ISA Southern Chapter News - Spring 2024

SPRING 2024 ISSUE SOUTHERN CHAPTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ARBORICULTURE

Message to the Membership Matt Searels, Southern Chapter Past President

My family is full of cattle farmers and textile workers, but that wasn’t my path. I’m part of the generation and a culture that puts an immense emphasis on a formal education. So, I left my small community to pursue my first degree, which was (obviously) business with a focus in real estate. Yeah, you read that right. It landed me my first job out of school, stuck in a cubical in an Atlanta high-rise selling mortgages to customers over the phone. It was truly a great learning experience (think 2007-2008 economics), but it sucked the life out of me.

I already had a minor in Environmental Studies, a discipline I discovered late though it had been a part of my entire upbringing and is something I’m still truly passionate about. So, why not? Take on a little debt and do it again!

This pivotal educational experience changed my life trajectory for the better, fueling my passions and scratching the itch to get outside. I had an incredible opportunity to serve on the UNC Asheville Botany Research Team studying American ginseng (Panax quinqefolius). This experience provided me with valuable knowledge and skills in plant identification, conservation biology, field research techniques, and technical writing. The expertise gained was instrumental in opening doors to my career in natural resources where I get to apply my understanding of plant populations and ecological principles daily. Oh, and it should be noted, the business understandings has been surprisingly useful in helping me connect dots among ecological concepts as well as running a business.

Not to get overly technical, but the long-lived, heavy shadedependent American ginseng relies on large population sizes or outcrossing for enough genetic diversity for populations to continue to survive. Individuals create defense chemicals (steroidal glycosides, i.e. ginsenosides) to fight off microbes, fungi, and as a response to herbivory (they taste like soap). Fragmentation, habitat destruction, and overharvesting (adult roots for those ginsenosides also found in the leaves) are putting significant pressure on existing

Introducing Hallie Dozier

wild populations. A large array of unique ginsenosides have been identified and genetics are showing that speciation is occurring among populations to the east and west of the Appalachian chain.

The plants are evolving, but can they do it fast enough? The scientific, conservation, and agricultural communities, along with policymakers, are working hard to study, learn, and implement strategies to ensure the success of this perennial understory flower and I’m optimistic for its long-term success and our ability to leverage it for advancements in health care.

The symbolism of American ginseng evolution and resiliency can be likened to my role as President this past year. Just as ginseng individuals raise and lower regulation chemicals to adapt to their changing environments, many of you have done your part to adapt to the changing environment in your portion of the Chapter. Collectively, you have made your local populations stronger and more bountiful. And collectively as a board, our efforts in reviewing and enhancing processes and procedures have ensured smoother transitions for future state representatives and board members to help ensure the Chapter continues to thrive. Together, we have left the board positions slightly better than the year before, much like how ginseng populations persist through adversity each year while taking an extremely long-term strategic approach. By increasing the involvement of committees and implementing triggers for important deadlines, we have fostered a more dynamic and inclusive environment, which sets the Chapter up to be sturdy and agile.

As the dogwoods bloom, the morels fruit, and the ginseng sends up its shoots for the season, I want to be the first to welcome Dr. Hallie Dozier (President) and your new ISA Southern Chapter Board! With the of passing the gavel, and with each member’s support, it is your turn to drive the Chapter forward and continue to build upon what was gifted to us by the generations before and to maintain the opportunities for the generations to come. Thank you for the opportunity to let me serve.

Well, hello there! I am so pleased to have been chosen to assume the role of Chapter President for 2024. Wow, I have some very large shoes to fill, and I will do my best to serve you well. Love of trees and, by extension, love of excellent tree care and those who are tree stewards, is at the core of my being. I will take great joy sharing the love with the public and you, our Chapter members.

As President, I gladly take the rudder to help steer the Board as we continue to respond to the needs of Chapter members and to provide excellent training and continuing education opportunities for you. We will continue the effort to expand public awareness of how critically important trees are across the Chapter, and we will continue to encourage and support young scholars seeking to put their roots down in this industry.

Providing and expanding opportunities for you to grow in professionalism, skills, and safety while simultaneously promoting trees and tree care to communities is, well, it is what we do. As such I will work hard to enhance our role in Member states. I will support all of our committees to help move Southern Chapter forward and upward with diligence and fiscal excellence, expanding volunteer opportunities, and promoting outstanding education events for you as well as scholarship for budding professionals from all communities across the ISA Southern Chapter.

I look forward to meeting you in the months to come. Please reach out to me anytime to see how you can join in this effort, perhaps as a volunteer, potential future board member, or simply if you have a need or concern the Chapter may address. Together we can move forward and upward.

WHEN A STORM IS IMMINENT, IT’S A CALL TO DUTY. OUR TEAMS ARE READY ON A MOMENT’S NOTICE TO LEAVE THEIR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES, TRAVEL TO STAGING LOCATIONS NEAR AND FAR, AND WORK IN THE ELEMENTS TO ASSIST IN POWER RESTORATION EFFORTS.

WE ARE PROUD THAT OUR PEOPLE, THEIR FAMILIES AND OUR CUSTOMERS ALL PITCH IN TO GET THE JOB DONE.

ASPLUNDH.COM

Southern Chapter Report

by Skip Kincaid, Southern Chapter Executive Director

I hope you had a chance to attend the 82nd Southern Chapter Annual Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. It was a great opportunity to catch up with our arborist family and absorb valuable information from our presenters and each other. Little Rock was a fantastic host city, and the hotel and convention center accommodations were excellent. One of the highlights of this year’s conference was the attendance of Mel Mount, an urban forestry graduate student from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She was the recipient of this year’s graduate student scholarship that provided funds for her to attend the conference, make some great professional connections, and launch her career. Congratulations, Mel!

Be sure to mark your calendars now for next year’s conference, scheduled for the week of April 7-13, 2025, in Memphis, TN. It will be a very full week of arborness! Pre-conference workshops will take place Monday-Wednesday, April 7-9; the primary educational sessions will be Thurday-Friday, April 10-11; and our Tree Climbing Championships will be Saturday-Sunday, April 12-13. We’ll have our usual lineup of awesome speakers for the primary sessions. Pre-conference workshops will cover a range of topics and special skills. Stay tuned for more details. We expect this conference to reach a wide audience and be well-attended. Make your reservations early!

Many of our usual course offerings are seeing great attendance. The Tree Risk Qualification (TRAQ) courses continue to grow in size. The primary courses for those seeking the credential are selling out and we will likely do more classes with 40 attendees and two instructors. And the virtual renewal classes are selling out as well. We offer these quarterly on the first Wednesday of February, May, August, and November. If you have the TRAQ credential, be sure to check your renewal date and sign up for a renewal course. You can attend a course anytime within the 18 months prior to your expiration. Check the website for information about TRAQ class dates and locations.

Another area of growth is our commitment to the newly updated ISA Tree Climber credential. The old credential didn’t attract a lot of interest in the Chapter for several years but the updates and revisions will make this credential more attractive to climbers. We have a way to go to bump up the number of exam evaluators, so we got that process started in Little Rock and will continue this effort through the summer. We want to host climbing workshops that will review materials on the exams

and then offer the exams on a regular basis. It will take several volunteers to step up and become evaluators! Check out the ISA website for more information about the credential and steps to become an evaluator.

On the topic of climbers, the Chapter has made a strong commitment to this group of arborists who are, no doubt, the hardest working of us all, and the group that likely has the biggest impact on the resource we are all committed to. We continue to support the great efforts that many groups are delivering to provide excellent education to climbers. We have supported training events in the past and continue that this year with a $1,000 sponsorship to the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop (WTCW) that will take place in Efland, NC, May 10-12, 2024. They will hold five of these intense educational events this year and we are honored to have one in our own backyard! Melissa LeVangie Ingersoll said there are still a few spots left for the May workshop. Hurry! Find out more here

Let’s all buckle up and plan to have a safe and prosperous growing season in 2024. I’ll bet that it will be hotter and drier than in the past. And it’s not just the Almanac saying so. Stay cool!

2024 Conference and Trade Show

Little Rock, AR

Southern Chapter Past Presidents, left to right: Jimmy Walters, Pete Rausch, Kim Coder, Matt Searels, Kasey Krouse, and David Vandergriff

Southern Chapter award recipients, clockwise from top left: David Vandergriff, Chris Diffley, Kasey Krouse, and Dana Russell from Rainbow Ecoscience. See article on page 11 for more details.

CLICK TO SEE VIDEO

2024-2025 Southern Chapter Board Members

Growing Shiitake mushrooms on waste wood

by Donna Beliech, Mississippi State University Extension, Area Horticulturist & Urban Forester

Growing Shiitake mushrooms on limbs of oaks, sweetgum, maple, ironwood, and beech is a no-brainer for anyone who prunes trees. The wood must be green (living) and cut in late fall to early winter when the sap is NOT up. Make sure the bark is intact and not scuffed up because jagged, loose bark allows moisture loss, slows down fruiting, and gives an opportunity for other fungi to invade. For ease in handling the hardwood bolts (logs), I recommend 4-5 in. diameter and 3 ft. long pieces. You will move the bolts around multiple times, so larger-size wood can make this difficult. You don’t have to inoculate the fresh cut bolts immediately with mushroom spawn but you don’t want them to dry out either, so plan to do it within 30 days. Keep bolts out of direct sunlight and water them down if we go a week without rain. You want to keep the moisture content high. In the South, it’s best to finish bolt harvesting and inoculation by late April.

Set up a workstation with access to electricity and a platform where the hardwood bolts cannot roll around. Sawhorses holding up a wood pallet with the hardwood bolt placed between the slats is perfect. Don’t forget your PPE: ear and eye protection, maybe some garden gloves, and an apron if you don’t want wood chips or wax splatter on your clothes. Pull back long hair because you’re using spinning equipment.

and hammer flush with the bolt. For sawdust spawn, use an inoculator to punch down into the bag of spawn (filling it) then place over a drilled hole and, using your thumb or palm, press a couple of times to release the spawn into the hole. In either case, cover the filled holes with foodgrade wax by melting wax in a cheap deep fryer and applying with a dauber. Make sure to completely cover the spawn hole to conserve moisture to keep the fungi alive and keep the critters out. Stack the finished bolts in a shaded location, placing them on a pallet or cinder blocks to prevent ground fungi from invading them. Now you wait 8-12 months for fruiting to take place. Try not to let the bolts dry out during this time. Use an overhead sprinkler on a timer, <5 minutes daily.

Using a drill or high-speed grinder with a drill-bit attachment, drill holes 6 inches apart in a row along the bolt length. Rotate the bolt and drill another row 2 inches below and between the first set of holes. The overall pattern created is a staggered diamond or a spiral of holes. The hole size and depth (1 in.) is determined by the mushroom spawn inoculation type (8.5 mm bit w/ stop for plug and 12 mm bit w/ stop for sawdust). If the spawn is in plug form, insert the dowel into the hole

Expect to see Shiitake mushroom fruiting caps the following spring. It can take 3-5 days for the mushroom to be large enough to harvest. Cut off the stem and cap, place in a paper bag, and refrigerate. Use within 10 days, but only eat the cap because the stem is too woody. You can force mushroom production after the designated time by submerging the bolt in fresh, clean water for 24 hours in a tank. This shocks the bolt to stimulate the fungi fruit (mushroom cap). You can get two crops per year in the spring and early fall, with sporadic fruiting through the summer.

Cost estimate to inoculate 20-24 bolts (4” dia. x 3.5’ long): Angle grinder with adapter and drill bit ($150); sawdust spawn inoculator ($42) or a hammer for plug spawn ($5); deep fryer ($45); 5 lb. cheese wax ($20); 8 wax daubers ($3); and 5.5 lb. bag sawdust spawn ($26) or 1,000 plug spawn ($45).

Yield: Each bolt will produce ¼ lb. of caps per flush (twice annually) for at least 4 years.

Southern Chapter presents awards in Little Rock

by Skip Kincaid, Southern Chapter Executive Director

The Chapter conference in Little Rock, AR, was the perfect venue to present this year’s awards. This was one of the special times that we presented the Chapter’s highest honor, the Award of Merit, to Dr. Kim Coder of the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. Dr. Coder recently announced his retirement from the University. He has been a regular at the Southern Chapter conference and other workshops and conferences. Arborists from around the globe have benefited from the wealth of research and publications he has shared. And no one, I mean no one, will forget hearing a Dr. Coder presentation! We hope he will continue to share his time at our events in the coming years. In honor of his many years of incredibly useful and applied arboricultural research and his mastery at sharing the results of this research, the Chapter has renamed one of our awards to the Dr. Kim Coder Award for Excellence in Arboriculture Education

Another very special award was presented to David Vandergriff to honor his long history of service to the Southern Chapter and to the field of arboriculture. David’s years of service in Extension and outreach also included helping his town of Knoxville, TN, develop one of the finest urban forestry efforts in the country. His service to ISA and to the Southern Chapter is recognized with the Lifetime Membership Award

Awards presented at this year’s conference include:

Award of Merit – Kim Coder

Lifetime Membership Award –David Vandergriff

Award of Achievement – Kasey Krouse

Education Award – Gary Ickes

John G Martin Award – Cormac Nagan

Award for Arboricultural Research –Rainbow Ecoscience

President’s Award – Chris Diffley

Congratulations to this year’s award winners! Be sure to check out the chapter website and nominate someone you think deserves recognition. The Chapter has several award categories, and nominations are accepted year round.

Puerto Rico: Advancing arboriculture education

by Dr. André Sanfiorenzo and Dr. Mariangie Ramos, University of Puerto Rico at Utuado

The University of Puerto Rico at Utuado (UPRU) is proud to announce the introduction of a comprehensive arboriculture training program. The program will be offered through UPRU’s Department of Agricultural Technology and will address the growing demand for expertise in arboriculture in Puerto Rico.

The new initiative aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to become proficient tree care specialists.

The program encompasses eight new college courses tailored for associate degree students and will cover various topics essential for arboriculture practitioners. The courses include: Introduction to Arboriculture, Agroforestry Systems, Dendrology, Tree Safety, Tree Products, Tree Health Care, Tree Climbing, and Opportunities in Tree Management

Professional Certificate Program in Arboriculture will be launched in 2025, catering to industry professionals seeking specialized training in this field. The certification program may also incorporate opportunities for higher education and will ensure continuous professional development for participants.

Central to the program’s pedagogical approach are practical and experiential learning activities, which will take place at UPRU’s Laboratory Farm. These hands-on experiences will provide students with valuable skills applicable to real-world scenarios and enhance their learning outcomes and professional readiness.

Recruitment is underway for the first cohort of 15 students, who will begin their Associate Degree in Horticulture with a focus on Arboriculture starting August 2024. Additionally, a one-year

Scholarships up to $2,000 for students attending 2-year and 4-year college or university.

MAY 1 DEADLINE

This initiative is poised to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change in the Caribbean, particularly increased droughts, excess rain, and higher frequency and intensity of hurricanes. Effective tree management is recognized as a critical factor in enhancing the resilience of both urban and rural landscapes. As part of climate change mitigation strategies, extensive tree-planting initiatives are anticipated in the region. Consequently, the demand for skilled tree care specialists is expected to rise, highlighting the significance of programs like UPRU’s new program in preparing the workforce for future challenges.

The program highlights UPRU’s commitment to fostering the next generation of tree care experts. By nurturing knowledgeable and skilled professionals, the initiative aims to safeguard the health and vitality of tree communities and bolster regional resilience to environmental disruptions. Through education and training, the University of Puerto Rico at Utuado is certain to significantly contribute to the field of arboriculture in the Caribbean region.

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture supports this work.

Scholarship Program

A scholarship is also available to assist with costs for a master’s student to attend ISA Southern conference.

JANUARY 31 DEADLINE

Puerto Rico: Promoting Certified Arborists

by Sally González-Miranda, UPR Mayagüez Agriculture Ext. Service

An issue of great concern for arborists in Puerto Rico is working to promote the professionalization of arboriculture and urban forestry in Puerto Rico. Due to the natural events that have affected Puerto Rico since 2017, it is crucial to encourage and increase ISA Certified Arborists credentials in our archipelago.

Seven ISA Certified Arborists from Puerto Rico* have joined the Agricultural Extension Service of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM) and an IT specialist** to offer a hybrid preparation course in Spanish based on the ISA study guide to become a certified arborist. The classes and workshops have been remote and in-person using the educational platforms of the UPRM and the ISA Arborists’ Certification Study Guide (4th edition). The students consiste of a group of 15 people who work in the arboriculture and utility industry and are interested in becoming certified. For the course, participants took a short test on each topic discussed to verify acquired knowledge and skills. The course concludes in May, and we hope that with the knowledge gained, they will apply for and pass the ISA Certified Arborist certification exam.

This pilot project is intended to be a project that can be offered at least once a year for people interested in increasing their knowledge, those interested in becoming certified arborists, and municipal employees who manage trees in their cities. Once the pilot course concludes, we will evaluate the results to improve the course and to identify external funds for future ones. We desire to record educational videos for the course that facilitate and encourage good management practices in arboriculture. We also intend to prepare material for the community where citizens and government staff are educated on the importance of hiring professionals with credentials to manage their trees, which has signifyingly been improving on the island.

* Ramón Agosto-Díaz, Sigfredo E. Faría-Vega, Sally González-Miranda, Mariel Rivera-Meléndez, José Rodríguez-Asad, André R. Sanfiorenzo-Gil De Lamadrid, and Christian W. Torres-Santana.

** Juan B. Fremaint Irizarry

Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification

by Chris Diffley, Southern Chapter President-Elect

After an extended hiatus, the American Society of Consulting Arborists has released a refreshed update of their Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification. I had the opportunity to attend the workshop in December last year and found it and the discussions that ensued incredibly helpful.

The TPAQ curriculum is an introductory training course that will train green industry professionals in the theory and application of current tree and plant appraisal approaches, methods, and techniques to develop and implement an appraisal assignment. If you are a green industry professional who wishes to learn about tree, plant, and landscape appraisal, this course is for you.

The structure would be familiar to anyone who has taken the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification program, with time spent both in the classroom and the field. We were fortunate to have both Christian Hughes and Dr. Tom Smiley as our instructors, and the content was engaging as they walked through the basics and theory behind plant appraisals.

Like any other gathering of tree people though, the discussions both during and after class were invaluable. The range of experience and philosophies present allowed for fun hypotheticals, real-world scenarios, bonkers outcomes, and robust dialogue (heated debate mollified by a drink or two).

ASCA has released the workshop to be hosted by various groups, and the Southern Chapter will be providing the course in the near future, so stay tuned to our website as details become available.

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.

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

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

Save the Dates for 2025 Southern Chapter Conference Events in Memphis, TN

Monday - Wednesday

April 7-9 Pre-Conference Workshops

Educational Events

April 29-May 1, 2024

THIS COURSE IS FULL

Wednesday - Friday

April 9-11 Conference Sessions

Saturday - Sunday

April 12-13 Tree Climbing Championship

Most events are approved for ISA CEUs. Check each registration site for details.

TRAQ 3-DAY COURSE FOR NEW APPLICANTS

New Hanover County Cooperative Extension

Wilmington, NC

May 1, 2024 9:00am - 4:00pm Eastern

EASTERN REGISTRATION IS CLOSED - THIS CLASS IS FULL

TRAQ RENEWAL VIRTUAL COURSE (online)

Co-hosted event with Southern, Texas, Georgia, Ohio and Midwestern Chapters

June 12-13, 2024

ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST PREP COURSE

Pitt County Extension Office

Greenville, NC

An excellent annual event hosted by the North Carolina Urban Forest Council NC Extension, and the North Carolina Forest Service. This is an excellent 2-day session for anyone planning to become an ISA Certified Arborist, planning to take the Certified Arborist exam, or a currently Certified Arborist needing Continuing Education Units. Information and registration is available HERE

June 14, 2024 8:30am-12:30pm

ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST, UTILITY SPECIALIST, MUNICIPAL SPECIALIST EXAM

Pitt County Extension Office

Greenville, NC

ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist written exams are scheduled for Friday, June 14, 2024. Applicants for each exam must register by May 31, 2024 at the ISA website. If you’re new to ISA, you’ll need to create an ISA profile at creating or logging in to your ISA account. Registering for an exam includes 2 steps. First, you must complete an application for your selected credential. On your ISA profile, find the link “Apply for an ISA Certification” Complete the application for your selected credential. Second, once the application is submitted and approved by ISA, you can register for an exam. Be sure to submit your application well in advance of registering for an exam as it can take several weeks to get a submitted application approved.

Educational Events (continued)

June 12-14, 2024

TRAQ 3-DAY COURSE FOR NEW APPLICANTS

Natural Science Faculty Edificio Fase II

17 Ave. Universidad STE 1701

San Juan, Puerto Rico 00925-2538

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. Registration will close when class capacity is reached. Register early!! Additional information can be found on the Southern Chapter website

Register HERE for June 12-14 TRAQ Course

Closes May 12 or when capacity of 20 is reached

June 14, 2024

2024 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT SHORT COURSE

Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum

Knoxville, TN

This annual event includes a great range of topics for anyone involved with the green industry. Information and registration info available HERE

June 27-28, 2024

ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST PREPARATORY WORKSHOP

North Alabama Agriplex

Cullman, AL

An excellent annual event hosted in three locations and dates this year by the Alabama A&M and Auburn University Extension and the Alabama Urban Forestry Association. This workshop is a complete delivery of the International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborists Study Guide. It is an excellent session for anyone planning to become an ISA Certified Arborist, planning to take the Certified Arborist exam, or a currently Certified Arborist needing Continuing Education Units. Information and registration is available HERE

July 29-31, 2024

TRAQ 3-DAY COURSE FOR NEW APPLICANTS

Prisma Health Welcome Center at Unity Park

Greenville, SC

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 July 29-31 TRAQ Course

Closes June 29 or when capacity of 20 is reached

August 7, 2024 9:00am - 4:00pm Eastern

TRAQ

RENEWAL VIRTUAL COURSE (online)

Co-hosted event with Southern, Texas, Georgia, Ohio 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. Register early!! 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. Send the email to isasouthern@isasouthern.org

Only register for this course if you already have a current TRAQ credential and your TRAQ expiration date is between August 7, 2024 and February 7, 2026. 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.

Click HERE to Register for August 7 Renewal Course

Closes July 7 or when capacity is reached

August 11-14, 2024

ISA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF ISA!!

Registration information HERE.

August 15-17, 2024

TRAQ 3-DAY COURSE FOR NEW APPLICANTS

Trees Atlanta - Kendeda Treehouse

Atlanta, GA

This course is being offered and hosted by our friends at the Georgia Arborist Association and will take place just after the ISA Conference. 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 and registration info can be found on the Georgia Arborist Association website HERE.

September 4-5, 2024 9:00am-4:00pm Eastern

CERTIFIED ARBORIST REVIEW COURSE

Harbison State Forest Environmental Education Center

Columbia, SC

Instructor: Jimmy Walters

ISA Southern Chapter and the South Carolina Forestry Commission will host a 2-day review course for arborists wanting to prepare for the certified arborist exam or just want a thorough review. Lunch is provided each day. Note that an exam is scheduled for Friday

September 6 at this location. Registering for the prep course does not include registration for the exam. See the info for the exam listed below for September 6. Information and registration for the prep course is available HERE

September 6, 2024 8:30am-Noon Eastern

ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST, UTILITY SPECIALIST, MUNICIPAL SPECIALIST EXAM

Harbison State Forest Environmental Education Center Columbia, SC

ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist written exams are scheduled for Friday, September 6, 2024. Applicants for each exam must register by August 21, 2024 at the ISA website. If you’re new to ISA, you’ll need to create an ISA profile at creating or logging in to your ISA account. Registering for an exam includes 2 steps. First, you must complete an application for your selected credential. On your ISA profile, find the link “Apply for an ISA Certification” Complete the application for your selected credential. Second, once the application is submitted and approved by ISA, you can register for an exam. Be sure to submit your application well in advance of registering for an exam as it can take several weeks to get a submitted application approved.

November 6, 2024 9:00am - 4:00pm Eastern

TRAQ RENEWAL VIRTUAL COURSE (online)

Co-hosted event with Southern, Texas, Georgia, Ohio 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. Register early!! 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. Send the email to isasouthern@isasouthern.org

Only register for this course if you already have a current TRAQ credential and your TRAQ expiration date is between November 6, 2024 and May 6, 2026. 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.

Click HERE to Register for November 6, 2024 Renewal Course Closes October 6 or when capacity is reached

“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

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.

A daunting journey

by Matt Searels, Southern Chapter Past President

Sitting across from my youngest, six-year-old Oakley Ava Searels, she sweetly reaches up to touch my face and says, “Daddy, you have gray hair, you’re old.” Wow, so blunt. So straight forward. Yes, I admit the man I see in the mirror has changed some over time, but father time hasn’t beat me yet! With my 40th birthday on the horizon I felt inspired: I will run … ok … ATTEMPT to run 100 miles on my birthday. I know some people who have done it, so surely I can too? Little did I know what I would truly gain from this milestone event.

Embarking on the daunting journey of training for a 100-mile foot race was both exhilarating and nervewracking. The months of preparation involved grueling long runs through varying terrain, countless hours of strength and endurance training, and meticulous attention to nutrition and hydration (e.g., hotdogs and beer). As race day approached, my excitement and anticipation soared, tempered only by the awareness of the immense challenge ahead. The starting line buzzed with energy as runners from around the region joined together for the ultimate test of endurance.

The race itself was a rollercoaster of emotions and physical demands. From the adrenaline-fueled start to the solitary moments of self-doubt in the dead of night, every step was a battle against fatigue and pain. Not to mention the blanket of fear that came over me when the red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) turned into the shadow of a man-eating BEAR at 3:27 a.m.! Yet amidst the struggle and the shape-shifting killer trees, there were also moments of profound beauty and camaraderie as fellow runners and my crew shared encouragement and support along the way.

As dawn broke on the second day, the finish line loomed on the horizon, a beacon of hope drawing nearer with each passing mile. With sheer determination and missing toenails, the final stretch was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Crossing the finish line, exhaustion gave way to an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and gratitude.

Reflecting on completing a 100-mile race, one can’t help but feel immense gratitude for the journey. Similarly, in ecology, sustainability is crucial—each tree felled, every ginseng root harvested (hopefully just the leaves in autumn), every fish caught should be met with appreciation for its contribution and a commitment to replenish what’s taken. The 100-mile race can serve as a metaphor for sustainability in ecology, where every step represents careful consideration of the environment and the resources we utilize. Just as each mile in the race requires perseverance and mindfulness, the sustainability of our ecosystems demands ongoing effort and respect for nature’s resilience. Let’s just hope that resiliency doesn’t mean our forests transform into lions, tigers, or BEARS, oh my!

Luci and Matt Searels atop Heavenly Hill in Lake Martin, Alabama.

2024-2025 Southern Chapter Officers

President: Hallie Dozier, LSU AgCenter

President Elect / Treasurer: Chris Diffley, Arborscapes

Vice President: Brian Watkins, BREC

Chapter CoR Rep: David Vandergriff, Griff Arbor|Hort

Tree Climbing Championship: Scott Winningham

TREE Fund Liaison: Matt Searels, CNUC

Past President: Matt Searels, CNUC

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

Louisiana: Fred Fellner

Mississippi: Steve Dicke

Shady Arbor PLLC

North Carolina: Leslie Moorman Town of Cary

Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands: Christian W. Torres Santana Coccoloba AgroEnvironnemental Consulting and Coccoloba Nursery

South Carolina: Dena Whitesides

South Carolina Forestry Commission

Tennessee: (open)

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.

Website: www.isasouthern.org

Phone: (314) 215-8010

Email: isasouthern@isasouthern.org