The “pac-man” tree is a somewhat ubiquitous phenomenon along American roadways. Why does the utility cut them like that? Why did they leave my tree one-sided? Is it really acceptable to leave it looking so disfigured? This talk will cover some basics of the electric grid and utility vegetation management as well as industry standards and best practices governing all arboriculture, with some specific examples of how trees are pruned for power lines and why they’re left looking so strange. A main goal of this presentation is to bridge the gap between utility arboriculture and more traditional private, municipal, and commercial arboriculture, with the hope that attendees leave prepared to continue the conversation with their local customers and utility representatives.

About Kieran Hunt
Municipal Manager

Kieran is the Manager of Municipal Services with Asplundh Technical Services. He is responsible for working with Asplundh’s field operations to improve and expand municipal and roadside vegetation management programs. Asplundh Municipal Services brings industry best practices and vegetation management expertise to government organizations that contract for these services. Kieran’s background is in municipal tree management and inventory as well as utility vegetation management and work planning. He is an ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist and New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert and has a B.S. in ecology, evolution, and natural resources from Rutgers University. He is an Executive Board member for the NJ Forestry Association and a member of the UAA Environmental Stewardship Committee.

This session will be presented in Spanish and will review current Z133 safety standards pertaining to safe chainsaw use for arborists. It will also present the 6 step felling plan for safely felling trees.

About Pepe Jose Ramirez

Mr. Ramirez is the Northeast Skills Trainer for the Davey Tree Expert Company.

This session will discuss the relationship between soils, root health, root growth, and tree stability. Many potential problems can be identified and mitigated during production and planting. Others can be avoided by careful site inspection and planning.

Dr. Matthew Borden
Plant Pathologist, Bartlett Tree Experts

Matt is a plant pathologist working out of the Bartlett Tree Research Lab in Charlotte, NC. He completed a Doctorate of Plant Medicine and Masters of Entomology & Nematology at the University of Florida, gaining deep appreciation for landscape health and pest management strategies. Matt now studies tree and shrub diseases and disorders, with a varied background in orchard and botanical garden IPM beekeeping, and plant health column writing.

Longevity in the tree industry requires discipline in many areas of an individual’s approach to every tree job in their career. As a deaf person who’s had to navigate his way through those disciplines, Brick has gained an eagle eye view on things he has found to be fruitful in maintaining daily success on job sites. Learn how his daily habits have helped build a career that is going onto 20 years and counting, with no signs of slowing down and consider how these habits could help you as an aging arborist.

About Brick Reilly

Brick Reilly is a 41 year old tree climbing arborist from Springfield, New Jersey. He is a NJ Licensed Tree Expert, ISA certified arborist, ISA certified tree specialist, Certified Tree Safety Professional, and is employed by a New Jersey municipality. Brick is passionate about his family first; his wife, their three children and a dog named Maple. He is a passionate steward for nature, a firm believer that we are not separated from nature, but have forgotten that we are a part of nature. Brick is a devoted practitioner of wellness. Always a student of the mind, body and spirit. Building, movement and stillness are the three cornerstones of his approach. Brick is a tree climbing competitor, who loves to invest time into performing his best. His favorite event is Aerial Rescue, as it is not only a very technical event but he also has the massive challenge of being deaf while accomplishing the task. Since Brick was born deaf and received a cochlear implant at the age of 22, he has always had to be creative in becoming a trusted co worker. The experience in his growth as a tree climber, 19 years in the arborist industry, has created a philosophy that he lives by; “always a student.” You can connect with Brick via Instagram, @JaggedBrickClimber, where he continually looks to post inspiring messages, movements and motions from all aspects of his life.

The talk will review a series of studies, aspects of biomechanics within the information, and how they may be used to inform risk or tree protection assessments.

About Dr. Grabosky

Dr. Grabosky is a Professor at Rutgers University within the Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources Program, working primarily in the areas of Urban Forestry and Tree Management research

The Z133 Safety Standard was developed for the arboriculture industry under the procedures of the American National Standards Institute. During this session Erick will review the standards with a focus on changes that been implemented over the past few years.

About Erick Palacios

Erick Palacios is an experienced practitioner, team building coordinator, coach and consultant in Utility, Municipal, Commercial, and Residential Forestry. My vast field experience leading teams in the field along with formal accreditation from the, International Society of Arboriculture, and the Tree Care Industry Association have allowed me to thrive in the field of Arboriculture all while sharing my passion and advancing the responsible care of trees, people, and businesses in all of our government, civil, and private sectors.

This session will focus on the variety of different systems of biomechanics in plants. These systems are important for arborists to understand as practitioners.

About Dr. Niklas

Karl J. Niklas received a B.S. (mathematics) from the City College of the City of New York and a M.S. (chemistry) and Ph.D. (plant biology) from the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois. Niklas joined Cornell in 1978, where he is the Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor of Plant Biology emeritus, and a Stephen H. Weiss Presidential fellow. He is the author of over 400 research articles and five books (Plant Biomechanics 1992, Plant Allometry 1994, The Evolutionary Biology of Plants 1997, Plant Physics (co-authored with Hanns–Christof Spatz) 2012, and Plant Evolution 2016). Niklas is the recipient of numerous awards including a John S. Guggenheim Fellowship, the George Gaylord Simpson Prize (Yale University), the New York State University Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung Preis for Senior USA Scientists, the Jeanette Siron Pelton Award for studies in plant morphogenesis, the Botanical Society of America’s 1996 Lifetime Merit Award and 2006 Centennial Medal, and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was also elected as a fellow in the Institute of Advanced Study at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin.

Urban tree growth may be reduced due to poor urban soil conditions. Soil management to alleviate poor urban soil conditions often includes organic amendments. Biochar is one type of organic amendment with great potential for soil improvement for urban trees. This presentation will discuss: 1) what biochar is, 2) research findings on its efficacy, and 3) its pros and cons for use in urban forestry and arboriculture. The presentation will highlight research from the speaker and others, but will mostly focus on the application of this information. This presentation will feature findings from research that has been funded by the TREE fund.

About Bryant Scharenbroch

Bryant Scharenbroch is an Associate Professor of Soil Science at University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point and a Research Fellow of Center for Tree Science and The Morton Arboretum. Bryant has a Ph.D. in Soil Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a M.S. in Plant Science from University of Idaho, and B.S. degrees from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Urban Forestry and Forest Management. Bryant’s research interests are pedology and soil quality. Bryant has served as a Chair of the Urban and Anthropogenic Soils Division of the Soil Science Society of America and as Associate Editor for Arboriculture and Urban Forestry.

This session will be presented in Spanish and will review current Z133 safety standards pertaining to safe chainsaw use for arborists. It will also present the 6 step felling plan for safely felling trees.

About Pepe Jose Ramirez

Mr. Ramirez is the Northeast Skills Trainer for the Davey Tree Expert Company.

The practice of arboriculture involves inherent dangers, and companies focused on safety are more successful than those that don’t. The benefits extend far beyond just keeping everyone safe. Their professionalism increases in the eyes of their clients, as does the pride among their crews. Learn how to improve morale, professionalism, and profits by cultivating your company’s culture of safety.

About Erick Palacios

Erick Palacios is an experienced practitioner, team builder, coach, and consultant in utility, municipal, commercial, and residential forestry. His combination of field experience, formal training, and accreditation from the ISA and TCIA has formed the basis of a thriving arboricultural career allowing him to pursue his passion in improving trees, careers, and business in all sectors of tree care. Mr. Palacios travels the country providing high-level, bi-lingual arboricultural training.

In light of concerns about risks to beneficial insects including pollinators and natural enemies, jurisdictions around the country are placing new restrictions on several insecticides commonly used by the green industries. Questions have arisen regarding alternative approaches to managing key insect and mite pests. This presentation will review EPAs Reduced Risk Pesticides, those listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute, and biologically based alternatives to conventional insecticides and matricides. By protecting conserving and protecting beneficial insects, we strive to increase sustainability of managed landscapes.

Michael J. Raupp
Professor Emeritus

A Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Maryland, Mike is a Fellow of the Entomological Society of America and has authored more than 250 scientific and lay publications and delivered more than 1400 presentations. A regular guest on NPR, Mike has appeared on all major television networks in this country and several abroad and has been featured on National Geographic, Science Channel, BBC, and PBS. His “Bug of the Week” website, www.bugoftheweek.com and YouTube channel www.youtube.com/user/BugOfTheWeek reaches tens of thousands of viewers weekly. His most recent book “26 Things that Bug Me” introduces youngsters to the wonders of insects and natural history while “Managing Insect and Mites on Woody Landscape Plants” is a standard for the arboricultural industry.

Soil assessment is a critical component of soil management for urban trees. The goal of this presentation is to provide an overview of soil assessment for urban trees. Soil quality will be introduced and defined while focusing on the key physical, chemical, and biological properties. Methodologies and interpretations for each soil property will be presented. Approaches for utilizing soil quality indices in urban tree management will be discussed and demonstrated. This presentation is directed towards providing applicable information for arborists, urban foresters, and other urban tree managers. This presentation will feature findings from research that has been funded by the TREE fund.

About Bryant Scharenbroch

Bryant Scharenbroch is an Associate Professor of Soil Science at University of Wisconsin-
Stevens Point and a Research Fellow of Center for Tree Science and The Morton Arboretum.
Bryant has a Ph.D. in Soil Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a M.S. in Plant
Science from University of Idaho, and B.S. degrees from University of Wisconsin – Stevens
Point in Urban Forestry and Forest Management. Bryant’s research interests are pedology and
soil quality. Bryant has published over fifty peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. He
has presented over two hundred times at industry and scientific conferences. Bryant has served
as a Chair of the Urban and Anthropogenic Soils Division of the Soil Science Society of America
and as Associate Editor for Arboriculture and Urban Forestry.

The process of diagnosis combines several physical and life sciences with keen field observations and deductive skills. Diagnostics is rich in mystery, quite frequently doused with humility, and even entails some human psychology. This session will help you hone diagnostic skills and develop awareness of this art that you continually practice in the care of trees and landscapes.

About Dr. Borden
Plant Pathologist, Bartlett Tree Experts

Matt is a plant pathologist working out of the Bartlett Tree Research Lab in Charlotte, NC. He completed a Doctorate of Plant Medicine and Masters of Entomology & Nematology at the University of Florida, gaining deep appreciation for landscape health and pest management strategies. Matt now studies tree and shrub diseases and disorders, with a varied background in orchard and botanical garden IPM beekeeping, and plant health column writing.

Hear from Hans Tielmann, NCCER mobile crane instructor and NJLTE, about the key factors to always be considered when operating a grapplesaw on a job site. Knucklebooms and grapplesaws are becoming ever more popular, but with very minimal requirements and regulations, are commonly misused. Review what factors and considerations should always be addressed prior to starting a job that will be utilizing these pieces of equipment.

About Hans Tielmann

Hans Tielmann is a tech savvy graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a licensed tree expert who holds over 20+ years of professional experience. While he got his start working for his family’s tree service business, he has since branched out and grown within the tree service industry to found three businesses of his own: Bad Media, LLC, Noble Oak LLC, & NJ Crane Expert.

Not only did Hans found NJ Crane Expert, but he serves as the company’s lead crane instructor for their NCCER crane certification classes. Ever the Tree Tactician, Hans is adept at planning and executing tree removal projects in high risk environments and now enjoys sharing his experiences and knowledge with his students. He is a passionate educator who works with his crew to promote and teach safe practices and effective techniques for arborists’ many high-risk responsibilities by using modern equipment matched with comprehensive strategy.

Hans’s passion carries over into the world of social media where he exhibits his love for what he does best. As his Instagram shows, Hans promotes fun and effective educational posts for arborists with an aim at broadening the consumer market. Hans also strives to improve safety standards without using fear as a motivator.

As an expert in legal cases pertaining to trees, Mr. Bloch will teach about atypical tree law cases of which arborists should be aware. They involve fatalities, personal injuries, monetary appraisals and other tree and landscape issues. Having a better understanding of these cases will enable arborists to better guide their clients and their own operations.

Mr. Lew Bloch

Lew Bloch is a nationally known ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist/Landscape Architect with over 40 years of experience. He is the author of Tree Law Cases in the USA and co-author of The Guide for Plant Appraisal (9th edition), has been a contributor for many publications, and has lectured in several capacities. He has testified in numerous law cases involving fatalities, personal injuries, property damages, neighbor disputes, negligence cases, appraisals of monetary values, and other situations. Lew is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of ISA, and a Honorary Lifetime Member award from ASCA.

Arborists, like all technical professionals, balance an array of physical, financial, and social desires and duties in order to be successful. This is especially true in the for-profit world, and doubly so for small businesses. Arborists tend to be independent individuals, however, and asking for help often is not a natural reflex. In this talk, Mike will discuss his take on reasons, benefits, and pitfalls of bringing a consulting arborist into projects or prospects that already have arborists involved.

About Michael LaMana

Michael LaMana has been a consulting arborist and forester for more than 25 years. In 2003 he founded Heartwood Consulting in Toms River, and also has several years of forestry consulting in other states. He now serves on the staff of the Morris Arboretum, consulting for larger institutional clients. A New Jersey native, Mike received a B.S. in forestry from Cook College at Rutgers in 1990, and holds a M.S. in entomology from Oregon State Univ. He has published in peer-reviewed technical journals and qualified as an expert witness in many NJ courts & municipalities, and in several other states. Mike is on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA.)

This session will focus on reading trees’ structures to safely configure different Single Rope System setups to effectively accomplish predetermined goals. Attendees will learn how to better conserve energy and reduce the strain on their bodies while climbing. This interactive session will maximize what students learn about Single Rope Systems and the implications of using them in different trees.

About Rob Thigpen
Contract Climber and Lead Instructor with NATS

Rob is a lead instructor with North American Training Solutions. He served the tree care industry residentially and commercially for 34 years and has been an ISA Certified Arborist for 30. Rob has been a competitive climber for over 20 years with 2 Penn-Del Chapter championship wins. Rob is currently a Head Technician for Penn-Del tree climbing competitions. His industry qualifications include: OSHA 30, CUFSP, and Site Safety Professional. Other safety qualifications through volunteer fire service of 16yrs include; Rope Rescue 1-5, Confined Space Rescue, FF1, Vehicle Rescue Technician, Pump Operations, and others.