I hope your winter holidays were festive, restive, and enjoyable. Winter decided to join the party by bringing in cold weather across most of the Southern Chapter footprint, right in time for the holidays. As we start the new year, I am hopeful the rest of winter will sidestep harsh winter storms. We can all look forward to continuing our education, maintaining our credentialling, and keeping a pulse on industry innovations in 2023.
Speaking of looking forward, it is exciting to think about the Southern Chapter annual conference this March in Chattanooga, TN. With keynote speakers such as Dr. Richard Hauer, Dr. John Ball, Dr. Kim Coder, and Dr. Ed Gilman (Whoa, that’s a lot of PhDs!), there is a lot to look forward to, and is guaranteed to be a great time. Meeting the speakers, learning from their topics, and interacting with the exhibitors on the tradeshow floor is a great opportunity for us as arborists to start the year off right. More information can be found on the Southern Chapter website. I hope to see you there!
The Southern Chapter Board is continuing our commitment to our various committee groups (education, membership, scholarship, awards, tree climbing championship, and conference) to ensure 2023 will be as efficacious as it has been in the past. Our committee eng agement and commitment are ways we continue to serve our membership. To learn more about our committees, contact your state director or visit our website. If you have an interest in serving on one of our committees, please reach out to our Executive Director, Skip Kincaid
Each year, ISA Southern offers eight different awards. These awards help us recognize individuals in the arboricultural industry who contributed, impacted, lead, made a long-lasting impact, or simply exemplify the backbone and soul of our profession. I would like to ask for five minutes of your time to nominate any person who you feel might be worthy of these awards. Please visit the Southern Chapter’s award page to make an electronic submission. A few minutes of your time is a great investment to recognize important people in our industry.
Thank you for all you do and please keep engaged in the many facets of our industry. There are many opportunities to grow, learn, and interact in a way that will not only improve ourselves, but others within the great community of arboriculture as well. If we cross paths at the 2023 ISA Southern Chapter Conference in Chattanooga, please stop to say hello. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Another new year and more great things to report about the Southern Chapter! I hope everyone had a great time during the holidays and you stayed warm! My wife and I learned the value of heating our home with wood when we lost power for 18 hours the Friday evening before Christmas. The wind outside was howling, and the wind chill was -20 degrees. Trees certainly do have value!! Stepping back in time and technology has its value as well!
This year will include many steps forward for our chapter. We have begun to partner with some other chapters to deliver educational programming. This cooperation helps us to reach a bigger audience and deliver programming more efficiently.
An example of this cooperation is our ability to now offer four TRAQ virtual renewal courses. Check out the Chapter’s website to see the dates of this very convenient tool for renewing your TRAQ credential. We heard from several of you that traveling to a one-day renewal course was not convenient. Once ISA opened up the virtual option, we were able to reach out to the Texas and Midwestern chapters and combine forces to deliver this option.
by Skip Kincaid, Southern Chapter Executive DirectorIt may surprise some members to learn that one of the smallest areas of our chapter likely has the biggest increase in arboriculture activity. Puerto Rico’s utility system is being rebuilt and updated after being ravaged by mother nature during the last few years. Veteran arborists and new arborists there are looking for training opportunities to keep pace with new skills and methods that make them productive and safe. Chapter board member Christian Torres Santana made arrangements for a three-day workshop in Spanish that covered first-aid, aerial rescue, and electrical hazards awareness (EHAP). There were 38 arborists in attendance and the Chapter gained 20 new members! The class was supported by grants from the Arborist Safety Training Institute (ASTI) and the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). A local vendor, Garden Max, provided meals to keep the attendees energized. This is yet another example of cooperative ventures to bring good information to professional arborists!
The Scholarship Committee has completed updates to our popular scholarship program. See the article in this edition of the newsletter for details. The updates include offering three different scholarships that will include undergraduate and graduate programs at both four-year programs and two-year programs. Our annual scholarship budget will increase from $1500 per year to $6000 per year. Now the challenge is to let students know about these scholarships. If you know of a student studying arboriculture or a closely related field, direct them to the Chapter’s website. Funding for these scholarships is made possible by a memorial fund dedicated to
The Southern Chapter is also providing support to a successful series of workshops offered by Burke Outdoor in Morganton, NC. Financial support provided by the Chapter to the Canopy Class series will assist with equipment and instructor expenses. Check out this awesome series of workshops and register HERE. This is the second series of workshops that we’ve supported for climbers and tree workers in the Chapter. The last was the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop (WTCW). Support for these types of quality events continues our mission of making our profession stronger, smarter, and safer.
Here’s to continued cooperation within our arboriculture community!!
The Alabama Urban Forestry Association completed a very successful Annual Conference and Education Week in Athens October 10-14. Our 150 attendees included urban foresters, arborists, forestry, right-of-way, landscape professionals, utility staffers, and tree enthusiasts from across the state.
We started the week with a 3-day Utility Vegetation Management Certification course that awarded a very nice certificate, ISA CEUs, and pesticide recertification points to the attendees upon passing the exam. The program was led by Joe McPhail of Florence Utilities and a team of industry leaders with the goal of improving safety and productivity in the vegetation management industry. If you would like to participate in a nocost webinar on January 26, gain ISA CEUs, and the certification, contact me and we’ll send a link and study guide.
Our Annual Conference classroom session was Thursday and began with a presentation by our president, John Graham from the City of Foley. Jeff McManus from the University of Mississippi provided inspirational information on employee motivation and leadership development. Talks on Minimum Approach Distances by Richard Flores and a Safe State industry safety session were
both interesting and informative. Auburn’s Dr. Dave Held presented research findings and solutions for Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale, and Richard Flores, Chris Francis, and Lee Cosbie provided business and employee management information in a panel discussion.
Friday was our outdoor session which included vegetation management demos, climbing, pruning, and chainsaw use in trees with Richard Flores and Lee Cosbie, a demonstration of grapple saws, and a large-tree takedown. The demos were very well done, informative, and practical.
We want to thank Rhett Murphy of Athens Utilities and Athens Leak City Training Facility for making the conference a success. We were able to meet and network with professionals from across the state, mentor new members, and share lots of experience and technical information.
Our next Alabama Urban Forestry Education Week and Annual Conference is October 16-20 in beautiful Orange Beach. Mark your calendars and let us know if you would like to present content or help sponsor this great educational event. For more information about AUFA membership, visit www.aufa.com
Are you currently a student (or know a student) at a 2-year or 4-year college studying arboriculture or urban forestry? Are you a Master’s degree student in arboriculture or a related field? Are you attending or planning to attend college in one of the Southern Chapter states? If so, you may have the opportunity to receive financial assistance through the Southern Chapter Memorial Scholarship Program.
ISA Southern Chapter is excited to help the next generation of arborists and urban foresters excel in their careers. We have expanded the program to allow for more opportunities, offering one annual scholarship in each category.
by Leslie Moorman, NC Director4-year college student scholarship: $2,000 2-year or community college student scholarship: $2,000 Master’s degree student travel scholarship: up to $2,000 to attend the SCISA or ISA Conference
This scholarship is a one-time, non-renewable grant. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college. This scholarship is awarded for the purpose of attending a specific institution to study arboriculture, urban forestry, forestry, horticulture, or related fields. All applicants must be residents and
students within the geographic area of the ISA Southern Chapter: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Please go to the ISA Southern Chapter Scholarship page for more information.
The west end of Tennessee generally has mild winters with just a few days of cold air that require us to bundle up, build a good fire, and keep the hot chocolate close by, but that is not always the case.
Last February, Winter Storm Landon made its way from the Rockies to the northeast. The mid-south had been given an ice storm warning but that didn’t make much difference about what was beginning to happen. For us, Landon turned out to be the fourth largest storm to hit Shelby County based on the number of peak customers interrupted in Memphis Light Gas & Water history. On February 3rd at 8am, there were 2,437 MLGW customers affected. By 1pm that same day, there were more than 137,000 customers affected. MLGW crews and additional contract crews were on duty 24 hours a day, working diligently to restore power to the city. By February 8th, outages were reduced to 50,000. The numbers probably would have been lower but the utilities that were still out were located in some of the oldest sections of Shelby County with larger neglected trees and older poles in need of replacement.
The build-up of ice on the power lines and on the trees was obviously the reason for the power outages; however, the trees contributed to the main cause. The majority of the trees that failed under the weight of the ice were not primarily located within the utility maintenance easement but were located within streetscapes and private property. As a consultant, I was asked by homeowners, tree companies, real estate appraisers, and insurance companies to inspect many of the fallen trees to help them understand why the trees failed. I was also asked to perform a tree risk assessment on the trees still standing. My overall conclusion was that most of the sites I visited should have been inspected long before this particular storm happened. I learned a long time ago that there are a lot of tree owners who cannot afford to hire an arborist and there are just as many tree owners who can afford to hire a professional but are not willing or even some who don’t even know how. As a professional arborist, I hold myself accountable to relay all of the information that I was asked to find when performing a tree risk assessment to the tree owner and remain completely unbiased. I generally refer the tree owners to research Tree Owners Rights and Responsibilities from UT Extension Institute of Agriculture which is available only online.
I encourage practicing arborists to participate in the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification course offered by the ISA. You can find more information here. The TRAQ program offers tree care professionals the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the fundamentals of a standardized and systematic way of assessing tree risk to assist in conveying any possible risk factors and taking measures to address those risks.
Now that it’s 2023, the mid-south has received another blow from Old Man Winter. He brought us the nice cool temps of nine degrees for almost a week, with wind chills of even less. I almost feel fortunate that there were only reports of hundreds of frozen pipes. If we had any precipitation, we would have had a much different outcome. I believe that along with the professional arborist’s ISA TRAQ training and some active due diligence by the tree owners, we could lessen the amount of the power outages caused by trees at risk of failure at the most inopportune times.
Over the past five years, it has been my honor to work for Steuart Walton and his philanthropy for a tree initiative program in Benton County and Eureka Springs in Arkansas. His passion for trees and understanding of their benefits are second to none.
It all started while I was working as the State Urban Forester with the Arkansas Forestry Commission. I had worked there for 20 years and was ready for a change when I was invited to a meeting with one of the communities in Benton County to look at starting a tree-planting program funded by the Walton Family Foundation (WFF). I assured them I could help with the project in my current position. Not long after, I had a call from another community asking for my help and a picture began to emerge.
I reached out to the representative of WFF who had originally contacted me and asked to meet and hear what the big picture was for these communities. When I heard that Steuart Walton was interested in improving the tree canopy in Benton County, I knew it would be a full-time job and suggested that they hire me to help them. Needless to say, they did and now 5 years later we have planted and given away more than 25,000 trees.
It was an easy segue from working with communities across the state and giving them grants for their tree programs to doing the exact same thing in Benton County and later in Eureka Springs as well.
The budget is $1,648,609 in this grant cycle. A total of 1,924 new trees, ranging in size from 1.5” - 3” caliper of various species, are being planted and maintained throughout 52 sites across
20 communities in northwest Arkansas. Additionally, 6,075 trees were given away to homeowners across 18 cities in the spring and fall.
The trees are strategically planted in parks, school campuses, and along streets, stream banks, and trails. We more recently partnered with the City of Bentonville Great Neighborhood Partnership program to plant trees on private property near sidewalks, streets, and in common areas. This program provides other benefits as well to property owners’ associations and I would encourage you to look at starting a similar program to help plant trees in your community.
Another great benefit of the tree initiative has been the opportunity to take bike rides and walks in the woods, especially along mountain bike trails, to look for potential planting sites to ensure hikers and bikers have shade. Steuart and his brother Tom have a passion for mountain biking and have created an international biking trail system in northwest Arkansas. It is not unusual to hear other languages while on the trails.
Eureka Springs became a part of the program after more than 25 miles of trails were built at Lake Leatherwood Park. The park has 1,610 acres with an 85-acre lake that is held by one of the largest hand-laid limestone dams in the nation. If you enjoy mountain biking, northwest Arkansas is a wonderful place to visit. You won’t be disappointed. And in case you are wondering, I am writing this as someone who has just retired and is looking forward to more hiking, kayaking, and biking experiences here in the Ozarks. Trees are rooted in me and will always be a part of my life. Happy trails!
by Maddy Johnson, M.S. in Forestry, Department of Forestry Wildlife & Fisheries at the University of Tennessee Knoxville
Riparian buffers, or riparian forests, are unique ecosystems that act as transitional areas between land and water typically bordered with a mixture of woody and associated vegetation. These riparian areas are the first line of defense to mitigate anthropogenic effects from residential, commercial, and/or agricultural activities. A healthy riparian forest provides essential ecosystem services to both the aquatic and terrestrial communities around them, such as erosion prevention, pollution reduction, and increased biodiversity and habitat.
Riparian forests are severely threatened due to increased development, harmful residential and agricultural management practices, and invasive plant species. There are many societal factors confounding efforts to establish healthy riparian buffers, from a lack of public education to challenges finding willing landowners to participate in reforestation practices.
That’s where the Community Riparian Restoration Program (CRRP) for Tennessee comes in. Funded by the Tennessee Division of Forestry and operated through the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, this program aims to foster a sense of stewardship for riparian forests and waterways among Tennesseans of all backgrounds through four main objectives: community education; community involvement in restoration; development and dissemination of watershed materials; and research and analysis of watershed and forest health.
Streams and waterways play a huge role in the health and resilience of our communities, but many people don’t know what a healthy riparian buffer is or looks like, and what problems they may face. In addition, it can be daunting to figure out what resources are available to you to help improve your riparian buffer, or what to do when your buffer is degraded. This can be an especially difficult situation to navigate for landowners with streamside property, who often want to care for their stream, but aren’t sure how to start.
The CRRP aims to address these issues by developing hands-on workshops that will focus on identifying signs of an unhealthy stream and riparian forest, invasive plant identification and removal, and resources and demonstrations of best bank revegetation practices. The objective is to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to take small steps towards healthier waterways in their neighborhoods.
We will be identifying watersheds that display characteristics that contribute to lower water quality, such as high impervious cover and managed vegetated areas like agricultural fields and suburban lawns, as well as watersheds with low forest cover and highly erodible soils. We will also be prioritizing restoration initiatives in low-income urban, suburban, and rural communities, that are often characterized by a lack of healthy green space and forest cover. Our goal is to empower community members to take ownership of their waterways and forests, and to become stewards of their riparian forests long after these trees are planted.
An important part of this state-wide program is providing accessible resources for the public, which will include a public database and interactive map tool of Tennessee watersheds. We will produce tutorials and guides for riparian forest management with information on native plant selection and invasive species identification. We are also excited to share progress updates and educational posts, as well as network with community members and organizations through social media platforms such as Instagram & Facebook. These resources will be shared on social media and available on our website
We are currently assessing vegetation composition and stream temperature data on 45 sites across the most developed counties in eastern Tennessee. As a majority of these sites are privately owned, this will provide helpful insights into some management practices of private landowners, as well as the prevalence of invasive species and inadequate buffer width in these areas.
When it comes to restoring our waterways by improving biodiversity and habitat, community will always be our greatest resource. It is our mission to cultivate the knowledge and skills needed for individuals to protect riparian forests in their neighborhoods. We are excited to see the partnerships that will form between the CRRP and the diverse populations across Tennessee in the coming years.
Hi all: If you currently hold the ISA TRAQ credential, did you know that you need to re-qualify every five years? If your requalification date is coming up in 2023 or early 2024, we have you covered! You can attend a requalification any time within the 18 months prior to your expiration date.
The ISA Southern Chapter is now offering a super convenient way for you to requalify. You can attend a one-day course via Zoom from the comfort of your laptop or desktop computer. Once you attend the virtual class, ISA will then provide information about taking the exams remotely as well.
We will offer the virtual TRAQ renewal classes once every quarter in 2023. Check out the dates and registration information listed to the right. The classes are also on the Chapter website HERE. You can visit the website to get more information about requalification guidelines.
Here are the 2023 TRAQ Virtual Renewal class dates. Click on a date to register. All classes run from 8am-3pm EST.
Wednesday, May 3
Wednesday, August 2
For those of you who are not TRAQ qualified yet, we are planning to arrange a full course in Chattanooga on the Wed-Fri after the annual conference. Check the chapter website soon for registration information. You can always email us if you’d like a TRAQ course in your state or region. We can arrange a class once we know there is a demand for it.
Don’t forget to check out information about the Southern Chapter Conference, March 26-28, 2023, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A great list of speakers has been assembled and we’d love to see you there.
Not a Southern Chapter Member? Learn about membership benefits and join for $30. You might be surprised to learn that we are the least expensive chapter membership in the world! Discounts to conferences, workshops, newsletters, notifications of upcoming courses, and more. Join HERE
Trees & The Law - What Liability Does a Landowner Have? was written by attorneys Powell G. Ogletree, Jr., and Adam V. Griffin of Adams and Reese, LLP. This 8-page booklet provides general liability information and practical ways to reduce risk.
The publication was financed through a USDA Forest Service grant and published by the MS Forestry Commission. Order hard copies at www.mfc.ms.gov or read or download the online booklet here
Check out all the new CEU opportunities listed in the next few pages of this publication. 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.
TREE Fund
Urban Forestry Today
Forestry Webinars
Urban Forest Connections USDA Forest Service
Utility Arborist Association
North Carolina Urban Forest Council
Arborjet Webinars
Professional Arborists Association of MS (PAAM)
Alabama Extension
Educational Events
January 19-20, 2023
Most events are approved for ISA CEUs. Check each registration site for details.
“Trees Are Us” PAAM Annual Conference
The Mill Conference Center, Starkville, MS
The Professional Arborists Association of Mississippi (PAAM) is hosting this two-day conference with a great list of speakers and topics. The afternoon January 20 will include an ISA Certified Arborist Exam. Information and registration for the PAAM Conference available HERE
January 19-20, 2023
2023 Grounds Management Short Course
UT Conference Center, Knoxville, TN
The University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University is hosting this two-day short-course with a great list of speakers and topics include tree management and pesticide use. Information and registration available HERE
January 21, 2023
Diversity of Wood Decay Fungi (en Espanol )
Bosque Comunitario de Río Hondo
Barrio Río Hondo, Mayagüez, 00680, Puerto Rico
This program will be focused on the diversity of wood decaying fungi in Puerto Rico. The speaker will be mycologist Kurt Miller. The workshop will be presented in Spanish and consists of a Powerpoint presentation (approx. 1 hr.) followed by a fungi identification walk in the community forest (approx. 3 hrs.). Information and registration information HERE
January 24, 2023 3:00-4:00pm -WEBINAR
Eastern Urban & Community Forestry National Policies and Funding - Webinar Instructors: Danielle Watson and Rachel Holmes (Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition)
The North Carolina Urban Forest Council is presenting this webinar that includes two great speakers with current information of great interest to urban and community forestry managers. Information and registration available HERE
January 24, 2023
Carolina Green Industry Network - Landscape Seminar Monroe, NC
This one day event includes a presentation about proper tree planting by Dr Barbara Fair and a session about tree pests by Dr. Jeremy Sloan. Information and registration available HERE
January 25-27, 2023
ISA Midwestern Chapter Annual Conference Tulsa, OK
The Midwestern Chapter has developed several sessions with great interest to arborists. Hang with experts to hear about urban forestry, utility arboriculture, practical, and science issues. Information and registration available HERE.
January 26, 2023
South Carolina Green Industry Assoc Conference & Trade Show Columbia, SC
The South Carolina Green Industry Association is presenting this annual event with several courses useful for arborists. Information and registration available HERE
January 26, 2023, 8am-2:30pm CST -WEBINAR
Vegetation IPM
The Alabama Forestry Association is presenting this course with a great list of speakers and topics including vegetation management and pesticide use. Information and registration available HERE.
January 30, 2023, 11:00-Noon Central -WEBINAR
Winter Tree ID Webinar
Chris Graves, School of Natural Resources-University of TN
The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council and University of Tennessee are presenting this tree ID webinar. Even experts can use a tune-up whn it comes to winter tree ID! Information and registration available HERE
February 4, 2023, 9am-3pm EST
Eastern CANOPY CLASS: Spar Rescue, Aerial Rescue & Medical Assistance in a Tree. Morganton, NC
Instructors: Megan Bujnowski and Tyler Upton
The good folks at Burke Outdoor are presenting four Canopy Class sessions this year (2/4, 4/22, 7/22, 10/14) with a great line up of instructors. This class will focus on spar rescue, aerial rescue & medical assistance in a tree. Information and registration available HERE.
February 7, 2023
NC Landscape Conference Goldsboro, NC
Check out this one-day event with plenty of material for arborists. Information and registration information HERE
February 21, 2023 3-4pm EST -WEBINAR
Protecting Roots and Soil During Construction Webinar
Instructor: Kelby Fite
The North Carolina Urban Forest Council is presenting this webinar that includes great information about protecting soil and roots during development. Critical steps! Information and registration available HERE.
February 22, 2023, 8am - 3pm EST
TRAQ Renewal VIRTUAL Course
Co-hosted by ISA Southern, Texas, and Midwestern Chapters. This is a virtual renewal option and is only available for those that already have the TRAQ credential. Please read the “ISA TRAQ Application Guide” to be very clear about the 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 about deadlines/refunds/cancellations can be found HERE. If class has filled, send us an email and ask to be placed on a waiting list. Click HERE to register for 2/22 Renewal Course (Closes 1/22).
March 31, 2023
Triangle Area Landscape School Louisburg, NC
Check out this one-day event focused on the green industry. Information and registration information HERE
March 24-26, 2022
ISA Southern Chapter Tree Climbing Championships
Chattanooga, TN
Details for the 41st Annual ISA Southern Tree Climbing Championships are being arranged now. Contact Scott Winningham if you would like to volunteer as a judge or assistant at the event. The website is available to allow onsite sign up for volunteers and sponsors. We have reached capacity for climber registrations.
March 26-28, 2023
82nd Annual ISA Southern Chapter Annual Conference
Chattanooga, TN
Be sure to join in on what promises to be the biggest and best Chapter conference in a long time! Our headline speaker list is taking shape and includes Dr. John Ball, Dr. Kim Coder, Dr. Gary Johnson, Dr. Rich Hauer, and Dr. Ed Gilman. These PhDs are just the beginning of a great set of educational sessions. A pre-conference workshop will cover tree appraisal, and this year includes special events for student registrants. The Trade Show is bigger than last year and will include your favorite equipment, tool and service providers. Click HERE for information about exhibiting or sponsoring. Find registration and hotel information HERE.
April 22, 2023, 9am-3pm EST
CANOPY CLASS: Pruning, Limb Walking, Redirects Morganton, NC
Instructors: Nicole Benjamin-Hardin and Jason Llano
See other classes on 2/4, 7/22, 10/14. This class will focus on pruning, limb walking, and redirects. Information and registration available HERE
May 3, 2023, 8am-3pm EST
TRAQ Renewal VIRTUAL Course
Co-hosted by ISA Southern, Texas, and Midwestern Chapters.
Read February 22 event information for important details. Click HERE to Register for 5/3 Renewal Course (Closes 4/3).
July 22, 2023, 9am-3pm EST
CANOPY CLASS: Speedlineing & Trolley + Advanced Rigging Morganton, NC
Instructors: Megan Bujnowski, Almon Cox and Anthony Williams
See other classes on 2/4, 4/22, 10/14. This class will focus on speedlining and trolley and advanced rigging. Information and registration available HERE
August 2, 2023
TRAQ Renewal VIRTUAL Course 8am - 3pm Eastern Co-hosted by ISA Southern, Texas, and Midwestern Chapters. Read February 22 event information for important details. Click HERE to Register for 8/2 Renewal Course (Closes 7/2).
October 14, 2023 9:00am-3:00pm Eastern
CANOPY CLASS: Stop the Bleed, Technical Felling, Chipper Safety Morganton, NC
Instructors: Megan Bujnowski, Almon Cox and Tyler Upton
See other classes on 2/4, 4/22, 7/22. This class will focus on stop the bleed, technical felling, and chipper safety. Information and registration available HERE
November 1, 2023
TRAQ Renewal VIRTUAL Course 8am - 3pm Eastern Co-hosted by ISA Southern, Texas, and Midwestern Chapters. Read February 22 event information for important details. Click HERE to Register for 11/1 Renewal Course (Closes 10/1).
November was bananas. Many of you may have careers in our industry that allow you to meet with others outside your circle on a regular basis, but I have never had a month quite so full of meeting tree people.
It began with an ISA Leadership Workshop in Atlanta, followed by TCIA here in my backyard of Charlotte, and finished with the ASCA conference. Opportunities to network, education, and catch up with friends are all excellent reasons to attend one of the many conferences available in our industry, but from a larger perspective, I found it fascinating to see the parallels no matter what branch of our profession you find yourself in.
And it all revolves around the people. I’ve spent an incredible amount of time (well over eight minutes) trying to figure out how to articulate what makes everyone in arboriculture so unique, but we are simply different. Maybe it’s spending so much time with giant organisms that don’t talk or something about the industry just attracts people who view the world differently, but I have rarely come across anyone who falls into the normative category.
And it’s obvious. Pulling up at the convention center for TCIA, the sidewalks were packed with what were instantly recognizable as tree people, regardless of what they looked like or were wearing. You just knew. And when meeting someone new, it’s amazing how quickly a connection can be formed. We have shorthand that quickly fills the gaps and gets everyone on the same page. You can instantly have an in-depth conversation with a stranger be-
cause there is commonality about trees no matter where you live.
It becomes rapidly apparent what we care about beyond the trees themselves. Internally, everyone is looking for professional development. By virtue of attending events like these, that’s probably obvious. But the desire to improve and gain deeper knowledge of our different arenas is inspiring. Whether watching climbers step out of their comfort zones of climbing systems, learning how to effectively run a board meeting, or how the new ANSI standards will impact our industry, everyone has a passion for growth that drives those around them to be better.
Again, no matter where you reside, we all detest poor arboriculture practices, erroneous information being dispersed, or safety not being valued. There is nothing more invigorating than hearing someone from a different part of the world complain about construction damage, topping, homeowners doing tree work from ladders, or buried root flares on new plantings. We all want the public to be better educated. Trees and their importance in the ecosystem is becoming increasingly valued and providing the public with reliable resources is a dream we all share.
If you haven’t been available to attend a conference or workshop, I highly encourage you to do so. Gaining a bigger vision for how we are interconnected, and how the passion we share produces results that extend far beyond the scope of our day-today activities within the world of arboriculture.
Hope to meet some of you at the next one soon.
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. This we still believe.
Learn about Davey’s commitment to safety by scanning the code.
“Safety is a VALUE. If someone classifies it as a priority, I believe they may be in the wrong line of work.”
Joshua Pressley, Account Manager
For the past six years, Trees Knoxville and the City of Knoxville have collaborated on a volunteer education program called Volunteer Forester. The program invites novice tree enthusiasts from around the Knoxville community to explore a deeper understanding of trees and tree maintenance. The program has enlisted more than 200 volunteers since its inaugural class in 2017 and is in high demand amongst community members.
The class is broken into two different curriculums. Curriculum 1 is an introduction of urban forestry, proper tree planting, proper pruning practices, plant health care, and invasive species identification and control. Volunteers learn about the information and then get outside to practice it. Curriculum 1 teaches basic arboriculture practices to novice volunteers and then allows them to teach others in the community about proper tree care. “Our Volunteer Forester program is the backbone for making sure our planting projects and other programs are successful. We know if we have properly trained volunteers who can then teach others, we build reputation in our community‚” says Dale Madden, Chair of Trees Knoxville.
Trees Knoxville and the City rotate event locations to allow volunteers to learn more about the other partners in the community; the local botanic
gardens, the University of Tennessee, and community gardens have all hosted education sessions. A variety of knowledgeable speakers educate the volunteers about the weekly topic.
Curriculum 2 is indoors during the winter months. Volunteers learn about winter tree identification, tree biology, tree measurement, recognizing potential tree hazards, connecting with an arborist, and soil and water management. Volunteers receive a certificate for each course and each course is about 12 hours worth of education.
“We have landscape architects, developers, school teachers, students, lawyers, and just about any occupation out there attend our courses‚” says Madden. “It has also been very successful with the landscape community in building a better understanding of trees since they are the ones putting most of the trees in the ground in our community.”
“Tree planting in Knoxville used to be ‘dig a hole as fast and as deep as possible,’ but with this course, the community is becoming more engaged and informed, and expectations are changing‚” says Kasey Krouse, Urban Forester for the City of Knoxville. “The Volunteer Forester program has built arboriculture skills across the City. These volunteers can plant and prune trees better than most paid landscape companies.”
by Brian Watkins, Louisiana Director
It is no secret that local governments across Louisiana are having trouble filling full- and part-time positions. The Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC) is the largest landowner in the Parish. BREC has 175 parks and oversees 5,000 acres of land. This is a big responsibility for the Forestry Division which is responsible for tree planting, tree removal, tree assessments, and all other tree maintenance. BREC has shifted its focus on sustaining its green infrastructure. This is causing the forestry division to think outside the box and join other cities that are using a citizen forester program to complete their urban forestry efforts.
Citizen foresters are trained volunteers who coordinate teams of volunteers on planting days, educate the public on the importance of the urban tree canopy, advocate for trees, inspect trees during the summer, and provide a volunteer base for plantings and outreach events. BREC’s Park Operations department believes that citizen foresters will be an integral part of ensuring we can effectively increase the canopy.
Citizen Forester training will be offered approximately two times a year in the spring and fall to correspond with our tree plantings. The goal of the Citizen Forester will be to empower residents of East Baton Rouge who care about the environment or want to learn more about the environment, with the tools and knowledge to make a meaningful impact by planting and ensuring the long-term viability of trees. The one-day course will be led by BREC ISA Certified Arborist on staff.
During the training, participants will learn how to properly plant, care for and inspect trees, and manage volunteer groups at planting and inspection events. Basic tree anatomy and physiology, environmental stewardship, tree identification, and selection are also introduced. The training will be offered to individuals of all abilities, from 12 years old and up.
The Southern Chapter held a 3-day workshop November 30 to December 2 on the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Electric Hazards Awareness Program (EHAP) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The workshop included half day First Aid/CPR course to obtain the Health & Safety Institute certification and a full day of TCIA Aerial Rescue Training to obtain a TCIA certification; both topics are prerequisites for the EHAP, which is an OSHA 1910.269 requirement training for people working within proximity from power lines.
The TCIA Arborist Safety Training Institute partially supported the workshop through a grant to our Chapter. Sponsors and collaborators included Garden Max, the University of Puerto Rico Agricultural Extension Service, El Bloque Bouldering Gym, Para La Naturaleza, and Econet Soluciones Ambientales, all of which significantly contributed to the success of this workshop, offered in Puerto Rico for the first time.
A total of 38 participants attended the workshop, including 6 ISA Certified Arborists who earned 19 CEUs. The workshop included field practices for all participants (climbing or bucket truck) during the aerial rescue course taught in Spanish by ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist Erick Palacios from the International Arborist Institute.
The arboriculture industry is on the rise in Puerto Rico.
Training for local arborists, tree climbers, tree workers, and consulting arborists is a priority for the island which constantly battles tropical storms and hurricanes, making safety in the dayto-day arboriculture operations a higher priority.
Puerto Rico has more than 700 tree species growing in 8,959 km2 , with with approximately 13,700 miles of electric lines across its urban and rural areas. Although only authorized utility companies are legally allowed to work in vegetation management, most arboriculture accidents occur near power lines, which illustrates how valuable EHAP training is for the arboriculture industry.
Because of this event and our commitment to advancing arboriculture on the island, the Chapter doubled its members in Puerto Rico and continues to plan future education opportunities for 2023, aiming to further increase the number of certified arborists and contribute to raising the industry’s professionalism.
Garden Max specializes in Professional Arborist Equipment and Landscaping Supplies. Our customers include Arborists, Gardeners, Agricultural Industry and Professional Landscapers. Visit us at www.gardenmaxpr.com. Email: sales@gardenmaxpr.com
Puerto Rico Stores: San Juan 787-706-1219 / Caguas 787-747-9050 Bayamón 787-705-4646
President: Jeffrey Morgan, Georgia Transmission Corporation
Executive Director: Skip Kincaid
President Elect / Treasurer: Matt Searels, CN Utility
Vice President: Hallie Dozier, LSU AgCenter
Chapter CoR Rep: David Vandergriff, Griff Arbor|Hort
Tree Climbing Championship: Scott Winningham
TREE Fund Liaison: (open)
Past President: Kasey Krouse, City of Knoxville
Media Director and Editor: Sarah Mitchell
Conference Planner: Connie Hilson
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Alabama: Anne Randle City of Auburn
Arkansas: Patti Erwin Natural Resource Planning
Georgia: Gregory Dorch Georgia Power Company
Louisiana: Brian Watkins BREC
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 AgroEnvironnemental Consulting and Coccoloba Nursery
South Carolina: Sara Hollar City of Columbia Tennessee: Wes Hopper City of Germantown
At-Large: Chris Diffley Heartwood Tree Service
Southern Chapter ISA Website: www.isasouthern.org Phone: (888) 339-8733
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Skip Kincaid, Exec. Director 1609 Missouri Avenue St Louis, MO 63104
To contact your State Director, a member of the Executive Board, or Skip Kincaid at the Southern Chapter office, please email isasouthern@isasouthern.org