food can change; Fresh food is no longer only the purview of the wealthy and their expensive grocery stores but now well within their reach, having been grown by their neighbors. Every food grown in the garden is a form of connection with the earth, with the sun and the water cycle, and with the gardeners. This connectedness with the rhythms of the earth is one of the benefits of urban food forestry. While a traditional urban garden of annual crops may bring the gardener into step with the yearly patterns of growth, death, and renewal, the urban food forest adds the component of sustainability. Not only are those patterns of growth and renewal repeated over the years, but there is also an overarching movement from individualism to collectivism. Watching the urban food forest grow and all the species interact, from the grapevine relying on the white oak for structure and stability, to the vibrant flowers attracting bees for the apple trees, planting biodiverse spaces in the urban environment reveals rich metaphors for how we can best live in community with other people. Urban food forests are uniquely positioned to function as investments in the long-term well-being of our urban landscapes and our communities. Though the initial cost may be greater than a traditional urban garden, the benefits of lower maintenance costs of the well-established urban food forest can be a great boon to under-resourced urban gardeners. The complexity of the natural structures within the garden allows for a more biodiverse use of our small urban growing spaces, and the diversity of textures and colors makes for a beautiful space to enjoy. Planting different species in companionship with one another creates a robust and resilient ecosystem, and that resilience can spread to the community itself. Providing sustenance and community space for a neighborhood can improve the health and wellness of individuals within that community, allowing for personal growth beyond what was previously possible. Urban food forestry is not a new idea, but in today’s society it feels more relevant than ever. We, much like our plants and trees, are much stronger in community than we are alone.
Have you been waiting for an invitation? Here it is:
2022-2023 State Directors Alabama: Anne Randle City of Auburn
Please join the Southern Chapter online.
Arkansas: Patti Erwin Natural Resource Planning
Facebook Enjoy daily posts of things to make you think and things to make you laugh.
Georgia: Gregory Dorch Georgia Power Company
Instagram Just the jokes, please. LinkedIn Find news, articles, and educational information. This is where green-industry professionals gather.
Louisiana: (open) Mississippi: Steve Dicke Shady Arbor PLLC North Carolina: Leslie Moorman NC Urban Forest Council Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands: Christian W. Torres Santana Coccoloba Environmental and Agricultural Consulting South Carolina: Sara Hollar City of Columbia Tennessee: Wes Hopper City of Germantown At-Large: Chris Diffley Heartwood Tree Care
2022-2023 Southern Chapter Officers President: Jeffrey Morgan, Georgia Transmission Corporation Executive Director: Skip Kincaid President Elect / Treasurer: Matt Searels, CN Utility Vice President: Hallie Dozier, LSU AgCenter
Southern Chapter ISA Website: www.isasouthern.org Phone: (888) 339-8733 Skip Kincaid, Exec. Director 1609 Missouri Avenue St Louis, MO 63104
Chapter CoR Rep: David Vandergriff, Griff Arbor|Hort Tree Climbing Championship: Scott Winningham TREE Fund Liaison: (open) Past President: Kasey Krouse, City of Knoxville
To contact your State Director, a member of the Executive Board, or Skip Kincaid at the Southern Chapter office, please email isasouthern@isasouthern.org.
Media Director and Editor: Sarah Mitchell Conference Planner: Connie Hilson SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • SUMMER 2022
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