Registration Hours
Education Hours
Trade Show Hours
Pre-Conference Education
Wednesday (Pre-Conference), Nov. 6
Time | Title | View | Session Description | CEUs | Room | Number |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Stop the Bleed | View |
Sponsored by North American Rescue Speaker: Matt McCarty, Director of Public Safety and Instructor, North American Rescue Learn how to address life threatening bleeding, how to apply a tourniquet, as well as how to wrap and pack a wound from the American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleed standards. Participants get a printable Certificate of Completion. Every attendee receives a full stocked PABC Kit as part of registration. Cost: Max attendance: 50 | 2 CTSP & ISA | 345 | 02 |
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Climbing to the Top: Scaling Sales, Simplifying Processes and Unlocking Your Potential with Technology | View |
Sponsored by SingleOps Learn from real business owners and arborists as they candidly share their own journeys integrating technology into their tree care businesses. Join our workshop to gain invaluable insights into how technology can be used in your business, from sales to the back office. In the morning session, we will cover marketing trends and strategy, and in the afternoon session we will share actionable tips on how to use industry-specific software (using SingleOps as the example) to streamline sales and production as well as key back-office processes. Plus, we’ll share success stories and practical advice to take your use of technology to the next level. Morning session 10:00am – 12:00pm Lunch included 12:00pm –1:00pm Optional afternoon workshop 1:00pm – 4:00pm Cost: Max attendance: 50 | 6 ISA | 337 | 03 |
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM | A300 Tree Care Standards | View |
Learn about important updates on current and upcoming ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards committee activities, including some key developments tree care companies need to be aware of. Using ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards as a basis of your tree care operations can:
It will also include a review of current issues and common work-proposal mistakes that can result in costly claims and lawsuits. The new ANSI A300 2023 standard offers some protection and work specification writing guidance that can mitigate these issues and help protect you and your company. Each registrant will receive a copy of the new A300 Tree Care Standard ($119.00 value). Cost: $50 – TCIA Members $65 – Non-Members Max attendance: 60 | 3.5 ISA | 343 | 04 |
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Driver & Fleet Management | View |
Sponsored by ArboRisk Insurance Your employees are out driving your vehicles every day, yet many tree care companies do not take the proper steps to minimize risk. Having an effective Drive and Fleet Management Program is essential for the success of your business. During this workshop, you will learn about the appropriate written policies and procedures needed to setup the expectations for all employees to follow and how to develop driver training and fleet management programs. Attendees will be sent a Driver & Fleet Workbook to complete prior to the workshop. Cost: $150 – TCIA Members $190 – Non-Members Max attendance: 50 | 2 CTSP | 345 | 06 |
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM | Plant Health Care Pathways | View |
This intermediate-level workshop focuses on essential skills for plant health care technicians, covering three key areas: Honing Diagnostic and Management Skills Mike Raupp, Ph.D and Paula Shrewsbury, Ph.D. lead a hands-on session on diagnosing and managing tree and shrub problems. Participants will learn to recognize damage categories, associate damage with insect and mite groups, practice diagnostic techniques, and identify management approaches. Attendees will work in teams with living and preserved samples to learn how to recognize five major categories of plant damage caused by key insects, mites, diseases, and abiotic factors. Understanding Tree Nutrition and Soil Management Zack Shier, BMCA, explores the relationship between urban trees and soil. Topics include diagnosing tree health issues, understanding nutrient products, and applying real-world solutions using the arborist’s toolbox. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the complete relationship between urban soils and tree nutrition. Pruning According to ANSI A300 Thomas Pain, CTSP, conducts an interactive session on structural tree pruning. Participants will practice pruning techniques on container trees, learn about ANSI A300 standards, and review case studies. Attendees will have an opportunity for hands-on pruning with hand pruners, saws, and/or mechanical pruners. Attendees will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience in plant health care, enhancing their ability to diagnose issues and implement effective solutions for trees and shrubs. This comprehensive training will equip participants with the skills needed to succeed in a plant health care career. Includes continental breakfast and boxed lunch. Cost: $295 – TCIA Members $395 – Non-Members Max attendance: 50 | 8 ISA, BCMA also available | 324 | 01 |
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Workforce Development Summit | View |
Sponsored by Husqvarna This important summit will provide industry-driven strategies and realistic resources that tree care businesses can implement to positively impact their recruitment and retention initiatives, leading to a safe, productive and empowering workplace for all employees. Participants will gain and share knowledge about:
Cost: $150 – TCIA Members $190 – Non-Members Max attendance: 50 | 4 ISA | 340 | 05 |
Main Stage Sessions
Day | Title | View | Time | Session Description | CEUs | Room | Number | hf:tax:ept_schedule_day |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thursday | Main Stage: Longevity Through Adversity | View | 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM |
Speaker: Brick Reilly, CTSP, Supervisor, Department of Public Works, Millburn Township, New Jersey With his years of experience as a deaf climber, and his passion for continually working on the mind, body and spirit, Brick will bring a different view on how we can approach longevity in this industry. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 308-309 | 10 | thursday |
Friday | Main Stage: Methods & Techniques on Successful Tree Transplanting | View | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Speaker: David Marks, Vice President, Environmental Design Over the last 43 years, David has been responsible for almost every aspect of the tree transplanting business at one time or another. Environmental Design’s large tree transplanting projects include many large Estates, Zoos, Universities, Golf Courses, Municipalities, and Casinos. Environmental Design has transplanted thousands of large and giant trees, including many in the 30″ to 100″ diameter range. These massive trees have weighed up to ONE MILLION, SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND pounds, and have an impressive 99% survival rate. | 1 ISA | 308-309 | 20 | friday |
Saturday | Main Stage: From Standards to Safety: Navigating the New Z133 with Industry Leaders | View | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Speakers: Dr. John Ball, CTSP, Professor, South Dakota State University and Tim Walsh, CTSP, VP of Safety & Training, the Townsend Company Arboricultural operations are one of the highest risk activities in the United States. Tree workers have a fatality rate 15 to 30 times higher than the all-industry average. They also suffer from a disproportionally high severe nonfatal rate compared to other industries. One means of reducing these high rates is for tree workers to follow the Z133 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations. The new revision of the Z is now completed and there are many important changes in the new standard. Tim Walsh, VP of Safety and Training with Townsend Company LLC and John Ball, Professor of Forestry, South Dakota State University, will lead you through these changes from electrical hazards to training requirements and cover the incidents that adherence to the standard will reduce or prevent. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 308-309 | 36 | saturday |
Thursday, Nov. 7
Time | Title | View | Session Description | CEUs | Room | Number |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Main Stage: Longevity Through Adversity | View |
Speaker: Brick Reilly, CTSP, Supervisor, Department of Public Works, Millburn Township, New Jersey With his years of experience as a deaf climber, and his passion for continually working on the mind, body and spirit, Brick will bring a different view on how we can approach longevity in this industry. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 308-309 | 10 |
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Accounting for Tree Care | View |
Speaker: Edward Morrow, Edward the Arborist, LLC Learning about accounting may never be as exciting as tree care but understanding the “language of business” is crucial in maintaining a profitable service. This super-charged conversation helps tree care professionals understand the importance of bookkeeping, how to read financial statements, and use their numbers to improve operations—all without turning them into bean counters. Climb into simple, yet innovative, concepts to elevate your current business model, and create a more sustainable organization. | 1 ISA | 327 | 07 |
7:30 AM- 8:30 AM | How to Get What You Want: Prescriptive Pruning | View |
Speaker: Lindsey Purcell, LP Consulting Group In order to improve the quality of tree care interventions, such as pruning, a process of evaluating tree conditions and preparing an objectives-based prescription before pruning a tree should be created. This presentation will describe a method of how to communicate the tree conditions that concern the prescribing arborist, and which branches to prune to the arborists performing the work. Arborists can become more aware of how to communicate owner’s objectives, and which branches to prune to the production arborist performing the work. This new perspective will improve the quality and consistency of work creating better value for the tree owner and improved efficiencies in the crew. | 1 ISA | 316 | 08 |
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Language and Cultural Barriers: How to Establish Effective Communication Between Ground Personnel & Tree Canopy Workers | View |
Speaker: Tyler Zuniga, North American Training Solutions We all know clear, concise communication is critical to safety on a worksite. But what happens when you have crews who speak English as a second language, or who speak no English at all? This is a prominent issue in the workforce, often only witnessed or experienced among the Spanish-speaking crews themselves. Common arboricultural terms are lost in translation and on occasion, the confusion can lead to injury or worse. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 321 | 09 |
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM | Best Practices for Crane Climbers | View |
Speaker: Jon Foote, NJ Crane Expert Crane climbing is a highly specialized and hazardous job that requires adherence to safety standards and best practices. In this session you will learn about the requirements and best practices for assisting a crane as a climber in tree removal operations. Some of the key components of the presentation with include:
| 1 CTSP & ISA | 301 | 11 |
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM | Safety Differently | View |
Speaker: Tim Walsh, CTSP, The Townsend Company, LLC In the evolving landscape of safety practices, the shift from traditional Safety I approaches to the contemporary Safety II, often referred to as Safety Differently, has been profound. Safety I, rooted in preventing incidents by focusing on workers’ behaviors, has undoubtedly shaped our safety culture. Over the years, it has significantly reduced recordable injuries, as evident in the downward trend of Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) or Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR). However, despite these improvements, there has been a persistent challenge in reducing Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIFs). Safety I, being primarily reactive, tends to perceive workers as subjects needing fixing when incidents occur. The investigation process often places blame on the employee, assuming errors or intentional violations as the root cause. This approach, centered on negative outcomes, overlooks the actual dynamics of work in the field. Safety II, on the other hand, driven by Human Performance Improvement (HPI) or Human and Organizational Improvement (HOP), seeks to understand how work truly happens. It shifts the focus from preventing incidents to ensuring positive outcomes, utilizing workers’ knowledge and experience. Safety II redefines safety by emphasizing the presence of capacity rather than the absence of negative outcomes. It aims to create resiliency, implement controls, and recognize that workers play a pivotal role in maintaining safety within a constantly changing, complex environment. Instead of scrutinizing individual behavior as the root cause, Safety II looks at the system in which the employee operates, acknowledging the importance of context in understanding incidents. Personal accountability is not disregarded but is examined within the broader organizational and environmental context. In the aftermath of negative outcomes, Safety II advocates for a different approach to response through learning teams. These teams are instrumental in understanding the failures within the system, emphasizing a “what” failed rather than a “who” perspective. This shift is crucial in fostering a proactive and forward-looking safety culture. Safety II encourages a comprehensive understanding of incidents, recognizing that learning from failures is essential for continuous improvement. In conclusion, the transition from Safety I to Safety II signifies a paradigm shift in safety practices. By focusing on the positive aspects of safety, understanding the complexities of work, and embracing a holistic approach to incidents, Safety II presents a transformative perspective for the utility vegetation management community. Implementing Safety Differently principles can lead to a more resilient and adaptive safety culture, ultimately enhancing the overall well-being of workers and the reliability of UVM operations. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 316 | 14 |
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM | Leveraging New Power Management Tech to Keep Our Battery OPE in the Field | View |
Speaker: Andy Jones, CTSP, Rooted Arbor Care Due to the rapidity of legislative changes surrounding gas/battery outdoor power equipment (OPE), manufacturers are developing robust power management systems to ensure that their consumers are able to operate their OPE continuously without interruption from lack of charger battery packs. Many of these manufacturers are taking very different approaches to combating the runtime concerns, so we are likely to see several different “solutions” to this common concern. We continue to get feedback on this topic, and the power management concern is really the greatest barrier for many end users. This session will also give you the latest pros and cons of the various technologies available on the market. | 1 ISA | 337 | 13 |
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM | Breaking Barriers: Facilitating Growth through DEI Programs & Advocacy | View |
Sponsored by SavATree Speaker: Panel moderated by Ash Connelly, SavATree Join an exciting interactive panel discussion to discover a multitude of DEI proactive solutions. Learn from industry experts how to facilitate employee connectivity, amplify initiatives and create an inclusion working environment. In a productive and open dialogue, this session will provide opportunities for attendees to pose real life experiences and gain actionable strategies to break traditional barriers. | 1 ISA | 340-341 | 12 |
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | The In’s and Out’s of Subcontracted Tree Care Professionals | View |
Speaker: Eric Peterson, ArboRisk Insurance and Aaron Schauer, Gateway Technical College Whether you’re a business owner or a subcontracted tree care professional, this presentation will provide an insight into the world of utilizing collaborative business relationships to benefit both parties. Eric and Aaron will present from their own perspectives and experiences about both sides of the contractor-subcontractor relationship. | 1 ISA | 327 | 18 |
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Estimating Strategies to Maximize Profits | View |
Speaker: Ash Connelly, SavATree There’s more than one way to skin a cat, and maximizing profit is essential for business sustainability and growth. In an interactive presentation, you’ll gain creative and progressive estimating strategies that assure nothing is left on the table. We’ll explore the art of guessing…or, scientifically calculating—consumer behavior, setting prices, project costing, and dodging expectation pitfalls. Learn tree-mendously valuable insight on using readily available data, market trends, and resource management to enhance profitability while improving the customer experience. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge to implement these strategies effectively, ensuring their customer base multiplies in a competitive landscape. | 1 ISA | 301 | 17 |
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Arborist Safety Update | View |
Speaker: Mike Tilford, CTSP, SavATree Continuing the 23rd year of updates on severe injury and fatalities in arboriculture. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 316 | 15 |
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Demystifying Diagnostics | View |
Speaker: Chelsi Abbott, Davey Tree Institute Diagnosing plant problems is one of the most important skills an arborist can have in their tool kit, but it can be quite a daunting task. This is because plant issues are often being caused by any number of different insects, fungi, and environmental factors all occurring at once. Where does one even start? Diagnostics is a skill, but it is also a systematic process. This talk will aim to demystify the process to build a foundation that attendees can use to build upon and hone their own practice of diagnostics. | 1 ISA | 321 | 16 |
Friday, Nov. 8
Time | Title | View | Session Description | CEUs | Room | Number |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Main Stage: Methods & Techniques on Successful Tree Transplanting | View |
Speaker: David Marks, Vice President, Environmental Design Over the last 43 years, David has been responsible for almost every aspect of the tree transplanting business at one time or another. Environmental Design’s large tree transplanting projects include many large Estates, Zoos, Universities, Golf Courses, Municipalities, and Casinos. Environmental Design has transplanted thousands of large and giant trees, including many in the 30″ to 100″ diameter range. These massive trees have weighed up to ONE MILLION, SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND pounds, and have an impressive 99% survival rate. | 1 ISA | 308-309 | 20 |
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Thinking Beyond Your Field of Expertise | View |
Speaker: Brian Pope This talk will focus on how to utilize out of industry resources to grow your residential tree care business to fill your schedule. You’ll learn methods of capitalizing on economies of scale and maximizing mobilizations utilizing time efficient and cost-effective strategic marketing to eliminate the need for EDDM or paid lead generation. | 1 ISA | 327 | 22 |
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Remote Sales: Strategies for Success and Mistakes to Avoid | View |
Speaker: Jeff Wraley, Groundwork Sales Software You can buy nearly everything virtually. But what about tree and plant healthcare services? There are certainly reasons to not provide pricing without seeing the issue first-hand. But what if you could reduce drive time, eliminate low-quality leads from your pipeline, and even sell jobs 100% virtually?
| 1 ISA | 301 | 21 |
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Cultivating Success: A Guide to Launching Plant Health Care Programs | View |
Speaker: Heather Dirksen, Canopy Service Partners, LLC Discover how to elevate your tree care company with a presentation on launching a Plant Health Care (PHC) service line. Heather Dirksen, head of PHC growth at Canopy Service Partners will provide a comprehensive talk tailored for tree care professionals looking to expand their services and meet the growing demand for holistic plant health solutions. You’ll gain insights into the benefits of integrating PHC, assessing your company’s readiness, and developing a strategic plan. Learn how to build and train a skilled team, market your new services effectively, and monitor performance for continuous improvement. Heather will highlight the importance of eco-friendliness, focusing on soil health, and adopting a prescriptive approach to plant care. This presentation is perfect for those ready to transform their tree care company and unlock the potential of Plant Health Care services. | 1 ISA | 321 | 19 |
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Deepening Diagnostics: An Overview of Common Pests, Pathogens and Other Plant Puzzlements | View |
Speaker: Alison Herrell, Community Assistance Forester, Oregon Department of Forestry As we all know, the best way to preserve tree canopy is to preserve the trees that we already have. One of the major challenges arborists faces is being able to diagnose what problems our trees have and match them with the correct management techniques. In this session, we will work to deepen the diagnostic skills that we have gained in other sessions or from our experience on the field. We will review common pest, pathogens, and abiotic disorders, and discuss effective management options of these issues. The goal is to leave with some confidence to make plant healthcare recommendations that are realistic and efficacious to the clients that we serve. | 1 ISA | 327 | 24 |
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards Update | View |
Speaker: Sam Hill, Chair, A300 Committee/Sam Hill Tree Care and TCIA ANSI A300 committee members Using ANSI A300 Tree Care standards as a basis of your tree care operations can:
This session will give you an update on current and upcoming ANSI A300 Tree Care standards committee activities, outline some key developments tree care companies need to be aware of as well as some lessons learned from previous years of experience using A300 standards. This workshop includes a review of current issues and common work proposal mistakes that can result in costly claims and lawsuits. The new ANSI A300-2023 standard offers some protection and work specification writing guidance that can mitigate these issues and help protect you and your company. | 1 ISA | 316 | 23 |
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Hard Conversations and Changing the Conversation on Safety | View |
Speaker: Jeff Inman, CTSP, Truetimber Arborists We speak on standards as an industry and how we need to follow the shalls and mind the shoulds. Oftentimes, we find ourselves in a situation, especially when teaching, training and trying to enact change, where we interact with folks who aren’t all about following these standards. How do you interact with those individuals? How do you enter into a conversation about what you’re seeing vs what you know is written down? OSHA and the Z133 are a lot for folks to digest and often people throw their hands up saying, “I’ve done it for years and never had an issue. Why do I have to change just because that book says so? Because the safety person says so? I’m fine! Leave me be and let me work!” This presentation dives into the heart of where our standards are born as well as how to interact with people to promote change in an organization. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 321 | 25 |
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | When in Doubt, Rig it Out | View |
Speaker: Zachary Richards, Contract Climber & Trainer Between flashy gear options, and social media clips of wild rigging operations, we can get wrapped up in the complexities of rigging, and forget how simple it can actually be. Oftentimes when approaching tight quarters tree removals, It’s easy to become overwhelmed and resort to the trusty “cut and chuck.” Join Zach for a discussion on advanced rigging, simplifying solutions to complex situations, and why looking for opportunities to rig could lead to an overall better jobsite culture. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 340-341 | 26 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Discovering Forestry Podcast: The Future of PHC – Advances in Technology and Practices | View |
Sponsored by Arborjet | Ecologel Speaker: Joe Aiken (ISA Certified Arborist) and Korey Lofy (ISA Certified Arborist), Arborjet | Ecolog Brought back by popular demand, Joe and Korey will host a live episode of their award-winning podcast, Discovery Forestry, to discuss the past, present, and future state of technology and practices in the plant health care industry. With over 60 years of combined experience in the field, Joe and Korey will discuss where PHC is today, what the newest advances are, and where things will be in the future. Between new technology, clean energy, legislative restrictions, labor challenges, and new research, there’s plenty of topics to explore! There will be time at the end of the session for questions and answers. | 1 ISA | 301 | 30 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Sustaining Optimal Performance in Tree Care Using the “Ready to Work” Model | View |
Speaker: Bill Owens, Monarch Tree Services, Director of Arbor Operations, CTSP How can arborists sustain optimal performance throughout their careers by using the ready to work model? In this session, we will define optimal performance, and relate the concept to longevity in tree care. We will discuss the ready to work model and how you can use it to meet the demands of tree care in a sustainable way. Using the ready to work model helps you optimize your physical capacity, mental capability, and emotional agility. We will discuss these three dimensions of performance and provide you with specific tools and techniques you and your team can use to optimize performance in each of these three dimensions. Applying these tools will support you in finding new and interesting ways to sustain optimal performance in your career as an arborist. You will leave the session inspired, and ready to work, with new tools to manage your physical, mental, and emotional energy. | 1 ISA | 327 | 29 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | From Expert to Educator: Developing Trainer’s Who Inspire | View |
Speaker: Korey Conry, CTSP, Mountain F. Enterprises, Inc. Training trainers to effectively use PowerPoint involves a systematic approach to ensure they can confidently deliver engaging presentations. Here’s an outline of the process:
Remember, training the trainers is an iterative process. Continuously assess their progress, address any emerging challenges, and adapt the training program as needed to ensure sustained improvement and effectiveness. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 321 | 27 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Modern Tree Nutrition Products | View |
Speaker: Zach Shier, Joseph Tree The world of arboriculture is always changing and as the industry moves away from some of the old methods of treating for tree nutrient deficiencies, new products and methods have emerged. The increased use of organic based products, emphasis on foliar and soil testing, and improved methods for amending soil and understanding tree deficiencies can be challenging to navigate. This presentation will help make sense of why organic products are becoming more popular and help explain the different types. We’ll go over modern methods and why some of the traditional methods may be less than optimal as well as explaining some of the comparisons between types of fertilization and other products in the Arborist’s toolbox. | 1 ISA | 337 | 28 |
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Cultivating Company Culture & Retention | View |
Speaker: Bethany Kemppainen, Guardian Tree Experts People are the most valuable part of any organization. Employee turnover can be high in the arboriculture industry, leading to wasted time, money and energy. This presentation will focus on company culture being the “secret sauce” to retaining top talent. Good culture doesn’t mean you have to force people into a mold or act against their nature to fit in at your company. It’s an intentional focus on providing care and compassion, which benefits everyone in the long run. So how do you create a collaborative culture that inspires people to stay and grow with your company? We will explore that, ways to improve culture, and why you should examine yours more closely. | 1 ISA | 321 | 31 |
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Plant Health Care: A Holistic Approach | View |
Speaker: Aaron Dickinson, Wonderland Tree & Landscape In an era of instant gratification, fast food, drive-up windows and same day delivery, society has come to expect instant results. Have we, as arborists, become a by-product of society expectations and when discussing tree care, do we prescribe the “silver bullet” treatment first? Our communication with the client requires the aspect of cultural practices that can remedy the plant’s issue, with the assistance of a chemical control and lead to reduce applications. Many companies are growing their plant health care divisions with the expectation of generating 30% or more of the revenue from PHC. I have seen companies prescribing a chemical approach to the plant care problem and downplaying the necessity to cultural care. Are we being true stewards of the environment when we encourage treatments annually and forego the practices of solving the problem? This presentation will explore some common PHC problems that frequently have repeated applications that benefit from cultural approaches, or the consideration of different chemical approaches combined with the cultural practices. | 1 ISA | 327 | 34 |
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Never Waste a Good Crisis: Improving Safety After a Major Incident | View |
Speaker: Craig Bachmann, Tree133 LLC, Lead Arborist & Founder, CTSP Learn valuable lessons from a recent climber fall and resulting state-level OSHA investigation. Attendees will receive practical guidance to improve work planning, team communication, PPE inspection, skills development and documentation. With these steps, your company can build a stronger safety culture and more effectively prevent on-the-job incidents. In August 2022, Tree133 experienced a climber fall resulting in a severe injury. For a well-respected company owned by a recognized trainer, this was an unthinkable event that challenged everything we believed about ourselves and our culture. This presentation will share valuable lessons learned from that incident and the resulting state-level OSHA investigation. Attendees will learn practical steps to improve work planning, team communication, PPE inspection, skills development and documentation. By sharing this experience, Tree133 can help other companies build a strong culture of safety and prevent on-the-job incidents. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 316 | 33 |
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Felling Forces: Tree Work Forces Training with a Practical and Engaging Method | View |
Speaker: Emmett Shutts and Corey Shepard, Davey Tree Expert Company Arborist trainers will agree to teach rigging and climbing forces is technical and the terminology can be challenging for learners. In January of 2019, we started a journey of refining a hands on approach to teaching the forces we create while working with trees. This talk will share how we have developed our training method. Attendees will leave with techniques and ideas they can use to make for fun and engaging rigging training. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 340-341 | 32 |
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Immunity Unleashed: The Science of Induced Resistance | View |
Speaker: Dr. Glynn Percival, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory During their lifetime, trees planted within urban landscapes are susceptible to pathogenic fungi and bacteria that, if uncontrolled, can result in tree decline and eventually death. Presently, conventional management relies heavily on repeat application of insecticides and/or fungicides applied as foliar sprays, trunk injection or soil drenches. Build-up of pathogen resistance coupled with environmental concerns means alternative methods of pest and disease management are warranted. Trees possess a range of active defense systems that can “switched on” prior to infection by a plant pathogen by the application of specific organic compounds. This concept of boosting a tree’s own inherent immunity is known as induced resistance (IR). The IR response is critical and can reflect the difference between coping and succumbing to necrotizing pests and pathogens. This presentation will discuss the range of inducing agents available for professionals involved in tree management as well as their effectiveness, time of application and strategies for use within urban landscapes. | 1 ISA | 321 | 34 |
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Leveraging AI: Powerful Tools to Take Your Tree Service to New Heights | View |
Speaker: Monica Hemingway, Tree Care Marketing Solutions and Jonathan Mast, Whitebeard Strategies Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help tree service companies streamline operations, improve customer service, and make data-driven decisions for a more successful business. But most people are still stuck thinking about AI along the lines of “How to use ChatGPT to write 100 social media posts in five minutes!”. | 1 ISA | 316 | 35 |
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | CSI for BUGS: Diagnosing and Managing Invasive | View |
Speaker: Mike Raupp, Ph. D., Professor Emeritus of Entomology and Extension Specialist at the University of Maryland Factors of the abiotic, non-living world and those of the biotic, living world act individually or in concert to imperil the health and beauty of woody plants in landscapes. Designing a therapy to restore plant health requires an accurate diagnosis of what the problem is and elucidation of factors contributing to the problem. Using a variety of case studies of native and non-native pests, this interactive presentation will present a methodology for diagnosing causes of tree decline and provide solutions to improve plant health and appearance. While the emphasis will be on problems caused by insect pests, problems associated with pathogens and abiotic factors will also be discussed. | 1 ISA | 301 | 37 |
Saturday, Nov. 9
Time | Title | View | Session Description | CEUs | Room | Number |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Professionalism in Tree Care Project | View |
Speaker: Basil Thomson, Ulman Public Policy and Bob Rouse, Tree Care Industry Association Describing and marketing professionalism in tree care for contracting agencies is an ongoing problem. TCIA, ISA, and other green industry partners are banding together to provide a solution. This session will review our solutions, including some valuable, new resources. The allocation of $1.5 billion in funds for the United States Forest Service (USFS) to distribute as grants for tree planting and maintenance, career pathways into arboriculture and other related projects revealed significant gaps in comprehension regarding the tree care profession. Grantees and other agencies and clients lack the understanding and resources to contract for tree work with professional companies and to verify that completed work meets industry standards. Furthermore, grantees seeking to provide and prepare workers for career opportunities in the tree care industry lack access to and knowledge of credentials and training programs. TCIA is banding together ISA and other green industry groups to lead the development of a green industry clearing house that provides the base knowledge and resources that grant recipients, such as pass-through grantees, municipalities, non-profits, and community-based organizations, and clients need to recognize and contract for professional tree services and provide new career pathways into arboriculture. The project will include:
| 1 ISA | 321 | 38 |
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Main Stage: From Standards to Safety: Navigating the New Z133 with Industry Leaders | View |
Speakers: Dr. John Ball, CTSP, Professor, South Dakota State University and Tim Walsh, CTSP, VP of Safety & Training, the Townsend Company Arboricultural operations are one of the highest risk activities in the United States. Tree workers have a fatality rate 15 to 30 times higher than the all-industry average. They also suffer from a disproportionally high severe nonfatal rate compared to other industries. One means of reducing these high rates is for tree workers to follow the Z133 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations. The new revision of the Z is now completed and there are many important changes in the new standard. Tim Walsh, VP of Safety and Training with Townsend Company LLC and John Ball, Professor of Forestry, South Dakota State University, will lead you through these changes from electrical hazards to training requirements and cover the incidents that adherence to the standard will reduce or prevent. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 308-309 | 36 |
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Business Ethics in Arboriculture | View |
Speaker: Aaron Dickinson, Wonderland Tree & Landscape Ethics is not a term that we use on a daily basis, and when we do describe an ethical/ unethical action, we have an understanding of what it means, but when asked what IS ethics, the definition tends to elude us, but yet, we somehow understand it. So, what does Business Ethics mean and how does that affect our business? Our profitability, the company reputation, the company culture? or the work force we attract? Understanding Six Principles of Business Ethics can help guide our businesses to a better work force that works together for a greater purpose, a greater client experience, a higher quality work product and greater profits. | 1 ISA | 327 | 37 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Being a True Professional | View |
Speaker: Mark Chisholm, Aspen Tree Expert Company Growing up in the tree care industry has given Mark a unique understanding as to where the industry was, where it is, and where it is going. This talk will be a fun walk down memory lane where Mark shares pictures, videos and insights about what it takes to be a true professional and how make sure you are representing yourself and our profession in the best possible light. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 316 | 39 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | The Normalization of Risk | View |
Speaker: Tyler Lyon and Chris Sprague, Bartlett Tree Experts In 1986, millions witnessed the Challenger space shuttle disaster that tragically killed seven astronauts. Searching for an explanation, sociologist Diane Vaughn developed the concept of normalization of deviance, the gradual drift towards risk-acceptance and unsafe behaviors that set the stage for the Challenger explosion. Drawing from Vaughn and other safety research, Tyler and Chris will expound upon the concepts of normalization of deviance and drift to help understand risk in our behaviors and decisions in tree care at individual, group, and organization levels. Tyler and Chris will challenge attendees to reevaluate the way they perceive and manage safety, while providing tools and resources from this framework to help avoid these pitfalls. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 321 | 41 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Storm Hazard Assessment | View |
Speaker: David O’Neill, Contractor Discuss the hazard assessment process for storm damage scenarios, with reference to applicable regulatory standards. We will then delve deeper into these concepts in a demonstration using a Jekko track mounted crane and a Platform Basket Spider lift to highlight the use of various techniques and pieces of equipment in order to handle these scenarios safely and in compliance. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 340-341 | 40 |
Wednesday (Pre-Conference), Nov. 6
Time | Title | View | Session Description | CEUs | Room | Number |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Stop the Bleed | View |
Sponsored by North American Rescue Speaker: Matt McCarty, Director of Public Safety and Instructor, North American Rescue Learn how to address life threatening bleeding, how to apply a tourniquet, as well as how to wrap and pack a wound from the American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleed standards. Participants get a printable Certificate of Completion. Every attendee receives a full stocked PABC Kit as part of registration. Cost: Max attendance: 50 | 2 CTSP & ISA | 345 | 02 |
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Climbing to the Top: Scaling Sales, Simplifying Processes and Unlocking Your Potential with Technology | View |
Sponsored by SingleOps Learn from real business owners and arborists as they candidly share their own journeys integrating technology into their tree care businesses. Join our workshop to gain invaluable insights into how technology can be used in your business, from sales to the back office. In the morning session, we will cover marketing trends and strategy, and in the afternoon session we will share actionable tips on how to use industry-specific software (using SingleOps as the example) to streamline sales and production as well as key back-office processes. Plus, we’ll share success stories and practical advice to take your use of technology to the next level. Morning session 10:00am – 12:00pm Lunch included 12:00pm –1:00pm Optional afternoon workshop 1:00pm – 4:00pm Cost: Max attendance: 50 | 6 ISA | 337 | 03 |
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM | A300 Tree Care Standards | View |
Learn about important updates on current and upcoming ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards committee activities, including some key developments tree care companies need to be aware of. Using ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards as a basis of your tree care operations can:
It will also include a review of current issues and common work-proposal mistakes that can result in costly claims and lawsuits. The new ANSI A300 2023 standard offers some protection and work specification writing guidance that can mitigate these issues and help protect you and your company. Each registrant will receive a copy of the new A300 Tree Care Standard ($119.00 value). Cost: $50 – TCIA Members $65 – Non-Members Max attendance: 60 | 3.5 ISA | 343 | 04 |
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Driver & Fleet Management | View |
Sponsored by ArboRisk Insurance Your employees are out driving your vehicles every day, yet many tree care companies do not take the proper steps to minimize risk. Having an effective Drive and Fleet Management Program is essential for the success of your business. During this workshop, you will learn about the appropriate written policies and procedures needed to setup the expectations for all employees to follow and how to develop driver training and fleet management programs. Attendees will be sent a Driver & Fleet Workbook to complete prior to the workshop. Cost: $150 – TCIA Members $190 – Non-Members Max attendance: 50 | 2 CTSP | 345 | 06 |
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM | Plant Health Care Pathways | View |
This intermediate-level workshop focuses on essential skills for plant health care technicians, covering three key areas: Honing Diagnostic and Management Skills Mike Raupp, Ph.D and Paula Shrewsbury, Ph.D. lead a hands-on session on diagnosing and managing tree and shrub problems. Participants will learn to recognize damage categories, associate damage with insect and mite groups, practice diagnostic techniques, and identify management approaches. Attendees will work in teams with living and preserved samples to learn how to recognize five major categories of plant damage caused by key insects, mites, diseases, and abiotic factors. Understanding Tree Nutrition and Soil Management Zack Shier, BMCA, explores the relationship between urban trees and soil. Topics include diagnosing tree health issues, understanding nutrient products, and applying real-world solutions using the arborist’s toolbox. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the complete relationship between urban soils and tree nutrition. Pruning According to ANSI A300 Thomas Pain, CTSP, conducts an interactive session on structural tree pruning. Participants will practice pruning techniques on container trees, learn about ANSI A300 standards, and review case studies. Attendees will have an opportunity for hands-on pruning with hand pruners, saws, and/or mechanical pruners. Attendees will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience in plant health care, enhancing their ability to diagnose issues and implement effective solutions for trees and shrubs. This comprehensive training will equip participants with the skills needed to succeed in a plant health care career. Includes continental breakfast and boxed lunch. Cost: $295 – TCIA Members $395 – Non-Members Max attendance: 50 | 8 ISA, BCMA also available | 324 | 01 |
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Workforce Development Summit | View |
Sponsored by Husqvarna This important summit will provide industry-driven strategies and realistic resources that tree care businesses can implement to positively impact their recruitment and retention initiatives, leading to a safe, productive and empowering workplace for all employees. Participants will gain and share knowledge about:
Cost: $150 – TCIA Members $190 – Non-Members Max attendance: 50 | 4 ISA | 340 | 05 |
Main Stage Sessions
Day | Title | View | Time | Session Description | CEUs | Room | Number | hf:tax:ept_schedule_day |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thursday | Main Stage: Longevity Through Adversity | View | 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM |
Speaker: Brick Reilly, CTSP, Supervisor, Department of Public Works, Millburn Township, New Jersey With his years of experience as a deaf climber, and his passion for continually working on the mind, body and spirit, Brick will bring a different view on how we can approach longevity in this industry. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 308-309 | 10 | thursday |
Friday | Main Stage: Methods & Techniques on Successful Tree Transplanting | View | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Speaker: David Marks, Vice President, Environmental Design Over the last 43 years, David has been responsible for almost every aspect of the tree transplanting business at one time or another. Environmental Design’s large tree transplanting projects include many large Estates, Zoos, Universities, Golf Courses, Municipalities, and Casinos. Environmental Design has transplanted thousands of large and giant trees, including many in the 30″ to 100″ diameter range. These massive trees have weighed up to ONE MILLION, SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND pounds, and have an impressive 99% survival rate. | 1 ISA | 308-309 | 20 | friday |
Saturday | Main Stage: From Standards to Safety: Navigating the New Z133 with Industry Leaders | View | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Speakers: Dr. John Ball, CTSP, Professor, South Dakota State University and Tim Walsh, CTSP, VP of Safety & Training, the Townsend Company Arboricultural operations are one of the highest risk activities in the United States. Tree workers have a fatality rate 15 to 30 times higher than the all-industry average. They also suffer from a disproportionally high severe nonfatal rate compared to other industries. One means of reducing these high rates is for tree workers to follow the Z133 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations. The new revision of the Z is now completed and there are many important changes in the new standard. Tim Walsh, VP of Safety and Training with Townsend Company LLC and John Ball, Professor of Forestry, South Dakota State University, will lead you through these changes from electrical hazards to training requirements and cover the incidents that adherence to the standard will reduce or prevent. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 308-309 | 36 | saturday |
Thursday, Nov. 7
Time | Title | View | Session Description | CEUs | Room | Number |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Main Stage: Longevity Through Adversity | View |
Speaker: Brick Reilly, CTSP, Supervisor, Department of Public Works, Millburn Township, New Jersey With his years of experience as a deaf climber, and his passion for continually working on the mind, body and spirit, Brick will bring a different view on how we can approach longevity in this industry. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 308-309 | 10 |
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Accounting for Tree Care | View |
Speaker: Edward Morrow, Edward the Arborist, LLC Learning about accounting may never be as exciting as tree care but understanding the “language of business” is crucial in maintaining a profitable service. This super-charged conversation helps tree care professionals understand the importance of bookkeeping, how to read financial statements, and use their numbers to improve operations—all without turning them into bean counters. Climb into simple, yet innovative, concepts to elevate your current business model, and create a more sustainable organization. | 1 ISA | 327 | 07 |
7:30 AM- 8:30 AM | How to Get What You Want: Prescriptive Pruning | View |
Speaker: Lindsey Purcell, LP Consulting Group In order to improve the quality of tree care interventions, such as pruning, a process of evaluating tree conditions and preparing an objectives-based prescription before pruning a tree should be created. This presentation will describe a method of how to communicate the tree conditions that concern the prescribing arborist, and which branches to prune to the arborists performing the work. Arborists can become more aware of how to communicate owner’s objectives, and which branches to prune to the production arborist performing the work. This new perspective will improve the quality and consistency of work creating better value for the tree owner and improved efficiencies in the crew. | 1 ISA | 316 | 08 |
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Language and Cultural Barriers: How to Establish Effective Communication Between Ground Personnel & Tree Canopy Workers | View |
Speaker: Tyler Zuniga, North American Training Solutions We all know clear, concise communication is critical to safety on a worksite. But what happens when you have crews who speak English as a second language, or who speak no English at all? This is a prominent issue in the workforce, often only witnessed or experienced among the Spanish-speaking crews themselves. Common arboricultural terms are lost in translation and on occasion, the confusion can lead to injury or worse. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 321 | 09 |
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM | Best Practices for Crane Climbers | View |
Speaker: Jon Foote, NJ Crane Expert Crane climbing is a highly specialized and hazardous job that requires adherence to safety standards and best practices. In this session you will learn about the requirements and best practices for assisting a crane as a climber in tree removal operations. Some of the key components of the presentation with include:
| 1 CTSP & ISA | 301 | 11 |
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM | Safety Differently | View |
Speaker: Tim Walsh, CTSP, The Townsend Company, LLC In the evolving landscape of safety practices, the shift from traditional Safety I approaches to the contemporary Safety II, often referred to as Safety Differently, has been profound. Safety I, rooted in preventing incidents by focusing on workers’ behaviors, has undoubtedly shaped our safety culture. Over the years, it has significantly reduced recordable injuries, as evident in the downward trend of Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) or Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR). However, despite these improvements, there has been a persistent challenge in reducing Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIFs). Safety I, being primarily reactive, tends to perceive workers as subjects needing fixing when incidents occur. The investigation process often places blame on the employee, assuming errors or intentional violations as the root cause. This approach, centered on negative outcomes, overlooks the actual dynamics of work in the field. Safety II, on the other hand, driven by Human Performance Improvement (HPI) or Human and Organizational Improvement (HOP), seeks to understand how work truly happens. It shifts the focus from preventing incidents to ensuring positive outcomes, utilizing workers’ knowledge and experience. Safety II redefines safety by emphasizing the presence of capacity rather than the absence of negative outcomes. It aims to create resiliency, implement controls, and recognize that workers play a pivotal role in maintaining safety within a constantly changing, complex environment. Instead of scrutinizing individual behavior as the root cause, Safety II looks at the system in which the employee operates, acknowledging the importance of context in understanding incidents. Personal accountability is not disregarded but is examined within the broader organizational and environmental context. In the aftermath of negative outcomes, Safety II advocates for a different approach to response through learning teams. These teams are instrumental in understanding the failures within the system, emphasizing a “what” failed rather than a “who” perspective. This shift is crucial in fostering a proactive and forward-looking safety culture. Safety II encourages a comprehensive understanding of incidents, recognizing that learning from failures is essential for continuous improvement. In conclusion, the transition from Safety I to Safety II signifies a paradigm shift in safety practices. By focusing on the positive aspects of safety, understanding the complexities of work, and embracing a holistic approach to incidents, Safety II presents a transformative perspective for the utility vegetation management community. Implementing Safety Differently principles can lead to a more resilient and adaptive safety culture, ultimately enhancing the overall well-being of workers and the reliability of UVM operations. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 316 | 14 |
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM | Leveraging New Power Management Tech to Keep Our Battery OPE in the Field | View |
Speaker: Andy Jones, CTSP, Rooted Arbor Care Due to the rapidity of legislative changes surrounding gas/battery outdoor power equipment (OPE), manufacturers are developing robust power management systems to ensure that their consumers are able to operate their OPE continuously without interruption from lack of charger battery packs. Many of these manufacturers are taking very different approaches to combating the runtime concerns, so we are likely to see several different “solutions” to this common concern. We continue to get feedback on this topic, and the power management concern is really the greatest barrier for many end users. This session will also give you the latest pros and cons of the various technologies available on the market. | 1 ISA | 337 | 13 |
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM | Breaking Barriers: Facilitating Growth through DEI Programs & Advocacy | View |
Sponsored by SavATree Speaker: Panel moderated by Ash Connelly, SavATree Join an exciting interactive panel discussion to discover a multitude of DEI proactive solutions. Learn from industry experts how to facilitate employee connectivity, amplify initiatives and create an inclusion working environment. In a productive and open dialogue, this session will provide opportunities for attendees to pose real life experiences and gain actionable strategies to break traditional barriers. | 1 ISA | 340-341 | 12 |
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | The In’s and Out’s of Subcontracted Tree Care Professionals | View |
Speaker: Eric Peterson, ArboRisk Insurance and Aaron Schauer, Gateway Technical College Whether you’re a business owner or a subcontracted tree care professional, this presentation will provide an insight into the world of utilizing collaborative business relationships to benefit both parties. Eric and Aaron will present from their own perspectives and experiences about both sides of the contractor-subcontractor relationship. | 1 ISA | 327 | 18 |
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Estimating Strategies to Maximize Profits | View |
Speaker: Ash Connelly, SavATree There’s more than one way to skin a cat, and maximizing profit is essential for business sustainability and growth. In an interactive presentation, you’ll gain creative and progressive estimating strategies that assure nothing is left on the table. We’ll explore the art of guessing…or, scientifically calculating—consumer behavior, setting prices, project costing, and dodging expectation pitfalls. Learn tree-mendously valuable insight on using readily available data, market trends, and resource management to enhance profitability while improving the customer experience. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge to implement these strategies effectively, ensuring their customer base multiplies in a competitive landscape. | 1 ISA | 301 | 17 |
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Arborist Safety Update | View |
Speaker: Mike Tilford, CTSP, SavATree Continuing the 23rd year of updates on severe injury and fatalities in arboriculture. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 316 | 15 |
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Demystifying Diagnostics | View |
Speaker: Chelsi Abbott, Davey Tree Institute Diagnosing plant problems is one of the most important skills an arborist can have in their tool kit, but it can be quite a daunting task. This is because plant issues are often being caused by any number of different insects, fungi, and environmental factors all occurring at once. Where does one even start? Diagnostics is a skill, but it is also a systematic process. This talk will aim to demystify the process to build a foundation that attendees can use to build upon and hone their own practice of diagnostics. | 1 ISA | 321 | 16 |
Friday, Nov. 8
Time | Title | View | Session Description | CEUs | Room | Number |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Main Stage: Methods & Techniques on Successful Tree Transplanting | View |
Speaker: David Marks, Vice President, Environmental Design Over the last 43 years, David has been responsible for almost every aspect of the tree transplanting business at one time or another. Environmental Design’s large tree transplanting projects include many large Estates, Zoos, Universities, Golf Courses, Municipalities, and Casinos. Environmental Design has transplanted thousands of large and giant trees, including many in the 30″ to 100″ diameter range. These massive trees have weighed up to ONE MILLION, SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND pounds, and have an impressive 99% survival rate. | 1 ISA | 308-309 | 20 |
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Thinking Beyond Your Field of Expertise | View |
Speaker: Brian Pope This talk will focus on how to utilize out of industry resources to grow your residential tree care business to fill your schedule. You’ll learn methods of capitalizing on economies of scale and maximizing mobilizations utilizing time efficient and cost-effective strategic marketing to eliminate the need for EDDM or paid lead generation. | 1 ISA | 327 | 22 |
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Remote Sales: Strategies for Success and Mistakes to Avoid | View |
Speaker: Jeff Wraley, Groundwork Sales Software You can buy nearly everything virtually. But what about tree and plant healthcare services? There are certainly reasons to not provide pricing without seeing the issue first-hand. But what if you could reduce drive time, eliminate low-quality leads from your pipeline, and even sell jobs 100% virtually?
| 1 ISA | 301 | 21 |
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Cultivating Success: A Guide to Launching Plant Health Care Programs | View |
Speaker: Heather Dirksen, Canopy Service Partners, LLC Discover how to elevate your tree care company with a presentation on launching a Plant Health Care (PHC) service line. Heather Dirksen, head of PHC growth at Canopy Service Partners will provide a comprehensive talk tailored for tree care professionals looking to expand their services and meet the growing demand for holistic plant health solutions. You’ll gain insights into the benefits of integrating PHC, assessing your company’s readiness, and developing a strategic plan. Learn how to build and train a skilled team, market your new services effectively, and monitor performance for continuous improvement. Heather will highlight the importance of eco-friendliness, focusing on soil health, and adopting a prescriptive approach to plant care. This presentation is perfect for those ready to transform their tree care company and unlock the potential of Plant Health Care services. | 1 ISA | 321 | 19 |
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Deepening Diagnostics: An Overview of Common Pests, Pathogens and Other Plant Puzzlements | View |
Speaker: Alison Herrell, Community Assistance Forester, Oregon Department of Forestry As we all know, the best way to preserve tree canopy is to preserve the trees that we already have. One of the major challenges arborists faces is being able to diagnose what problems our trees have and match them with the correct management techniques. In this session, we will work to deepen the diagnostic skills that we have gained in other sessions or from our experience on the field. We will review common pest, pathogens, and abiotic disorders, and discuss effective management options of these issues. The goal is to leave with some confidence to make plant healthcare recommendations that are realistic and efficacious to the clients that we serve. | 1 ISA | 327 | 24 |
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards Update | View |
Speaker: Sam Hill, Chair, A300 Committee/Sam Hill Tree Care and TCIA ANSI A300 committee members Using ANSI A300 Tree Care standards as a basis of your tree care operations can:
This session will give you an update on current and upcoming ANSI A300 Tree Care standards committee activities, outline some key developments tree care companies need to be aware of as well as some lessons learned from previous years of experience using A300 standards. This workshop includes a review of current issues and common work proposal mistakes that can result in costly claims and lawsuits. The new ANSI A300-2023 standard offers some protection and work specification writing guidance that can mitigate these issues and help protect you and your company. | 1 ISA | 316 | 23 |
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Hard Conversations and Changing the Conversation on Safety | View |
Speaker: Jeff Inman, CTSP, Truetimber Arborists We speak on standards as an industry and how we need to follow the shalls and mind the shoulds. Oftentimes, we find ourselves in a situation, especially when teaching, training and trying to enact change, where we interact with folks who aren’t all about following these standards. How do you interact with those individuals? How do you enter into a conversation about what you’re seeing vs what you know is written down? OSHA and the Z133 are a lot for folks to digest and often people throw their hands up saying, “I’ve done it for years and never had an issue. Why do I have to change just because that book says so? Because the safety person says so? I’m fine! Leave me be and let me work!” This presentation dives into the heart of where our standards are born as well as how to interact with people to promote change in an organization. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 321 | 25 |
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | When in Doubt, Rig it Out | View |
Speaker: Zachary Richards, Contract Climber & Trainer Between flashy gear options, and social media clips of wild rigging operations, we can get wrapped up in the complexities of rigging, and forget how simple it can actually be. Oftentimes when approaching tight quarters tree removals, It’s easy to become overwhelmed and resort to the trusty “cut and chuck.” Join Zach for a discussion on advanced rigging, simplifying solutions to complex situations, and why looking for opportunities to rig could lead to an overall better jobsite culture. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 340-341 | 26 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Discovering Forestry Podcast: The Future of PHC – Advances in Technology and Practices | View |
Sponsored by Arborjet | Ecologel Speaker: Joe Aiken (ISA Certified Arborist) and Korey Lofy (ISA Certified Arborist), Arborjet | Ecolog Brought back by popular demand, Joe and Korey will host a live episode of their award-winning podcast, Discovery Forestry, to discuss the past, present, and future state of technology and practices in the plant health care industry. With over 60 years of combined experience in the field, Joe and Korey will discuss where PHC is today, what the newest advances are, and where things will be in the future. Between new technology, clean energy, legislative restrictions, labor challenges, and new research, there’s plenty of topics to explore! There will be time at the end of the session for questions and answers. | 1 ISA | 301 | 30 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Sustaining Optimal Performance in Tree Care Using the “Ready to Work” Model | View |
Speaker: Bill Owens, Monarch Tree Services, Director of Arbor Operations, CTSP How can arborists sustain optimal performance throughout their careers by using the ready to work model? In this session, we will define optimal performance, and relate the concept to longevity in tree care. We will discuss the ready to work model and how you can use it to meet the demands of tree care in a sustainable way. Using the ready to work model helps you optimize your physical capacity, mental capability, and emotional agility. We will discuss these three dimensions of performance and provide you with specific tools and techniques you and your team can use to optimize performance in each of these three dimensions. Applying these tools will support you in finding new and interesting ways to sustain optimal performance in your career as an arborist. You will leave the session inspired, and ready to work, with new tools to manage your physical, mental, and emotional energy. | 1 ISA | 327 | 29 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | From Expert to Educator: Developing Trainer’s Who Inspire | View |
Speaker: Korey Conry, CTSP, Mountain F. Enterprises, Inc. Training trainers to effectively use PowerPoint involves a systematic approach to ensure they can confidently deliver engaging presentations. Here’s an outline of the process:
Remember, training the trainers is an iterative process. Continuously assess their progress, address any emerging challenges, and adapt the training program as needed to ensure sustained improvement and effectiveness. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 321 | 27 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Modern Tree Nutrition Products | View |
Speaker: Zach Shier, Joseph Tree The world of arboriculture is always changing and as the industry moves away from some of the old methods of treating for tree nutrient deficiencies, new products and methods have emerged. The increased use of organic based products, emphasis on foliar and soil testing, and improved methods for amending soil and understanding tree deficiencies can be challenging to navigate. This presentation will help make sense of why organic products are becoming more popular and help explain the different types. We’ll go over modern methods and why some of the traditional methods may be less than optimal as well as explaining some of the comparisons between types of fertilization and other products in the Arborist’s toolbox. | 1 ISA | 337 | 28 |
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Cultivating Company Culture & Retention | View |
Speaker: Bethany Kemppainen, Guardian Tree Experts People are the most valuable part of any organization. Employee turnover can be high in the arboriculture industry, leading to wasted time, money and energy. This presentation will focus on company culture being the “secret sauce” to retaining top talent. Good culture doesn’t mean you have to force people into a mold or act against their nature to fit in at your company. It’s an intentional focus on providing care and compassion, which benefits everyone in the long run. So how do you create a collaborative culture that inspires people to stay and grow with your company? We will explore that, ways to improve culture, and why you should examine yours more closely. | 1 ISA | 321 | 31 |
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Plant Health Care: A Holistic Approach | View |
Speaker: Aaron Dickinson, Wonderland Tree & Landscape In an era of instant gratification, fast food, drive-up windows and same day delivery, society has come to expect instant results. Have we, as arborists, become a by-product of society expectations and when discussing tree care, do we prescribe the “silver bullet” treatment first? Our communication with the client requires the aspect of cultural practices that can remedy the plant’s issue, with the assistance of a chemical control and lead to reduce applications. Many companies are growing their plant health care divisions with the expectation of generating 30% or more of the revenue from PHC. I have seen companies prescribing a chemical approach to the plant care problem and downplaying the necessity to cultural care. Are we being true stewards of the environment when we encourage treatments annually and forego the practices of solving the problem? This presentation will explore some common PHC problems that frequently have repeated applications that benefit from cultural approaches, or the consideration of different chemical approaches combined with the cultural practices. | 1 ISA | 327 | 34 |
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Never Waste a Good Crisis: Improving Safety After a Major Incident | View |
Speaker: Craig Bachmann, Tree133 LLC, Lead Arborist & Founder, CTSP Learn valuable lessons from a recent climber fall and resulting state-level OSHA investigation. Attendees will receive practical guidance to improve work planning, team communication, PPE inspection, skills development and documentation. With these steps, your company can build a stronger safety culture and more effectively prevent on-the-job incidents. In August 2022, Tree133 experienced a climber fall resulting in a severe injury. For a well-respected company owned by a recognized trainer, this was an unthinkable event that challenged everything we believed about ourselves and our culture. This presentation will share valuable lessons learned from that incident and the resulting state-level OSHA investigation. Attendees will learn practical steps to improve work planning, team communication, PPE inspection, skills development and documentation. By sharing this experience, Tree133 can help other companies build a strong culture of safety and prevent on-the-job incidents. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 316 | 33 |
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Felling Forces: Tree Work Forces Training with a Practical and Engaging Method | View |
Speaker: Emmett Shutts and Corey Shepard, Davey Tree Expert Company Arborist trainers will agree to teach rigging and climbing forces is technical and the terminology can be challenging for learners. In January of 2019, we started a journey of refining a hands on approach to teaching the forces we create while working with trees. This talk will share how we have developed our training method. Attendees will leave with techniques and ideas they can use to make for fun and engaging rigging training. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 340-341 | 32 |
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Immunity Unleashed: The Science of Induced Resistance | View |
Speaker: Dr. Glynn Percival, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory During their lifetime, trees planted within urban landscapes are susceptible to pathogenic fungi and bacteria that, if uncontrolled, can result in tree decline and eventually death. Presently, conventional management relies heavily on repeat application of insecticides and/or fungicides applied as foliar sprays, trunk injection or soil drenches. Build-up of pathogen resistance coupled with environmental concerns means alternative methods of pest and disease management are warranted. Trees possess a range of active defense systems that can “switched on” prior to infection by a plant pathogen by the application of specific organic compounds. This concept of boosting a tree’s own inherent immunity is known as induced resistance (IR). The IR response is critical and can reflect the difference between coping and succumbing to necrotizing pests and pathogens. This presentation will discuss the range of inducing agents available for professionals involved in tree management as well as their effectiveness, time of application and strategies for use within urban landscapes. | 1 ISA | 321 | 34 |
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Leveraging AI: Powerful Tools to Take Your Tree Service to New Heights | View |
Speaker: Monica Hemingway, Tree Care Marketing Solutions and Jonathan Mast, Whitebeard Strategies Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help tree service companies streamline operations, improve customer service, and make data-driven decisions for a more successful business. But most people are still stuck thinking about AI along the lines of “How to use ChatGPT to write 100 social media posts in five minutes!”. | 1 ISA | 316 | 35 |
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | CSI for BUGS: Diagnosing and Managing Invasive | View |
Speaker: Mike Raupp, Ph. D., Professor Emeritus of Entomology and Extension Specialist at the University of Maryland Factors of the abiotic, non-living world and those of the biotic, living world act individually or in concert to imperil the health and beauty of woody plants in landscapes. Designing a therapy to restore plant health requires an accurate diagnosis of what the problem is and elucidation of factors contributing to the problem. Using a variety of case studies of native and non-native pests, this interactive presentation will present a methodology for diagnosing causes of tree decline and provide solutions to improve plant health and appearance. While the emphasis will be on problems caused by insect pests, problems associated with pathogens and abiotic factors will also be discussed. | 1 ISA | 301 | 37 |
Saturday, Nov. 9
Time | Title | View | Session Description | CEUs | Room | Number |
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9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Professionalism in Tree Care Project | View |
Speaker: Basil Thomson, Ulman Public Policy and Bob Rouse, Tree Care Industry Association Describing and marketing professionalism in tree care for contracting agencies is an ongoing problem. TCIA, ISA, and other green industry partners are banding together to provide a solution. This session will review our solutions, including some valuable, new resources. The allocation of $1.5 billion in funds for the United States Forest Service (USFS) to distribute as grants for tree planting and maintenance, career pathways into arboriculture and other related projects revealed significant gaps in comprehension regarding the tree care profession. Grantees and other agencies and clients lack the understanding and resources to contract for tree work with professional companies and to verify that completed work meets industry standards. Furthermore, grantees seeking to provide and prepare workers for career opportunities in the tree care industry lack access to and knowledge of credentials and training programs. TCIA is banding together ISA and other green industry groups to lead the development of a green industry clearing house that provides the base knowledge and resources that grant recipients, such as pass-through grantees, municipalities, non-profits, and community-based organizations, and clients need to recognize and contract for professional tree services and provide new career pathways into arboriculture. The project will include:
| 1 ISA | 321 | 38 |
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Main Stage: From Standards to Safety: Navigating the New Z133 with Industry Leaders | View |
Speakers: Dr. John Ball, CTSP, Professor, South Dakota State University and Tim Walsh, CTSP, VP of Safety & Training, the Townsend Company Arboricultural operations are one of the highest risk activities in the United States. Tree workers have a fatality rate 15 to 30 times higher than the all-industry average. They also suffer from a disproportionally high severe nonfatal rate compared to other industries. One means of reducing these high rates is for tree workers to follow the Z133 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations. The new revision of the Z is now completed and there are many important changes in the new standard. Tim Walsh, VP of Safety and Training with Townsend Company LLC and John Ball, Professor of Forestry, South Dakota State University, will lead you through these changes from electrical hazards to training requirements and cover the incidents that adherence to the standard will reduce or prevent. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 308-309 | 36 |
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Business Ethics in Arboriculture | View |
Speaker: Aaron Dickinson, Wonderland Tree & Landscape Ethics is not a term that we use on a daily basis, and when we do describe an ethical/ unethical action, we have an understanding of what it means, but when asked what IS ethics, the definition tends to elude us, but yet, we somehow understand it. So, what does Business Ethics mean and how does that affect our business? Our profitability, the company reputation, the company culture? or the work force we attract? Understanding Six Principles of Business Ethics can help guide our businesses to a better work force that works together for a greater purpose, a greater client experience, a higher quality work product and greater profits. | 1 ISA | 327 | 37 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Being a True Professional | View |
Speaker: Mark Chisholm, Aspen Tree Expert Company Growing up in the tree care industry has given Mark a unique understanding as to where the industry was, where it is, and where it is going. This talk will be a fun walk down memory lane where Mark shares pictures, videos and insights about what it takes to be a true professional and how make sure you are representing yourself and our profession in the best possible light. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 316 | 39 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | The Normalization of Risk | View |
Speaker: Tyler Lyon and Chris Sprague, Bartlett Tree Experts In 1986, millions witnessed the Challenger space shuttle disaster that tragically killed seven astronauts. Searching for an explanation, sociologist Diane Vaughn developed the concept of normalization of deviance, the gradual drift towards risk-acceptance and unsafe behaviors that set the stage for the Challenger explosion. Drawing from Vaughn and other safety research, Tyler and Chris will expound upon the concepts of normalization of deviance and drift to help understand risk in our behaviors and decisions in tree care at individual, group, and organization levels. Tyler and Chris will challenge attendees to reevaluate the way they perceive and manage safety, while providing tools and resources from this framework to help avoid these pitfalls. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 321 | 41 |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Storm Hazard Assessment | View |
Speaker: David O’Neill, Contractor Discuss the hazard assessment process for storm damage scenarios, with reference to applicable regulatory standards. We will then delve deeper into these concepts in a demonstration using a Jekko track mounted crane and a Platform Basket Spider lift to highlight the use of various techniques and pieces of equipment in order to handle these scenarios safely and in compliance. | 1 CTSP & ISA | 340-341 | 40 |