Event Archives - Page 13 of 17 - CTPA (Connecticut Tree Protective Association)

Thank you 2018 CT-TCC Volunteers

May 14, 2018 by

Group Photo – CT-TCC 2018

Morning Instruction

Work Climb

Scoring

Climber and Volunteer!

The climbing competition committee would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped on Friday and Saturday to make the 2018 climbing competition a huge success! Special thanks to Shawn Emmons and Bartlett Tree Experts for donating the use of their bucket trucks, Distinctive Tree Care for help with pruning, Shelter Tree and KONG,USA for coming and supporting the climbers with supplies.

A list of the Volunteers from 2018

Patrick Archain, Eric Barber, J.P. Barksy, Matthew Buck, Chris Donnelly, Melissa Duffy, Bruce Duffy, Cathy Dvorsky, Allan Fenner, Christopher Happ, Rich Herfurth, Charlie Iselin, Al Krivickas, Greg Lukos, Bud Neal, Kate ODell, Jonathan Paragrine, Cindy Placko, Ken Placko, Jose Ramirez, Sean Redding, Matt Reynolds, Danny Rodriguez, Dave Ross, Claire Rutledge, Dennis Ryan, Emmett Shutts, Isaac Taylor, Casey Tresp, Dan Weise, Doug Williams and Kevin Wyatt.

September 2018 Arboriculture 101

April 25, 2018 by

Registration for the Fall, 2018 Session of Arboriculture 101 is now open. This series of classes will begin with the first class on Wednesday, September 5th. All attendees must register before the start of this class. This session of Arboriculture 101 tends to fill quickly. There is a limit to the number of students that can be accepted into the course.

Please note: The fee for Arboriculture 101 has increased from $350.00 to $400.00 as of 4/10/2018.

Details are available through the and the Arboriculture 101 web page.

If anyone would like further information, they should contact the CTPA office by calling 203-484-2512 or emailing to info@ctpa.org

Dr. Claire Rutledge describes insects during the Fall 2014 class

Bench Donors Sought for Veterans Healing Garden

April 5, 2018 by

As spring slowly makes its appearance back in Connecticut, attention returns to the work underway at the Veterans Home and Hospital Healing Garden. A great deal of progress has been made, but there is still a substantial amount of work to go. CTPA again turns to its membership, asking for assistance in bringing this great project to completion. This project is being done in support of those veterans who really need our help. Many of the veterans who will benefit from this project could use a gesture of kindness and of recognition for their contribution. Most at the Hospital are dealing with serious medical issues and other problems and so have something to gain from this lift in their lives.

The project plans call for 5 benches to be installed at separate points along the walkway. These benches are one of the ‘big tickets’ items remaining – the other being the fence that will be needed to keep folks in wheelchair safe from rolling down the hill. Each bench is estimated to cost $2,000 installed. CTPA is asking for individual donors to step up and purchase one of these benches. If the donor chooses, each donor will be recognized through a plaque attached to that bench. Each donor will also be recognized at the ceremony announcing the completion of the project.

CTPA members have already been generous in donating to the project, by providing funds for plant materials and other needed supplies. These donations are deeply appreciated – please keep them coming. The five trees have already been donated and will be installed later this spring.

Thank you again to all who have been helping in so many ways on this project. Anyone wishing to donate should contact Cathy Dvorsky at the CTPA office, either by phone (203-484-2512) or by email (cathy@ctpa.org). Donors can donate online (ctpa.org) or may choose to send a donation directly, to:

CTPA
PO Box 1946
Wallingford, CT 06492

Please make checks out to the CTPA and indicate that the donation is for the Veterans Home and Hospital Garden Fund.

CTPA is a 501-c-3 non-profit. All donations are fully tax deductible.

2018 CT Climbing Competition

February 28, 2018 by

The 2018 Connecticut Tree Climbing Competition is on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at the CT Veterans Healthcare and Residential Facility in Rocky Hill.

CT Tree Climbing Competition - rescue Each year, 25-30 climbers, men and women, participate in a competition that showcases the skill, safety, insight and knowledge that is all a part of climbing trees professionally. The event also showcases the camaraderie, spirit and overall sense of fun that is also a part of this unique group of skilled individuals.

The Five Qualifying Events in the CT Tree Climbing Competition are:

The Foot Lock – a timed ascent up a climbing line to a specified height (either 40′ or 50′).
Throw Line Accuracy – a timed event in which the competitor sets three different lines in specified parts of a tree.
Belayed Speed Climb – a timed ‘free-climb’ (climber is belayed) 40′ to 60′ up a selected tree.
Work Climb – five work stations are set within a given tree and competitors are scored as they move through the tree completing assigned tasks.
Aerial Rescue – climbers are timed as they ‘rescue’ a dummy set in a tree.

This years (2018) Connecticut Tree Climbing Competition is at the Veterans Healthcare & Residential Facility in Rocky, Hill, CT.
This is an all day event that is open to the public.
If you are interested in being a competitive climber or a sponsor, please register on-line or
by mail.

If you are interested in being a volunteer, please call Bud Neal (203)577-8144 (cell)
or Cathy in the office (203)484-2512.

CTPA Announces its Annual Awards

January 21, 2018 by

At its recent Annual Meeting, CTPA presented its 2018 awards. The awards included the Award of Merit – which is given to a CTPA member, the Arborist Citation – which is given to a non-member for contributions to tree care in the state – and the CTPA Arborist Scholarship. In addition, this year, CTPA declared two of its members as Honorary Members.

Chosen to receive the Award of Merit this year was Les Lewis III, owner of Les Arbes, a tree care and fine gardening company in Georgetown, CT.

Les Lewis III receives the Award of Merit from his son, Les Lewis IV

Throughout his career, Les has earned a stellar reputation as an arborist and tree care company owner. He has had a wide-ranging influence on the practice of tree care and is known as a mentor for the people who have worked for him and as a thorough professional who stressed the importance of detail and quality in tree work.

Adding additional meaning to the award, Les’s son, Les Lewis IV, presented the plaque commemorating the award to his father. Les IV’s many kind words were both moving and motivating, as it clearly showed the bond of the father and son, a bond that includes tree care.

The Arborist Citation this year was given to Dr. Rich Cowles of the CT Agricultural Experiment Station. It

Rich Cowles with Bud Neal, as Rich receives the plaque bearing his Arborist Citation

would be difficult to imagine someone who is more deserving of this award. Rich has long championed the work of arborists in Connecticut, providing support in numerous ways through his research at the Agricultural Station into insects and the means of controlling the damage done by insects. Over the past several years Rich, along with his colleague Dr. Claire Rutledge, have presented numerous workshops on the emerald ash borer. Their presentations have provided the definitive word on this insect to many in tree care throughout Connecticut.

Each year, CTPA provides a $2,000 scholarship to a Connecticut college student studying arboriculture or urban forestry who also plans to go on to a career in tree care. This year’s recipient of the CTPA Arborist Scholarship is Conor Smith, currently

Conor Smith, recipient of the Arborist Scholarship, is congratulated by Emmett Schutts, Scholarship Committee Chair

studying at the University of New Hampshire. Conor has worked at several tree care companies, both large and small, is an active member of the UNH Woodsman Team and, following his degree from the Forest Technology Program, plans on becoming a licensed arborist.

The last award to be presented was the Honorary Member Award. This designation is not given often and only at the discretion of the board. It is considered to be the CTPA’s highest honor to a member. It is generally presented to an individual only after a long period of service to the organization that has featured a high degree of accomplishment.

This year, CTPA presented two Honorary Member Awards, to Bud Neal and Chris Donnelly. Bud is currently serving as CTPA’s President, is a long-time board member, has been highly active in the CTPA Tree Climbing Competition and has, over the years, taken on numerous assignments, unselfishly and whole-heartedly. He has also come up with many good, solid ideas that have proved their value to the members, such as the annual EAB workshops and, before that, the trips to Worcester to see the ALB infestation. Currently, he is working on a true labor of love, the Veterans Home and Hospital Healing Garden at Rocky Hill.

Chris has been associated with the CTPA board since 1996, when he took on the position of Executive Secretary. In 2003, he moved up from being a staff

Bud Neal and Chris Donnelly hold their Honorary Member plaques

member to being on the board, where he then held each of the various officer positions, including spending 2 years as President of the Association. Chris has been the long-time editor of the CTPA newsletter and was the first webmaster for the CTPA website. Perhaps his most important contributions have been through his administration of Arboriculture 101. Since 1996, when the first class was held, somewhere approaching 2,000 students have taken the course. Chris shares credit for the success of this course with all of the instructors and each of the Executive Secretaries who haven been instrumental in making this course happen, noting that it has undoubtedly had an influence over the state of arboriculture in Connecticut.

At the Annual Meeting, CTPA also presented a check to the CT Agricultural Experiment Station, to assist that facility in the work it does in support of arboriculture in Connecticut.

Funds are being sought to support the Veterans Home and Hospital Healing Garden

December 26, 2017 by

A few weeks back, CTPA reported on the progress that that is being made on the Home and Hospital Healing Garden. This Garden is being constructed at the State of Connecticut Veterans Home in Rocky Hill, under the leadership of CTPA’s President Bud Neal. CTPA has taken on the primary role in ensuring that this project gets completed, as a contribution made to Connecticut’s service veterans, in recognition of their service to the country. CTPA has taken on this role because a central feature of the Healing Garden is that of the healing benefits that come from trees.

All of this was outlined in the previous post. Additional information on the Healing Garden can be found the January edition of the CTPA newsletter and during the CTPA Annual Meeting.

In order to complete the Veterans Healing Garden, fundraising is necessary. CTPA looks to raise about $30,000. The 5 trees have already been donated, but CTPA is seeking support that will allow the purchase of benches, a fence, two plaques, seed for the lawn, plants for the individual gardens, a flagpole and various other items. It also seeks to raise a small cash reserve that can be used to offset future maintenance costs and needs.

CTPA is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization. This means that it may accept charitable donations and that donors may claim such donations as tax-exempt. The Association will acknowledge any donations with a letter verifying that the donation has been received.

We wanted to get word of this out to CTPA members and others who may be interested in helping out, before the end of 2017, in case individuals would prefer the opportunity to donate during the current tax year.

To donate by credit card,

To donate by check, please mail your donation to the CTPA office:
CTPA
PO Box 1946
Wallingford, CT 06492

Checks mailed before the end of the year can be used as deductions against this year’s taxes. Be sure to indicate that the check is intended for the Healing Garden.

If you have questions, call the CTPA Office at 203-484-2512.

Thank you!

CTPA 96th Annual Meeting – Attendee Registration

December 8, 2017 by

2016-01-21 13.59.42 Please join us for our 96th Annual Meeting, Thursday, January 18, 2018 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT. We have a great line-up of speakers (Dr. Gerorge Hudler from Cornell University and Tim Walsh from The Davey Tree Expert Company, our always packed trade show and, of course, an excellent lunch. /The following CEU’s are available at the end of the day: CT DEEP 2A/2.0, 3A/4.25 CEU’s, CT Forest Practitioner/2.0 CEU’s, ISA Certification/3.75 CEU’s, TCIA CTSP/1.0 CEU’s and Advanced Certified Tree Wardens’/4.25 CEU’s.

Nominations for CTPA Awards

October 18, 2017 by

The Connecticut Tree Protective Association regularly honors individuals who have made significant contributions to arboriculture and to the care and protection of Connecticut’s trees. These awards are given annually and presented at the Annual Meeting. The CTPA Board of Directors is requesting nominees for awards for the upcoming Annual Meeting on January 18, 2018 and encourages you to nominate someone whom you feel deserves special recognition.

Award Categories:

Award of Merit– This award is presented to a CTPA member who has shown exemplary professionalism and dedication and made outstanding contributions to the care and protection of Connecticut’s trees.
Arborist Citation– This award is presented to a non-member who has shown exemplary dedication to the care and protection of Connecticut’s trees.

If you know of someone that is deserving of either of these awards, please print out the nomination form and email (info@ctpa.org) or fax (203)793-7924 to the CTPA office.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, December 1, 2017.

Remembrance and Honor – a Healing Garden at the Veteran’s Home in Rocky Hill

October 12, 2017 by

CTPA is very pleased to announce the groundbreaking for the Veteran’s Home and Hospital Healing Garden at the Connecticut Veteran’s Home in Rocky Hill. When completed, there will be 5 Connecticut-native shade trees planted, along with 5 benches to rest on and several small gardens within the larger garden. Tying these features together is a walkway, slightly less than 300 feet long, constructed in a loop and wide enough for 2 wheelchairs to pass by each other.

The garden is being constructed for the veterans that are recovering on the property and their families. The Home and Hospital Healing Garden is on the lawn next to the Sgt. John L. Levitow Veteran’s Healthcare Center, a 125 bed long-term care facility at the Veteran’s Home. Many of the vets who make use of the Healthcare Center are disabled, and so wheelchair access and level ground are a must. The lawn in which this new garden is located, however, gives way to a slope and a spectacular view down a valley that reaches eventually to the Connecticut River.

This whole project has been the brainchild of CTPA President Bud Neal. Bud has persevered for more than 3 years, seeing the project through changes of administration, rumors of relocation of the center, and stories of potential construction on the garden site. Throughout, Bud has kept this idea alive, alongside his dedication to the veterans.

The number “5” is significant to this garden. The 5 benches are connected to the 5 wars fought since the mid-20^th century, from which there are still veterans alive. The 5 trees represent the 5 branches of the service (army, navy, air force, marines and coast guard). When the mature, the branches of the trees will touch, providing shelter to the veterans and their family members who will sit on the benches and appreciate the view down the valley.

The idea itself can be said to be five-star. From early on, Bud has been assisted in the planning of the Healing Garden by CTPA member and Master Gardener Sandy Ingellis. It is Sandy who is guiding the location of the benches, the layout of the smaller gardens and the overall sense to be provided by the garden.

On Wednesday, October 11, 2017, groundbreaking on this project occurred, when O&G industries began construction of the walkway. In the course of his own military service, Bud happened to cross paths with another soldier, Ray Oneglia. Mr. Oneglia’s grandfather was co-founder of O&G Industries in Torrington and Ray is now Vice-Chairman of the Board at the company. When Bud shared his idea with Mr. Oneglia, Ray shared Bud’s enthusiasm and personally gave his go ahead to the donation of O&G’s services to the construction of the walkway. This first phase of the project will be completed very soon – probably by the end of next week.

Sandy is predicting full completion of the Healing Garden by Veteran’s Day, 2018. It is hoped that the first tree will be in place by Veteran’s Day of this year, at which time the official groundbreaking of this project will be acknowledged. The remainder of the trees should be planted and a more formal dedication may be made by Memorial Day next year.

Meanwhile, Bud is simply thrilled that a dream is becoming a reality. Bud deflects all credit back to the spirit of sacrifice among the veterans.

Other groups and individuals, such as the Tree Wardens’ Association of Connecticut, have expressed their support for this project. Anyone wishing to know more about this project or discuss how they may be able to offer their support are invited to contact the CTPA Office.

Bud and Sandy consult the plans for the Healing Garden.

The walkway underway, as it will connect to the Levitow Healthcare Center.

A view down the valley from the future Healing Garden.

A more comprehensive view of the site of the Garden.

A view of the work through existing trees onsite.

Looking up the hill towards the future Healing Garden.

The CTPA crew – Sandy, Cathy and Bud.

Coffee break – the crew from CTPA and from O&G Industries.

Arboriculture 101 Registration

October 4, 2017 by

Registration for the Winter 2018 Session of Arboriculture 101 is now open. This series of classes will begin with the first class on Wednesday, January 3rd. All attendees must register before the start of this class. Also, please note, this session of Arboriculture 101 tends to fill quickly. There is a limit to the number of students that can be accepted into the course.