This years Connecticut Tree Climbing Competition is at Colt Park in Hartford, 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.
There are currently two bills in particular before the Connecticut General Assembly that may be of interest to arborists, tree wardens, tree workers and others involved with caring for trees.
The first bill, #5150, is entitled “AN ACT CONCERNING TREE WARDENS’ NOTICES ON TREES AND SHRUBS PRIOR TO REMOVAL, TREE REMOVAL ALONG STATE HIGHWAYS AND CLEAN-UP BY PUBLIC UTILITY CORPORATIONS FOLLOWING CERTAIN TREE REMOVAL.” The bill has four sections. The first section slightly re-words the posting language in CGS 23-59, the state statute that describes the tree warden’s duties. The second section would require that a tree warden post trees and shrubs under consideration before deciding upon a permit requested by a third party for the pruning or removal of trees or shrubs under the tree warden’s care and control (CGS 23-65). The third section places a reporting requirement, to the legislature and DEEP, on DOT regarding the removal of trees along state highways. The final section requires the utilities remove debris following roadside tree work.
The full bill can be read on the CGA website.
A public hearing on this bill is being held before the Environment Committee today, Friday, February 19. Extensive comments on this bill have already been posted on the CGA website.
The second bill is something of a recurring event, as it has also been raised in similar form in the two previous legislative sessions. This bill, #5258, is titled, “AN ACT CONCERNING A PROPERTY OWNER’S LIABILITY FOR THE EXPENSES OF REMOVING A FALLEN TREE OR LIMB” and will be heard before the Judiciary Committee, although no date has been set as of yet.
The 2014 version of this bill actually passed the legislature but was vetoed by Governor Malloy. It would establish requirements regarding financial liability for removal of a tree that falls from one private property onto another.
This bill may also be viewed on the CGA website.
CTPA is very happy to announce that a fully updated edition of the Disease Management Guide for Connecticut Arborists has been released. This electronic form (pdf – 22.5 MB) has the advantages of including both color pictures and activated links. Heartfelt thanks go to Dr. Sharon Douglas, Emeritus Plant Pathologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. It is Sharon who put together the original version of this publication as well as subsequent versions that have been produced over the years.
A paper version of the publication is also available for sale through the CTPA office. Please contact the office for price and mailing details.
email: info@ctpa.org
phone: 203-484-2512
Also, please visit the Tree Disease Page on the CTPA website.
Download the Disease Management Guide for CT Arborists.
CTPA announces the start of a media campaign to develop public awareness of the value of the arborist license. Within the State of Connecticut, an arborist license is required of all those who advertise, solicit or contract to do arboriculture. The intent of the campaign is to do more than highlight this legal requirement, however. The campaign will also seek to emphasize the value to tree owners of working with a licensed arborist, for all of the knowledge, expertise and skill that a Connecticut licensed arborist brings. As CTPA says in its campaign, “a healthy tree is no accident”.
In this campaign, CTPA is working with CEL, a Minnesota based public relations firm well known for such tree-related public awareness campaigns as “Trees Pay Us Back” and “Kentucky Roots“. Outreach will include developing recognition for the brand chosen for this campaign “Go the Top: Hire a Connecticut Licensed Arborist”. It will also include the development of materials that underscore why Connecticut licensed arborists provide so much value, including protecting the homeowner’s investment in their trees and contributing to public safety and and the providing of environmental benefits.
This campaign is only in its initial stages. There is still much more work to do. CTPA members will be asked to participate in the support of this campaign as it moves forward.
Members interested in learning more are invited to contact the CTPA office.
A ‘mocked-up’ example of how the new “Go To the Top” brand logo might be used.
One view of the campaign logo.
The on-line attendee registration for the Annual Meeting is closed. If you would like
to attend, please walk-in the morning of the event. There are plenty of seats available.
Over the years, CTPA has tried by various means to address the issue of unlicensed tree work. Out of the many past efforts, most have led to mixed and limited success.
Now, CTPA is now trying a bold new approach. At the end of 2015, the Association contracted with CEL, a marketing, public relations and design firm out of Minneapolis, in an effort to raise broad public visibility regarding the value of the arborist license to tree owners.
The marketing approach/campaign CEL is developing for CTPA will be unveiled at the CTPA Annual Meeting
, during the morning Business Session. All CTPA members are encourage to attend.
With respect to tree programs, CEL is a widely known and highly successful marketing firm. CEL is probably best known for their “Trees Pay Us Back” campaign. This campaign, done for the purpose of promoting greater recognition of the value of trees, makes use of large ‘price tags’ hung on trees that list the actual dollar values of the benefits of trees.
In the initial release of this campaign, these price tags were hung on trees, on Arbor Day, all around the Minnesota State Capitol. The result was legislators impressed with the importance of trees through an appreciation of the real dollar value of the benefits they provide.
Any marketing campaign is a multi-stage process and CTPA is only at the initial stage of campaign development with CEL. The CTPA campaign will be something unique to CTPA, reflective of the interests and concerns of CTPA’s members. For this campaign to succeed, we will need input and involvement from CTPA members and, very likely, the additional financial support of Connecticut’s tree care companies.
To learn more, attend the Business Session beginning at 8:30 am on January 21. It is the first thing on the agenda at the CTPA meeting. Representatives of CEL will also be in attendance to meet with attendees and to hear your feedback and ideas regarding this campaign.
Are you looking to volunteer some time? The Arbor Day Committee is looking for volunteers who would like to get involved. If you are interested please contact Cathy in the office at (203)484-2512 or email at cathy@ctpa.org for more details.
Registration for the Spring 2016 Session of Arboriculture 101 is now open. This series of classes will begin with the first class on Wednesday, January 6. 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 Arboriculture 101 Flyer and the Arboriculture 101 web page.
If anyone would like further information, they should contact the CTPA office by email or at 203-484-2512.
