BY JENNIFER MCPHEEIn the world of arboriculture, investing in the future goes beyond just planting trees; it’s about shedding light on the industry’s role in our planet’s health and building a professional environment that encourages our industry to thrive. By leaning on some common principles of financial investing – such as compounding interest, patience, diversification and motivation – the arboriculture industry can attract a new generation of professionals who seek meaningful careers and contribute to the preservation of our environment. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY PETER NIEVES-SOSABefore running a new piece of equipment, we read the operator’s manual. That’s the first step in figuring out how anything works, correct? I would say training begins day one for any job or task we choose. Some tasks may take longer and be more in depth than others. Some require continuing education or updates.  Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY RICK HOWLANDBattery-powered compact lifts likely will be an expanding and permanent fixture in tree care, though it’s too early to know to what extent and which technology may prevail. Depending on who you talk to, battery-powered compact (or tracked) lifts are either fully functional and capable of replacing gasoline and diesel models in tree care, or they are still fine for dedicated use and emergency situations, but not ready for prime time. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY RICK WEDENIn this article, we are going to discuss inland marine insurance policies, including equipment valuation, coverages and options, focusing primarily on insuring aerial lifts and cranes. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY JOHN BALL, PH.D., BCMA, CTSPBasic terminology and how the electric-power system works from generation to the end consumer was covered in Part 1 of this series (TCI Magazine, October 2023). This article will focus on the distribution system. Trees are often near these lines, so arborists need to be familiar with the associated electrical-system equipment. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY PATRICIA CHAUDOIN Keeping tree care workers safe is one of the guiding principles of business at Cranes 101, according to its founder and president, Jay Sturm. “I’ve never been an arborist – we cover a number of industries here, including construction and industrial crane usage – but I have a special affinity, a real passion, for the tree care industry,” says Sturm. “I thought it needed help in the safety end of the business.” Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY ANTHONY TRESSELT, CTSPRegardless of the increase in mechanization on the production-arborist job site, many tasks still require the fundamental equipment of rope, harness, connecting link, mechanical aids and other various pieces of climbing and rigging equipment. As such, basic equipment inspection is still a prerequisite skill for arborists working in the field. As with many fundamental skills, gear inspection requires constant attention. But it is often the first thing to fall by the wayside in day-to-day activities! Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY EMILY BOWMAN, SAM HILL, BOB ROUSE  and TIM BUSHNELL, CTSPIn the world of tree care and arboriculture, the ANSI A300 standards have long been regarded as the gold standard for industry practices. This collection of 10 standards, which covers various aspects of tree care, has provided essential guidelines to arborists, urban foresters, horticulturists and landscape architects and contractors for decades. However, a group of collaborators, including the authors of this article, recently completed a significant change, redesigning, restructuring and consolidating these standards into one comprehensive document.  Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY TAMSIN VENNMike Earl, owner of Old Growth Tree Service LLC, an eight-year TCIA member company based in Eagle, Colorado, says he loves the Registered Arborist Apprenticeship Program. His first arborist apprentice, Ryan Mack, will soon complete his U. S. Department of Labor (USDOL) journeyworker certificate. Based on that success, Earl has another apprentice lined up and plans further expansion of the program. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY PAT TURLEYSafety isn’t always sexy.It’s true. In your role as an advanced tree care professional, your attention is easily pulled away by new equipment or that next project pursuit. And safety initiatives – especially ones that feel comprehensive and time consuming to implement – can easily take a backseat to more lucrative and low-hanging fruit. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY BRIAN BRUCEAs the sun set on another late September day, more than 4,000 volunteers and participants completed the ninth-annual Saluting Branches Day of Service. With nearly $4 million in services contributed across a staggering 100 locations spanning 49 states, Puerto Rico and even extending into Mexico, Saluting Branches’ 2023 event once again proved that the power of unity, service and respect knows no bounds. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

Book Excerpt BY Lindsey PurcellThe following is an excerpt from “Arboricultural Practices, A Scientific Approach,” a new book by Lindsey Purcell, with illustrations by Jeff Harris. It is tentatively scheduled for release in January 2024. This excerpt has been edited for style and length. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY RICHARD HAUER, PH.D., JAKE MIESBAUER, ANDREW KOESER, BLAKE THILMONY AND ABIGAIL TUMINOFun fact: What happened on July 9, 2002? If you guessed a birthday for Rich Hauer, Tom Hanks or the late Nikola Tesla, congratulations. You win and score a point. If not, no worries. Perhaps you said it was the anniversary of Johnny Cash’s signing with Columbia Records in 1958, or the last Grateful Dead concert in 1995? If so, score another point for each correct response. However, if you guessed this was the date that emerald ash borer (EAB) was first positively identified in the Michigan region of the United States, you are the winner.  Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY DAVID RATTIGANTree care operators who run wood-waste recycling operations are glad to have the chance to make a positive impact on the environment, but most will admit that is not the reason they got into the business. Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY ANDY JONES, CTSP As recently as 10 years ago, the typical industry stance on Single Rope Technique/Single Rope System (SRT/SRS) was pessimistic at best, and the idea of outfitting tree crews with mini skids was seen as a major waste of resources. It’s crazy how blind we so often are. Now, I can’t imagine handling a full production-climbing workload without SRS systems or mini skids! Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

By Tamsin VennScott Turner, president of Truetimber Arborists, an accredited, 20-year TCIA member company based in Richmond, Virginia, has many goals for his business, one of which is to reduce wood waste to zero. As it is for many tree care companies, wood-waste utilization is a major effort, though for Truetimber, generating revenue from it often is not a primary target Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY BRIAN FAINAs an insurance advisor to the tree care and landscape industries, I often receive calls from my clients in regard to using a neighbor’s yard to access their client’s property. Unfortunately, the call is usually reactive and a little too late.  Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY TAMSIN VENNThe CTSP training teaches methods intended to help arborists and company owners develop and nurture a culture that fosters a safe work environment at their companies. Bogus notes that having some formal methods in place is preferable to relying solely on previous experience or “just doing one’s best.” Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY JOSH LEONARDOn August 31, 2023, TCIA hosted a congressional site visit together with Gilford, New Hampshire-based member ArborTech at the company’s headquarters. ArborTech is a 10-year TCIA member company with dual TCIA Accreditations for residential and commercial as well as Utility Contractor operations. Taking place during the August congressional recess, the event emphasized the importance legislators assign to direct interactions with their constituents.  Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.

BY DAVID RATTIGAN“This is a monumental thing we’ve pulled off,” says Shipp, senior vice president with Hub International Insurance, a 27-year TCIA corporate member company based in Santa Barbara, California. “I’m so excited about it. It’s been open for a year-and-a-half, and we’ve got 13 members. We’ve got a tremendous amount of wind in our sails. All the services we’re providing are around risk reduction and making the companies that are participants better.” Rember to subscribe to TCI Magazine by visiting tcimag.tcia.org.