We recently attended the Wisconsin Arborist Association Annual Conference in Green Bay! This was the first in person conference since 2020 and was well attended with over 800 fellow professionals in attendance! The event lasts 3 days and is jam packed with seminars and networking opportunities. One of the highlights of this years conference was the “Climbers Corner,” which included talks on rigging fundamentals, risk evaluation and evolution of communication systems! We’re already looking forward to next years event!

It’s time to start considering your summer tree projects! Here’s a few helpful tips to consider when looking over your trees!
1) Does the tree have any previous storm damage?
2) Are there any cracks?
3) Does it have a pronounced lean?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, consider calling a local ISA Certified Arborist for a consultation to discuss the best options to protect you and your home!

We ventured to Indiana to catch up on the latest information and equipment available within the Tree Care Industry! Many of the seminars this year focused upon leadership and employee retention, due to the vast shortage of workers across the board. It’s always nice to see and try on some new gear and talk with the suppliers that manufacture the equipment. It was pleasant to visit with arborists from around the world! We were able to escape to Lucas Oil Stadium to watch the Indianapolis Colts take on the New York Jets in Thursday night football! We’re looking forward to our next Expo!

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was recently confirmed in Marshfield, so what does this mean for you? Well, there’s a few options!

1. Do a trunk injection with a certified applicator! Theres several different trunk treatments avabilve; however, Tree-age or Mectinite chemicals have proven to be most effective in combating this invasive pest. These two treatments offer 2 years of protection.
2. Do a soil drench by yourself! The chemical Imidacloprid can be applied as a soil drench and can be purchased at nearly every box store or nursery! Simply follow the directions on the label for proper application. This treatment offers 1 year of protection and isn’t nearly as effective as trunk treatments.
3. Remove the tree. If no treatments are done, there’s a very high probability that your tree will die, as EAB is a physical beetle that flied around, unlink other common tree diseases, such as oak wilt or Dutch elm disease.

To learn more about EAB and treatment options visit emeraldashborer.info or contact a local ISA Certified Arborist!

I think we’re all glad 2020 is soon coming to a close; however, we’d like to thank everyone for your support through this unusual and unexpected year! As a company, we stayed incredibly busy despite the pandemic, as we were deemed “essential.” A couple highlights from the year include a new utility truck to transport gear as well as a new GIANT 254T loader! We were lucky to have a short spring, mild summer and an even milder winter (so far). We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Cheers to a much healthier 2021!

We recently had the opportunity to speak about our experience in business with Auburndale’s Leadership Class! This group of students puts on some incredible events in the Auburndale community and frequently has guest speakers come in! Thanks for having me out!

We’ve been working through the snow and wind all winter, but we’re finally hitting t-shirt weather! With spring on the horizon, strong winds may cause previously compromised trees to fail. Take a few moments this spring to re-asses your tree health! Use these few simple guidelines to determine if you should call a professional:

Does the tree have a lean?

Are there any exposed roots?

Are there any active cracks in the trunk or branch unions?

We recently returned from Pittsburgh, PA with new ideas and many new friends! TCI Expo is the largest tree care show in the world, showcasing the latest and greatest in tree care tools and education. Speakers come from across the country and world to share with us their knowledge and experience. A welcome reception was held at Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers! Expo is a great place to “branch out” and stay on the forefront of our always changing industry!

I recently traveled to Madison to attain my Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). TRAQ is as an instructor-led credential that demonstrates professional knowledge in tree risk assessment through participation in a training course and passing its accompanying exam. The TRAQ program offers tree care professionals the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the fundamentals of tree risk assessment by learning a standardized, systematic process for assessing tree risk and providing information to tree owners and risk managers for making informed decisions that will promote the safety of people and property and enhance tree benefits, health, and longevity. Through education and training, arborists will learn strategies to systematically identify and assess tree risk.

Haas Tree Care, LLC Owner Gains Certified Treecare Safety Professional Status

Luke Haas recently completed the Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) program offered by the Tree Care Industry Association.  The CTSP program allows one or more key employees at a given company to become certified tree care safety experts, thereby empowering and encouraging a culture of safety within that organization.  

Maintaining a Certified Treecare Safety Professional on staff means that organizations are committed to safe practices in arboricultural operations.  CTSP’s are kept abreast of the latest technological advances and regulatory activities affecting the industry through the TCIA safety network, and must commit to ongoing education in the safety field in order to maintain their certification.  

Because safety regulations and industry standards are continually evolving, the ongoing education requirement is vital to maintaining a legitimate safety program within a given company. In order to fulfill program requirements, CTSP’s must complete a study guide, attend a two-day training workshop, and pass a rigorous exam.  Once certified, CTSP’s must complete at least 30 hours of training others, or receiving education themselves, every three years.

Consumers can have greater peace of mind with the knowledge that hiring a tree care company with a CTSP on staff helps to ensure safe and professional arboricultural work on their property.

About the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)

Founded in 1938, TCIA is a public and professional resource on trees and arboriculture. It has more than 2,000 member companies who recognize stringent safety and performance standards and who are required to carry liability insurance. With access to the latest and best safety standards and training, the typical TCIA member company has 50 percent fewer accidents than a typical non-member. An easy way to find a tree care service provider in your area is to use the “Locate Your Local TCIA Member Companies” program. You can use this service by calling 1-800-733-2622 or by doing a ZIP Code search on www.treecaretips.org.

For more information about the Tree Care Industry Association, visit www.tcia.org.  For more information regarding the Certified Treecare Safety Professional program at TCIA or to obtain digital photos, contact Peter Gerstenberger or Irina Kochurov at (800) 733-2622 or email peter@tcia.org, ikochurov@tcia.org