Volume 52 issue three 2019 What’s Inside 1
President’s Message
14 Buckets and Depreciation in the CTLA Trunk Formula Technique 18 Words Matter—The Language of Trees 21 Trees for Bees 23 Welcome New Members 23 New RCAs 26 Send Us Your Best Shot—Habitat Trees 32 Industry Reports From ASCA’s Representatives 34 ASCA Board Profiles 37 The Grammar Tree 38 ASCA Staff Profile 38 Tech Corner
1300 Piccard Drive, Suite LL 14 Rockville, MD 20850 Phone: 301.947.0483 Fax: 301.990.9771 Email: asca@asca-consultants.org www.asca-consultants.org
I have served on the ASCA board since late 2015. Back then, I had no intention of becoming ASCA presiJohn Leffingwell, RCA #442 dent and instead ASCA President thought that I would serve my three-year term, having supported and given back to the organization. Almost four years later, I realize that this journey has been so much more than I could ever have anticipated, both personally and professionally. As is always the case, timing is everything, and I am trying to make the most of my time on the board as well as capitalize on the current transitional nature of the organization. There have been challenges for sure, but there have also been successes. This past year has been particularly busy. The board has accomplished much, some of which includes: • Successfully transitioning to a new executive director following the retirement of Beth Palys after 20+ years of helping to guide and grow ASCA. • Re-establishing a conference committee that has developed the program for the Annual Conference in New Orleans with a new format for the first day and a focus on international presenters and perspectives. • Forming three progressive nominations and elections task forces, with a goal of making the process more transparent and member-inclusive. Legal counsel
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reviewed the recommended changes, and the board approved the changes proposed by the task forces, with minor modifications. The proposed changes will be included on the upcoming ballot for membership vote. Continuing the practice of publishing board meeting updates and president’s messages to keep the membership informed and engaged. Expanding the format and content of the Annual Business Meeting to provide members with meaningful and pertinent information on the state of the organization. Introducing a treasurer’s report in the May issue of The Arboricultural Consultant newsletter, sharing financial data important for members to know. Successfully launching the Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification training program, with the goal of increasing the understanding and application of the principles and methods presented in the current edition of the Guide. Initiating a review of the MSP contract and subsequently renewing the contract. The new contract has been approved by the board and will undergo legal review before it is put in place. The board will now review the contract annually, and we are looking at the cost/benefit of having an outside firm review all aspects of ASCA programs/activities, priorities, management firm contract, fees, services, expectations, deliverables, and relationship with the management firm. Initiating a review process for the executive director and MSP staff. This is in the beta-testing phase, Continued on page 2
1 Arboricultural Consultant • volume 52 issue 3 2019
< home 2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President’s Message continued
President
John S. Leffingwell, RCA #442, Pleasanton, CA President-Elect
Richard Adkins, RCA #573, Gilbert, AZ Immediate Past President
Jonathan E. Butcher, RCA #486, Milford, OH Treasurer
and the newly formed Management Review Task Force will be evaluating the current process and providing recommendations for improving it.
Jeremy T. Chancey, RCA #646, Fort Lauderdale, FL Directors:
Patrick Anderson, RCA #475, Shelby, NC Glenn Gentzke, RCA #485, Tonawanda, NY Jeffrey Ling, RCA #337, Fort Wayne, IN Ron Matranga, RCA #488, Spring Valley, CA Micah Pace, RCA #607, McKinney, TX
STAFF Executive Director
Thérèse O. Clemens, CAE Vice President Meetings
Grace L. Jan, CAE, CMP Sr. Marketing Director
Julie Hill
Marketing Director
Jennifer Olivares Managing Editor
I have moments where I am excited and energized by where we are and what we’ve accomplished. I have moments where I feel my time on the board is too short and we have so much left to do. However, having now worked with some of the current board members for several years and the executive director for two years, and seeing the capabilities, desire, and commitment of the entire board and staff, I am confident in the direction and trajectory of this organization. ASCA’s future is bright!
Lynne Agoston Meetings Manager
Morgan Prior
Website Manager
Jeyin Lee
Marketing Coordinator
Meghan Maker
Member Services Coordinator
Julianne Clarke Accounting
Dawn Rosenfeld Exhibits/Sponsorship Manager
Barbara Bienkowski, CEM
But, we must also recognize that ASCA’s future depends on the strength of those volunteers who step up to lead. We are working to be a more member-engaged and member-driven organization, and several new committees and task forces have been established/revived. This means ASCA currently needs, and will
continue to need, individuals willing to give of their time and energy. There are many opportunities and levels of commitment, from task forces to committees to full board participation. So please reach out to a board or staff member directly to talk about volunteer opportunities. ASCA needs you now more than ever! But even if you are not in a position to give of your time to the organization, you can at least vote and have your opinion counted. There are fundamental changes being proposed to the nominations and elections processes, the bylaws, and the policies and procedures documents. All of the changes are designed to promote and support member engagement/ involvement, and all of the changes will go to the membership for a vote—so, please take the time to vote. Thank you and I look forward to seeing everyone in New Orleans! (Visit the conference website for more information.)
NEWSLET TER The Arboricultural Consultant is published four times a year by ASCA. Articles and news items are encouraged and must be submitted six weeks prior to publication. Editorial Review Committee Tom Bradley, RCA #492, Mississauga, ON Chad Clink, RCA #589, Cleveland, OH Thomas Dodge, RCA #584, Pacheco, CA Nick Drunasky, RCA #467, Woodbridge, VA Jordan Endahl, Vancouver, WA Briana Frank, Madison, WI Jeannine Lubeshkoff, RCA #500, Duarte, CA Jason Miller, RCA #526, Woodbury, NJ Todd Prager, RCA #597, Lake Oswego, OR Lisa Smith, RCA #464, Los Angeles, CA Matt Weibel, RCA #534, Fair Lawn, NJ Robert Wells, RCA #593, Princeton, NJ
ASCA ANTITRUST STATEMENT The following antitrust statement has been approved by the president and board of directors of the American Society of Consulting Arborists. “Members of the American Society of Consulting Arborists, especially members of the board of directors and Society committees, are reminded that they do not and may not speak for or on behalf of the Society without the express permission of the president or board of directors of the American Society of Consulting Arborists. This prohibition includes the use of ASCA letterhead when making a statement of a technical, economic, or political nature. Members of ASCA speak only for themselves as professional consultants when giving opinions or making statements.”
Submit Your CEUs! You must earn 30 CEUs every two years to maintain your ASCA membership. ASCA provides many opportunities to earn CEUs—View a full list of approved CEUs.
• Log in to the ASCA website.
Remember to submit your CEUs as you earn them.
• At the top of the page, click the “Enter Your CEUs Now” icon.
Once you have 30 approved CEUs for the period, additional credits are not required.
• In the Certification/Program dropdown, select the 18–19 cycle.
American Society of Consulting Arborists
Submitting CEUs online is easy:
• Click “Manage Profile.”
View step-by-step instructions.
2
Arboricultural Consultant volume 52 issue 3 2019
2019
Annual Conference December 8–11 Intercontinental New Orleans
Co-sponsored by:
Illinois Arborist Association Indiana Arborist Association ISA Utah Chapter The New York State Arborists Ohio Chapter ISA 8IKQÅK 6WZ\P_M[\ 1;) Western Chapter ISA
Supported by:
Tree Care Industry Association
New Orleans, LA
asca-consultants.org/AC2019
Pre-Conference Workshop
Sunday, December 8
The T he Urban U Forest in New Orleans: Parks and Preservation Travel with ASCA to City Park New Orleans and rotate through field stations during the first part of the day. Afterwards, buses will bring participants to the Tree of Life at the New Orleans Audubon Park for a tour and to hear how staff manages efforts to preserve over 2,000 historic trees. Lunch at City Park will be provided. City Park New Orleans, established over 150 years ago in the heart of the city, comprises a total of 1,300 acres and is one of the oldest urban parks in the country. It offers visitors the largest collection of mature live oaks in the world. Trees in the oldest grove are over 800 years old. For more than a century, people have enjoyed Audubon Park, an oasis with allées of ancient live oaks, a tranquil 1.8-mile jogging path, a lagoon, picnic shelters, and playgrounds.
6:30 am–8:20 am Registration
LaSalle C Foyer
6:30 am–8:00 am Continental Breakfast
LaSalle C Foyer
8:00 am–8:30 am Board Bus to City Park
Outside Hotel Lobby
8:30 am Bus Departs for City Park 8:50 am Arrive at City Park 9:00 am–2:45 pm Field Station Rotations at City Park Noon Break for Lunch
A boxed lunch will be provided for you to enjoy at City Park
Field Stations at City Park
Mission Control: Invasive and Native Species Management
Whitney Wallace, Area Forest Agent, Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter Ashley Long, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology, LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources From early detection of invasive species to maintenance of wildlife habitat, urban foresters and arborists play a key role in natural resource conservation across diverse landscapes. Join us to learn more about common invasive plants and animals that occur in Louisiana and throughout the Southeast, including identification, strategies for minimizing risk of introduction and spread, and basic control methods for problematic species. You’ll also receive information about some unique native species that co-occur with our invasive flora and fauna, and we’ll demonstrate how you can preserve or create their habitat while managing for invasive species and providing general tree care services.
Ornamental Plant Introductions: History and Consequences
Hallie Dozier, Ph.D., Associate Professor, LSU AgCenter, School of Renewable Natural Resources For centuries, we have introduced plants from other parts of the world to our landscapes. Today, some of the most valued introductions have turned the tables on us and pose ecological problems in our landscapes. What were we thinking? Take a look back on how we became a nation of plant enthusiasts and how our unbridled passion for plants has resulted in modern-day challenges. Hear some of the latest information about the spread, threat, and management efforts in Louisiana for cogon grass, Chinese privet, and others.
Pest Management/Crape Myrtle Bark Scale
Yan Chen, Ph.D., Professor in Ornamental Horticulture, LSU AgCenter, Hammond Research Station Rodrigo Diaz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Entomology, LSU Department of Entomology
Crape myrtle bark scale is a new, devastating exotic pest on crape myrtles, the most popular flowering shrub in the United States. This pest has spread to 11 states over the past 10 years. Newly reported infestation on native American beautyberry and pomegranate have raised concerns about its potential impact on the native plant community and other major crops. This presentation will cover the basic biology, distribution, and host range of this scale; discuss current control recommendations; and provide a peek into research directions and future management solutions.
asca-consultants.org/AC2019
New Orleans, LA
Noon Break for Lunch A boxed lunch will be provided for you to enjoy at C City ityy P Park ark k
1:00 pm–2:45 pm Final Rotations 3:00 pm Board Buses and Travel to Audubon Park k Tree of Life Audubon Park Tree Management Tree Decay Detection
Daniel Illg, Chief Arborist, Audubon Nature Institute stiitu ute te
Yadong Qi, Ph.D., Professor in Urban Forestry, Southern University Malcolm Guidry, Ph.D., Consulting Arborist Fred Fellner, Ph.D., Assistant Director in Landscape Service, LSU
Daniel Illg will discuss the efforts during his 15-year tenure tenurre to to protect the historic live oaks and ensure that they are re available avai av aila abl ble le for future generations of New Orleanians. With 20 years yea ars off experience as a horticulturist and arborist, Daniel oversees verse sees se es the th he e tree care at all Audubon properties, with a focus on the he e ttrees re ree ees iin n the Audubon Zoo and Audubon Park, prioritizing the e llong-term on ngg-te t rm m health of the trees.
Is your tree safe? This is a common question that gets asked a lot by both urban forestry professionals and customers. Hazard trees are those trees with structural defects that increase the chance of them failing and hitting a target. Tree defects are associated with many extrinsic and intrinsic contributors. In this field workshop we will inspect representative trees and conduct tree risk assessment using various techniques, including visual inspection and traditional and modern techniques such as resistograph and Picus Sonic Tomography. Demonstration of various techniques, prepared wood cores, and tree anatomy will be covered. You will gain some basic knowledge on the symptoms of tree damage, tree risk assessment, and tree decay detection devices.
4:45 pm–5:00 pm Board Buses and Return to Hotel
Applying the Morphophysiological Approach to Tree Stability Assessment Stefania Gasperini, AR.ES Giovanni Morelli, Progetto Verde In this session, conference presenters Stefania Gasperini and Giovanni Morelli will guide the observation of local trees from a “morphophysiological” point of view. See page 6 in the program to learn more about their work.
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! asca-consultants.org/AC2019
asca-consultants.org/AC2019
New Orleans, LA
Schedule
Monday, December 9 7:00 am–6:00 pm Registration
Delivery of the strategy is underpinned by the Urban Forest Precinct Plans, which provide strategic guidance on tree planting priorities on streets. Implementation is also informed by Trees for Melbourne’s Climate Future—a research-based review of current and potential tree species to identify those most suitable for future temperatures.
7:00 am–8:00 am Continental Breakfast 8:00 am–8:15 am Welcome 8:15 am–9:45 am Growing a Climate Resilient City—A Melbourne Perspective on Urban Forestry David Callow, Urban Forest and Ecology, City of Melbourne, Australia Melbourne has long been regarded as Australia’s “garden city,” but more than a decade of drought and severe water restrictions have left the city of Melbourne’s tree population in a state of unprecedented decline. Melbourne is also getting warmer. Since 1950, the mean annual temperature in the central city has increased by 1.7 degrees Celsius. By 2090, the temperature is predicted to increase by another 3 degrees Celsius. The city of Melbourne’s Urban Forest Strategy seeks to manage this change and provide a strategic framework for the urban forest. A core focus of the strategy is to adapt the urban forest to climate change by increasing forest diversity and to mitigate extreme heat in the city by expanding tree canopy cover on public land from 22 percent to 40 percent by 2040.
The city of Melbourne manages less than 25 percent of the total area of the municipality. While well-established strategies exist for public land, the pressures of development, climate change, and an increasing population mean that the protection and enhancement of the urban forest within private property is more important than ever. David Callow will outline the application of the Urban Forest Strategy and supporting tools for growing a resilient urban forest in Melbourne. He will also discuss initiatives that the city of Melbourne has implemented to increase greening on private property and some of the current and emerging challenges.
9:45 am–10:15 am Break 10:15 am–10:35 am Q&A Session: Growing a Climate-Resilient City— A Melbourne Perspective on Urban Forestry
David Callow, Urban Forest and Ecology, City of Melbourne, Australia
10:35 am–12:05 pm P[b]hnbƄ[ϒ>Xm]\ Cob\Xh[] bh P]e][nbih i^ Ob`an Tree for Right Site and Function Henrik Sjöman, Swedish University of Agricultural Science & Gothenburg Botanical Garden
Henrik Sjöman will present several examples of ongoing research, including the monitoring and evaluation of a large number of tree species—those commonly used and those less employed. The analysis focuses on the trees’ ability to grow in different urban environments and their capacity for delivering different ecosystem services. Much of the research is from field studies in native and natural environments. In the presentation, experiences from North America, China, Romania, Azerbaijan, the Republic of Georgia, and other areas will be presented, with the aim of discovering and identifying the urban trees of tomorrow.
asca-consultants.org/AC2019
New Orleans, LA
12:05 pm–1:05 pm Lunch and First-Timers Lunch 1:05 pm–1:25 pm NΑ= P]mmbihέ P[b]hnbƄ[ϒ>Xm]\ Cob\Xh[] bh Selection of Right Tree for Right Site and Function Henrik Sjöman, Swedish University of Agricultural Science & Gothenburg Botanical Garden
1:25 pm–2:55 pm
Attendees at this presentation will increase their knowledge of how urban forest sustainability can be delivered through strategic planning, community partnership, and the timely tracking of key metrics. It will also describe the roles and responsibilities of municipal foresters, consultants, and tree companies in this endeavor.
2:55 pm–3:15 pm Q&A Session: Sustainable Urban Forest Management—A Critical Challenge Matt Wells, MSc, MICFor, City of Santa Monica, Public Works, Public Landscape Division
3:15 pm–3:45 pm Break
Sustainable Urban Forest Management— A Critical Challenge Matt Wells, MSc, MICFor, City of Santa Monica, Public Works, Public Landscape Division Climate change and urbanization threatens terrestrial ecosystems and the populations that depend on them. Severe drought in California has caused significant damage to the state’s urban forests. Recent studies have also shown urban tree canopy declining in many cities nationwide, and this can often be associated with population densification and development. Climate change and increased urbanization can damage the urban forest but is also mitigated by the ecosystem services it delivers. Therefore, planning for and delivering sustainability and environmental resilience is increasingly essential for communities globally. Strategically planned and systematic urban forestry management can maximize ecosystem services in an economically responsible manner. It can turn the concept of sustainability into reality by showing progress toward agreed goals through realistic metrics tracked within appropriate timeframes. This presentation will explore how the critical challenge of urban forest sustainability is being approached by the city of Santa Monica, California. It will look at the six different metrics
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New Orleans, LA
Schedule
being used to judge the city’s success in this endeavor. The presentation will also describe how tree diversity, both in species and age range, are being planned for at a street and park level. Finally, the presentation will describe how GIS mapping and data analytics have been used to create a fiveyear street tree planting prioritization model in Santa Monica. This model uses eight metrics that consider the condition of the urban forest, environmental concerns, and human need.
Schedule
CONCURRENT SESSIONS/CASE CAPSULES 3:45 pm–4:15 pm
How Bark Characteristics Determine Fire Tolerance in Native California Trees
3:45 pm–4:00 pm
Bietner v. Zuckerman, The $550,000 Cottonwood
4:00 pm–4:15 pm
Denice Britton, RCA #296 CalTLC 4:15 pm–4:45 pm
Tahoe Basin Tree Evaluations and Management Plan, Part 1— Orientation and Planning
Torrey Young, RCA #282 Dryad, LLC
Don Godi, RCA #444 Donald H. Godi & Associates, Inc.
Tahoe Basin Tree Evaluations and Management Plan, Part 2— Implementation and the Partnering Experience Katie Krebs Katie J. Krebs–Consulting Arborist Services
4:15 pm–4:25 pm
Q&A Sessions: Tahoe Basin Tree Evaluations and Management Plan, Part 1— Orientation and Planning Torrey Young, RCA #282 Dryad, LLC
Tahoe Basin Tree Evaluations and Management Plan, Part 2— Implementation and the Partnering Experience Katie Krebs Katie J. Krebs–Consulting Arborist Services
4:25 pm–4:45 pm
Oregon City v. Lindquist et al.
David Hunter, RCA #408 David D. Hunter, Certified Arborist LLC
4:45 pm–5:15 pm Riverland Preservation Project Jeremy Chancey, RCA #646 In January 2015, DR Horton, one of the largest developers in the United States, announced its intent to build 14 two-story homes on a 5-acre parcel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Riverland area, though enveloped by urban living, is a unique woodland and wildlife environment, with old growth trees, flora, and wildlife in the immediate vicinity, including manatees, foxes, gopher tortoises, burrowing owls, barred owls, yellow crowned night herons, hawks, red-cockaded and pileated woodpeckers, osprey, butterflies, bees, amphibians, salamanders, and mole skinks, among others. Building 14 homes with swimming pools, driveways, and roads would effectively destroy the 485 trees on the property—if not during the building process, then in subsequent years as grade changes, root impacts, and pruning take their toll. Instead of standing by, a core group of neighbors took action, forming the Riverland Preservation Society (RPS), with Jeremy Chancey as president. As an arborist, Jeremy is uniquely qualified to speak to the potential impacts to the trees and the negative effects that removing them would have on the surrounding area. RPS worked tirelessly scheduling meetings and events to bring the community together, convening with city commissioners, the city manager, the head of the parks and rec department, DR Horton, and the land owner, among others. After nearly two years, on September 12, 2016, city commissioners voted unanimously to purchase the 5-acre parcel as a neighborhood park. Named Riverland Preserve, the main purpose will be as passive use/nature restoration area.
asca-consultants.org/AC2019
New Orleans, LA
fit perfectly in the new “Smart City” programs will be discussed as an integral part of the changing role of trees in urban water management.
5:45 pm–7:15 pm Networking Reception
11:15 am–11:30 am Break
A casual setting with great food and drinks is a perfect way to end the day. This event allows you to get to know your fellow conference attendees on a more personal level.
Tuesday, December 10 7:00 am–6:00 pm Registration 7:00 am–8:00 am Continental Breakfast 8:00 am–9:30 am Business Meeting 9:30 am–9:45 am Break 9:45 am–11:15 am Water to the Trees—The Changing Role of Trees in Water-Sensitive Urban Design Joris G.W.F. Voeten, Urban Roofscapes In light of climate change, European cities are experiencing urban floods during peak rain events and increasing water shortages in green infrastructure during the dry spells in between. With H2O nowadays, it seems to be either too much or too little, when “just enough” is critical for green infrastructure and for trees to perform the many needed ecosystem services, such as urban cooling by evapotranspiration and shading. To find an “urban aquatic equilibrium,” new alliances are being forged between arborists and urban water managers; one has too much water to process and transport and the other too little to evaporate. Both find that urban trees can be a very valuable, natural, local, efficient, and carbon neutral part of the solution. A change in mindset is happening—from discharging rainwater to actually harvesting rainwater and using it to sustain the urban forest. This presentation addresses quantifying the water model on which these systems are calculated and the resulting innovative water-management and tree-pit designs. Examples of constructed projects at both ground level and in roof gardens will illustrate how this theory has been put into practice in several cities in the Netherlands. How trees, as the new urban water managers,
asca-consultants.org/AC2019
11:30 am–12:30 pm Development of Biochar From Urban Forest Wood Waste and Utilization for Enhancing Urban Soil and Tree Growth Kamran Abdoullhi, Ph.D., Urban Forestry and Natural Resources, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center This session will introduce innovative utilization of biochars produced from urban forest waste and their applications as soil amendments for improving urban soils and tree growth. Urban wood waste and vegetative waste will be discussed as a component of the urban forest ecosystem. Sustainable streams of wood waste feedstock for biochar production will be illustrated. Biochars and their bioengineering productions will be discussed. Impacts of biochar on soil chemical and physical properties as well as the effect of biochars on tree growth and physiology will be explained. Specifically, the impacts on tree shoot growth, net-photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, leaf chlorophyll content, and soil carbon flux will be presented. Results from the recent studies on biochar in Louisiana and other places will be shared and interpreted. Practical implications and science-based recommendations will be provided.
12:30 pm–1:30 pm Networking Lunch 1:30 pm–2:45 pm Applying the Morphophysiological Approach to Tree Stability Assessment Stefania Gasperini, AR.ES Giovanni Morelli, Progetto Verde The shape of a tree is the expression of the dynamic relationship that binds each tree with the environment in which it grows. The form a tree acquired, however, is not simply a reaction to its environment, but also relies on the adherence to principles of tree architecture development. We will illustrate how these principles change according to the different species and how they evolve following the life of each individual tree. The relationship that links the crown architecture to the organization of the root system will be presented, as well as how it is possible to relate the architectural characteristics of a tree to biological, physiological, and pathological aspects.
2:45 pm–3:00 pm Break
New Orleans, LA
Schedule
5:15 pm–5:45 pm Break
Schedule
CONCURRENT SESSIONS Practice Management
Technical
3:00 pm–3:30 pm
3:00 pm–4:00 pm
Video Conferencing—How Can We Earn Billable Eiolm Tbnaion I]Xpbh` na] LƉ[]ζ Mark Porter, Mark's Tree Service & Consulting
TaXn @i Ql]]m Qabhd i^ Mlohbh`ζ Lindsey Purcell, Purdue University, Department of
Consulting clients, like other consumers, consistently seek two crucial things:
Trees may not say much about pruning, but how they respond to this important arboriculture practice is often not fully understood by practitioners. Often, pruning specifications and directives are provided without explanation of the biology behind our discourse. This session will provide a survey into the impact of pruning, including physiological and biomechanical responses from trees to improve outcomes.
1. Solutions to problems 2. The anticipated good feelings that result from their purchase.
Forestry and Natural Resources
As consultants, what if we can provide both #1 and #2? And, what if we can produce it in 10 or 15 minutes? Can we still get paid? Yes, we can! Somebody calls with a problem, and if we can solve it over the phone or during a face-to-face video conference and save the client time and money, who wins? We all do! We were introduced to Zoom video conferencing at the 2017 Annual Conference in Skamania, Washington. Mark Porter will share how he uses Zoom video conferencing with insurance adjusters, attorney clients, homeowners, city clients, property managers, and others. Hear his ideas for turning video conferencing into billable hours, even at times when faced with impossible deadlines, and all without leaving the office chair. Mark hopes you can put some of his discoveries to work and profit from it. Ideas and questions are encouraged.
3:30 pm–4:00 pm Creating Connections With Landscape Architects Through Educational Opportunities Lisa Smith, RCA #464, The Tree Resource Consulting Arborists are commonly reviewing decisions, designs, and trees installed by other industry professionals. How are we connecting the dots and ensuring that our green partners have the latest knowledge and best management practices and are creating a green infrastructure that has the potential to truly benefit our urban canopy for decades to come? This talk will focus on finding educational opportunities, creating an engaging curriculum, developing a student “tree toolbox” of industry guides, and making trees a priority on projects. Teaching at one of the largest landscape architecture programs has provided Lisa Smith with the opportunity to develop a “Tree Materials” curriculum that engages the students, develops critical thinking, and offers an excellent introduction to trees and their characteristics, biology, growth potential, and all aspects of their selection, installation, and care. Lisa will discuss developing that curriculum, finding creative ways to engage the student, and learning how to find and promote these opportunities for your own consulting business.
asca-consultants.org/AC2019
4:00 pm–4:15 pm Break 4:15 pm–5:15 pm Judges’ and Jurors’ Expectations on Expert Testimony Judge John W. Green, Retired After listening to expert testimony as a judge and visiting with jurors after trials over a 30+ year career, including trials in retirement, Judge Green has accumulated a wealth of knowledge on what experts should do and not do in their testimony. Many experts have deviated from the role of the expert in court, often times without realizing it and always to the detriment of their client. There are common sense and technical rules that should be followed. These rules should be revisited by the seasoned expert and studied by the aspiring expert. Many of these rules, as well as how to present yourself and your testimony to the judge and jury and how to respect the ethics of your profession, will be presented.
New Orleans, LA
5:30 pm–6:30 pm Roundtables Join the speakers from the Annual Conference to delve into their topics and areas of expertise. Take advantage of the experience and knowledge available at the conference by participating in the roundtable discussions focused on topics of interest to Consulting Arborists.
6:00 pm–9:00 pm Steamboat Dinner Jazz Cruise (Optional Event) Boarding 6:00 pm; Boat departs at 7:00 pm (0.7-mile walk from the InterContinental New Orleans) $135/per person Dinner, dance, and moonlight paddlewheel cruise down the Mississippi River. Enjoy a buffet of authentic New Orleans cuisine; the Dukes of Dixieland band; open bar; and the sights, smells, and sounds of the river and the New Orleans skyline.
The appraisal problem is a careful and specific statement of the client’s question about value and its context. The appraisal problem is the basis for the appraisal assignment. The idea of the appraisal problem was included but not elaborated in the Guide for Plant Appraisal, 9th Edition. Detailed treatment of the appraisal problem is the single most important contribution of the 10th Edition. This presentation will briefly review the place of the appraisal problem in the generally accepted standards and practice of appraisal and the six essential elements of each appraisal problem. Identifying and defining each of the problem elements is the key to meaningful tree and plant appraisal. Ample time is included for Q&A and audience interaction. Attendees should be familiar with Chapter 3 of the 10th Edition and the handout materials.
10:30 am–10:45 am Break
Wednesday, December 11 7:00 am–12:30 pm Registration 7:00 am–8:00 am Continental Breakfast 8:00 am–9:00 am The Ethical Expert in a Digital Era Deni Elliott, University of South Florida The ethics of providing expertise begins with competence but is dependent on a clear understanding of clients’ expectations. Tests for impartiality are discussed, as are guidelines for developing one’s own statement of consulting ethics. Examples of ethical issues confronted by Consulting Arborists and the ASCA Standards of Professional Practice are also covered.
9:00 am–9:15 am Break 9:15 am–10:30 am Understanding the Appraisal Problem Scott Cullen, RCA #248
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New Orleans, LA
Schedule
5:15 pm–5:30 pm Break
Networking
Tuesday, December 10
10:45 am–11:45 am Deposition Adrianne L. Baumgartner, J.D., Partner, Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, LLP This session will cover not only your deposition as a witness but also your participation and assistance in evaluating the opposing expert report and your assistance to counsel in preparing the deposition. We will discuss how to prepare for questioning and present in a manner that will assist in evaluating and possibly resolving a case.
11:45 am–12:45 pm A Tale of Two Hurricanes: Wind and Water Recovery After Gustav and Katrina Fred Felner, Ph.D., Louisiana State University Malcolm Guidry, Ph.D., Consulting Arborist Hurricane and tropical force winds, rain, and storm surge severely impacted southeast Louisiana and the coastal zone of Mississippi in fall 2005 and again in 2008, with mitigation costs reaching almost $170 billion. We will look beneath the big numbers and discuss the damages to the urban forest in New Orleans, on the campus of LSU, and in the coastal regions to better understand how the trees performed and assess their condition 10 years later.
NETWORKING EVENTS Monday, December 9 12:05 pm–1:05 pm First-Timers Lunch
5:30 pm–6:30 pm Roundtables Join the speakers from the Annual Conference to delve into their topics and areas of expertise. Take advantage of the experience and knowledge available at the conference by participating in the roundtable discussions focused on topics of interest to Consulting Arborists.
6:00 pm–9:00 pm Steamboat Dinner Jazz Cruise (Optional Event) Boarding 6:00 pm; Boat departs at 7:00 pm (0.7-mile walk from the InterContinental New Orleans) $135/per person You can’t experience New Orleans without climbing aboard the Natchez paddlewheel steamboat for a cruise down the Mississippi. You’ll take in all the sights and sounds of the riverfront and the shipping trade that has made New Orleans one of the busiest ports in the world. You’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the New Orleans skyline at night. When you ‘re ready, you can move inside to enjoy an exquisite creole buffet dinner with background live jazz music by the Dukes of Dixieland. Price includes dinner, open bar, and live music.
Earn CEUs ASCA CEUs
For attendees who are new to the Annual Conference, ASCA hosts a First-Timers Lunch. On Monday, you’ll have an opportunity to meet ASCA’s board of directors as well as other first-time attendees. ASCA’s president, John Leffingwell, will talk about the association’s current focus areas and how you can make the most of your time at the conference.
5:45 pm–7:15 pm Networking Reception A casual setting with great food and drinks is a perfect way to end the day. This event allows you to get to know your fellow conference attendees on a more personal level.
Attending the 2019 ASCA Annual Conference is an excellent way to earn ASCA CEUs (required to maintain ASCA membership). Pre-Conference Workshop 8 CEUs Annual Conference 20 CEUs
ISA CEUs
ASCA has submitted this program to ISA to approve credits for the conference in the following categories: Certified Arborists, Utility Specialist, Tree Worker Climber Specialist, Municipal Specialist, BCMA science, BCMA practice, and BCMA management. This information will be posted on the ASCA website CEU page at www.asca-consultants.org/mpage/Ac2019ceus
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! asca-consultants.org/AC2019
asca-consultants.org/AC2019
New Orleans, LA
HOTEL
InterContinental New Orleans
Book Online Telephone Room Rate Reservation Deadline
Travel
444 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 525-5566
See hotel/travel section on the ASCA Annual Conference web page (504) 525-5566 $149 per night, single/double occupancy Friday, November 8, 2019
When calling the InterContinental New Orleans to make reservations, please remember to mention the American Society of Consulting Arborists to get the group discounted rate. Hotel reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis until Friday, November 8, 2019, or until the block has sold out. ASCA cannot guarantee the group rate if rooms are still available in the ASCA block after November 8, 2019.
Check-in Time Checkout Time Valet Parking
3:00 pm Noon $45 per night, plus tax
The InterContinental New Orleans is the place to immerse yourself in Big Easy culture, just steps away from the historic French Quarter and the riverfront. Business and leisure travelers alike soak in the subtle quiet of our hotel while remaining close to the exciting pace of the city.
Registration Costs: MOAϔ?LK Α =KKR=I =KKR=I LKIV MOAϔ?LK LKIV A=OIVϕnalio`a Blb\Xsή Kip]gZ]l ή ASCA MEMBER $ 800 $ 1,170 ?LϔPMLKPLO JAJ>AO $ 1,295 $ 875 NONMEMBER $ 1,470 $ 1,020 ASCA MEMBER ?LϔPMLKPLO JAJ>AO NONMEMBER
TRAVEL
$ 570 $ 645 $ 720
2019 REGULAR–Saturday, November 9, 2019, through onsite $ 1,320 $ 645 $ 900 $ 1,445 $ 720 $ 975 $ 1,620 $ 795 $ 1,120
Airport
Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) is 15 miles (25 minutes) from the InterContinental New Orleans.
Airfare
has partnered with ASCA and is offering discounted airfare to all attendees. When booking online at www.united.com, use LƂ]l ?i\] ZFSG703873. To book by phone, call (800) 426-1122 and provide the following information: Z Code ZFSG; Agreement Code 703873.
Taxi UberX Shuttle
$36 each way $35 each way $24 (per-person, one way) or $44 (per-person, roundtrip). Please make your shuttle reservation ahead of time at www.airportshuttleneworleans.com. The temperature in New Orleans during early December averages in the mid-60s during the day and high 40s at night. Business casual attire is appropriate for the ASCA Annual Conference.
Weather Dress Code
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Buckets and Depreciation in the CTLA Trunk Formula Technique By James Komen, RCA #555
The 10th Edition of the CTLA Guide for Plant Appraisal has changed the depreciation factors used in the Trunk Formula Method (now “Technique”). Although the condition rating remains, the species and location ratings have been eliminated and have been replaced by functional limitations and external limitations.
Functional limitations are intended to account for incurable genetic-based conflicts between the tree and its immediate environment or conflicts that are manageable through costly repeated treatments. For example, if a tree tends to be a large species, but the planting area is too small for its mature size, then there will be a limitation to how much value
that tree will create, all else being equal. External limitations are intended to account for conflicts beyond the control of the property owner, such as municipal ordinances, zoning, and easements. After brief testing with this formula, one will find that there are many scenarios in which there is overlap between the three depreciation ratings. For example, a side-trimmed tree near utility lines could be depreciated for condition (e.g., poor form and structure), functional limitations (e.g., inability to provide intended aesthetic function), or external limitations (e.g., utility easement is outside the control of the property owner). As another example, a tree with a sidewalk close to its trunk could be depreciated for condition (e.g., damage to root structure/health), functional limitations (e.g., anticipated future damage to the sidewalk), or external limitations (e.g., sidewalk easement is outside the control of the property owner). In response to questions of how to deal with these scenarios, the council gave the analogy of depreciation “buckets.” Each component of depreciation was a bucket into which attributes could be placed, and it didn’t matter which bucket was chosen so long as each attribute was only counted once. In the following research, I show that the bucket analogy is not effective in dealing with the problem of overlap. The allocation of depreciable tree attributes matters. First, I show analytically why allocation is not equivalent between buckets. Next, I show theoretical examples to illustrate
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my conclusions. In one of my examples, the allocation of a set amount of depreciation affects the combined depreciation rating by 120%. The current ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TR AQ ) method of assessing risk uses three separate categories that require subjective input on the part of the risk assessor: likelihood of failure, likelihood of impact, and consequences of failure and impact. These categories are independent of one another, so there are no “buckets” to choose between. Each attribute of a given tree risk scenario is accounted in only one of those three categories, and there is no overlap among them. In contrast, there is significant overlap among all three of the depreciation categories of the Trunk Formula Technique.
on the outcome if one arborist classified a defect as a trunk defect and another classified the same defect as a scaffold branch defect. By the commutative property of addition, adding the assigned subcategory ratings of tree condition in any order resulted in the same outcome. The same was true for the location rating. Even though the subcategories of site, contribution, and placement were averaged to calculate the final location rating, the outcome was the same because each subcategory was multiplied by a constant, so the choice of “bucket” did not affect the final appraised cost solution. In contrast, when the bucket method is applied to multiplicative categories, the answer is not always the same. In this next section, I show analytically why this is true.
. . . there is significant overlap among all three of the depreciation categories of the Trunk Formula Technique. The origin of the concept of buckets may relate back to the subcategories within the condition and location ratings of the Trunk Formula Method from the 9th edition of the guide. Within the condition ratings, there were subcategories for health and structure of various tree parts. Within the location rating, there were subcategories for site, contribution, and placement for the location rating. Occasionally, questions arose regarding where the roots ended and the trunk began or the trunk ended and the scaffold branches began. Questions also arose when deciding whether an attribute of the tree’s location belonged in the placement or contribution subcategory.
Analytical Derivation
To address this concern, the answer was simple: pick a bucket. Since the subcategories were additive, there was no effect
If one depreciation rating is allocated to functional limitations and one is allocated to external limitations, then
Consider two of the depreciation categories proposed for the 10th edition of the guide: functional limitations (F) and external limitations (E). Also, suppose there are two separate defects being accounted for, such as sidewalk over roots and power lines through the canopy. Finally, suppose an appraiser has assigned some amount of depreciation to each of those defects (a) and (b). If both attributes are allocated to functional limitations, then the combined depreciation rating is as follows: ( F + a + b ) x E = FE + aE + bE
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the combined depreciation rating is as follows: ( F + a ) x ( E + b ) = FE + aE + bF + ab The two combined depreciation ratings are different. For them to be equal, some condition must be met. To derive that condition, I set the two equations equal to each other and simplified: FE + aE + bE = FE + aE + bF + ab bE = bF + ab E=F+a For the allocation of (b) to have no effect on the outcome of the appraisal, external limitations must equal functional limitations plus (a). In a scenario with only two attributes that warrant depreciation (sidewalk AND power lines), functional limitations and external limitations would have the same starting value prior to the allocation of the depreciable attributes. Therefore, we are left with: 0=a This final step shows that the only time it doesn’t matter which “bucket” is chosen is when there is only one attribute for depreciation (sidewalk OR power lines) or the amount of depreciation attributable to a given attribute is zero. In all other cases, the combined depreciation will be different, and it will matter how the depreciable attributes are allocated.
Numeric Example
Because analytical derivation is sometimes difficult to interpret conceptually, I will also illustrate this same conclusion using example values. Suppose again the previous scenario where there are two attributes of sidewalk over roots and power lines running through the crown. The appraising arborist assigns a depreciation amount of -30% to the attribute of sidewalk over roots (a) and -20% to the attribute of power lines through the
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crown (b). If (a) were the only attribute warranting depreciation, then either functional limitations (F) or external limitations (E) would equal 70% (100% – 30% = 70%). However, since there are two attributes, there are four possible ways to allocate their depreciation amounts between functional limitations (F) and external limitations (E): a b
‐30% a ‐20% b
‐30% ‐20%
Scenario Functional External Combined (F x E) Scenario Functional External Combined (F x E) Both allocated to (F) 50% 100% 50.00% Both allocated to (F) 50% 100% 50.00% a to (F) and b to (E) 70% 80% 56.00% a to (F) and b to (E) 70% 80% 56.00% b to (F) and a to (E) 80% 70% 56.00% b to (F) and a to (E) 80% 70% 56.00% Both allocated to (E) 100% 50% 50.00% Both allocated to (E) 100% 50% 50.00%
and (b) are allocated separately to each respective component of depreciation, the When (a) and (b) allocated separately each respective component of depreciation, the of depreciation, the combined depreciation is greater When (a)areand (b) allocated separately each component depreciation is greater than if (a)are and (b) are to both assigned totothe samerespective component of depreciation greater ifto(a) and (b)the are bothamount assigned the sameof component of if (a) andischoosing (b) arethan both assigned tosame the same component depreciation. In this scenario, simply choosing how to allocate on. combined In this than scenario, simply how allocate oftodepreciation depreciation. In this scenario, simply choosing how to allocate the same amount of depreciation pact on thethe finalsame appraised valueofofdepreciation 12%, all else being equal. amount has an impact on the final appraised value of 12%, all else being equal. has an impact on the final appraised value of 12%, all else being equal.
re is a greater amount of total depreciation to allocate, the effect is more pronounced. is aattributes greater of total depreciation todepreciation allocate, effect is more pronounced. When there is amount awarranting greater amount of total to allocate, the effect is more pronounced. Suppose that instead of two attrihat When insteadthere of two depreciation, there is a set ofthe many attributes Suppose that instead of two attributes warranting depreciation, there is a set ofin many attributes the sum of butes their depreciation is 80%. These could be allocated warrantingamounts depreciation, thereattributes is a set of many attributes such that the sum of their depreciation amounts is 80%. These such that the sum of their depreciation amounts is 80%. These attributes could be allocated ination in increments ofcould 10% to either functional limitations or external limitations, perof 10%into either functional limitations or external limitations, attributes be allocated in any combination in increments combination increments 10% tocombinations either functional limitations tionany of the appraisinginarborist. The of possible are as follows: or external limitations, per per theof discretion ofarborist. the appraising arborist. The possible combinations are as follows: the discretion the appraising The possible combinations are as follows:
preciation to Allocate: 80% Depreciation to Allocate: 80%
enario Functional External Combined Scenario Functional External Combined allocated to Functional 20% 100% 20.00% <‐‐‐Maximum depreciation All allocated to Functional 20% 100% 20.00% <‐‐‐Maximum depreciation 30% 90% 27.00% 30% 90% 27.00% 40% 80% 32.00% 40% 80% 32.00% 50% 70% 35.00% 50% 70% 35.00% ually divided 60% 60% 36.00% <‐‐‐Minimum depreciation Equally divided 60% 60% 36.00% <‐‐‐Minimum depreciation 70% 50% 35.00% 70% 50% 35.00% 80% 40% 32.00% 80% 40% 32.00% 90% 30% 27.00% 90% 30% 27.00% allocated to External 100% 20% 20.00% <‐‐‐Maximum depreciation All allocated to External 100% 20% 20.00% <‐‐‐Maximum depreciation
depreciable attributes are equally allocated to both functional limitations and external When the depreciable attributes equallyWhen allocated to both functional limitations and external s, the combined depreciation is at a are minimum. depreciable attributes all functional When the depreciable attributes arethe equally allocated to are both limitations, the combined depreciation is at a minimum. When the depreciable attributes are all limitations and external limitations, the combined to either functional limitations or external limitations, the combined depreciation is at a depreciation is at a minimum. When the depreciable attributes are all allocated to either functional limitations or external allocated to either functional limitations or external limitations, the combined depreciation is at a . The decision on how to allocate depreciable attributes between functional and maximum. The decision on how to allocate depreciable attributes between functional and limitations, the combined depreciation is at a maximum. The decision on how to allocate depreciable attributes between funcmitations will impact the final appraised cost solution by up to 80% in this scenario, all external limitations will impact the final appraised cost solution by up to 80% in this scenario, all equal. tional and external limitations will impact the final appraised cost solution by up to 80% in this scenario, all else being equal. else being equal.
ion to allocate depreciable attributes extends beyond the two components of functional Thelimitations. decision allocate attributes extends beyond components of functional limitations and external limitaThe decision to allocateto depreciable attributes extends the tworating. components functional s and external There is alsodepreciable some overlap withbeyond the condition So theoftwo limitations and external limitations. There is also some overlap with the condition rating. So the same scenario as above, but instead of allocating tions. There is also some overlap with the condition rating. So now assume me the same scenario as above, but instead of allocating the 80% total depreciation now assumeIthe same scenario as above, but instead of allocating the 80% total depreciation o components, have allocated it among all three components in various combinations: the 80% total depreciation among two components, I have allocated it among all three components in various combinations: among two components, I have allocated it among all three components in various combinations: Depreciation to Allocate: 80% Scenario Equally divided Split between two All allocated to one
Condition Functional External Combined 76% 76% 76% 44% <‐‐Minimum depreciation 60% 60% 100% 36% 20% 100% 100% 20% <‐‐Maximum depreciation
When the total depreciation amount is equally divided between the three components, the
When the total depreciation amount is equally divided between the three components, the combined depreciation is at a miniCommented [A2]: Pull quote combined depreciation is at a minimum. When the total depreciation amount is allocated entirely mum. When thethetotal depreciation amount allocatedInentirely to one is at a maximum. to one component, combined depreciation is at aismaximum. this scenario, thecomponent, decision on the combined Commenteddepreciation [A3]: Pull quote howthis to allocate depreciable attributes three components will impact the final appraised In scenario, the decision on between how to allocate depreciable attributes between three components will impact the final appraised cost solution byby up up to 120%, all elseallbeing cost solution to 120%, else equal. being equal. American Society of Consulting Arborists
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Potential Solutions
Now that I have established that allocation of depreciation affects the outcome of the Trunk Formula Technique appraisal, I would like to present some possible courses of action for addressing this potential for discrepancy: • No action: If no action is taken, Trunk Formula Technique appraisals may vary greatly between arborists simply by how overlapping depreciation is allocated. It may be up to the respective appraising arborists to defend why they allocated as they did. I suspect this will be the favored outcome by the industry. If so, appraisers should be aware of the need to not only justify depreciation attributes, but also how the point ratings are allocated. • Prescriptive allocation: A future edition of the Guide for Plant Appraisal could specifically define how the depreciation should be allocated in scenarios of overlap. It may be difficult to come to agreement, and it may take a significant amount of time and resources to compile and evaluate overlap scenarios. Prescriptive allocation also may end up posing an unnecessarily rigid restriction on field arborists who find that the prescriptive allocation is not appropriate for their specific scenarios. • Additive depreciation: Rather than multiplying functional limitations and external limitations together, perhaps they can be merged into two subcomponents of the same depreciation
rating. An analog to this would be the subcomponents of the location rating as outlined in the 9th edition: site, contribution, and placement are all assigned and then averaged. Perhaps external and functional limitations could be averaged or otherwise combined in the same way, rather than combining them multiplicatively. • Category redefinition: The depreciation categories could be redefined to eliminate overlap to more closely model the ISA TRAQ method of risk assessment. Category redefinition may be the most challenging alternative.
Conclusion
The allocation of depreciable attributes affects the final appraised cost solution of the Trunk Formula Technique. The greatest amount of depreciation occurs when all of the attributes are allocated to the same component of depreciation, and the least amount of depreciation occurs when the attributes are equally allocated among the components. An appraiser’s choice of how to allocate attributes among the depreciation components can have a large impact on the final appraised cost solution. With such a large possible discrepancy between outcomes, the allocation of depreciation into each bucket must be defensible by the appraising arborist. In some cases, there may be a “best bucket,” and in others, it may not be as clear. James Komen, RCA #555, is a Consulting Arborist from Los Angeles, California, specializing in tree appraisal and risk assessment.
When the total depreciation amount is equally divided between the three components, the combined depreciation is at a minimum. When the total depreciation amount is allocated entirely to one component, the combined depreciation is at a maximum.
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Words Matter—The Language of Trees By Todd Prager, RCA #597
Ask 10 different arborists how they classify tree condition, and you will likely get at least 10 different answers. Words that I have seen used to describe tree condition include: excellent, specimen, very good, good, fair, average, poor, very poor, dying, declining, dead, diseased, dangerous, and hazardous. I’ve also seen numerical ratings for tree condition on varying scales. My firm even assigns both a separate “health condition” and “structural condition” rating
since these attributes are often independent of one another. This article presents some problems and potential solutions regarding the language of tree condition, such as: • What do these words and ratings mean? • What is their value outside of any standardized criteria? • Should our industry work to standardize the descriptions of tree condition?
Urban Forest-Tree
Before entering private consulting, I worked for the rapidly growing city of Tigard, Oregon. My duties included reviewing arborist reports for developments that involved hundreds or even thousands of trees per project. As with most cities, submission requirements included an evaluation of: 1. Tree species 2. Size (DBH) 3. Location 4. Condition While the first three could be objectively determined with a reasonable degree of certainty, tree condition was nearly impossible to consistently evaluate. One of the reasons for this was that in the Tigard code (as with most city codes), there was no standard criteria for categorizing tree health. Most reports I reviewed used different words to describe tree health, and very few reports defined their terms. This caused confusion both for me when reviewing plans and the public when evaluating whether its community standards were met. In one scenario, the term “hazard” was used to describe trees in a forest setting with low live crown ratios (common in our region due to competition, see Figure 1). The term “hazard” allowed for the exemption of almost every tree in the entire forest. Since the terms lacked clear criteria in the code, there was no basis for denying the application.
Figure 1: Accessed from: https://www.nps.gov/articles/wildland-fire-in-douglas-fir.htm on June 10, 2019
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Give Us Some Credit
As a private consultant, I have been on the other side of submitting reports based on unclear code criteria. My firm typically rates tree health and structural condition separately based on a scale of good, fair, poor, to very poor. Trees in “good” condition are close to ideal for the species, while “fair” trees are considered average for the species. One city in our region requires the preservation of a certain number of trees per acre for new development. City staff adopted a practice of only giving credit for trees in “good” condition as meeting this standard. Even though I considered trees in “fair” condition as suitable for preservation, these trees did not meet the city’s practice in applying their code. While the city had no criteria for what constituted a “good” tree, I understand how the term “fair” could be interpreted differently based on one’s personal perspective. While my temptation was to adjust our rating scale when working in this city, I decided to leave it as is for the consistency and credibility of our firm. Fortunately, the city is revising its code, and I volunteered to peer review the draft code language to ensure more consistency in the future.
What Should We Do?
These examples illustrate some of the pitfalls when we lack a common understanding of terms. I’m sure there are countless other “war stories” that we as arborists have in common. Below are a few ideas for creating more consistency when rating tree health: • Define our terms: At a minimum, we should define our terms for tree health and structural condition. Table 4.1 in the Guide for Plant Appraisal, 10th edition1 includes helpful criteria. Table
5.2 in Trees and Development2 likewise provides guidance for our terms. Definitions for tree condition ratings should be included in our reports. • Update codes: Arborists can assist cities in updating their codes, manuals, and guidelines with definitions for tree condition ratings. This would assist different arborists in speaking a common language and create more consistency for city staff and the public in their review. • Create an industry standard: Is it time for us to create an industry standard or guideline for tree condition? We have standards and guidelines for tree appraisal, tree risk assessments, pruning, and many other aspects of arboriculture. Perhaps it is time that we create a common language for tree condition.
Example Reports for Consulting Arborists 3rd Ed. This is your resource for knowing what information to include and how to format Consulting Arborist reports. The book encompasses practice reports from students of the ASCA Consulting Academy and a real-life report as submitted by an author to an actual client.
I recognize that defining terms will not solve every tree condition dispute that arises. However, the more we can work to develop a common understanding for something as essential as tree condition, the more credible our industry will be as a whole. Todd Prager, RCA #597, BCMA, AICP, is a certified planner with the American Planning Association. He was the project manager and consultant for the City of Tigard Urban Forestry Code Revisions project, which received the Oregon Planning Association Award for Professional Achievement in Planning and the American Planning Association Award for Best Practice in Planning. He has provided consultant services for several code updates in the Portland, Oregon, region.
Order your copy at www.asca-consultants.org
Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers (CTLA). 2018. Guide for Plant Appraisal (10th ed.). Champaign, IL. International Society of Arboriculture. 1
Matheny, N., and J.R. Clark. 1998. Trees and Development: A Technical Guide to Preservation of Trees During Land Development. Champaign, IL: International Society of Arboriculture.
2
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RCA Embosser and Stamp—Distinguish Yourself The Registered Consulting Arborist® (RCA)* status represents ASCA's premier level of membership. Official RCA stamps and embossers are available for purchase—use these items to distinguish your work products. *You must be an RCA to order RCA products.
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Trees for Bees By Dr. Laura G. Jull, Dept. of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Why should we care about bees? Bees provide us with significant benefits, including pollinating our fruit and vegetable plants. Honeybees make honey that is a delicacy in any kitchen. Introduced honeybees are responsible for pollinating over $10 billion worth of U.S. food crops each year. Wisconsin has over 400 species of native bees that also are responsible for pollinating many plants. Unlike honeybees, the majority of native bees do not live in colonies. Instead, most of them construct solitary nests below ground in burrows or above ground in cavities. Unfortunately, both native and introduced honeybees are facing significant declines in their population due to loss of habitat, climate change, diseases and mites, excessive pesticide use or misuse, and pollution. We need to take steps in our communities to help bees and other pollinator
populations thrive in our urban environments. Plant a wide variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals with overlapping and sequential blooming periods throughout the season. Flowers that bees are attracted to include bright white, yellow, blue, and purple blooms with a fresh, mild to sweet fragrance. Bees like tubular to shallow flowers or flowers with landing platforms. Flowers that produce nectar or have slightly scented, sticky pollen attract bees. In particular, trees can provide a good source of pollen early in spring right when bees are laying their eggs and the resulting larvae use it for their development. Throughout the rest of the growing season, adult bees use nectar from flowers as a carbohydrate source to continue reproducing and pollinating plants. Besides a continuous food source, bees also require water, adequate nesting habitat, and an adequate amount of sunny, open space.
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When bees are pollinating f lowers, reduce or avoid the use pesticides, especially broad-spectrum insecticides. Even organic pesticides can be highly toxic to bees and other pollinators. Avoid spraying trees during bloom time, especially when lindens and fruit trees are in bloom, as these trees are some of their favorite choice for food. Below is a list of tree species that are critical to sustaining bees because they are a source of either pollen or nectar.
Early Spring
• Acer spp.: maples, especially red maple • Amelanchier spp.: serviceberries • Cercis canadensis: eastern redbud • Cornus mas: corneliancherry dogwood • Corylus spp.: hazelnuts, filberts • Prunus spp.: cherries, plums, peach, apricots, nectarines (some bloom mid-spring) • Populus spp.: poplars • Salix spp.: willows • Sassafras albidum: sassafras
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Mid-Spring
• Aesculus spp.: bucke ye s a nd horsechestnuts • Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis: thornless honeylocust • Halesia tetraptera: Carolina silverbell • Liquidambar styraciflua: American sweet-gum • Malus spp.: apples and crabapples • Nyssa sylvatica: black gum, tupelo, sour gum, the food source of tupelo honey • Pyrus spp.: pears
Late Spring
• Castanea spp.: chestnuts • Cladrastis kentukea: A merican yellowwood • Crataegus spp.: hawthorns • Liriodendron tulipifera: tulip-tree, yellow-poplar, the food source of tuliptree honey • Ptelea trifoliata: wafer-ash, hop-tree
• Robinia pseudoacacia: black locust (invasive, on DNR NR-40 list), the food source of locust honey • Sorbus spp.: mountain ashes • Tilia spp.: lindens and basswood, American basswood is the food source of basswood honey
Early Summer
• Catalpa speciosa: northern catalpa • Cornus alternifolia: pagoda dogwood • Rhus spp.: sumacs • Syringa pekinensis: Peking lilac • Syringa reticulata: Japanese tree lilac
Early to Mid-Fall
• Heptacodium miconioides: seven-son flower, good late-season food source for pollinators Dr. Laura Jull is an associate professor and extension specialist for Woody Ornamental Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin– Madison. Her research interests are diverse and include woody plant evaluation, tolerance of ornamentals to urban conditions, best management practices, and plant propagation. In addition to teaching, she has written numerous articles for the UW Extension and taught an Italian study abroad course.
Mid-Summer
• Koelreuteria paniculata: golden raintree • Oxydendrum arboreum: sourwood, sorrel-tree, the food source of sourwood honey • Styphnolobium japonicum: Japanese pagoda-tree (formerly Sophora japonica)
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Welcome New Members
New RCAs
Sean Bilodeau Boxborough, MA acorntree@me.com
Augusto Carvajal Miami, FL augustocarvajal@gmail.com
Frank Krawczyk Camas, WA pnwtreeconsulting@gmail.com
Angie Flores, RCA #680
Sean P. Bilodeau Boxborough, MA seanbilodeau@gmail.com
Sam DeMarais Fargo, ND sdemarais@fargoparks.com
Justin Ono South San Francisco, CA jonoconsulting@gmail.com
Glen Ginzel, RCA #682
Nicholas Butler Glendale, CA nicholas.butler@ remymahlconsulting.com
Kelley Gilleran Sacramento, CA kgilleran@wcainc.com
Jacob Ryg South Saint Paul, MN Ginkgo72@gmail.com
Brian Goodall Stoutsville, OH goodallarborist@gmail.com
Eran Strauss Commack, NY treemee@verizon.net
Eric Hinzman Columbus, OH ehinzman@bartlett.com
Glenn Whitlock-Reeve Scotts Valley, CA greeve@wcainc.com
Lucas Capachin Lafayette, CO Lucapachin@gmail.com David Carpenter Fresno, CA dcarpcstarb@aol.com
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Dave Aviram, RCA #681 Michael McLaughlin, RCA #683 Ian Wogan, RCA #684 Tony Wayne Wolcott, RCA #685 Benjamin Anderson, RCA #686
Arboricultural Consultant volume 52 issue 3 2019
Involved With Community and Urban Forestry?
There is a professional organization waiting for you. Confidence, competence, and camaraderie.
www.urban-forestry.com
Join the Society of Municipal Arborists Today!
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TPAQ Instructors Denice Britton, RCA #296 James Clark, Ph.D. RCA #357 Mark Duntemann, RCA #656 William Fountain, Ph.D. RCA #594
ASCA Consulting 2020 Academy February 26–29
Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel Sacramento, California
Brian Gilles, RCA# 418 Christian Hughes, RCA# 493 Robert Laverne, RCA# 403 Jeffrey Ling, RCA #337 Gil Mitchell, RCA #317 Anita Schill, RCA# 421 E. Thomas Smiley, Ph.D. RCA #635 Lisa Smith, RCA# 464 Robert Wells, RCA #593 Donald Zimar, RCA #446
Co-sponsored by Illinois Arborist Association Indiana Arborist Association ISA Utah Chapter New York State Arborists Ohio Chapter ISA Pacific Northwest Chapter ISA Western Chapter ISA www.asca-consultants.org/Academy
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Supported by Tree Care Industry Association
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Send Us Your Best Shot— Habitat Trees Many of us have seen all manner of living things in trees, from raccoons to squirrels, to bees, birds, bats, and other beasts. Each living community is special, so we asked ASCA members to send us examples of habitat trees they have encountered.
Big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), reduction pruning (Maple Before, Before 2016, After 2016, 2017, 2018): Tree was slated to be removed due to a decayed trunk flare. Drastic crown reduction was performed as a last measure for tree retainment. Tree is habitat to many birds and squirrels and is in a low-use park area.
(Photo credit: Chris Rippey, RCA #633)
Before
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Before 2016
After 2016
2017
2018
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Trees in Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood in England. The trees are home to fungi, invertebrates, and mammals. The area is rich in these trees, with the major oak being the oldest and largest.
(Photo credit: Andy Smith)
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< home Habitat Trees continued These cute critters found refuge in these trees.
(Photo credit: Jason Miller, RCA #526)
Mother raccoon keeps guard over her kits.
Peek-a-boo!
A squirrel “lichen� its perch for an afternoon nap.
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< home Habitat Trees continued Park and Tilford Gardens, North Vancouver, BC, is a former brewery site. A large Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) stump is preserved. At one time it had been braced. You can see the nuts on the outside that appear like a face. Many insects and birds call it home.
(Photo credit: John Martyn)
These Western hemlock (Tsuga heterphylla) were close to a road. They presented an unreasonable level of risk, so they were topped. Over the years they have become habitat for insects, invertebrates, fungi, and nesting birds.
(Photo credit: John Martyn)
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(Photo credit: Jeremy Barrell, RCA #498)
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Industry Reports From ASCA’s Representatives American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 Committee By Richard Gessner, RCA #496
The last full A300 committee was March 26–28 in San Antonio, Texas. The fall meeting is scheduled for October 15–17 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At this time, Part 5: Construction and Site Development has completed its public review phase and should be published and available in the coming weeks. Part 8: Roots and Part 3: Supplemental Support Systems are just completing public review, and comments will be reviewed in the fall. Part 4, Lightning Protection is being worked on and will go to public review this winter. Part 6: Tree Planting was reaffirmed to buy time and is under complete overhaul, and there have been several subcommittee phone conferences to discuss development of the new document.
Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition (SUFC) By John Harris, RCA #496
As we work through our summer months, a busy season for most of us, I have some news that is positive
for arboriculture and urban forestry. In the following news items, there are opportunities for ASCA members. Use and share what is happening across the nation in urban forestry. These programs and projects can help you to assist others in better protecting and managing trees in our communities.
Time for Trees Initiative
The Arbor Day Foundation’s new, ambitious tree planting initiative to plant 100 million trees by 2022 now has a dedicated website at https://timefortrees. org/. Please visit to learn more about why trees are the solution to so many of our nation’s problems and why now is the time to join this campaign. Here is just some of the information you will receive: • Introduction to the Time for Trees initiative and the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day. • Individual pages and videos on the importance of forests and trees for people and communities. • Corporate partners and their roles in the campaign. • News and blogs, updated biweekly. • Ways for you to get involved.
Urban Tree Cover Study
Researchers from the Nature Conservancy, NASA, and Stanford University examined urban tree cover in 97 cities across the U.S. and applied their findings across the entire U.S. urban population. The new study demonstrates that urban tree cover saves up to $12 billion annually in the U.S., including costs associated with reduced deaths, injuries, and electricity consumption for air-con-
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ditioning. Learn more at https://www. forbes.com/sites/linhanhcat/2019/05/09/ urban-tree-cover-saves-12-billionannually/#6e16724a4faf.
Using Trees to Protect and Restore Urban Watersheds Urban Watershed Forestry Manual, Part 1
This publication, Methods for Increasing Forest Cover in a Watershed, introduces the emerging topic of urban watershed forestry. It also presents new methods for the watershed planner or forester to systematically measure watershed forest cover and select the best methods for maintaining or increasing this cover by protecting, enhancing, and reforesting large parcels of primarily public land across the watershed. These methods are based on an extensive review of the latest research and input from experts in a wide range of related fields. Urban Watershed Forestry Manual, Part 2
In communities across the United States and around the world, expanding urbanization with population movements, urban growth, and industrialization are creating challenges for urban forestry professionals when conserving and planting trees at developed sites. Part 2 of the Urban Watershed Forestry Manual, Conserving and Planting Trees at Development Sites, published by the USDA Forest Service, presents ways to enable develop-
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ers, engineers, landscape architects, and other professionals to incorporate more trees into developed sites. Urban Watershed Forestry Manual, Part 3
The Urban Tree Planting Guide provides detailed guidance on urban tree planting that is applicable at both the development site and the watershed scales. Topics covered include site assessment, planting design, site preparation and other pre-planting considerations, and planting and maintenance techniques. An urban tree selection guide is included for use in selecting the best tree and shrub species for the planting site.
U&CF News from the House Interior Appropriations Report By Rebecca Turner, American Forests and Danielle Watson, Society of American Foresters—Sustainable Urban Forest Coalition Policy Working Group Co-Chairs
The House Interior Appropriation draft report is out. Urban & Community Forestry (U&CF) was allocated at $40 million. The additional $12.395 million is to address pest outbreaks. Some U&CF items to note: Page 104: Urban and Community Forestry. The committee rejects the budget request proposal to eliminate this program and instead recommends $40 million for Urban and Community Forestry, which is a programmatic increase of $12,395,000 above the enacted level. Page 99: “$12,395,000 for Urban and Community Forestry to prevent and address pest outbreaks [like Emerald Ash Borer], improve forest sustainability, combat climate change, and assist with reforestation efforts.”
More Urban Report language: Page 104: Urban Reforestation. The committee acknowledges the important role of urban forests to improve health outcomes and decrease contaminants in the air, soil, and water and urges the Forest Service to expand efforts to promote urban reforestation, particularly in urban areas with critically insufficient tree canopy. Urban Connections Program. The committee strongly supports the U.S. Forest Service Urban Connections program in Region 9 as a model program for building strong relationships with youth, interested citizens, urban leaders, interagency partners, nonprofit organizations, and nongovernment organizations. The committee encourages the Forest Service to build on and expand this program to other regions, with a focus on youth engagement and outdoor learning in and on urban waterways via partnerships with nonprofits to provide recreational and outdoor education programs, like Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile. Senate Interior Appropriations meetings will be scheduled in June to support similar language and numbers in the Senate version of the Interior Appropriation bill. Read the DRAFT House Interior Appropriations Report.
Florida SB1400 and HB1159 Bills
A law to reduce the ability of individual cities to regulate tree removals and reduce (eliminate) required mitigation for removed trees is a signature away from being approved. These bills have passed the Florida Senate and House of Representatives and are “on the desk” waiting to be signed and approved by Governor DeSantis. Anyone wanting more information or to say “yes/no” regarding this legislation is encouraged to contact the
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governor’s office as soon as possible. This legislation to reduce tree removal costs and tree protection in Florida is a part of statewide “Private Property Rights” legislation. What I find most important to share with ASCA members is that the new law affects anyone managing urban forests in Florida, and MAY BE A PRECEDENT FOR OTHER STATES TO USE FOR REDUCING RIGHTS OF CITIES TO MANAGE AND REGULATE THEIR URBAN FORESTS.
UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program – Economic Contributions of Urban Forestry in Florida in 2017
This economic industry study is a much-needed tool for those who are lobbying and supporting the importance of urban forests in communities. This study could be done in each state or region and provides needed economic and industry statistics for us to use to inform the public and decision-makers about our industry volume and impacts. There are other states and regions doing similar studies, so ask about economic impact research in your area, and use the information to increase the importance of our industry and your work where you live! Urban and community forestry is an important commercial activity in Florida and across the United States. For this study, urban forestry includes nursery production of trees, landscape services for tree planting and maintenance in private and public spaces, parks and highway rights-of-way, utility line vegetation management, landscape architecture, manufacturing of tree equipment and products, and wholesale and retail distribution of trees and tree care products. This study was commissioned by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Florida Forest
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Service, to estimate the economic contributions of urban forestry activities in the state of Florida. Benefits of Florida’s 15.2 million publicly owned trees in urban forestry stewardship were valued at $96.89 per tree, or a total of $1.468 billion annually. For all activities, the estimated total economic contributions were 80,808 full-time and part-time jobs, $3.46 billion in labor income, $5.15 billion value added or GDP, and $8.40 billion in industry output, including multiplier effects (Table ES1). Trees in urban areas receive care, provide benefits, and provide jobs for many in Florida. I hope studies like this can support the importance of your work in your area and help interest more people in maintaining and expanding our urban forest canopy. Download the full report: Economic Contributions of Urban Forestry in Florida in 2017, May 2019, Alan W. Hodges, PhD and Christa D. Court, PhD.
ASCA Board Profiles John Leffingwell, RCA #442
HortScience, Inc.
I was born in Sacramento and moved to Berkeley when I was 1 year old, so I have been rooted in the Bay Area my entire life. I find comfort here but also recognize that the longer I stay, the more things change around me. I went through the Berkeley public schools, got my undergraduate degree at Humboldt State University in Northern California, and returned bright eyed and eager to pursue a career in botany (my degree was in biology/botany). I worked in landscaping for a year or so and traveled to Ecuador to volunteer to collect plants in the Amazonia jungle. It was an amazing adventure—my Spanish was never better, and I worked hard and played even harder. Oh, to be young again! When I returned, I ended up working for the local utility company dealing mostly with customers unhappy with the way the utility’s contractor had pruned their trees. I lasted four years before I recognized that it was pretty much a dead-end job and I needed to make a change. I was put in touch with someone who has turned out to be a lifelong friend and mentor, Joe McBride. Joe was my guiding professor at Cal Berkeley when I went back to get my master’s degree in forestry. He taught me, he mentored me, he supported me, and ultimately, he helped launch my career as a Consulting Arborist by connecting me with the then forester at the Presidio of San Francisco, where I did my thesis work.
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Based on my work at the Presidio, I connected with Jim Clark and Nelda Matheny of HortScience, Inc., who had just won a contract to perform a risk assessment there. It was a long few months before I was hired on as a contractor and eventually as an employee, but it was so worth the wait. That was 16 years ago this November. How time flies when you are having fun. HortScience, Inc. was sold to Bartlett Tree Expert Co. in May 2018, and I have started another chapter in my career. So far, I have been nothing but impressed by Bartlett’s professionalism, approach, and support for their employees. They say change is good. For this Berkeley boy, change can be challenging and hard to reconcile at times. However, it has always led me to new opportunities to learn and grow—and for that I am truly grateful. From John: I have enjoyed my time on the board. I find working with fellow ASCA members to further the strategic goals of the organization and promote consulting arboriculture, in general, very rewarding. While there has been a lot of heavy lifting over the last couple of years, it has been an effort all volunteers have shared equally and one that we believe promotes transparency and increases membership engagement and ownership. I am excited to be part of the changes occurring and look forward to an even stronger and brighter future for ASCA.
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Jeremy T. Chancey, RCA #646 Jeremy Chancey has been passionate about trees for over 30 years. As a full-time Consulting Arborist, his clients include homeowners, developers, architects, landscape architects, and engineering firms. His strengths include communication, innovation, education, and problem-solving, effectively facilitating a meeting of the minds between his clients and government agencies. Jeremy has owned and run several successful arboriculture-related businesses in South Florida and Brazil. He is an RCA, has obtained his Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) and
Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification (TPAQ), and is an ISA Certified Arborist. Jeremy currently serves as the secretary/ treasurer on ASCA’s board of directors and in the past, has served on the board of directors of the ISA and as vice president of both the Landscape Inspectors of Florida and the Brazilian Urban Forestry Council (SBAU). He has served as the president of the Riverland Preservation Society (a local organization in South Florida), where his personal commitment to preserving trees helped to create a 5-acre neighborhood park on land once slated for development and the elimination of hundreds of palms and specimen live oaks.
From Jeremy: I consider it an honor and a privilege to represent ASCA as a member of the board. It is a source of great pride for me to be included in this amazing group of educated, intelligent, motivated individuals. My experience on the board has been exceptional—the integrity with which my fellow board members conduct themselves is absolutely first rate. The consideration for members and their needs is at the forefront of every discussion and decision. I am confident that, moving forward, our members will more easily recognize the care that this board takes in both governing and advancing ASCA to meet its goals in the future.
Election Ballot Now Open— Cast Your Vote Deadline: September 20, 2019.
To access the ballot, log in to your Member Profile and go to the ASCA Governance page.
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The Grammar Tree
Ad
ve
The Mighty Em-Dash
One punctuation mark that tends to be overlooked is the “em-dash.” The emdash looks like two hyphens connected into one long line. Depending on the sentence, the versatile em-dash can have a similar function to parentheses, colons, commas, and even semicolons. But an em-dash is not the same as these other marks; it adds a special emphasis that wasn’t there before. Let’s compare two sentences: one that contains an em-dash (or em-dashes) and one that contains another punctuation mark. We’ll compare it with parentheses, commas, semicolon, and colon. 1. Parentheses and the em-dash Brian took his car (a tiny, two-door Honda) on a trip across the country. Brian stuffed his four dogs into his car—a tiny, two-door Honda—for a trip across the country. In the first sentence, the fact that he has a small Honda doesn’t seem that closely connected to the fact that he took a trip across the country. But in the second sentence, the size of the Honda is relevant to the trip because he is “stuffing” his four dogs into this small car. We use em-dashes to add emphasis to the size of the car. It’s also important that when you set off a phrase using em-dashes that you used one em-dash immediately after the noun the phrase is describing and one immedi-
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un
No
n
ou
on Pr
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ately after the phrase. Don’t replace the second em-dash (as some tend to) with a comma or semicolon.
After 1,000 miles cramped in his tiny Honda, Brian could think only one thing as he approached his driveway—home.
2. Em-dashes instead of commas
You could use a colon in this sentence, but the em-dash gives it an extra dramatic flair.
In terms of adding emphasis to a phrase, the comma falls somewhere between the parentheses and the em-dash. Another thing to keep in mind is that many sentences already have commas, so using them to set off a descriptive phrase can make things a little crowded with commas.
4. Em-dashes in place of a semicolon An em-dash can even take the place of the semicolon and once again adds more emphasis. Compare the following:
Brian took his car, a tiny, two-door Honda, on a trip across the country.
It’s no exaggeration that the em-dash is versatile; it can even take the place of the semicolon.
There are lots of commas in that sentence, so em-dashes might work better in this case.
It’s no exaggeration that the em-dash is versatile—it can even take the place of the semicolon.
As with parentheses, when an em-dash replaces the commas that set off a phrase, it adds more emphasis. It also gives a writer the opportunity to avoid “comma clutter.”
But make sure you don’t overuse the em-dash. Automatically defaulting to the em-dash suggests you haven’t really thought through why you used the mark in the first place. It also makes your writing look full of dashes, which can confuse the reader. A good rule of thumb: try not to use them more than twice per paragraph.
3. Em-dashes in place of a colon Just as em-dashes add emphasis when they take the place of commas or parentheses, so do they add emphasis to an already emphatic punctuation mark: the colon. By using an em-dash instead of a colon, your style becomes less formal. If that’s your intention and you want to add special emphasis to a word or phrase, then use the em-dash. For example:
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ASCA Staff Profile Meghan Maker Marketing Coordinator
Meghan Maker is the newest member of the ASCA staff, having graduated from college in May. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with minors in social media & web management and international relations & diplomacy. Graduating summa cum laude, Meghan also received the President’s Excellence Award, designating her as the top scholar in her respective college. Meghan grew up in a rural area outside of Rochester, New York. Her father instilled a love for nature and conserva-
tion from a young age. Having grown up with several hundred acres of woods, Meghan is a self-proclaimed “tree hugger.” She enjoys photography and traveling and is looking forward to exploring the MD/DC/VA area.
Meghan is very passionate about social media. She is interested in both the creative aspects of developing content and the analytics behind the posts. She especially loves when her passions can come together.
In Meghan’s four years at university, she managed to accrue a wide range of experiences and skill sets. Through internships with Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Department of State, and the USDA Forest Service, Meghan was able to obtain hands-on experience in the nonprofit and government worlds. She gained invaluable knowledge of social media and web marketing, fundraising, editing, and research.
“I’m very excited to work with this group, as it brings together two of my favorite things—conservation and social media. I was honored to be able to be Woodsy the Owl’s voice on social media and bring his message of ‘Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute’ to a wide audience. I am just as honored to be able to bring the message of ASCA to its followers.”
Tech Corner Members recommend their favorite digital resources related to the business of arboriculture consulting Katherine Naegele says she’s been very pleased with the CloudHQ Meeting Scheduler for Gmail. It’s a free Chrome plugin that allows the user to insert customized scheduling buttons in emails, so clients can pick their own meeting times within set parameters. It automatically checks your Google Calendar when the client opens the link and only offers free times. No more scheduling headaches!
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