VETREE.eu: Valuing and Managing Veteran Trees and VETCertification: - - PDF document

TREE CARE PRESENTATION TOPICS by Guy Meilleur, historictreecare@gmail.com

VETREE.eu: Valuing and Managing Veteran Trees and VETCertification: NEW! Diagnosing with Detective Dendro and Telling the Tale, Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 Decay, Risk, and Standard Flare Care: Using the ANSI Tree Inspection Standard ANSI A300 Root Management Standard: How can it be Improved? Report Writing for Arborists: KISS and Tell the Story, in your own Words Restoration Pruning: After the Storm, Head for Better Form Regenerating Hollow Trees for Life via the International Pruning Standards Detective Dendro and the Wild Life: Managing Arboreal Habitat Appraisal and Testimony: Money Grows IN Trees! Utility Line Clearance for Commercial Arborists: Put NERC to Work Battling Bolts from the Blue: Repairing and Preventing Lightning Damage Positive Pole Pruning: Tools and Techniques for Reaching Beyond the Limits Putin’s Oak, and More: From Russia with Tree Love BCMA, ISA’s Board-Certified Master Arborist: The Pinnacle of the Profession? Global Arboriculture: Around the Tree Care World in 70 Days

Indoor presentations range from 30 to 150 minutes Outdoor workshops range from 4 hours to 2 days. Workshops are typically facilitated with the help of local BCMAs and other experts. We customize workshops based on the audience, learning objectives and other specific needs. In addition to discount packages (ask about our threefer!), we can provide:

• 1. Ready-to-use digital handouts
• 2. Articles in advance and as a followup, including CEU tests.
• 3. Trench coat, fedora, and audio for presentations by Mike O’Ryza, ArborEye.
• 4. Safety training for climbers: redirects, limbwalking, and proper tool usage.
• 5. Practice using the TRAQ form, and templates for writing specifications.

Bio/Intro: Guy Meilleur (May-er’) is an ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist, and author of 34 episodes in ISA’s Detective Dendro series. He is a former curator and lecturer at NC State University, Instructor at Duke University, Staff Arborist at the University of North Carolina. Guy chaired the ANSI A300 committee that created the standard for tree inspection and root management, and serves as a US contact for the Veteran Tree Network and the Ancient Tree Forum. Historic Tree Care values and manages veteran trees. In addition to community education, services include managing trees with flare care, soil building, installing lightning and support systems, and pruning to improve tree health, stability, and longevity.

VETree: Valuing and Managing Veteran Trees, and VETCertification There’s a world of difference between the US and older cultures when it comes to valuing older

• trees. The European Union funded Vetree.eu, a course on time-tested strategies for valuing

and managing veteran trees. VETree identifies strengths and weaknesses, response growth and retrenchment, assets and liabilities. Basic concepts include: Ecological contributions of the tree and its associates; Cultural connections to regions, people, and history; Compartmentalization and Response Growth; Making ‘defects’ stronger than ever; Common treatments in Europe and Asia, and complying with international tree care standards. NEW! Certification for Veteran Tree Consultants and Practitioners released: VETCert.eu. We’ll review and apply the VETCert criteria, and the best of VETree’s e-learning tools, video, and graphics that were presented during the three-day training. The VETree approach advances tree risk assessment, so we incorporate the use of the TRAQ form in a sample activity. Specifying Care for the Biggest Oak in Europe, Arborist News, October, 2016 http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/DD-Eloquent-Elephant- 1610.pdf http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Valuing-Vets-AA- Aug-Sep-2014.pdf

• Dr. Kevin Smith, Pathologist for the US Forest Service:

“Your protocol for scientific management and pruning of older trees has really come together.” Presented at ISA-Europe in 2014 and PAA-Mississippi and Virginia in 2015

Diagnosing with Detective Dendro, and Telling the Tale Detective Dendro is a popular feature of ISA’s Arborist News magazine. I had the pleasure of writing 34 episodes. This series started as a traditional mystery format applied to “fact sheets” with a tight focus on individual tree problems. Over time, Dendro and Codit have evolved into multidimensional characters with a worldly command of tree problem and solutions. They also get lucky sometimes. Systematic diagnosis is too serious to be taken seriously! The problem typically comes to Dendro from a tree owner. After a detailed inspection, he mulls over various hypotheses. False clues are ‘red herrings’ that confuse Codit, and threaten to throw Dendro off the scent. Some questions are basic, and some advanced. The solution leads to specified arboricultural treatments. Some are straightforward prescriptions, others more complex. Something of interest is aimed at all levels of education and experience. Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 describe the development of 34 different episodes, from brainstorming and editing to monitoring the trees’ progress after publication. Everyone wants to know what makes trees tick! Following diagnostic deductions and inductions can expand our daily dealings with trees. Detective Dendro and the Seven Scenarios is an outdoor field training, with a 50-question test similar to ISA’s Board-Certified Master Arborist exam. Presented at: Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia PA “I always enjoyed the humor and expertise present in the stories, but today’s workshop furthered my appreciation of arboriculture.” And Tree Diagnosis and Risk Management, ISA International Pre-Conference Academy, St. Louis MO, July 27, 2008 “Guy kept us moving through eight stations, real trees with real challenges.”

Decay, Risk, and Standard Flare Care: Where the Tree Joins the Earth The trunk flare is a very accessible, but rarely managed, part of the tree. Buttresses flare out. Sinuses curl in. Bark gets included. Things happen. Burls and bulges and furrows and holes and lesions can baffle even the seasoned pros. ANSI A300 Part 8 is the place to go for guidance on inspecting the trunk, flare, and roots. Diagnoses and treatments for decay all involve cleaning, to see and gather fundamental facts from the tree. Standard flare care detection work is demonstrated with tricks from orchardists and gardeners and grafters. Now’s the time to touch and treat the tree’s foundation! A systematic approach to tree risk management is taken from the 2006 Arborist News CEU article. Delivered at TCI Expo in 2005 and 2009, and ISA-Michigan in 2010. BCMA Joel Koci: “So fascinating to see how trees adapt and strengthen over time. Your demonstration of cleaning the flare and diagnosing conditions was excellent.”

Revising ANSI A300 Part 8: How Can We Improve Root Management? 2013: After 3 separate efforts by the A300 group, the Root Management Standard is published. As chair of the subgroup, I was very, very happy to see this information go public! 2018: The revision of Part 8 has begun, right on ANSI’s 5-year schedule. We’ll look at ways the standard has been used to take better care of trees. We’re also looking for your ideas on how it can work better for you! When roots girdle stems, bad things happen. We’ll look at the ins and outs of pruning stem- girdling roots. Dozens of case studies, pictures, video and other documentation from arborists around the country will be included. Learn the process from excavation to monitoring, the tools needed and how to use them, and a protocol for deciding which roots to cut and how and where and when to cut them. By practicing this radical tree surgery, we can deliver a more sustainable urban forest, instead of watching trees decline before their time. Excerpts from the ANSI A300 Root Management Standard will be used to inform responses to root damage, and invigorate future growth. The original article can be seen at http://www.tcia.org/PDFs/TCI_Mag_July_07.pdf and the peer-reviewed version is http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-ontent/uploads/2012/05/LBG-III-Managing-Stem- Girdling-Roots1.doc.pdf. Presented at Minnesota ISA chapter, 2007, the Landscape Below Ground III symposium, 2009, and 150 minutes’ worth at ISA-Ontario, 2012, “Good job getting dirty and taking charge of the bottom half of the tree.” “Revealing!”

Advanced Report Writing for Arborists: KISS and Tell Detective Dendro and the Suspicious Specks turned on the mysteries within the tree. The one- page appraisal report was finished and faxed during a lunch break. Fearsome Fossil countered nine points raised in favor of executing an historic tree, and convinced an historical commission to spare the stinky ginkgo. Detectable Decline banished myths about ‘the decline spiral’ and reversed Dr. Treevorkian’s condemnation of an awesome oak. We’ll extract elements of writing from these mostly true tales, turn some grammatical nuts and bolts, and rebuild the real-life reports. Keeping It Super-Simple (KISS), the Background, Assignment, Observations, Analysis, Discussion and Conclusions can flow as smoothly as any conversation. Cultivate the critical skills of forensic diagnosis. Unlock the potential in basic cut-and-paste, and advanced editing. Templates will be provided, to use on your trees tomorrow! Use new tricks to adapt these templates to the next trees you see. Simply speaking (voice dictation highly recommended!), develop and deliver defendable opinions. Advanced Report Writing, Australian Arbor Age, June-July 2017 http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/AA-JUN-JUL-2017-pg10- 17_V2.pdf Presented at ISA-Michigan 2010 and ISA-Midatlantic, 2007, Singapore and Brisbane, 2018

Restoration Pruning: After the Storm, Head for Better Form This presentation demonstrates restoration pruning of storm-damaged and topped pecan, oak, maple, birch, and eucalyptus trees. 14 years of data include fresh samples of branch ends that were selectively pruned with “heading cuts” after a 2002 ice storm. These dissections show solid regrowth and well-developed branch protection zones. Tree triage is about efficiently inspecting tree damage, and specifying the right cuts. Insurance companies have the resources to be an arborist’s best friend. If you give them the information they need, you can get paid as well for repairing trees as you do for removing them! Learn how to define your assignment, reduce the crown and the risk, and sell the value in tree preservation. NEW in 2018: Post-Hurricanes Irma and Maria, we restored tropical trees in Puerto Rico following the same principles developed after ice storms. Uno mundo, all the same! Research begun in 2016 described here: http://www.historictreecare.com/wp- content/uploads/2016/11/BiologyMechanicsandTreeCare-3.pdf

• Dr. Ed Gilman, 2004: “Based on Guy’s work, our understanding of tree response to pruning trees

after major storm damage has increased.” Presented at Botanical Bridges Conference, Havana, Cuba, and ISA International, 2018

Regenerating Hollow Trees for Life: Using International Pruning Standards Specified reduction pruning extends the safe useful life of hollow trees in the landscape. Myths abound around hollowness in trees. Arborists are taught to manage decay with fear, loathing, and engineering formulas. But the hollowing process actually benefits trees by recycling waste products, losing weight, and gaining flexibility. Above and below ground, aging trees are rejuvenated by shedding their outer parts, and growing new branches and roots closer to the core. We’ll look at many examples of professional tree crown regeneration, from Sweden to China to Australia and see what we can bring back home: The biology surrounding this practice works. The budget works too. Seeing trees respond with rejuvenation, tree owners and managers learn to work with, and trust, the tree. International Pruning Standards: Comparison and Implementation http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/AREA-140801.pdf Presented at TCI Expo in 2013, ISA-Europe and ISA International in 2014, and Singapore 2018 “Guy’s presentation of the art and science of tree care was exciting to see.” “Thank you for showing us the inside of the tree.”

Integrated Wildlife Management : Managing Arboreal Habitat in LIVING Trees Integrated Wildlife Management (IWM) is all about improving habitat for beneficial associates, while keeping the tree growing. Detective stories about Deathly Hollows and an Ionized Eyeful advanced association with animals. Stubborn Streaks, Disheveled Michauxii, and Pestilent Procession pursued parasites. In the US, the Endangered Species Act can help tree care businesses or hurt them. What about the beings in the nothingness of hollow trees? When is deadwood good? See politics, biodiversity, and tree care interacting in a win-win-win way! Innocent until proven guilty—most insects and fungi are always beneficial, and some are only pests under certain conditions. Tree pruning by its nature damages diversity. Adding back some benefits feels good, and it’s billable! That plungecutting chainsaw can also create bathouses and birdnests, platforms and hollows. Discover new ways to harmonize wildlife with clients and regulators. Help the creatures great and small—they have friends in high places! Presented to the National Audubon Society in 2014.

“Thank you for delivering quality information in an effective manner. We really appreciate the humor, too!” Janine Lester, BCMA

Appraisal and Testimony: Money Grows IN Trees; Can I Get a Witness? The climate is a-changin’, society is urbanizing, and trees are increasing in value. Everyone benefits when tree value is appreciated. Using reliable references and proven expertise, arborists can appraise a tree’s replacement cost in dollars. This presentation looks at a dozen case studies covering a wide range of appraisal assignments: storm casualty, condemnation, trespass, damage to and by sidewalks, fire, collisions, and poisoning. Detective Dendro’s case of the Suspicious Specks turned on the mysteries within the tree, and the one-page appraisal was finished and faxed during a lunch break. Bolts from the Blue lit up the benefits of aerial assessment. Dendro’s report quadrupled the insurance settlement. Clear communication of the facts makes a report defendable, even under cross-examination. We’ll consider tips for providing expert witness testimony, as explored in Tree Care Industry’s August 2008 issue. http://www.treecareindustry.org/PDFs/TCI_Mag_Aug_08.pdf Presented at Continuing Legal Education for Attorneys in 2007, Duke University in 2008 and ISA-Michigan in 2010 “Understanding your message has allowed me to pursue a career beyond the limits of general consulting practice.” Chuck Lippi, BCMA

Battling Bolts from the Blue: Repairing and Preventing Lightning Damage When lightning strikes a tree, comprehensive diagnosis leads to realistic prognosis, to aid the

• wner’s decisions. Arborists can quickly assess damage—we can and must do more than “wait

and see”. Timely treatments help wounds close, and damaged roots grow. Inspection and management of lightning damage was covered in http://www.tcia.org/PDFs/TCI_Mag_June_07.pdf We’ll also look at how protection systems affordably prevent damage for a wide variety of tree

• wners and managers. Historical trees at the Andersonville National Cemetery that had

systems installed at their Arbor Day in 2008 will be featured. Marketing, installation and maintenance was discussed in the June 2008 issue of TCI magazine. TCI_Mag_June_08.pdf (application/pdf Object) (Presented at the International Symposium on Trees and Lightning, 2007, and ISA-Florida in 2011.)

Put NERC to Work: Line Clearance Pruning for Commercial Arborists Arborists need to stay 10’ away unless they are specially trained and qualified, but that does not disqualify them from clearing around power lines. We can comply with OSHA, A300, and state regulations while doing the right thing for the trees. We’ll review a case where two trees near high-voltage transmission lines were retained by standard pruning and care. The nation’s largest utility tried and failed in court to get the trees removed. Side-pruning and height reduction—line clearance techniques learned in the 1970’s—reduced the risk from Imminent to Low. The attorneys saw the TRAQ form used for responsible risk management, and dropped the suit. Commercial arborists can clear the lines, so the owners keep their trees.

Positive Pole Pruning: Tools and Techniques for Reaching Beyond the Limits At climbing competitions, the pole tool is called for, sent up, used once, and sent down. At crown reduction jobs, the pole tool is close. Some have saw heads for big cuts, others have shears for fine tip pruning. Some feature spin-and-click systems, others use levers, and still

• thers set the length with springs and snaps. We’ll examine telescoping pole tools from over

the world, and new pruning techniques that they make possible. What fasteners allow poles to be conveniently attached to the climber, or the bucket? How can we position and move our bodies to avoid shoulder fatigue? When is it better to climb

• ut to the cut location? On street trees, how high can volunteers reach from the ground?

Telescoping pole tools open up a world of pruning possibilities. (Presented at ISA International 2008, Richmond Tree Stewards 2013)

Putin’s Oak, and More: From Russia with Tree Love Russia is in the news a lot lately, but for all the wrong reasons! Arboriculture in Russia provides some educational and entertaining examples. From five days of touring through the historic gardens and parks of St. Petersburg in 2017, we’ve pulled out the best and most baffling of their historic tree care practices. Politics will not be discussed 😊, but the cultural context will be interwoven. Depictions of trees and tree care in art galleries such as The Hermitage, churches, streetscapes, and folk art enrich this truly vibrant and historic city. Putin’s Oak, expertly managed There’s a madness, and more, behind these methods.

BCMA: 14 Years at the “Pinnacle of the Profession”; Don’t Look Down! After becoming an ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist in 2004, I raised my consulting rates and widened my scope, so I can pick the jobs that most suit my interests and my lifestyle. BCMA is an excellent investment for arborists who want to establish their expertise, and distinguish themselves from Certified Arborists, Qualified Tree Risk Assessors, Registered Consulting Arborists, and Ph.D.’s. Passing the real-life, scenario-based exam proves that you can manage trees in the real world based on the facts of the case, with minimal use of the assumptions and generalizations that plague many consulting reports. Having written 100’s of CEU questions (and answers), I’ll be happy to share some of the tricks that can help you pass the test. How easy is it marketing the BCMA credential? That depends on your market, your work ethic, and your approach. I’ll review the successful experience of fellow BCMA’s who I’ve coached as they climbed to the top of world of arboriculture, and never looked back. “The questions were challenging. Thanks for stretching my mind.” “This was great practice for the test, and will also help our day-to-day tree care practice.”

“Thank you for sharing your knowledge as an ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist. Your experience managing mature trees in the urban forest is extraordinary. Our local industry and urban forests will benefit from this information.” Dr. Liina Jurisoo, Estonian Arborist Society

Global Arboriculture: Around the Tree World in 70 Days In the summer of 2017, we had work booked in Singapore in July, and England in August. The

• nly logical itinerary was to make it an around-the-world trip, also exploring Australia, New

Zealand, India, Kuwait, Turkey, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and (my favorite) Finland. This presentation will not be all about man’s inhumanity to trees—that would be too easy, and we see enough of that at home! Instead, our goal was informed by the strategy of every successful elementary school teacher: “Catch them being good!” By keeping a positive

• utlook, we found something to learn from, every place we went.

Amidst all the variety of trees and people that we encountered, we found that many principles of arboriculture do indeed hold true, everywhere. Other beliefs were challenged, and revealed to be less reliable than we previously believed. Presented at ISA-Texas Chapter, 2017, and Havana, Cuba, 2018. “I don’t agree with everything, but Guy’s ideas helped me think about the work we do.” “Very responsive to questions and comments.” An earlier global tree view here: :http://www.historictreecare.com/wp- content/uploads/2016/06/Global-View-of-Trees-and-Risk-1.pdf