CTPA Updates

2020 Climbing Competition – Boothe Park, Stratford

February 26, 2020 by CTPA Admin

The 35 competitors, along with the judges, timers, scorers, donors, volunteers and family get ready for the 16th annual CT Tree Climbing Competition.

The 2020 Connecticut Tree Climbing Competition

has been canceled. See you next year!!!!

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 Ascent Event – This is a new event and is replacing the footlock.
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.

The CTPA Presents its Yearly Awards at the 2020 Annual Meeting

February 2, 2020 by CTPA Admin

At its recent Annual Meeting (January 16, 2020), the CTPA presented two Awards. It also introduced the two winners for this year of the CTPA Arborist Scholarship.

The family, friends and co-workers of Fred Grimshaw gather as the Award of Merit Plaque for 2020 is presented in his honor.

The Association announced Fred Grimshaw as the recipient of its Award of Merit and presented the plaque commemorating Fred’s receipt of this award to his family and to the members of his company, Grimshaw Tree. Fred passed away on August 11^th of this past year – news that was received with great sadness by many in the arboricultural community. Fred was known for many things – as an accomplished arborist, astute business owner, lover of trees and of wood, mentor and friend – and, on occasion, wit and story-teller. He was always a loyal member of CTPA and a strong supporter of arborists and arboriculture. CTPA’s President Allan Fenner presented the award to Fred’s family, with the only regret being that he could not present to award to Fred himself.

Chuck and Darryl Newman of Planters’ Choice receive the Arborist Citation being presented to their nursery.

CTPA also presented the Arborist Citation to Planters’ Choice Nursery, of Newtown and Watertown. There to receive the award were Chuck Newman, Founder and Owner of Planters’ Choice, and Darryl Newman, Principal. Planters’ Choice was selected for this award due to its sense of mission and spirit of teamwork. The nursery clearly sees itself as part of the broad coalition of those who are responsible for planting and maintaining trees in the landscape. Most recently, Planters’ Choice was noted as being extraordinarily helpful to CTPA in its effort to plant trees throughout Connecticut in celebration of the Centennial of the Arborist Law. That is just the latest example of their generosity and cooperative effort. Both Darryl and Chuck have spoken at past CTPA meetings and are regular participants as exhibitors. They have also been volunteer participants in such activities as being on the board of the CT Nursery and Landscape Association and the CT Urban Forest Council.

Annually, the CTPA presents at least one $1,000 scholarship to a college student who is directing his or her studies towards a career arboriculture or urban forestry. This student must also be a resident of Connecticut. This year, the CTPA awarded two scholarships.

Leeane Marvin is honored as one of the two recipients of the CTPA Arborist Scholarship for 2020.

The first CTPA Arborist Scholarship was awarded to Leeane Marvin. Leeane is a Junior at the University of Connecticut. She is a student in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, with a concentration in Sustainable Forest Resources. Leeane lives in Winsted with her husband and four children. In her application, she stated that she has always loved trees. Once she graduates, she looks forward to continuing her work in Connecticut in a tree or forestry field position, as a forest technician or doing research to help protect Connecticut forests.

The second CTPA Arborist Scholarship was awarded to Felicia Millett. Felicia is a Plant Science major at the University of Connecticut who lives with her husband in Plainville. She is an alumna of the Arboriculture 101 course, a licensed arborist in the State of Connecticut and an accomplished tree climber. Felicia decided to go back to school as a way of building on her extensive field experiences and is now working on a degree in Plant Science with a concentration in Ornamental Horticulture. Her goal is to contribute to increasing and improving the range of woody plants available in the nursery trade. In particular, she is interested in exploring underused ornamentals, trees and shrubs that thrive in the southern New England climate and in broadening the options of homeowners and landscape designers. She is also interested in playing a role in increasing the availability of plants with improved disease resistance.

Felicia is already known to CTPA members as an accomplished tree climber, who has participated in both the Connecticut Tree Climbing Competition and also the New England Competition.

As Felicia was unable to attend this year’s meeting, she is not pictured here.

The 98th Annual Meeting – Attendee Registration

December 9, 2019 by CTPA Admin

Please join us and celebrate our 98th Annual Meeting, Thursday, January 16, 2020 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT. We have a great line-up of speakers, 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, 2/3.25, 3D/4.75 CEU’s, CT Forest Practitioner/2.0 CEU’s, ISA Certification/4.0, and Advanced Certified Tree Wardens’/4.75 CEU’s.

UConn Announces – Officially – a Two Year Degree Program in Urban Forestry and Arboriculture

October 27, 2019 by CTPA Admin

UConn’s two year degree program in Urban Forestry and Arboriculture has been approved by the University’s Board of Trustees. As a result, the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture within the University will now be accepting students who wish to major in this field. While a two year degree, students who are interested and qualify will have the opportunity to continue on into a four year degree in a related field. Further details can be found on the official UConn Announcment. A sample outline of the coursework expected for completion of the degree is on the second page of the outline.

Classes are already underway in the first course required of the major – The Fundamentals of Arboriculture. This course is being taught by John Kehoe, with 9 students enrolled. According to John, the course is going along very well, with the students excited, interested and learning things. John is well-known to CTPA members as a long-time arborist who runs his own tree care business as well as being former Hartford City Forester and a member of UConn’s arboricultural staff.

In addition to announcing the major, UConn is also announcing the spring semester course in Urban Forestry as well as opening the search for an Adjunct Instructor in Urban Forestry.

Please feel to pass this information on.

CTPA is a supporter of this program, through financial contributions and also by providing advice and assistance. The best way for membership to support this program will be by considering UConn graduates for employment, once we reach that point.

The Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture is affiliated with the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, which is within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources at UConn. Members seeking further information on the program are encouraged to contact the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at: nre@uconn.edu or 860‐486‐2840.

Remembering Frederick E. Kuhr – CTPA Past President 1978-79

October 16, 2019 by CTPA Admin

Frederick E. Kuhr, 81, of Southington, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 26, 2019 in Griswold, CT. Frederick was the devoted husband of Elke (Bäuerle) Kuhr for 53 years.

Born on October 12, 1937 in Waterbury, CT to the late Ernst and Dora (Richter) Kuhr, he was a lifelong Southington resident.

After high school, Freddie was drafted and proudly served his country in the U. S. Army. He then earned his degree in Horticulture from UCONN. He established Evergreen Nursery in 1960 with the goal of “beautifying the outdoors” and proudly served the local community for over 50 years. Freddie also enjoyed raising and herding sheep with his family and friends.

He was an active member of the Masonic Friendship Lodge No. 33, the Southington Elks Lodge No. 1669, a Lieutenant Governor for his Kiwanis Club district and a member of the Sphinx Shriner’s. He was a former Bank Director at Southington Savings Bank and a Past President of the German American Society. Freddie was a proud member and Past President (1978-79) of the Connecticut Tree Protective Associations (CTPA). He also volunteered as a firefighter in Southington for many years. Freddie will be remembered for his contagious laugh, dynamic personality, and unique sense of humor. He had a generous spirit and always believed in family first.

In addition to his loving wife Elke, he is survived by his son, Eric F. Kuhr of Southington, two daughters, Rebecca Isaacson and her husband Todd of Middletown and Carolyn E. Kielma and her husband Michael of Wolcott and 7 grandchildren: Sarah, Rachel, Ryan, Alexander, Julia, Teddy and Henry. He is also survived by his sister, Heidi Bittner and brother, Walter Kuhr and his wife Roberta, all of Southington along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Loretta Miron and two brothers-in-law, Michael Bittner and Francis “Shy” Miron.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Freddie’s memory may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, P.O. Box 1525, Ranson, WV 25438 or via lovetotherescue.org

For online condolences, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.

Looking for Nominations for the 2020 Annual Meeting Awards

October 7, 2019 by CTPA Admin

Allan Fenner, President and Thomas E. Worthley, Arborist Citation Recipient

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 17, 2019 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 Monday, December 2, 2019.

English and Spanish EHAP Workshops

September 16, 2019 by CTPA Admin

Do you understand all that you need to in order to work safely around electricity and power lines?

Electrical Hazard Awareness training is a must for everyone involved in tree care. Simply put, it is a Basic Matter of Safety. If you work with trees, you will encounter electricity. Electricity can be very dangerous.

This EHAP workshop is offered by CTPA to help prepare individuals for the electrical hazards they face in their everyday jobs.

Attendees will learn about the electrical distribution system, the hardware used in that system, the types of electrical hazards a tree care worker is likely to face and how to be prepared when you are encountering electricity on the job.

Cost of the Workshop

In order to help make this workshop affordable for all who wish to attend, CTPA has subsidized the costs.

Total cost for each attendee is $135 for members and $155 for non-members.

All attendees will receive the TCIA’s Electrical Hazard Awareness workbook – a $135 value. Attendees may request this workbook in English or Spanish.

This price includes lunch and the EHAP Workbook and Manual.

CEUs

CEU’s will be available for CT, ISA and CTSP.

About the Workshops (English and Spanish)

These workshops will make attendees aware of the hazards all tree care workers face when they work around energized electrical conductors. This awareness is an essential part of basic tree care safety. It is recommended that all people who work in tree care take an EHAP course.

The ENGLISH one day workshop, at the Berlin Campus on November 14, 2019, will be led by Emmett Shutts, Cheshire, CT. Emmett is an approved TCIA EHAP instructor and the New England regional trainer with Davey Tree. Mr. Shutts will make use of the EHAP Workbook and Manual published by the Tree Care Industry Association. All attendees will receive this publication. Training will also be provided on the equipment that makes up the electrical distribution system. Knowing what each piece is and what it does is an important part of being safe around electrical conductors.
To ensure your reservation, please register by November 1st for the English EHAP taking place at the Berlin Eversource campus.

The SPANISH one day workshop, at the South Norwalk Library on December 5, 2019, will be led by Leo Roldan, Certified Arborist, Certified Tree Worker Specialist, Certified Aerial Lift Specialist, Certified Treecare Safety Professional and TCIA EHAP instructor. Mr. Roldan will make use of the SPANISH EHAP Workbook and Manual published by the Tree Care Industry Association. All attendees will receive this publication. Training will also be provided on the equipment that makes up the electrical distribution system. Knowing what each piece is and what it does is an important part of being safe around electrical conductors.

To ensure your reservation, please register by November 21st for the Spanish EHAP taking place at the South Norwalk Library.
OR

Individuals who complete the exercises in the workbook, who receive certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) methods and who also can demonstrate a basic level of skill in aerial rescue techniques are eligible to be certified as line clearance arborists. CTPA will not be providing this additional training or testing. Companies are responsible for the EHAP certification of their employees. However, guidance on achieving certification will be offered by CTPA to participants, both during and following the workshop.

CTPA encourages all companies engaged in tree care to have an EHAP program in place for all of their employees.

Registration

If you are in tree care and have not taken an Electrical Hazard Awareness course before, you really should consider attending this one. These workshops fill quickly so please register early!

Centennial Tree Planting is Underway!

September 12, 2019 by CTPA Admin

The Centennial Tree Planting to commemorate the Anniversary of the Connecticut Arborist Law is underway! The trees have all been delivered to the designated sites around the state with the plaques to accompany them.

Several of the trees have already been picked up and we know of at least one tree planting that has taken place in Franklin. Thank you David Gustafson for being the first to plant a white oak on September 11, 2019 at the Veterans Park in Franklin along with Franklin First Selectman, Charlie Grant.

There are 23 towns that do not have volunteers. If you are interested in helping in any of the following town, please call the office at 203.484.2512. Andover, Ashford, Colchester, Colebrook, Columbia, Goshen, Hartland, Lisbon, Marlborough, Montville, Plainfield, Plainville, Plymouth, Preston, Salem, Scotland, Sterling, Thomaston, Union, Voluntown, Willington, Windsor Locks, Wolcott.

Keep checking the CTPA website for more pictures of tree plantings around the state. We will put them on the Centennial Tree Planting Picture page as they come to the office.

Thank you to all that have volunteered! Taking on planting a tree in each town in the state of Connecticut would not have happened without your generosity of your time and resources.

CTPA Scholarship Application Now Being Accepted for 2020

August 30, 2019 by CTPA Admin

CTPA is seeking applicants for the 2020 Arborist Scholarship. This $2,000 scholarship is being offered to undergraduate students who are residents of Connecticut studying urban forestry or arboriculture. Students do not need to be attending college in Connecticut.

The Association plans to offer two scholarships this year. The due date for applications is December 1, 2019. The name(s) of the 2020 award winner(s) will be announced at the 2020 Annual Meeting.

Please click on the button to print out the application forms

This is the 19th year in which CTPA has offered this scholarship, with 30 scholarships awarded since 2001.

If anyone has any questions, please contact the CTPA office (203-484-2512 or info@ctpa.org).

The Fundamentals of Arboriculture at UConn

August 25, 2019 by CTPA Admin

Students perusing the course catalogue at UConn this fall might notice a new course within the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. The Fundamentals of Arboriculture will be taught at the Storrs Campus, meeting twice a week for lecture and with a 3 hour lab on Tuesday afternoons. The instructor is John Kehoe. John is a long-time member of CTPA who admits that he is thrilled at the opportunity to teach this class.

John Kehoe, leading a tree walk in East Hampton. Photo used courtesy of the Hartford Courant.

The CTPA is assisting UConn in the establishment of a 2 year degree program in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. As described in a previous post (see CTPA and U Conn Announce Plans for a New Degree Program), this course in Arboriculture is being added as an elective this fall and a second course, on Urban and Community Forestry, will be added in the spring semester. There may also be a practical Winter Session course on tree care skills. Then, if all goes well, the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources will initiate the degree program in the fall of 2020, with all of the above courses required for the Associates Degree.

CTPA’s contributions are two-fold. The Association is underwriting the costs of hiring the instructor or instructors for each of the two semester courses. The Association and its members are also being asked to provide industry support of the sort that will help build a successful program. That includes encouraging students to take these courses, providing helpful feedback to the university faculty and administration as the program builds, and, perhaps most importantly, being open to hiring worthy candidates who graduate from the program. All of this, obviously, will need to play out over the course of time as the program establishes itself.

Meanwhile, the consensus is that John Kehoe is an excellent choice to get the classroom part of the program started. John is a second generation arborist who obtained his Connecticut license back in 1975. He has seen a lot of industry growth and change over those years. As he has grown in experience, he has also grown in knowledge and insight. He has seen tree care from the perspective of a private, commercial tree care company, as the former acting City Forester in the City of Hartford and, now, in his current position, as part of the tree care staff of UConn. Among his educational activities, John is widely known for his encyclopedic knowledge of tree species and horticultural varieties. He has lectured, led numerous tours and participated in workshops for a variety of audiences. As a teacher, he is conversational in his style, confident and very capable of bringing his wide range of experiences to life. He will do well in front of a classroom.

CTPA should be proud of its role in helping to make this happen. The CTPA Committee, chaired by board member Carter Peck, remains active and in touch with UConn as this program continues to develop and grow.

Left to right, are Carter Peck, CTPA Board Member, Allan Fenner, current CTPA President, Jason Vokoun, Professor and Head of the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Fahey, Assistant
Professor in Applied Forest Ecology, Thomas Worthley, Associate Extension Professor in Forest Management, and Sandra Bushmich, Associate Dean and Director of the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture.