S
Click on this image to see the satellite image after Hurricane Helene
CREDIT: the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (CSU/CIRA & NOAA)
Southern Chapter Report
by Skip Kincaid, Southern Chapter Executive Director
There’s only one way to start this report to the Southern Chapter membership. Our hearts are heavy these days as we hear reports about the unthinkable conditions in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene. For those of you who are in the middle of the mayhem but somehow found time to see this, know that we are all thinking of you and doing what we can to provide support.
For those not in the middle of it, we are left with trying to figure out the best way to provide support. Based on what I’ve seen, there is a strong amount of grassroots support delivering supplies, rebuilding infrastructure, and offering shelter. This is what people do in trying times. Coming together and helping those in need is a basic human response. Support provided by organized federal, state, and county mechanisms is typically slower to respond as the organizational hurdles can be big, especially with big events. Disaster response isn’t “fast food” fast. Frustration builds and desperation mounts. Recovery takes time.
Our ask here at Southern Chapter is that if you are outside of the affected areas, please take a few minutes of your time to find an organization that is providing support and see what you can do to help them help others. We have provided a list of a few resources here in this issue that we are aware of, but there is some frustration knowing it is not nearly thorough enough.
HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RESPONSE LINKS
Charity Navigator Discover highly rated charities actively providing relief and recovery to those impacted by Hurricane Helene Rumor Response Be aware of rumors and scams, and share official information from trusted sources
Red Cross Help people affected by Hurricane Helene Food Bank of Eastern and Northern TN Disaster response plans in support of counties recovering from Hurricane Helene
Manna Partner Network of Western NC 220 nonprofit pantries, meal sites, and other community-based organizations help neighbors access free food across 16 western NC counties
Community Foundation of Western NC Regional funders, donors, and others coordinating Hurricane Relief
East TN Foundation Neighbor-to-neighbor disaster relief fund
Second Harvest of East TN Supporting those in East and Northeast TN affected by Hurricane Helene
It’s a tough shift, but let’s get to some of the news about educational opportunities in the Southern Chapter region. Here’s another reminder to mark your calendars for next year’s conference whic is set for the week of April 7-11, 2025, in Memphis, TN. Pre-conference workshops will take place MondayWednesday, April 7-9, and the primary educational sessions will be Thursday-Friday, April 10-11. Plan to attend the Tree Climbing Championships which precedes the conference and takes place Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6.
We’re ready to go with a new set of TRAQ courses to meet the growing demand. Recent classes with more than 30 in attendance at each were held in Greenville, SC, and in Charlotte, NC. Many thanks to the local hosts at each of those locations. A full class has been scheduled for Baton Rouge, LA, December 17-19. And another full class will be announced soon that will take place just prior to the conference, which will take place April 7-9 in Memphis. We also have four virtual renewal courses all set for 2025. We offer these on the first Wednesday of February, May, August, and November. Information about TRAQ courses and links to register can found on the Chapter website.
Message to the Membership
Hallie Dozier, Southern Chapter President
June 1 through November 30 is what we call “the Fifth Season.” In May, NOAA predicted 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes, and 4-7 major hurricanes for the North Atlantic, Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. So far, we have seen 13 named storms, of which four were hurricanes, and one, Hurricane Helene, was a major hurricane. As we watch Milton approach the west coast of Florida, we can take a moment to reflect on how this particularly active (based on 30-year climatology records) hurricane season affects us personally and professionally.
More than 1,000 of our Chapter members (62%) reside in states affected by storms this season, with another roughly 300 in Chapter-adjacent states (GA & FL) also experiencing the impact of storms. Within Southern Chapter, North Carolina (~27% of Southern Chapter members live in NC) has taken the brunt of damage and destruction, mostly from Hurricane Helène. What is the role we Southern Chapter members and Certified Arborists play?
I consider our Arborists the heroes in this story, for they are the ones on the ground, moving into storm-affected areas where they do work tirelessly to remove debris and hazards so utilities can restore power, water and communications, and businesses and residents can begin to assess and rebuild. Our Arborists willingly go into situations where there is not only danger, but where they also need to bring every piece of gear they may conceivably need to use: saws, ropes, jacks, shovels, generators, compressors, fuel and fuel tanks, and skid steerers, cranes, dangle grapples, and maybe even chippers – essentially the entire shop. What an undertaking!
Helene
by Chris Diffley, President-Elect
There were other topics I wanted to write about, but the destruction wrought from Florida to the Appalachian Mountains has superseded everything since the end of September. By now plenty of photos, videos, etc… documenting what occurred have made their way into our newsfeeds, though the total loss will not be reckoned anytime soon.
What I find compelling, specifically regarding our industry, is the people who make it up. Immediately following the aftermath, I watched everyone in my circle of tree people begin to make plans for how to help. From the industry giants sending crews to help with infrastructure restoration to contract climbers going to help however possible, the question was not whether to help but how to be most effective in doing so.
A disaster of this magnitude is difficult to comprehend, but the individuals doing the work are equally beyond comprehension. Our industry can be difficult and dangerous on a normal day, let alone in situations where accessing the jobsite might be life-threatening. To then do some of the most complex and hazardous work imaginable with limited resources. From daybreak to dark every day. To then sleep in a tent or a truck or a place that still doesn’t have power or clean running water.
Our Arborists go into areas where power and cell towers are down, where communication between leaders and crew members and between work sites and HQ is difficult if not impossible. And with basic services (power, communication, water, etc.) disrupted in the most stricken areas, the storm worker also must have with them everything they need to function day-to-day: clothing, water, food, basically every- and anything they may need to stay on the job.
Lodging is often scarce in disaster areas, and storm workers may find they also must provide their own shelter: perhaps tents, trailers, or vehicles, along with mattresses and bedding. Truly, disaster work is a massive undertaking.
And finally, there can be a personal cost to storm work. Frankly, it is soul-crushing to witness the losses these communities face and to meet survivors who have lost everything. In cases where residents have been evacuated, the storm worker may be among the first to witness the ruin, even before the resident/business owner does. That carries an especially poignant sting. And yet, while the work and witnessing is shattering, the experience may also have moments so tender that they are permanently seared into the heart. In my personal experience doing tree damage surveys following storms, I have had people beg me for help or information, while others offer me a cold drink of water and a lawn chair for a quick respite. I have seen storm survivors helping each other, tending to neighbors’ pets in their absence. I have seen the very best that humanity has to offer.
And so, to you, the storm-recovery arborist, I tip my proverbial hat. You are my personal heroes, and you make the world a better place to live.
There are many people in different lines of work doing equally noble tasks throughout the areas affected. But I know these people—many personally or professionally—and I cannot put into words my emotions when I see the effort being put forth without any real desire for recognition. Well, not beyond the typical recognition that tree workers have of being better than everyone else at what they do. We wouldn’t need climbing competitions if we all weren’t sure that in some way that we weren’t somehow the best at whatever specific niche of the tree world we occupy.
Anyway, I ask that you give or help however you can. But if you’re reading this, you probably already are. Let those around you know how awesome they are and how impactful their profession is in times of need.
RESOURCES FOR TREE PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC
Storm Readiness and Clean Up
Operating a chainsaw is inherently dangerous.
The chain moves at 55-60 miles per hour, or about 88 feet per second. The teeth on the chain are designed not to cut but to remove material. Accidental contact with chainsaws often results in serious injuries to operators.
Cuts are not the only hazard a saw user must avoid. Saw operators are often struck by falling limbs and trunks as the tree moves and shifts while it’s cut. Operators fall off ladders and out of trees, or they trip as they move through brush over uneven ground. Even when the tree is on the ground, danger lurks in wood under tension. Spring poles snap and logs roll unexpectedly.
A chainsaw operator has three lines of defense: education, good technique, and personal protective equipment (PPE). -University of Georgia Extension
Chainsaw Safety: Always Use Your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Chainsaw Safety: Preventing Common Tree Felling Accidents
Chainsaw Safety: The Five Step Tree Felling Plan
How to Manage Flood Damage to Trees
Limpieza de Arboles Dañados por Tormentas
NC Trees & Storms
Planning for Storm Work? What to Know Before You Deploy
Preparing For and Performing Storm Work
Seguridad Usando Motosierras y Limpieza de Arboles
Storm Damage to Landscape Trees
Storm-Damaged Residential Trees: Assessment, Care and Prevention
Video: Safety First Part 1. How to use a chainsaw safely
Video: Safety First Part 2. How use a chainsaw correctly
Work Practices Near An Electrical Hazard
Resources from Montana State University, NC Urban Forest Council, TCIA, TN Urban Forestry Council, University of Georgia Extension, University of Tenneseee Extension, and USDA Forest Service. Compiled by Stephen Dicke, MS Director; Anne Randle, AL Director; and Skip Kincaid, Southern Chapter Executive Director.
MEMPHIS
APRIL 5–11, 2025
Pre-Conference Events
Monday–Wednesday, April 7–9
• Pruning (PPQ) Workshop (2.5 days)
• TRAQ Course (2.5 days)
Wednesday, April 9
• Trees & The Law (morning)
• ISA Certification Exams (afternoon)
Addtional events may be added after the publication of this ad. Registration will open in November.
Tree Climbing Competition
Saturday, April 5
Preliminary Competitions
Sunday, April 6
Masters’ Challenge
Competitor & Volunteer Registration will open in December.
Conference & Trade Show
Wednesday, April 9
Conference begins at 4:30 pm
President’s Reception Trade Show
Thursday & Friday, April 10–11
Educational Sessions Trade Show
Tree Academy
Breakfast & Lunch included each day
Conference ends at 2:00 pm on April 11.
• Trade Show & Sponsorship bookings now open.
• Conference registration opens in November.
A look at Mississippi training events
by Stephen Dicke, MS Director
PAAM (Professional Arborist Association of Mississippi) hosted two chainsaw safety courses in central MS and on the coast with an emphasis on how to fell dead trees. Both classes were taught by Tim Chennault of Lake Village, AR.
training.
A prep course for the ISA Certified Arborist Exam was taught in person in Verona, MS, near Tupelo. Teacher is Rob Swanson of swansontree.com in Texas. A similar prep course is currently being taught by Rob online.
Photo 4 – Arborists preparing for the ISA Certified Arborist Exam.
RIGHT: Longbeach MS, photo of chainsaw safety class during inside
BELOW: Pearl, MS, outdoor photos of chainsaw safety class training on how to prep a tree for felling and how to escape safely.
South Carolina’s CA Exam Review
by Dena Whitesides, SC Director
On September 4-5, ISA Southern partnered with the South Carolina Forestry Commission’s Urban & Community Forestry Program to offer a two-day ISA Certified Arborist exam review workshop at Harbison State Forest’s Environmental Educational Center in Columbia.
Many don’t realize the massive footprint of the International Society of Arboriculture (aka: “The Mothership”). ISA is a worldwide, non-profit organization with a membership span of over 31,000 people organized into 59 different chapters. ISA is immersed in an arboricultural educational mission, oversees a slew of professional credentials based on research and industry standards. ISA also provides an educational forum in the tree care industry and encompasses a vast network of tree care professionals working in municipal, commercial, and utility forestry. This workshop is designed to support public and private sector tree care professionals preparing for the arborist certification. Additionally, it is a great opportunity for already certified folks to engage in it as a refresher course which also banks more than 10 ISA CEUs.
Retired SCFC Urban Forester, Jimmy Walters, conducted the workshop, providing an in-depth review of each chapter of the study guide while entertaining questions along the way. Jimmy also facilitates the ISA TRAQ course (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) and travels throughout ISA Southern’s footprint to teach and administer the exam for this credential.
David Jenkins, Forest Health Program Director, provided an amazing presentation on insect and disease management in the urban environment. I made a brief presentation about the benefits of Southern Chapter membership to these rising certified arborists, including the invaluable networking opportunities and details about our 2025 Annual Conference, Trade Show, and TCC. I also shared information about TreesSC, South Carolina’s Urban Forestry Council, and the upcoming two-day annual conference scheduled for November 7 -8 in Folly Beach.
Jimmy, Lois Edwards, and I worked together to coordinate this very successful, well-attended twoday workshop. For those who don’t remember, Lois Edwards is a retired urban forester with the SCFC and former ISA Southern board member. We hope you’ll join us at next year’s workshop!
Dena Whitesides, Jimmy Walters, David Jenkins, and Lois Edwards
Timely event in South Carolina
2024 Trees SC Annual Conference WEATHERING THE STORM
November 7-8, 2024
The Tides Hotel, Folly Beach, SC
This year’s conference will address pressing challenges in urban forestry amidst extreme weather and other “storms.” Sessions include expert insights on extreme weather management, standing storm contracts, flood event preparedness, and pest resilience.
Highlights also include discussions on food forest implementation, urban tree health research, and advanced tree risk assessment techniques. Keynote speaker Dr. Ryan Klein, University of Florida, will explore the intersection of climate change and urban landscapes. More information and registration can be found here
Alabama tree-care events
by Anne Randle, AL Director
The Alabama Urban Forestry Association meeting is just a few days away! The annual event will be held October 15-18 in Orange Beach and there are a variety of options for professionals in every area and level of experience. Utility Vegetation Certification Program will take place October 15-16, followed by the AUFA Conference October 17-18.
As always, experts from across the southeast will be joining the conference to speak on current topics in tree care, from invasive pests to safety and the law. The final day of the conference features outdoor demonstrations of terrestrial laser scanning, battery-operated chainsaws, grapple saws, and supplemental support and lightning protection.
Registered Forester and ISA CEUs are available each day, and there are options to select the days and topics that pertain to every tree care professional. For more information and to register, visit the Alabama Urban Forestry Association website.
The Alabama Tree Climbing Competition will be held October 17-20 in Millbrook. The first two days feature training and education, and the competition will be held October 19-20. This event is supported by the Alabama Urban Forestry Association, and information can be found here
Upcoming Events & CEU Opportunities
in the Southern Chapter Region
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.
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
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
Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements Webinars
Educational Events
October 15-18, 2024
Most events are approved for ISA CEUs. Check each registration site for details.
Alabama Urban Forestry Association meeting Orange Beach AL
Utility Vegetation Certification Program will take place October 15-16, followed by the AUFA Conference October 17-18. Information and registration HERE
October 17, 2024
12-1pm Eastern
WEBINAR - Wood Decay in Living Trees: The Biology and Implications for Arborists
Presenter: Andrew Loyd, Plant Pathologist from Bartlett Tree Experts This webinar series is brought to you by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) and the UT Residential and Community Forestry Workgroup. October’s webinar will focus on wood biology, the process of wood decay in living trees, major fungi that cause decay in living trees, and the implications of diagnosing wood decay in trees, especially in urban and suburban landscapes. Information and registration HERE
October 23, 2024
1pm-2pm Eastern
WEBINAR - Coastal Forests as Sentinels of Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
Presenter: Dr. Marcelo Ardon
A thought provoking discussion by Dr Ardon about “ghost forests” presented by Southern Regional Extension Forestry group. Information and registration HERE
November 4-5, 2024
Commercial Horticulture Expo Agricenter International Memphis, TN
Presented by UT Extension, this event offers several sessions about
tree selection, safe pesticide use, woody plant insects and disease, and pruning techniques. Additional information and registration HERE.
November 6, 2024
9:00am - 4:00pm Eastern Class is full - Registration is closed TRAQ RENEWAL VIRTUAL COURSE (online)
ISA Southern, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa and Midwestern Chapters November 7-8, 2024
Trees SC Annual Conference - Weathering the Storm Tides Folly Beach, SC
Talk about timing! This conference promises to provide timely info that affects all of the arboriculture community. Highlights include presentations about responding to severe weather, urban trees and extreme wind events, preparation for flooding events. Additional information and registration HERE
November 13, 2024
Trees and the Law Workshop Nashville, TN
This is a live pre-conference workshop hosted by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council hosted in Nashville. A robust lineup of panel topics will bring together experts from urban forestry, municipal leadership, community tree advocacy, law, and policymaking to address hot button issues impacting urban forests. Information and registration HERE
November 14-15, 2024
2024 Tennessee Urban Forestry Conference Nashville, TN
A comprehensive slate of topics with over 20 speakers makes this event our biggest conference to date. Sessions include a featured breakout with Kelby Fite, VP & Director at Bartlett Tree Research Labs, a Plant Healthcare workshop hosted by Rainbow EcoScience, and an Urban Wood Use workshop. Information and registration HERE
Educational Events (continued)
November 20, 2024
1:00pm-2:00pm EASTERN
WEBINAR - Beech Leaf Disease: An Emerging Threat to the Queen of the Forest the American Beech
Presenter: Dr. Andrew Lloyd, Plant Pathologist – Bartlett Tree Experts Beech leaf disease (BLD) is caused by a nematode and can result in host tree mortality within two to seven years. Symptoms include banded leaves, premature leaf drop, and aborted bud development in Fagus spp. This emerging threat continues to spread across the US, but what can be done to save the American beech? In this webinar, Dr. Andrew Loyd will discuss BLD biology, impact, and potential management strategies. Information and registration HERE.
December 17-19, 2024
TRAQ 3-DAY COURSE FOR NEW APPLICANTS
Baton Rouge, LA
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 either course must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend. Registration will close when class capacity is reached. Register early!! Additional information can be found on the Southern Chapter website Register HERE for December 17-19 TRAQ Course (Closes Nov 16 or when capacity of 20 is reached)
February 5, 2025
9:00am - 4:00pm Eastern TRAQ RENEWAL VIRTUAL COURSE (online)
ISA Southern, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa and Midwestern Chapters This is a virtual renewal option and is only available for those who already have the TRAQ credential and their expiration date occurs within 18 months prior to the date of this course. The course fee includes all fees for the course and exams. After you attend the course, ISA will send you information about completing the exam process. Please read Virtual TRAQ Renewal Info for Candidates 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. Registration will close when class capacity is reached or 30 days prior to the class, whichever comes first. Register early!! Only register for this course if you already have a current TRAQ credential and your TRAQ expiration date is after February 5, 2025. Do not register if your TRAQ credential will expire prior to the class date. Your eligible renewal window begins 18 months prior to your expiration date. Attending a renewal course and successfully completing the exams prior to your expiration date will result in five years being added to your current expiration date. If you register for a class date that occurs after your expiration date, you may not be notified of this mistake until 30 days prior to the course. Your registration will be cancelled, and your registration fee will be refunded, less a $50 service fee. If class has filled, you can send us an email and ask to be placed on a waiting list or check for other available dates listed on this webpage. It is very rare that we can accommodate those on the waiting list, but we try to get you in the class of your choice when we can. No reply means we have no last minute cancellations or cannot accommodate those on the waiting list. Click HERE to register for February 5, 2025, Renewal Course (Closes January 4 or when capacity of 30 is reached)
April 5-6, 2024
43rd Annual Southern Chapter Tree Climbing Championship
Memphis Botanical Garden
Details are coming together for TCC. Details and registration for climbers and volunteers will be up soon.
April 7-11, 2025
83rd Annual Southern Chapter Conference and Trade Show
Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, TN
Three days of pre-conference workshops and two days of regular sessions. We’re giving everyone a great opportunity to come together and learn from the best! Pre-conference workshops include a full TRAQ course for those wanting to earn the credential, a one day and three-day Prescription Pruning Qualification course presented by Dr. Ed Gilman, and Lindsey Purcell and ISA Exams including Tree Climber. Other pre-conference workshops include Trees and the Law by James Komen and a TCIA course (topic TBD). The two days of the conference and trade show will be packed with great presenters including, Dr. Tom Smiley, Dr. Kim Coder, Dr. Ed Gilman, Andrew Koeser, Dr. Brian Kane, Dr. Glyn Percival, Tim Walsh, Dr. John Ball, Rich Hauer, R.J. Laverne, and others. It’s a very full week and we hope you will mark your calendar now and make plans to attend. Registration will be open Fall 2024.
May 7, 2025
9:00am - 4:00pm Eastern TRAQ RENEWAL VIRTUAL COURSE (online)
ISA Southern, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa and Midwestern Chapters This is a virtual renewal option and is only available for those that already have the TRAQ credential and their expiration date occurs within 18 months prior to the date of this course. The course fee includes all fees for the course and exams. After you attend the course, ISA will send you information about completing the exam process. Please read Virtual TRAQ Renewal Info for Candidates 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. Registration will close when class capacity is reached, or 30 days prior to the course, whichever comes first. Register early!! Only register for this course if you already have a current TRAQ credential and your TRAQ expiration date is after May 7, 2025. Do not register if your TRAQ credential will expire prior to the class date. Your eligible renewal window begins 18 months prior to your expiration date. Attending a renewal course and successfully completing the exams prior to your expiration date will result in five years being added to your current expiration date. If you register for a class date that occurs after your expiration date, you may not be notified of this mistake until 30 days prior to the course. Your registration will be cancelled, and your registration fee will be refunded, less a $50 service fee. If class has filled, you can send us an email and ask to be placed on a waiting list or check for other available dates listed on this webpage. It is very rare that we can accommodate those on the waiting list, but we try to get you in the class of your choice when we can. No reply means we have no last minute cancellations or cannot accommodate those on the waiting list.
Click HERE to Register for May 7, 2025 Renewal Course (Closes April 6 or when capacity of 30 is reached)
August 6, 2025
9:00am - 4:00pm Eastern
TRAQ RENEWAL VIRTUAL COURSE (online)
ISA Southern, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa and Midwestern Chapters
This is a virtual renewal option and is only available for those that already have the TRAQ credential and their expiration date occurs within 18 months prior to the date of this course. The course fee includes all fees for the course and exams. After you attend the course, ISA will send you information about completing the exam process. Please read Virtual TRAQ Renewal Info for Candidates 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. Registration will close when class capacity is reached or 30 days prior to the class, whichever comes first. Register early!! Only register for this course if you already have a current TRAQ credential and your TRAQ expiration date is after August 6, 2025. Do not register if your TRAQ credential will expire prior to the class date. Your eligible renewal window begins 18 months prior to your expiration date. Attending a renewal course and successfully completing the exams prior to your expiration date will result in five years being added to your current expiration date. If you register for a class date that occurs after your expiration date, you may not be notified of this mistake until 30 days prior to the course. Your registration will be cancelled, and your registration fee will be refunded, less a $50 service fee. If class has filled, you can send us an email and ask to be placed on a waiting list or check for other available dates listed on this webpage. It is very rare that we can accommodate those on the waiting list, but we try to get you in the class of your choice when we can. No reply means we have no last minute cancellations or cannot accommodate those on the waiting list.
Click HERE to Register for August 6, 2025 Renewal Course (Closes July 6 or when capacity of 30 is reached)
November 5, 2025
9:00am - 4:00pm Eastern TRAQ RENEWAL VIRTUAL COURSE (online)
ISA Southern, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa and Midwestern Chapters
This is a virtual renewal option and is only available for those that already have the TRAQ credential and their expiration date occurs
“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
within 18 months prior to the date of this course. The course fee includes all fees for the course and exams. After you attend the course, ISA will send you information about completing the exam process. Please read Virtual TRAQ Renewal Info for Candidates 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. Registration will close when class capacity is reached or 30 days prior to the class, whichever comes first. Register early!! Only register for this course if you already have a current TRAQ credential and your TRAQ expiration date is after November 5, 2025. Do not register if your TRAQ credential will expire prior to the class date. Your eligible renewal window begins 18 months prior to your expiration date. Attending a renewal course and successfully completing the exams prior to your expiration date will result in five years being added to your current expiration date. If you register for a class date that occurs after your expiration date, you may not be notified of this mistake until 30 days prior to the course. Your registration will be cancelled, and your registration fee will be refunded, less a $50 service fee. If class has filled, you can send us an email and ask to be placed on a waiting list or check for other available dates listed on this webpage. It is very rare that we can accommodate those on the waiting list, but we try to get you in the class of your choice when we can. No reply means we have no last minute cancellations or cannot accommodate those on the waiting list.
Click HERE to Register for November 5, 2025 Renewal Course (Closes October 4 or when capacity of 30 is reached)
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.
This we still believe.
Learn about Davey’s commitment to safety by scanning the code.
Tennessee Roundup
by Hannah Imagine Shaw, TN Director
The Commercial Horticulture Expo is a two-day workshop that will focus on identifying and managing insects and disease that affect our urban forest and ornamental & nursery plants; landscape topics include the use of shrubs for seasonal interest and readying ornamental beds for winter and spring; and for you turfgrass folks, a couple presentations on turfgrass disease and soil fertility. This event will take place November 4-5 in Memphis.
Tennessee Urban Forestry Council’s annual gathering of urban and community forestry leaders is all set for November 14-15 in Nashville. “Under One Canopy” will feature a comprehensive program with learning paths including “Urban Soils: Challenges and Remediation and Planting Stock Considerations” (Dr. Kelby Fite, VP and Director of Bartlett Research Labs), “Developing a Plant Healthcare Program” (Rainbow EcoScience), and “Developing an Urban Wood Use Program” (TN Division of Forestry). Visit tufc. com/events or contact info@tufc.com.
Scholarships up to $2,000 for students attending 2-year and 4-year college or university. MAY 1 DEADLINE
A scholarship is also available to assist with costs for a master’s student to attend ISA Southern conference.
JANUARY 31 DEADLINE
Pictures from past events: Outdoor instruction at Beat the Heat Education course (top) and TUFC networking lunch (bottom).
Celebrating Roots and Routes in New England: The 2024 Tour des Trees
by Matt Searels, Past President
This year, president Hallie Dozier and I had the incredible honor of representing the ISA Southern Chapter on the grueling yet exhilarating 425-mile Tour des Trees through the picturesque landscapes of New England. As a fundraiser supporting the TREE Fund, this ride not only tested our endurance but also filled our hearts with unforgettable experiences.
One of the highlights was visiting the Polly Hill Arboretum where I marveled at the majestic monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana) tree and a hybrid American chestnut (Castanea dentata). Another cherished memory was feeling the crisp autumn air on my face as I climbed a steep hill, leaves dancing around me, with a quaint yellow soapbox house with black shutters coming into view. Could you get any more “New England” than that? And let’s not forget the pride and joy of planting and “blessing” nine trees along our route, each one a testament to our commitment to arboriculture.
The theme, “Roots and Routes of New England,” perfectly captured our journey—embracing our deep-rooted love for trees and exploring the historic routes of this stunning region. As we pedaled through the charming towns and scenic byways, we felt an unbreakable bond with the environment, the communities we engaged with, and our fellow riders.
TREE Fund’s endowment fund supports educational programs; where since 2002, they have been able to award more than $5.4 million in grants and scholarships (6 available per year) and provided access to dozens of free webinars (typically worth 1.0 CEUs) to share academic research. Next year, we’re taking this adventure and fundraising event to Michigan, scheduled for August 2025. We invite you to join us on this enriching journey; you won’t regret it! Together, let’s continue to support the TREE Fund and make a lasting impact, one pedal stroke and one planted tree at a time.
Please visit www.treefund.org for more information.
When you think you’ve
seen it all
by Fred Fellner, LA Director
I received a phone call from Dr. Malcolm Guidry of Covington, LA, who informed me that he had an eighty-foot-tall pine tree in his front yard that was on fire! The tree was perfectly healthy and yet was blowing fire out of a hole in the side of the trunk about 30 feet off the ground.
Obviously, the fire department was called in and for the next 20 hours, 2 fire trucks pumped 40,000 gallons of water onto the tree and the fire. The fire was not going out. There was an old lightning strike that was open and allowing the water to simply pour back out of the tree while above the flame was another opening from, presumably the same lightning strike, that was acting like a chimney and allowing the inside of the pine tree to continue to burn. There must have been a great deal of terpenes available within the trunk to produce basically a blow torch through a hole where the old lightning strike was that became lit from another lightning strike and burned for 24 hours.
When the fire was finally out the tree was disassembled utilizing an 80’ crane and a large section was left standing for ecological (and financial) reasons. Interestingly, the center of the tree had begun to establish its own natural response to the open cavity, and it sprouted structures resembling roots and shoots. I guess the moral of the story is that when you think you’ve seen it all, guess again! The trees will always have interesting stories to tell.
2024-2025 Southern Chapter Officers
President: Hallie Dozier, LSU AgCenter
President Elect / Treasurer: Chris Diffley, Arborscapes
Vice President: Brian Watkins, Recreation and Park
Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge
Component Council Rep: David Vandergriff, Griff Arbor|Hort
Tree Climbing Championship: Scott Winningham
TREE Fund Liaison: Matt Searels, Eocene Environmental Group
Past President: Matt Searels, Eocene Environmental Group
Media Director and Editor: Sarah Mitchell
Conference Planner: Connie Hilson
Executive Director: Skip Kincaid
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2024-2025 State Directors
Alabama: Anne Randle
Green Business Certification, Inc.
Arkansas: Brian Pope ACRT
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Mississippi: Steve Dicke
Shady Arbor PLLC
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South Carolina Forestry Commission
Tennessee: Hannah Imagine Shaw
SiteOne Landscape Supply
At-Large: Kevin Myers
ACRT
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Southern Chapter ISA Website: www.isasouthern.org
Phone: (314) 215-8010
Email: isasouthern@isasouthern.org
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.
Image by Stuart McMillen