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Mark Bays and the Oklahoma City Survivor Tree

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At the CTPA Summer Meeting, Mark Bays, Urban Forestry Coordinator with the State of Oklahoma gave a stirring talk on the story of the Oklahoma City Survivor Tree.  For those who missed it, the Survivor Tree is an American elm that managed to survive the domestic terrorism attack of April 19, 1995 – the Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 innocent people as it destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.  It has been Mark’s responsibility since shortly after the bombing to look after this tree, which is now incorporated as a key feature in the Oklahoma City National Memorial, designed and built to remember those lost and to help the rest of us to continue to move forward.

Allan Fenner and Mark Bays with the Oklahoma Survivor Tree Offspring in Hartford.  The tree is in a temporary location until the State Office Building rehabilitation is completed.

Interestingly, CTPA’s current President, Allan Fenner, has a connection with the Oklahoma City Survivor Tree.  Back in the early 2000’s, an offspring of the tree in Oklahoma was donated to the State of Connecticut.  This Survivor Tree offspring was planted on the lawn of the State Office Building in Hartford.  It was growing there until about two years ago, when it needed to be moved to allow for State Office Building to be extensively renovated.  Allan, a consulting arborist with Sav-A-Tree, was given the assignment of overseeing the transplanting of the Hartford tree and its ongoing recovery and growth.

On the Friday following the meeting, Allan greeted Mark at the offspring of the tree that Mark has come to know so well.  The Hartford tree is thriving, as can be seen in the photos of the tree.  Mark was pleased to see how an Oklahoma native had taken root in the Nutmeg State.

Mark was also very happy to have been able to let the folks at the CTPA Summer Meeting know about the original Survivor Tree.  Mark has asked that CTPA share the following two links.  The first is to the video that was shown at the end of the second of his talks – for various reasons, it did not get played at the end of the first talk.  The second is a link to where people can get a Survivor Tree of their, with some of that money going back to the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

Here is the link for the Survivor Tree Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A-ICA3YE3I

This is the link to the Survivor Tree offspring offer:

https://sequoiatrees.com/survivor-tree-american-elm-medium-tree-seedling.html

Drop Zone Safety – Presentation at the CTPA Summer Meeting

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Steve Fassbender of Lewis Tree Service delivered two riveting talks on Drop Zone Safety at the July 18 CTPA Summer Meeting.  These talks are part of CTPA’s ongoing effort to promote safety in tree care.  Steve’s message was particularly effective as so much of it came from his personal experience and his desire to help people avoid future accidents.  It also presented attendees with an innovative approach towards preventing a particular type of accident – that which can occur when large pieces of wood are being dropped by someone aloft in the tree and a ground worker unwittingly enters into the drop zone beneath this worker aloft.

Tree workers being struck by cut limbs is the most common cause of fatalities in the tree care industry, responsible for 39% of all deaths.  Over the past decade, Lewis Tree has taken the lead in establishing the first drop zone safety policy.   Lewis’s work has set the standard for the industry and the company has contributed to the language that is now part of the ANSI Z133 Safety Standard.  An article published in the CTPA Summer Newsletter, authored by Steve Fassbender and Doug Pistawka (of Eversource), outlines the history of the drop zone safety concept.  Individuals wishing to know more about safe practices regarding the drop zone, including how to establish a drop zone on the job site, are encouraged to read this article.

It has also been reported that more and more vendors, including CTPA Allied Members, are now selling the distinctively colored drop zone safety cones that are recommended for use in designating the perimeter of the drop zone.

2019 Summer Meeting – Come Spend the Day!!

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Summer Meeting 2018

The CTPA Summer Meeting is July 18, 2019 and there is a great lineup of speakers, food all day and plenty of exhibitors to visit!!

You will have the opportunity to earn CT Arborist (3D) – 5.0 CEU’s, (3A) -2.5 CEU’s, CT Forest Practitioners – 2.0 CEU’s,  Advanced Certified Tree Wardens – 5.0 CEU’s, ISA – 5.0 CEU’s  and TCIA CTSP – 1.25 CEU’s.

Tree Infection and Wood Decay Following Storm Injury – Kevin Smith, USDA Forest Service

The Legacy of the Oklahoma City Survivor Tree – Mark Bays, Oklahoma State Urban Forestry Coordinator

Drop Zone Origination and Development.  Does Everyone Need One and Why – Stephen Fassbender, Lewis Tree Service

Arboriculture Below Ground – Aaron Dickinson, Arborcology

On-Line Registration

PDF Registrations
  (pdf)

 (pdf)

 

The University of Connecticut Announces Search for Instructor in Arboriculture

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CTPA Members – CTPA is currently assisting UConn in locating candidates to teach a course in the Fundamentals of Arboriculture at the University.  As most members are aware, UConn’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is in the process of establishing a two year degree program in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry.  This is an exciting opportunity, both for CTPA and for UConn.  The key to the success of this effort is finding the right instructor to teach the courses that are to be created.

At the moment, UConn is looking for an experienced arborist who can be the instructor for this newly created course in arboriculture.  For people who are interested, here are links to the two documents that will provide additional detail:

Adjunct Faculty Announcement – Arboriculture Course

Syllabus for the Fall Arboriculture Course

The timeline for the implementation of the degree program is as follows:

Fall of 2019 – the first offering of a course in Arboriculture

Spring of 2020 – the first offering of a course in Urban Forestry

Fall of 2020 – the second offering of a course in Arboriculture; also, the official launch of the two year degree in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry

Spring of 2021 – the second offering of a course in Urban Forestry

Spring of 2021 or 2022 – the first awarding of degrees in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry from UConn

While this announcement relates to the Fall 2019 course, it would be desirable to identify an individual who can help build this course over time into a self-sustaining component of the University’s course offerings.

If you are interested, please apply directly to the University, as described in the Adjunct Faculty Announcement.  If you are would like more information, please contact Dr. Jason Vokoun at the University, the CTPA Office or Carter Peck, Chair of the CTPA’s UConn Liaison Committee.

Connecticut Tree Climbing Competition Crowns 2019 Champions

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The 29 competitors, along with the judges, timers, scorers, donors, volunteers and family get ready for the 15th annual CT Tree Climbing Competition

On May 11, the CT Tree Protective Association held its 15th annual Connecticut Tree Climbing Competition. This year, the CTCC was held in College Woods, a section of East Rock Park in New Haven. 29 climbers – 26 men and 3 women – competed in the five preliminary events, from which the 6 Master Challengers – 3 men and 3 women – were selected. The male and female winner of the Master Challenge were then declared as Connecticut’s Tree Climbing Champions.

College Woods was an excellent venue for this competition, with the trees for each of the events tightly clustered so that one could essentially stand in one spot and keep track of each of the 5 preliminary events. Being that close to so many spirited climbers, who fed off of the applause of the audience and the cheers and advice of their fellow competition, generated a sense of enthusiasm that remained throughout the day.

In this event, the climber rescues Randy, who seems to be constantly getting stuck in the same tree.

See the list of preliminary round results.

The CTCC preliminary events are:

  1. Throwball
  2. Aerial Rescue
  3. Work Climb
  4. Speed Climb
  5. Ascent Event

That last event, the Ascent Event, has replaced the Footlock Event in both regional and international tree climbing competitions.

Rather than being a simple speed climb up a rope by footlocking, in the Ascent Event climbers may choose which type of mechanical ascender they might wish to use to assist them in the climb. They begin the competition with no gear attached to the climbing line and are timed, first on attaching themselves to the climbing line, then in

Kate Odell has the honor of being the first ever contestant in the Ascent Event, as Bud Neal holds the belay line.

ascending to the top of the line and ringing a bell, and then in removing their gear from the climbing line so that they are ready to descend. It took a few competitors to work all of the bugs out, but before long both the competitors and the judges were racing through this event like a well-oiled machine, with the skill and athleticism of the climbers on full display.

The CTCC is always as much about safety and respect for trees and tree care as it is about the competition, with this year’s competition no different on this score. Because of its proximity to a residential neighborhood in New Haven, the competition drew in many spectators who just happened to be passing by and who were pleased and excited to learn about this event.

Although there are several people who participate in the preliminary rounds, the Master’s Challenge is limited to Connecticut residents, with the goal of recognizing and encouraging Connecticut climbers, both men and women. The three male Challengers selected based on their scores in the preliminary event were:

Competitors, judges and spectators watch as a fellow competitor competes in the work climb.

  • Tim Reynolds
  • Kyle Donaldson
  • Russell Plumb

The three female Challengers were:

  • Cassandra Bryant
  • Kate Odell
  • Hailey Bond

The Challengers each had 20 minutes to assess, enter and perform a series of tasks in a previously unseen tree, and then exit the tree and remove all equipment.  This event requires tree climbing skills along with the ability to make good decisions and the ability to work both safely and quickly.  Points can be deducted or a climber disqualified for unsafe techniques or damage done to the tree.

After a dramatic Master’s Challenge, Tim Reynolds was declared the Connecticut Men’s Champion, by 2 points over Kyle Donalson and less than 5 points over Russell Plumb.  Hailey Bond was declared the Connecticut Women’s Champion, with Kate Odell in second place and Cassandra Bryant in third.

Congratulations to all who participated and thank yous to all who volunteered to help out, to all who donated equipment, to the City of New Haven and to all who made the competition possible.

Master’s Challenge Final Standings

Male

  1. Tim Reynolds (249.00 points)
  2. Kyle Donaldson (247.00)
  3. Russell Plumb (244.33)

Female

  1. Hailey Bond (79.67 points)
  2. Kate Odell (00.00 points)
  3. Cassandra Bryant (DQ)

CTPA Joins Sustainable CT in Planting Trees in Honored Communities

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This past fall, twenty-two cities and towns in Connecticut were recognized as the first “Sustainable CT Certified Communities” by Sustainable CT, a high-powered partnership that is working to get Connecticut’s communities thinking about their future in sustainable terms.

In April or May of this year, these 22 communities will each receive a tree from Sustainable CT in recognition of their accomplishments.  The CT Tree Protective Association is supporting this effort by donating these trees, doing its part to help this initiative get off the ground.

A Little Background

In 2016 and 2017, municipal leaders and residents from across the state, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and people from non-profits, businesses and key agencies such as DEEP all got together.  Their vision was to create a program that would recognize communities for acting in a way that advances sustainability – that takes stock of what they have and how they might move themselves forward. In a way that balances economic, social and environmental goals.  The sustainability goals are broad and inclusive.  They include such items as supporting local economies to improving transportation options to better energy planning.  ‘Well-Stewarded Land and Natural Resources’ is one of the Action Areas, with ‘Managing Woodlands and Forests’ being an item within that. 

Through this effort, Sustainable CT seeks to encourage more communities in the state to work consciously towards being better in the long-run.  The idea from the start was to provide municipalities with a menu of coordinated, voluntary actions.  Communities would select would actions to focus their efforts on, incorporating them into the way they do things, with the Sustainable CT partnership assisting with the resources and tools needed to achieve these milestones.

The Communities Response

The response from the communities has been strong.  To date, 83 communities, nearly half of those in the state, are participating in the program, with 22 having reached a level of accomplishment that the organizers deem worthy of recognition.  Of these 22, 5 have reached a silver level of certification (Hartford, Glastonbury, Greenwich, Stamford and Fairfield) while 17 have reach a bronze level (Bristol, Coventry, Madison, Milford, Hebron, Middletown, New Haven, New London, New Milford, Old Saybrook, Ridgefield, Roxbury, South Windsor, West Hartford, Westport, Windham and Woodbridge).

These are the communities that will be receiving a tree, along with a small plaque announcing the reason for the honor.  At the same time, Sustainable CT considers this as a project that has just begun, as new communities seek to reach this first level of accomplishment and those already honored seek to move up to the next level.

For CTPA, being a part of this effort just seemed natural.  What better way to symbolize sustainability than a tree planted in each sustainable community.  Many of these planting will be occurring in conjunction with Arbor Day.

To learn more about Sustainable CT, please visit SustainableCT.org.

 

 

CTPA Takes a Position on Two Bills Before the Legislature

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During its most recent board meeting, the CTPA Board took a closer look at the various bills currently before the Connecticut State Legislature. Several of these bills were mentioned in a recent CTPA post. In addition, at least two bills have surfaced since that previous post that CTPA members may want to be aware of.

HB 5312, An Act Concerning Vegetation Management in the Utility Protection Zone, would amend the existing law, CGS 16-234.

HB 6429, An Act Concerning a Grant-in-Aid Program for Municipalities Combatting Gypsy Moth and Emerald Ash Borer, proposes a process for bringing funding to towns dealing with trees killed due to those invasive insects.

Two bills in particular caught the Board’s attention. After extensive discussion of these bills, the CTPA Board decided to express its support for HB 5999 and its opposition to SB 76.

House Bill 5999, An Act Concerning Pesticide Regulation

This bill, would make 3 specific changes to current pesticide law. The first part of this bill would establish an account within state government, to be known as the Pesticide Enforcement Account. Money in this account would be used to

• cover the costs of regulating pesticides

• perform the inspections needed to enforce the laws on pesticide use and

• any other enforcement activities necessary in the regulation of pesticides by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The second part of the bill would set up an electronic reporting and record keeping system for pesticide registrations and for private and commercial pesticide applicator permits and certifications.

The third part of the bill calls for the creation of regulations regarding the on-line purchase of restricted use pesticides and for the implementation of a monitoring program to determine levels of pesticides in the soil, water and natural resources of the state, including, but not limited to, the state’s wildlife.

It is primarily the first part of the bill that caught the board’s attention. CTPA’s membership has long called for more effective enforcement of the Arborist Law. It is not clear, within the narrow confines of this bill, whether, if this legislation were to be enacted, it would increase enforcement related to the full range of arboricultural activities or just those related to pesticide use in tree care. However, as the Board sees it, the Arborist Law is regulated within DEEP through the Pesticide Management Program. Given that one of the limitations to greater enforcement of the Arborist Law is a shortage of personnel within the agency, any increase in resources provided to the Pesticide Program is apt to benefit arborists and to lead to better enforcement of the Arborist Law.

Funding for the Pesticide Enforcement Account will primarily come from the registration of pesticides, something that is required of companies that manufacture pesticides and seek to sell them in the state. This bill is before the Environment Committee. A Public Hearing on this bill will be held on Monday, March 18th. CTPA will be submitting testimony in support of this bill to the Environment Committee.

Senate Bill 76, An Act Authorizing Municipalities to Restrict the Use of Pesticides in Certain Areas of the Municipality or on Certain Types of Properties

SB 76 is being opposed by the CTPA Board on behalf of its membership.  The bill in its entirety reads as follows:

“Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 441 of the general statutes or any regulation adopted pursuant to said chapter, any municipality may, by ordinance, restrict the application of any pesticide, as defined in section 22a-47 of the general statutes, on any parcel of real property located in such municipality.”

The CTPA Board is concerned about this bill for 3 main reasons:

• It would undercut the authority of the DEEP Pesticide Program regarding how it regulates pesticides, including undermining the extensive review of pesticides and of the testing process that is a part of the DEEP’s determination as to whether specific pesticides are safe for use in Connecticut

• It would needlessly complicate how pesticides are applied by those businesses that are legitimate pesticide applicators, potentially leading both to errors due to confusion about what is permitted and what is not and to extra-legal applications by homeowners and other unlicensed applicators, and

• It is likely that it would make appropriate pesticide applications less effective in outbreak circumstances, as insect and disease pests do not recognize human drawn boundaries and as this bill would unnecessarily limit choices available to individual property owners during such outbreaks.

CTPA is joined with CT-EC in our concern regarding this bill. This bill is before the Environment Committee. The Public Hearing on this bill is also being held on Monday, March 18th. CTPA will be submitting testimony.

CTPA members who might wish to provide their own comment on these two bill or any other matters before the Environment Committee are encouraged to express their thoughts to the Committee through the following email address: envtestimony@cga.ct.gov.  Members are also encouraged to contact their own legislative representatives to let these representatives know of their interests and concerns.

Members interested in tracking the progress of these or other bills should visit the Connecticut General Assembly web site.

Arboriculture 101 September Registration

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Registration for the Fall 2019 Session of Arboriculture 101 is now open.  This series of classes will begin with the first class on Wednesday, September 4th.  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.

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

OR

If anyone would like further information, they should contact the CTPA office by e

Hands-on Night during the Winter 2015 class at Arboriculture 101.

mail or at 203-484-2512.

2019 Climbing Competition

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The 2019 Connecticut Tree Climbing Competition

is on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at the College Woods Park  and  in New Haven.

2018 CT Climbing Competition, Rocky Hill, CT

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:

  1. The Ascent Event – This is a new event and is replacing the footlock.
  2. Throw Line Accuracy – a timed event in which the competitor sets three different lines in specified parts of a tree.
  3. Belayed Speed Climb – a timed ‘free-climb’ (climber is belayed) 40′ to 60′ up a selected tree.
  4. Work Climb – five work stations are set within a given tree and competitors are scored as they move through the tree completing assigned tasks.
  5. Aerial Rescue – climbers are timed as they ‘rescue’ a dummy set in a tree.

This years (2019) Connecticut Tree Climbing Competition is at College Woods Park in New Haven, 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.

2019 Legislative Update

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The CT Legislature is currently in the midst of debating the bills that have arisen during this current session. Trees, and the need to manage and maintain trees, are the topic of several pieces of legislation. Not all these bills, however, are destined for full consideration by the Legislature – most, in fact are not. Legislators will often propose bills as ‘placeholders’, briefly outlining a perceived problem in the hopes that a solution can then be proposed. Often, these placeholders bills fade away as the session progresses. Either no substantive course of action arises for dealing with the indicated problem or another, similar bill is offered. Most of the bills relating to trees are placeholder bills and have already started to fade.

Town Tree Issues

One serious issue that the Legislature is grappling with is that of assisting towns with the number of dead trees along public roads. As CTPA members are well aware, the number of these trees has spiked, due to the emerald ash borer, gypsy moths, drought and other causes. Most towns simply do not have the resources to deal with the numbers of trees that that they have to.

Among the bills that have been proposed to assist towns in dealing with this problem are those that have recommended DEEP establish a grant program for tree removal but which offer no funding for this program and one that would exempt tree removal activities from the sales tax. One bill that is moving along is HB 5886, AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF LOCAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND GRANTS FOR THE REMOVAL OF CERTAIN TREES. The purpose of the bill is to allow Local Capitol Improvement Funding to be used by towns for tree removal. This bill is currently before the Joint Committee on Planning and Development, with a Public Hearing scheduled for March 6.

The same language as is contained in HB 5886 is also contained in the Governor’s Budget Bill, SB 876.

Property Owner’s Liability for Fallen Trees

There are 3 other bills that are moving along that also might interest arborists. HB 7188, AN ACT CONCERNING A PROPERTY OWNER’S LIABILITY FOR THE EXPENSES OF REMOVING A FALLEN TREE OR LIMB, revives a bill that has been before the legislature several times in recent years, including having been passed in 2014, only to be vetoed by the Governor. The purpose of this bill is to establish conditions under which a tree owner could be held responsible for the clean-up of a tree that falls upon a neighbor’s property. In this discussion, the role of a Connecticut-licensed arborist is given importance, both for the arborist’s ability to identify trees with significant problems and also to indicate that the problems have been mitigated or otherwise no longer exist.

A Public Hearing on this bill was held before the Judiciary Committee on February 27th.

DOT and Trees

Another ‘public tree bill’ that has gained a great deal of attention relates to trees along state highways. Essentially, HB 5308, AN ACT CONCERNING VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ALONG STATE HIGHWAYS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, would require DOT to develop specific guidelines relating to the management of trees and other vegetation along state roads. Included in the provisions of this bill is the requirement that these guidelines be reviewed by a licensed arborist employed by either DOT or DEEP.

While this bill drew strong support at its Public Hearing before the Environment Committee on February 15th, it is worth pointing out that, in its response to this bill, DOT stated that it has already produced detailed guidelines regarding that Department’s management of trees and vegetation along state roads. This document, CT DOT’s Vegetation Management Guidelines, was published in February 2018 and is readily available on the DOT website.

DOT has at least two CT licensed arborists on staff who had an active role in the development of these guidelines and will have an active role in their implementation. Nonetheless, this bill is moving forward, as it has been filed with the Legislative Commissioner’s Office and is ready to move out of Committee.

Local Pesticide Regulations

The last bill to mention is not specifically focused on trees, but on pesticide use in general. SB 76, AN ACT AUTHORIZING MUNICIPALITIES TO RESTRICT THE USE OF PESTICIDES IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OR ON CERTAIN TYPES OF PROPERTIES, would give towns the ability to ban or restrict the use of pesticides that may not be banned or restricted on the state level and restrict the application of pesticides in certain areas of the municipality or on certain types of properties.

While not yet a drafted bill, the general direction of this bill has caused certain groups, such as the Connecticut Environmental Council (CT-EC) to become concerned. The thrust of CT-EC’s concern is that giving this sort of authority to local governments will diffuse the effectiveness of state-level pesticide management and regulation through DEEP and, as a result, make a mess for legitimate pesticide applicators, including licensed arborists.

Due to this concern, CT-EC is organizing a Day of Public Concern regarding this bill on Friday, March 8th at 9:30 am, in the atrium of the Legislative Office Building. CTPA is a dues-paying member of CT-EC and supports CT-EC in its efforts to educate our members and work on our behalf on key legislative issues. CT-EC and CTPA would like to see arborists join with other professionals who use pesticides in expressing their concern regarding this potential legislation.

CTPA members who wish to learn more about this specific legislation may contact:

Erica Fearn, CAE
Executive Director
Connecticut Environmental Council, Inc.
860-586-7508
efearn@ctenvironmentalfacts.org
www.ctenvironmentalfacts.org

Contact CTPA

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1946, Wallingford CT 06492
PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 60 Church Street (Rte 68), Suite 3A, Wallingford , CT 06492
PHONE: 203-484-2512
EMAIL: info@ctpa.org

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