General Updates Archives - Page 14 of 16 - CTPA (Connecticut Tree Protective Association)

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.

New Legislation – Change in the Arborist License Examination Process

March 24, 2018 by

There is a bill before the legislature that may be of interest to arborists and other members of CTPA – particularly those people looking to take the Arborist Licensing Exam. The bill is HB 5454.

A little bit of background. During the special session on the State Budget last fall, a provision was included in the legislation that essential required DEEP and the Department of Agriculture to act on almost all licenses and permits within 90 days of the receipt of an application, or else the application would be automatically accepted. So, for instance, take the case of an individual who applied for an arborist license on March 1st and who then took the written exam on March 15 and passed it. Currently, the next tree id and oral exam would not be held until early June – past the 90 days since the receipt of the application.

In this situation, DEEP would be left with only two choices – pass the person without giving him or her the tree id and oral exam, or fail him or her without giving him the additional exams. Neither choice is a good one. DEEP, along with the Tree Protection Examining Board, has been working on a solution that is in accord with this new law.

Since the law went into effect immediately upon passage, DEEP and the Tree Protection Examining Board have had to react quickly and with limited opportunity to soften the impact of the change required. As things stand right now:

People who apply for the written exam must pay attention to the when the next tree id and oral exams will be given. Applicants will be assigned to the next written exam and, if they then cannot take the tree id or oral exam in time, they fail. (The scheduling process is now centralized in DEEP and so there is less discretion as to when people can be assigned a test date – and almost no opportunity to refund fees once paid.)
People who pass the written exam will be assigned to the next scheduled tree id and oral exam. Right now, these are scheduled only 4 times a year. In a departure from past practice, each applicant will only have one opportunity to pass the tree id or oral exam – if they fail one or the other, then their application is rejected without an opportunity to retake either one. Also, if an applicant is a no-show for a test date, he or she is given a failure.
Once people fail the tree id or oral exam, they have to start all over again with a re-taking of the written exam. This includes repayment of the $200 application fee.

The bill presently before the legislature, HB 5454, would repeal this 90 day requirement for the arborist license exam as well as most other professional exams given by DEEP (the 90 day requirement is now in effect for all pesticide supervisory exams, for forest practitioner exams and licensed environmental professional exam, among others). It is not a complete repeal of all that now falls under the 90 day requirement due to the budget law. Under HB 5454, there would be modifications of the current law, with certain features of the current version to remain, particularly as relate to specific permits.

The CTPA Board tends to favor the repeal of the 90 day requirement for the Arborist License and a return to the old system under which this license has been issued. It has not taken a position on the full provisions of either the current legislation as was passed in the budget bill, or on the provisions in HB 5454.

To gain a better understanding of the issues involved, CTPA members are encouraged to read the testimony submitted on this bill. In particular, the testimony of the DEEP Commissioner and that of the Connecticut Environmental Council, of which CTPA is a member, are very interesting and informative.

CTPA members and others who have strong views on this issue are encouraged to contact their local state legislators.

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 Introduces its Go To The Top Web Site

January 15, 2018 by

CTPA is pleased to announce the release of its Go To The Top web site, with the publication of its “Hire a CT Licensed Arborist” web page. CTPA members may view this page at arborists.ctpa.org. This page features an Arborist Business search tool.

The page and the website are still being finalized. Once ready, CTPA will work to promote the site to the general public in Connecticut. Our goal for the site as a whole is to increase awareness of the Arborist Licensing Law, including the value it provides the public, as well as to assist people in the hiring of a licensed arborist. The design of the web page is deliberately mobile-device friendly.

CTPA chose to list DEEP-registered arborist businesses on this search page as the best and most direct way to help prospective clients find a licensed arborist.

We are releasing this page in advance of CTPA’s Annual Meeting so that the web page may be discussed at the Business Meeting. The Business Meeting will begin at 8:30 am on January 18th.

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.

New Website Now On-Line, with Resources and Tools for Urban Foresters, Tree Wardens and Arborists

December 1, 2017 by

A brand-new website, the Vibrant Cities Lab, is now available on line. The website is an interesting compendium of resources, research, tools and ideas, laid out in an accessible manner that draws people in. In addition to those who work professionally in tree care, the website is also geared towards providing tools to municipal managers, governmental leaders, advocates and others who need to know about trees.

The Vibrant Cities Lab is the product of a joint effort by the USDA Forest Service, American Forests and the National Association of Regional Councils. The website draws on a wide range of resources, evaluating them as to usefulness and then making them easily available to the user. The goal is to continue to grow this library of resources, including new research, resources and case studies as they come along.

The Lab is also a great place in which to browse for ideas, especially ideas relating to policy concerns and management options in the urban forest. The structure of the web pages encourages that sort of productive digging into the available material, offering options and choices that the user of the website can them pursue further.

It is worth spending a few minutes browsing the pages of this website. Over time, expect it to continue to grow, becoming even more useful as new and updated resources are added.

www.vibrantcitieslab.com

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.

Connecticut to Host Municipal Forestry Institute

August 28, 2017 by

Each year, the Society of Municipal Arborists sponsors the Municipal Forestry Institute, or MFI. This upcoming year, through good fortune and the hard work of the Tree Wardens Association of Connecticut, the MFI will be held in Connecticut. We would like to encourage everyone with an interest in municipal trees to consider attending.

MFI is primarily a leadership academy, during which the attendees listen to talks and take part in various scenarios and exercises. These exercises help them understand individual strengths, the differences among people, and the roles the people are asked to play in various circumstances. As almost everyone in attendance is in some way affiliated with municipal forestry, all of the scenarios and topics discussed end up connecting back to trees in some manner.

The program may not work for everyone, but it seems everyone who has attended has found it well worth their while. It is intensive and immersive – you arrive on Sunday afternoon and stay at the meeting facility until Friday noon. It will take some work on your part – including some pre-work that helps to set-up the week-long Institute. But the rewards are very real – just ask anyone who has participated in a past MFI.

The 2018 MFI will be held the week of February 18-23 at the Wisdom House in Litchfield.

If interested, please take a look at the MFI announcement page. The application form is linked off of that page. I would certainly be interested in answering any questions, as would others who have attended an MFI.

Seriously, do yourself a favor and give it some thought.

Chris Donnelly
Urban Forestry Coordinator
CT DEEP Forestry
chris.donnelly@ct.gov