April, 29 2022 – Over the years, natural outdoor environments in cities have disappeared with ongoing urbanization. The City of Philadelphia’s Greenworks Program is a plan to increase tree canopy, or greenspace. A team of Forest Service researchers set out to discover where increasing tree cover across Philadelphia would help more of the city’s residents to live longer.

Michelle Kondo is a USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station scientist who studies the many benefits trees provide and the ways cities are investing in programs to expand tree cover.

“I have always been interested in how the design of cities and infrastructure can support both ecological and human health,” she said.

Kondo’s research addresses how different types of environments affect human health. She also explores the impact of municipal place and nature-based initiatives on preventing and reducing violence, injuries and disease. She has found that people who have access, parks, gardens, trees and forests often enjoy an improved quality of life. A study of the association between self-reported health and the proximity of trees, grass and total vegetation near homes found significantly higher reporting of very good health for participants with high tree cover. There’s even evidence suggesting that trees in particular, compared with other forms of urban vegetation, have a profound impact upon human health and wellbeing.

Kondo’s work also examines issues related to environmental health and environmental justice, including the impact of innovative programs on public health and safety.

“Urban greenspace can be regarded as a preventive public health measure,” she said. “They provide opportunities for improving mental health, increased social interaction and physical activity, and reduced stress, crime and violence.”

In Philadelphia, her team found that 403 premature adult deaths – 3% of the city’s total mortality – might be prevented each year if the city increased tree canopy cover to 30% by 2025. This analysis is one of the first to estimate the number of preventable deaths based on exposure to greenspaces and its associated benefits, such as increased physical activity or reduced air pollution, noise, heat and crime. Before this study, no health impact assessment studies were available to provide policymakers with a comprehensive look at the health benefits of increasing the number of trees in urban areas.

The researchers determined that, to meet the city’s 30 percent tree canopy cover target, tree planting programs will not only need to target managed spaces like streets and parks, but also residential yards and other privately-owned commercial, industrial and institutional spaces. The data indicated that the biggest benefits would occur within areas of lower socio-economic status, where residents currently live with lower tree canopy. Increasing tree cover in these neighborhoods would not only promote public health, but also decrease health inequalities and increase environmental justice.

Based on these findings, the researchers note that policymakers are warranted in viewing urban tree canopy preservation and expansion as a tool for promoting health and reducing health-care-related costs.

This approach can be applied to other cities with greening initiatives as well.

“My colleagues and I have applied this method to cities across Europe,” said Kondo. “I would also like to scale this study up to more cities across the U.S.”

Forest Service researchers set out to discover where increasing tree cover across Philadelphia would help more of the city’s residents to live longer. (Courtesy photo by Bruce Yuanyue/GettyImages)

To view online: Can trees save lives? | US Forest Service (usda.gov)

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What are the main causes of tree care injuries?

Tree care professionals contend with all sorts of natural and man-made hazards, from sudden bouts of intense weather to steep inclines around the trees they’re pruning. Just as worksite risk assessments help arborists locate environmental threats, tree climbing gear inspections provide a layer of oversight to prevent fatal equipment malfunctions. According to the Tree Care Industry Association, falling or slipping from a ladder is the most expensive type of injury, with an average cost per claim of around $126,000. While these sorts of accidents only account for 1% of all injury claims, they amount to roughly 9% of all claim costs in the tree care industry. While some falls can be attributed to uneven terrain or improper use, many accidents occur due to faulty equipment.

In addition to ladders, tree care professionals rely on a wide range of rigging equipment, hand tools, and gas-powered machinery as part of their vegetation management activities. Every piece of equipment represents a possible point of failure, which is why conducting regular inspections is crucial. For example, a dull chain can not only force a chainsaw to work twice as hard, but it can also increase the frequency of kickbacks. Before starting any tree trimming job, arborists should carefully check whether their tree climbing equipment and pruning equipment are in need of hands-on maintenance, including:

• Fall arrest systems (saddles, straps, safety harnesses)
• Personal protective equipment (helmets, goggles, gloves, durable clothing)
• Rigging equipment (blocks, pulleys, slings, cable hoists, ropes)
• Pruning tools (sheers, pruners, pole saws, hatchets)
• Gas-powered machinery (chainsaws, wood chippers, hydraulic tools)

Failing to maintain pruning, rigging, and tree climbing gear can not only lead to avoidable injuries, but it can also force tree car businesses to replace equipment more frequently. This, in turn, can increase back-end costs and may even cut into a company’s bottom line. But how can tree care professionals prioritize the upkeep of their tree climbing equipment without wasting time or resources?

How to create an effective gear inspection framework

First, it’s crucial for tree care businesses to create a culture of safety within their organizations, as workers in the field are the first line of defense against preventable injuries. This includes making pre-climb equipment inspections mandatory and training arborists in the proper maintenance of their tree climbing gear. To create a truly comprehensive safety program, employers should uphold the standards in the ANSI Z133 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations. Additional references, such as The Arborist Safe Workplace Practices Committee, which is composed of industry leaders like the International Society of Arboriculture, gives additional supporting guidelines Among these guidelines are general recommendations for conducting tree climbing equipment inspections and specialized guidelines for specific pieces of equipment. For example, one standard asserts that all arborist climbing lines should be made of a “synthetic fiber” with a “minimum nominal breaking strength” of 6,100 pounds.

After adopting best practices in the arboriculture industry, tree care businesses should document their safety processes and procedures for future reference. This not only ensures tree professionals can quickly lookup existing guidelines, but it can also streamline new hire training and provide a higher level of administrative oversight.  Ultimately, every pruning job will have its own challenges and constraints, which is why one-size-fits-all safety policies often fail to protect workers. Instead, many tree care experts recommend creating a comprehensive safety checklist that includes job site assessments and tree climbing gear inspections. Using this resource, tree pros can identify signs of wear and tear in specific pieces of equipment and protect themselves from whatever nature throws their way.

Read more about TreePro’s crane coverage options.

Thank you to NIP Group for submitting this article to Tree Care Tips.

Read their original article. 

Author: Tom Doherty

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Traditional landscape pest control programs rely on “cover sprays.” The selection of a cover spray is often based on the company’s knowledge of common pest problems and control measures in the service area. The cover-spray type, method, and timing are pre-determined by the company. These traditional pest-control programs are not necessarily obsolete or “bad” for the environment and may be the best option for clients who have overriding concerns about program costs or are only concerned about one specific pest problem.

In contrast, plant health care technicians consider the landscape in its entirety when deciding how to best care for plants. PHC technicians manage plant problems through careful monitoring of the landscape environment throughout the year. Chemical controls may be part of the treatment program, but they are not likely to be used in every treatment. Because of this, every PHC program is customized to fit the client’s property and expectations.

The PHC technician maintains landscaped plants by:

• investigating the landscape through monitoring
• noting the causes of plant stress (stressors)
• maintaining plant performance through proper cultural practices
• identifying and treating problems as they occur

The following are examples of some common problems:

1. Improper matching of the plant’s requirements to the landscape site;
2. Improperly planted; over-abundance of damaging insect or disease pests
3. Subjected to improper maintenance practices.
4. A combination of two or all three of the above.

Your expectations

“A PHC technician also will consider your expectations when deciding how to implement a PHC treatment program,” explains Andersen. One important question is, when do you, the client, want to resort to chemical control of pest problems? Some clients will tolerate a greater percentage of plant damage before requiring action; other clients will tolerate very little plant damage. Often a client will tolerate less damage on a prized ornamental specimen tree located in the front yard as opposed to a group of shade trees growing in the backyard. This requires the PHC technician to apply a higher action threshold to some trees and/or sections of the landscape than others. “Here, communication and understanding between the client and plant health care technician are key!” says Andersen.

Treatment recommendations are then made to the client based on that client’s expectations. The key to a successful plant health care program is communication between the client and the PHC technician.

What can you do?

A professional arborist can assess your landscape and work with you to determine the best care for your trees. Contact the Tree Care Industry Association, a public and professional resource on trees and arboriculture since 1938. TCIA has more than 2,300 member tree care firms and affiliated companies who recognize stringent safety and performance standards and who are required to carry liability insurance. TCIA also has the nation’s only Accreditation program that helps consumers find tree care companies that have been inspected and accredited based on adherence to industry standards for quality and safety; maintenance of trained, professional staff; and dedication to ethics and quality in business practices.

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 visiting  www.treecaretips.org.

For more, visit www.tcia.org or www.treecaretips.org.

* Board Certified Master Arborist, Certified Treecare Safety Professional

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Over the past decade, environmental stewardship and sustainability have become key concerns in the arboriculture industry, leading many tree-care businesses to reevaluate their practices. Traditionally, utility vegetation management has been focused on ensuring safety, reliability and legal compliance, according to the Utility Arborist Association, but growing public interest in ecosystem conservation is changing the way arborists deal with trees, brush and other plants.

Tree Pruning: Maximizing Environmental Stewardship

Although there are many cases when cutting down a tree is unavoidable, the UAA believes that proper pruning is the best approach to vegetation management near utility lines. Pruning is not only beneficial for a tree’s overall health but also accomplishes utility companies’ goals while minimizing harm to the surrounding environment. This can make managing deciduous trees a bit more tedious, as they tend to quickly regrow after being pruned. While tree-care professionals may end up working on the same trees as they re-encroach on power lines, the long-term impact of pruning outweighs the more direct approach of cutting them down.

To help establish a consensus about pruning best practices, the Tree Care Industry Association developed a series of voluntary standards that many tree businesses and utility companies adhere to. The ANSI 300 national pruning standards offer a wide array of recommendations for managing risk and maximizing tree health for right-of-way workers. Rather than simply chopping down encroaching trees and branches, the TCIA believes that thoughtful pruning promotes desirable branch spacing that will reduce future interference. Some of the goals of these national standards include:

• Improving branch and trunk architecture
• Discouraging tree growth in particular directions
• Restoring plants that have been damaged
• Ensuring safe and reliable utility services

Knowing when to prune, and how much, is nevertheless a case-by-case consideration. The UAA suggests that the length of time between prunings depends on the amount of clearance obtained and the rate of tree growth. As such, utility arborists should have a firm understanding of the species and size of the trees they work on, along with local worksite and weather conditions.

Brush Maintenance: An Integrated Approach to Vegetation Management

While trees are often the primary concern in residential areas, utility arborists working in electric transmission and pipeline corridors must deal with a more diverse range of vegetation. Rather than focusing on individual plants, tree-care professionals seek to convert vegetation into a more sustainable ecosystem. This is especially crucial along high-voltage transmission lines, as electricity can arc from transformers to tall trees, according to the UAA. That means areas dominated by tall-growing vegetation are a major concern for utility companies.

Much like with tree pruning, the TCIA has developed a national standard (ANSI A300 Part 7) for managing plant communities that emphasize integrated vegetation management (IVM) strategies. Under this framework, utility managers start by setting clear objectives, such as increasing line clearance or controlling invasive plant species. Next, they must identify compatible and incompatible vegetation to help create a more holistic management plan, and select the most appropriate control methods. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, IVM practices can help reduce the need for pesticides, promote healthier ecosystems and provide greater species diversity along right-of-way corridors. By promoting the growth of lush shrub or grassy areas, utility arborists can prevent interference with overhead power lines, reduce fire hazards and improve access to remote infrastructure.

Another common approach is the use of a wire-border zone strategy, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. The “wire zone” refers to right-of-way areas that are directly below power lines, where low-growing plants, shrubs, and grasses (under 3 feet) can be allowed to flourish. The “border zone” constitutes the rest of the right-of-way, which can accommodate the growth of small trees and tall shrubs (under 25 feet at full maturity). By optimizing the plant communities in these areas, utility arborists are able to reduce long-term maintenance while also promoting healthy forest ecology and environmental stewardship.

Thank you to NIP Group for submitting this article to Tree Care Tips.

Read their original article. 

About the Author:

Mike Rook serves as Program Manager for the TreePro program with 28 years of P&C experience where he has developed strong relationships with agents, tree care owners, and industry association personnel. Mike is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and a CPCU

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NPR recently shared an article that we thought you may find interesting… Learn how a specialized group of firefighters worked to save a rare, prehistoric species of trees – that have outlived the dinosaurs – from the wildfires in Australia here!

The post Firefighters Save Prehistoric Species of Trees in Australian Wildfire appeared first on Tree Care Tips.

“There are a number of growth features that increase a tree species’ susceptibility to breakage in ice storms,” says Tchukki Andersen, BCMA, CTSP* and staff arborist with the Tree Care Industry Association. “Among them are included bark, decaying or dead branches, the increased surface area of lateral (side) branches, broad crowns or imbalanced crowns, and small branch size.”
Included bark results from in-grown bark in branch junctions. This is a weak connection and increases the likelihood of branch breakage under ice-loading conditions. “For example,” says Andersen, “Bradford pear branches are known to break during ice storms; this is because they commonly have included bark in branch junctions. In contrast, the Aristocrat pear has few branches with included bark and sustains less damage during ice storms.”

Reasons for Breaking

Decaying or dead branches are already weakened and have a high probability of breaking when loaded with ice. The surface area of lateral branches increases as the number of branches and the broadness of the crown increase. With an increased surface area, more ice can accumulate on lateral branches; the greater ice load results in a greater chance of branch failure.
Many broad-leafed tree species, when grown in the open, form broad crowns (decurrent branching), increasing their susceptibility to ice storms. Examples include Siberian elm, American elm, hackberry, green ash, and honey locust. Trees with imbalanced crowns are also more susceptible to ice damage. Generally, though, susceptibility can vary greatly depending on the time of year, geographic location and overall health of the tree.

Management and prevention of ice-storm damage: Plan, then plant

Think about your future. When planting a new tree in your yard, you should have a clear understanding of the size that the tree is expected to grow. Will it grow too close to the house? The overhead wires? The sidewalk? Proper tree placement, away from structures, will reduce property damage. Trees should not be planted in locations where growth will interfere with above-ground utilities – branches that grow into power lines and fail during ice storms create power outages and safety hazards. Trees pruned regularly from a young age should be more resistant to ice storms as a result of the removal of structurally weak branches, the decreased surface area of lateral branches and decreased wind resistance. Professional arborists can install cables and braces to increase a tree’s tolerance to ice accumulation in situations where individual trees must be stabilized to prevent their failure.

After storm damage has occurred, hazardous trees and branches require immediate removal to ensure safety and prevent additional property damage. Trees that can be saved should have broken branches properly pruned to the branch collar. Do not leave stubs or use flush-cut pruning – which results in weakly attached branch sprouts growing back. Poor pruning practices such as these also invite future insect and disease problems. Cut back loose bark only to where it is solidly attached to the tree. A split fork often can be repaired through cabling and bracing.
Tree species resistant to ice damage can be planted to reduce tree and property damage from ice storms.

Find a professional

A professional arborist can assess your landscape and work with you to determine the best trees and shrubs to plant for your existing landscape. Use the Find a Tree Care Company tool to search for a qualified arborist in your area.

The post Plant Ice Resistant Trees appeared first on Tree Care Tips.

“Certain pruning operations are easier to do in the winter, especially if the ground is frozen or the tree is not actively growing,” says Tchukki Andersen, BCMA, CTSP* and staff arborist for the Tree Care Industry Association. “However, most trees can be pruned year-round, if pruned properly”.
There is much more to proper tree pruning than simply sawing off limbs. At the most basic level, pruning involves removing damaged, dead or structurally weak limbs to improve tree health and reduce damage caused by falling limbs. More advanced pruning methods improving the tree’s structure and long-term health. Pruning at the right time and in the right way is critical since it is possible to kill a tree by neglect or over-pruning. All pruning leaves cutting wounds on the tree. The best time to prune for tree health would be in early spring when wound closure is fastest due to new growth.

Pruning Standards

All pruning projects should follow industry standards for proper tree pruning. Written specifications are key to good pruning because they communicate what is to be done.
“Ask your tree care provider if they prune according to the American National Standards Institute standard for tree pruning, which is called ANSI A300,” says Andersen. “This standard recommends, and in some cases requires, that the use of certain tools, cutting techniques, and pruning methods be followed, and it sets the standard definitions for terms your arborist will use in your estimate. Properly written work estimates for tree pruning should be written in accordance with ANSI A300 standards.” Your tree care provider should offer you the written estimate of work and procedures to be agreed on before they begin work.
ANSI A300 sets some guidelines for writing pruning specifications that arborists might include on your written estimate:

• Identification of the type of branches to reduce or remove (such as dead, overextended, interfering, needing clearance) and location (such as over the house, under the wires)
• Number of branches to be removed or reduced (number, diameter, or percentage)
• Types of cuts to use (branch removal, reduction, heading or shearing)
• The amount of reduction (shear hedge 4”, reduce overhanging limb by two feet back to next closest branch union, etc)

Specifications protect both the client and the arborist by ensuring that everyone clearly understands the objectives and the scope of the work.

Find a professional

A professional arborist can assess your landscape and work with you to determine the best and safest course of action for any work that needs to be done.

The post Tree Pruning to ANSI Standards– Winter and Whenever appeared first on Tree Care Tips.

Here are a few tips on selecting, securing and setting up a Christmas tree in your home:

Go Get Your Tree!

• Before you head out to the tree lot, measure the height of the ceiling in the room where you want to display the tree. It should be at least a foot taller than the tree you pick out.
• Dry needles are a fire hazard, so pick a location away from heat sources, such as direct sunlight, heaters or fans.
• Next, find a local tree farm, shop or nursery, and bring plenty of plastic and rope to secure the tree for the ride home.
• Once you are on the tree lot, look for a tree that is fresh and healthy. A fresh tree will have bright green, flexible needles with very few falling off when shaken.
• After you’ve picked out a tree, wrap it in the plastic for the ride home.
• To avoid wind damage when driving, arrange the tree on the car roof so that the stump faces the front of your vehicle.
• If your vehicle has a roof rack, secure the tree to the car rooftop at several places along the length of the trunk. If your car doesn’t have a rack, open all the car doors – not the windows – and tie the tree snugly to the roof with rope – passing the rope through the car’s interior. If you are unfamiliar with the process of tying a tree to the roof of your car, ask for help from the tree lot personnel. They tie hundreds of trees to hundreds of cars every year using specialized knots and fastening methods.
• Drive slowly and avoid the highway, especially if you’re not used to hauling objects on your roof. They can change your vehicle’s center of gravity and its handling.

Welcome Home, Tree!

• When you arrive home with your tree, use a sharp pruning saw to cut about an inch off the bottom of the trunk. This is important. When the tree trunk was originally cut, resin clotted the exposed ends of the tracheids, the cells through which the tree takes up water. Cutting the trunk exposes fresh tracheids and allows the tree to take up water once again, which will prolong the tree’s freshness.
• After your cut is made, place the tree in water as quickly as possible, even if you are not setting it up right away.
• If you are not setting it up immediately, then place it in a cool location, such as the garage, to keep the foliage fresh. Do not let the base of the cut tree dry out. Note that some tree lots will make this cut for you at the time of purchase. If this is the case, and you get the tree home and in water within the hour, you shouldn’t have to repeat the process.
• Some people may use commercial Christmas tree preservatives, which can be mixed into the water in the stand, but this procedure isn’t scientifically proven to extend the life of the tree.
  You can also spray the tree with an anti-desiccant, which is a waxy substance that will help keep the needles from drying out as quickly.

Find a professional

OK, you probably don’t need a qualified tree care provider to help you pick out a holiday tree. But a professional arborist can assist with your selection of a live holiday tree and can assess your outdoor landscape area to determine the best planting site for your selection. A qualified professional arborist can also recommend treatments, including correcting soil deficiencies, increasing water and nutrients, monitoring for pests or providing pest management.

The post Get Your Holiday Trees Home Safely appeared first on Tree Care Tips.

a) three iPhones;
b) 600 pumpkin spice lattes;
c) a Caribbean cruise;
d) 23 front row tickets to Disney on Ice; or
e) one NASDAQ share of Amazon.

There are many different facets of tree work that have a wide range of costs, but let’s start with the most common expense: tree removal. It can be difficult to understand why removing a tree can cost so much. To the homeowner, the whole process should be as simple as “just cutting it down.” But to a qualified tree company, the work is usually much more involved than making one cut with a chain saw.

Complexity

Trees being removed often need to be cut apart one section at a time to avoid dropping whole tree sections onto the property or into traffic. This requires an understanding of how the tree holds itself up and how these pieces will respond to being cut with a chain saw. News accounts are full of accident reports involving untrained tree workers, or even homeowners, attempting to cut apart a tree without the knowledge of how it will respond to being cut. Usually, specialized equipment is needed, such as aerial lifts or cranes to access the tree safely. This equipment is costly to acquire and maintain. Often, the use of this equipment involves setting up traffic control in busy streets where permits and additional flagging support are needed.

Difficult and Dangerous

Arboriculture, and tree removal, in particular, is difficult and dangerous work. Tree crews are regularly asked to work on trees with compromised structures from storm damage or years of neglect. These compromised trees are often dead trees, which are particularly dangerous. A tree that has been dead for several years usually becomes brittle and inflexible. When you try to cut it down, it will often shatter, throwing broken branches onto your landscaping in an uncontrolled manner. At the very least, this could cause property damage, such as a broken window. In the worst-case scenario, a climbing arborist will be in the tree making the cut as it breaks apart with him/her in it.
Too often, tree workers are in trees that have electrical conductors running through the branches. That hazard should speak for itself.

Insurance & Licensing

Because tree work can be so hazardous, qualified companies will have liability insurance to protect the homeowner’s property, as well as workers’ compensation insurance to help cover injuries sustained by the crew, should they occur. Also, select municipalities require tree companies to hold additional licensure above the usual business license in order to operate. If you seek out companies that are less expensive but that may not carry insurance, you are risking having to pay damages several times the original job estimate, if something goes wrong. TCIA member companies are required to carry liability insurance.

Trained & Certified Workers

Rather than choosing a tree company that relies on its insurance policies to bail it out of damages resulting from poor practices, choose one where the crew has current industry credentials and a history of training and experience. How do you know if a company’s staff is trained and experienced? Ask to see their industry credentials. Programs such as Certified Arborist, Certified Treecare Safety Professional and company Accreditation are all indicators of a professional business with the expertise to perform the work without incident. An accredited company will put much of its operating budget toward training and credentialing and are required to provide at least 50 hours of training to its employees. This training is an ongoing cost.

Homeowners have the option to interview two or three tree care companies before deciding about tree removal. Ask to see a copy of the current insurance certificate as well as copies of the crew’s

competency credentials. If a company representative hesitates to provide these documents or insists they don’t need to “prove” themselves, find another company to work with. Tree care performed properly will be an investment in your property that, when done correctly, will give you valued returns for decades.

Find a professional
A professional arborist can assess your landscape and work with you to determine the best course of action to care for and maintain the trees and shrubs in your landscape. Contact the Tree Care Industry Association, a public and professional resource on trees and arboriculture since 1938. It has more than 2,200 member companies that recognize stringent safety and performance standards and that are required to carry liability insurance. TCIA has the nation’s only Accreditation program that helps consumers find tree care companies that have been inspected and accredited based on adherence to industry standards for quality and safety; maintenance of trained, professional staff; and dedication to ethics and quality in business practices.

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

*Board Certified Master Arborist, Certified Treecare Safety Professional

The post Why is Tree Work So Expensive? appeared first on Tree Care Tips.

DiscoverNewEngland.org has trip planning maps, as well as foliage maps and hotlines to call for each New England state to get up-to-the-minute updates on foliage in that area.

NewEngland.com has a peak foliage map that allows you to select a date to see whether your state will be early, mid, peak or late for that specific date, or you can click the “play” button to watch the map change from September 1 to October 31.

Weather.com has a foliage map that spans the entire country and includes maps of foliage-rich regions.

FoliageNetwork.com offers details and tips for planning scenic drives through foliage hotspots. Can’t make a trip? Check out live streams via the network of webcams along the Appalachian Mountains, with cameras as far south as Tennessee and North Carolina, all the way up to Maine. (Fun fact: Did you know that the Appalachians are the oldest mountain chain in North America?)

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