Tree Service Canada #10 Summer 2009

Volume 3 Issue 2 Summer 2009 $5.00

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B Y J E F F R E Y C A R T E R

The economic and environmental potential of a trademarked member of the Paulownia tree family—the Empress Splendor—has been much heralded.

It’s viability in Canada, however, has yet to be fully evaluated.

The man who’s distributing the tree in Canada plans to prove the potential.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what it can do in the Canadian environment,” says Bob Smale, president of Empress Splendor Canada and owner

of a small agricultural manufacturing business in the hamlet of Crampton near London, Ontario.

“Yes, it’s a bit of an experimentation, but we have done a lot of research and we’re confident it will go well.”

Empress Splendor seedlings are reputed to grow to a height of 10 to 20 feet in the first year after planting, Smale says. In about 10 years, the trunk should grow to 15 to 20 inches in diameter and new trees will sprout from the stump up to seven times.

Can wonder tree survive a Canadian winter?Empress Splendor is full of promise but as yet unproven

Continued on page 5

Empress Splendor trees are a member of the Asiatic paulownia family but

their exact lineage is unclear.

REGULATIONS


Changes to Ontario’s pesticide regulations may not be as onerous as some had feared.

In fact, according to the president of the Ontario Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISAO), they are even welcome in some respects.

“I don’t mind it. The intentions were good. It does create a lot of paperwork and that’s some-thing nobody likes,” Steve Mann says.

“For the bad actors who are constantly treat-ing, it forces that operator to look at the alterna-tives . . . The government always encouraged things like integrated pest management. What they’ve done with the legislation is to say that you must do this.”

Karen Landman, an associate professor of landscape architecture at the University of Guel-ph, also has a positive outlook on the changes.

“I think they’re good. I think we use far too many cosmetic pesticides. Learning to garden without them is a good thing.”

ISA Ont. president welcomes pesticide regulationsWill limit overuse of sprays, says Mann

Continued on page 5

New pesticide legislation in Ontario affects the businesses of three main groups, arborists, lawn care professionals and golf course and sports-field operators.

B Y PAT K E R R

Many believed it wasn’t possible to trap beetles the way we trap gypsy moths. Researchers at Canada’s Atlantic Forestry Center are develop-ing a pheromone trap for the alien invasive brown spruce longhorn beetle (BSLB) that is attacking trees in Nova Scotia.

It wasn’t easy to find a BSLB pheromone, Jon Sweeney of NRCan explained. First it took a while to convince male beetles to emit a pheromone in an enclosed flask. The males did eventually perform, but the levels were too low to allow researchers to “see” the chemical. The breakthrough came with they “turned up” the air flow and captured more of the pheromone.

The pheromone was combined with ethanol in the BSLB traps. (Ethanol is released by spruce trees when they are stressed.) The two combined provides a five-fold increase on blank traps. Both males and females respond to this mixture.

Progress toward trapping the Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle

Continued on page 4

Group of many benefits Group of Seven: members of the On-tario commercial Arborist’s Association pitched in last April to work on the grounds of the McMichael’s canadian Art Gallery, home to works of art by the celebrated Group of Seven

page 2 TREE SERVICE CANADA SUMMER 2009

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B Y PAT K E R R

In areas severely impacted by emerald ash borer (EAB), there are often a few ash trees that appear to be healthier and less severely damaged than their neighbors. Scientists refer to these trees as “lingering ash.” Studies are underway to determine if these are “escapes” due to stand position, EAB behavior, or if there is a low level of tolerance to EAB infestation that went undetected previously.

In the initial outbreak in the Detroit area the vast majority of street trees were vegetatively propagated horticulture selec-tions, so in the initial wave of EAB infes-tation it is likely that only a limited num-ber of genotypes were exposed. The die-off was significant. The beetle is now attacking what we think are more genetically-diverse native stands and woodlots. It is in these stands that the linger-ing ash are to be found. Even if these lin-gering native ash trees die, they are doing it at a slower rate than was found among the propagated populations. So there could be some tolerance to EAB infestation in our native ash. Ash trees exhibiting tolerance may be able to survive lower densities of EAB, something that could be accomplished with insect parasi-toids or virals. Jennifer Koch of the USDA says, “Recent insect feeding and landing studies with a lingering green ash tree demon-strated that in comparison to other horti-cultural selections of green ash, as well as

green ash seedlings, the lingering ash was less preferred by EAB. Efforts to monitor and collect additional lingering ash from all North American species have been ramped up this year. Careful selection and breeding of native EAB-tolerant ash trees in con-junction with methods of biological control

of EAB may result in an environment where EAB and native ash species success-fully coexist as they do in Asia.” A second genetic project on ash met with a roadblock. Hybridization with Asian ash for resistance to the EAB start-ed. Forty-four seedlings were produced.

However, DNA tests are inconclusive and a great deal more testing must be done. For now, tree service workers should be aware of the potential of lingering ash and respect the possibilities in survivors.

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Hope in “lingering ash”?Possible resistance to emerald ash borer found in some native stands

Even if these lingering native ash trees die,

they are doing it at a slower rate than was

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To achieve a situation similar to that found in Asian forests, where native ash and emerald ash borers successfully coexist, re-searchers are considering breeding native EAB-tolerant ash trees and deploying methods of biological control of EAB.


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COVE R STO RY

Gregg Cunningham of CFIA says they have changed their BSLB program to one of “Slow the Spread,” or contain-ment, from the eradication model. This was due to information indicating BSLB was distributed throughout the quarantine area of Halifax and seven other areas, and the limited ability for early detection and trapping of BSLB in areas where there are no signs and symptoms. They also theorize a 2003 hurricane in Nova Scotia toppled and weakened enough trees to cause a huge increase in brood material, making eradication less fea-sible. Some native natural controls have also been identified. These include the obvious woodpeck-ers and squirrels, but also wasps, a fungus and other organisms. Finally it was deter-mined that mature stressed spruce is the primary host, but there remains many ques-tions about “appar-ently” healthy trees that were attacked and killed by this beetle. The current CFIA risk rating is “medium.”

The focus of research is now to obtain more information about the risk to healthy trees and to develop and find more man-agement options for control of this beetle.

The new program means CFIA will only be cutting trees for research and not for control of BSLB. Thus homeowners will no longer receive compensation for infested tree removal unless research is involved. Movement of spruce wood and products continues to be restricted within the regulated and control areas. This includes but isn’t limited to the highest

risk forms of spruce logs, bark and chips over 4cm.There is still a lot of work to be done but the

successful start to BSLB trapping gives hope for the trapping of other beetles like the Asian longhorn and the emerald ash borer.

Progress toward trapping the Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle continued from cover

The focus of research is now to obtain more information about the risk to healthy trees and to develop and find more management options for control of the Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle.

The new program

means CFIA will only be

cutting trees for research

and not for control

of BSLB.


COVE R STO RY

With adequate pruning, it will produce light, tough, knot-free lumber that’s suited to a variety of uses from veneer to hardwood flooring, Smale says.

“The tree loves to be pruned. The more aggres-sively we prune it, the better it grows.”

The trees might also be used as a source of bio-mass for energy production and there’s a potential for carbon credits, he says.

Smale says there are individual Empress Splen-dor trees in Ontario and an entire plantation in British Columbia, but he wouldn’t reveal the exact locations for reasons of privacy. He plans to plant more than 100 trees himself this spring, and says he has a growing client list.

Saplings are going for $30 each if customers are willing to plant them themselves. There’s also a $40 installation package available with a minimum order of 50 trees.

Most clients, however, are just taking a few. It may be that they want to make sure the trees will survive a Canadian winter and meet the perfor-mance being touted.

The biggest concern relates to low winter tem-peratures in the year after planting, Smale says. The top portion of first-year trees may be killed.

He says the Empress Splendor stock he’s access-ing is reputed to withstand minus 23-degree Celsius weather for a period of two or three days.

That kind of winter hardiness was confirmed by Wendy Burton of the Scottsdale, Arizona firm World Tree Technologies, though the claim is not made on the company’s own Website.

Burton, who’s originally from Meaford, Ontario, says the Empress Splendor is the result of a cross between what might be best described as two cultivated Paulownia subspecies: Paulownia elongata and Paulownia fortuna.

Burton says she’s made up to 72 different selections from the cross. A number are being propa-gated asexually from root spouts, producing what are essentially clones.

“This brings uniformity to the trees so we’ll know what their attributes are.”

The selection Smale is selling is the most cold tolerant, she says.

There is some confusion concerning the lineage of the Empress Splendor.

Burton says the only wild member of the Pau-lownia family is Paulownia tomentosa. It’s widely grown in warmer climes as an ornamental and agro-forestry tree.

A retired employee with the Canadian Forest Service, however, says there are at least six wild Pau-lownia species, all of which originate in Asia.

Dr. Ben Wang says a considerable amount of research has been conducted in China and Taiwan about the potential of members of the Paulownia family.

They’re one of the most common trees in Tai-wan. He’s seen them used in China to surround agricultural fields and, a number of years ago, he viewed a plantation of Paulownia tomentosa in Argentina.

Wang suspects the Empress Splendor was derived from Paulownia tomentosa. He’s not discour-aging the efforts of Smale and World Tree Tech-nologies, but feels a need for caution.

“It definitely should be tested before you go ahead. It’s definitely a species that will grow fast—but only under the right conditions,” Wang says.

“The temperature and the climate and the soil all have to be right. You just can’t grow it anywhere.”

To learn more, visit Smale’s Website at www.empresssplendorcanada.com and Burton’s Website at www.worldtreetech.com.

Bob Smale, who owns an agricultural fabricating business near London, Ontario, is marketing the Empress Splendor tree in canada and has distributors located in British columbia and the East coast.

Can wonder tree survive a Canadian winter?continued from cover

ISA Ont. president welcomes pesticide regulationscontinued from cover

Mann says the legislation affects the businesses of three main groups, arborists, lawn care professionals and golf course and sports-field opera-tors.

For regulatory purposes, pesti-cides have been divided into 11 dif-ferent classes.

A small number of pesticides, such dormant oil, can be used by anyone for cosmetic purposes.

Other pesticides are banned for cosmetic use. However, there are many exceptions under the regula-tions.

In respect to trees, the regulations state:

“No person shall use a pesticide . . . unless the person using the pesticide obtains a written opinion, stating that the use of the pesticide is necessary to maintain the health of the tree . . .”

Those able to provide a writ-ten opinion include: ISA certified arborists; foresters registered under the Professional Foresters Act; certified arborists or utility arborists under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act; and others deemed have equivalent qualifications.

Another concern that’s been expressed over the regulations relates to the control of such invasive

species as European or common buckthorn. It’s been said pesticides can no longer be used to control the species.

That’s not true, according to Mann, Landman and Tim Payne of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority.

While alternative control meth-ods are encouraged, there are a num-ber of situations that allow pesticides to be used.

Mann says that small buckthorn saplings can be controlled by simply cutting them in the spring—a tac-tic that tends to use up their root energy reserves. With the consecu-tive spring cuttings, small trees can be killed.

Large buckthorn trees are noto-riously difficult to control without the use of pesticides or a backhoe.

There is also worry about the long-term repercussions of the

regulations because pesticide manufacturers may be reluctant to go through the work and expense of introducing new products to the Canadian market-place because of the Ontario legislation. Mann says they’re concerned the reasons for placing some prod-ucts on the banned list may not be science-based.

Those able to provide a written opinion include: ISA certified arborists; foresters regis-tered under the Professional Foresters Act; certified arborists or utility arborists under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act; and others deemed have equivalent qualifi-cations.

“For the bad actors who are constantly treating, it forces that operator to look at the alternatives . . .”

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In 2003, Bronze Leaf Disease (Apioplagiostoma populi) was found in Swedish Columnar Aspen and Tower Poplar tree plantings in Manitoba. This fungal disease affects a number of poplar and aspen species, with both Tower Poplar and Swedish Columnar Aspen being highly susceptible. Bronze Leaf Disease (BLD) does not affect tree species other than poplars, and not all poplar species are susceptible.

“If you were to go outside for a walk almost anywhere in Alberta, you wouldn’t have to go far to find a poplar or aspen tree,” says Robert Spencer, irrigated and specialty crops specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Stettler. “One of the most popular and best-selling tree species in Alberta is the Swedish Columnar Aspen. It is valued for its narrow, tall growth habit and rapid growth rate, but it’s also one of the aspen species susceptible to BLD.”

Over the past few years, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development conducted a survey project to determine if and where this disease is present in Alberta. Nurseries and municipalities across the province have participated and assisted in survey activities. The survey produced a number of pre-sumptive positive samples that were collected from several municipalities.

“Symptoms of BLD typically appear in mid-August,” says Spencer. “Infected leaves turn a red-dish-brown colour from the leaf margins (edge) in towards the leaf base, with the whole leaf eventually turning colour. The leaf veins and petiole (leaf stem) may remain green for a time. All or a few leaves on a branch may be affected. The reddish-brown or bronze colour can become darker as the season progresses. Infected leaves often remain on the tree throughout the winter.

BLD is initially introduced by spores, but moves systemically within the branch, eventually causing the death of the affected tree. The rate of death can vary, but trees may die within three to five years.”

BLD cannot be controlled by chemicals. It can only be managed by ensuring good sanitation prac-tices (removing leaves, pruning out diseased mate-rial) and maintaining good plant health and vigour (adequate water, fertility, etc.). Diseased material should be pruned out below the lowest visible point of infection. Trees that are so severely infected that pruning is impractical, or trees that have recently died from BLD, should be removed, burned and/or buried to reduce the risk of disease spread.

The challenge with this disease is that positive identification of the disease cannot be based solely on visual symptoms. Diagnosis is typically accom-plished by examining the fruiting bodies of the causal pathogen; however, this is difficult because the fungal fruiting bodies only form after an over wintering period. Infected, over wintered leaves with fruiting bodies often have a “bumply” texture to the leaf (similar to the pebbled texture of a curling rink surface).

To overcome some of the difficulties of diagno-sis, a molecular test was developed by researchers at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre in Lethbridge, which allows quick and accu-rate determination of BLD infection. Preliminary test results on material collected from central and southern Alberta in 2007 suggest that BLD was present in some of these samples.

Study suggests Bronze Leaf Disease prevalent in AlbertaAspen, poplars affected

“Symptoms of Bronze Leaf Disease typically appear in mid-August. Infected leaves turn a reddish-brown colour from the leaf margins (edge) in towards the leaf base, with the whole leaf eventually turning colour.

Infected, over wintered leaves with

fruiting bodies often have a “bum-

ply” texture to the leaf (similar to

the pebbled texture of a curling

rink surface).


B US I N E SS PROF I LE

BY JEFFREY CARTER

When the owner of Murray’s Horticultural chats about his thriving business interests at Portugal Cove on the Avalon Peninsula, it doesn’t take a lot for the conversation to stray.

There’s good reason.Michael Murray’s businesses—Murray’s

Garden Centre and Horticultural Services and Murray’s Landscape Services—are linked to his family’s farming heritage and Irish roots. Those are the ties in New-foundland and Labrador that make you part of something bigger.

“The place from where we work our business is where my ancestors settled. They came from Waterford, Ireland as indentured servants . . . Later, they started a mixed vegetable farm here,” Murray says.

Today, his business provides work for as many as 65 employees during the peak season and there’s an annual payroll of more than a million dollars. There’s 40,000 square feet of greenhouse space and close to 200 acres at two locations.

Trees are a big part of the integrated business.

Field-grown and container trees—along with other perennials and annual bed-ding plants—are produced by the nursery. These are either sold directly to consumers through the garden centre or are marketed through the business’ landscape design and construction company. Specializing in both indoor and outdoor projects, Murray’s Horticultural works in the St. John’s area and throughout the island.

Along with their involvement with landscape projects, the Murray’s tree crew does pruning and maintenance, removal and consultation for residential, commer-cial, industrial and institutional customers.

Murray also has a partnership with Memorial University’s Oxen Pond Botani-cal Garden. The university has a new-

plant introduction program and does breeding work. Murray propagates the plant material for commercial purposes and helps distribute it across Canada.

He says mainlanders may find the vari-ety of trees and plants that are successfully grown in Newfoundland surprising.

White spruce, black spruce, balsam fir and larch (tamarack) are among the com-mon native conifers on the island. Com-mon deciduous species include red maple, mountain maple, white birch, trembling aspen, balsam poplar and dogberry (moun-tain ash).

Among the introduced trees are Euro-pean Beech, horse chestnut, little leaf and large leaf linden, laburnum and, in shel-tered microclimates, katsura.

It’s the moderating influence of the maritime climate that makes the differ-ence.

On the Avalon Peninsula, cold snaps are considered to be those times when winter temperatures dip to minus 15 degrees Celsius for a day or two. That’s

considerably warmer than winter lows experienced in Ontario’s wine-grape grow-ing regions.

In the right year, spring can arrive quite early with temperatures rising to close to 20 degrees by late April—though there can also be snow in late May.

Summers are generally cool with a modest accumu-lation of heat units and tend to be damp. When the tem-perature rises much above 30 degrees, many Newfound-landers start complaining about the heat, Murray says.

Looking to the future, Murray hopes to continue building his business. He enjoys the challenge but tries not to let success get the best of him.

“I just keep my head down and keep moving ahead,” he says.

One possibility may be to find ways to use trees and other plants to protect the environment and undo some of the dam-age that’s sustained as Newfoundland and Labrador utilizes its natural resources and explores its development potential. Murray feels a proactive approach is what’s needed.

“It’s like what Joni Mitchell wrote about in her song—You don’t know what you have ’til it’s gone—it’s harder to bring something back with remediation than conserving what we have now.”

Among Murray’s key employees are general manager Lorna Hogan, horticul-turalists Debbie Preston, Myles Whitaker and Sean Kennedy, and office personnel Kevin Ryan and Shannon Barbour. Mur-ray says he tries to provide the type of job opportunities that encourage employees to stick around.

Murray’s Horticultural is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture. Michael Murray is the past president of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Associa-tion.

Tree service part of full spectrum horticultural service on “the Rock”

Landscaping, horticulture and garden centre part of successful mix

Along with their involvement with landscape projects, the Murray’s tree crew does pruning and maintenance, removal and consultation for residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers in St John’s.

Mainlanders may find the

variety of trees and plants

that are successfully grown in

Newfoundland surprising.

Michael Murray’s business may expand by seeking ways to use trees and other plants to protect the environment and undo some of the damage that’s sus-tained as Newfoundland and Labrador utilizes its natural resources and explores its development potential.


Quite often, people perceive tree risk based on nothing more than irrational fear. Some of this is the realization that if the tree(s) did fall they almost certainly would cause major damage and/or serious injury. Some of it is a reaction to press coverage. Being killed or injured by a falling tree has some novelty value compared to deaths by crime, car accidents or cancer, for example. However, despite many annual storms, the number of people killed by falling trees is extremely low. So low, in fact, that it can hardly be plotted in comparison to the many other risks that can kill us.

Consider that there are about 307 million people in the United States. Last year I tracked 58 deaths in the U.S. caused by trees falling on people. That excludes loggers and others cutting trees or working around trees. These

deaths were simply people driv-ing along roads, walking in the woods, or working outside, all minding their own business. All but one of these deaths occurred in storms. Those numbers rep-resent about one in 5,293,103 so let’s say one in five million. In the U.S. in 2005, 2.9 million people were injured in car crashes, and an additional 42,636 died. That’s about 117 deaths per day, almost five per hour, or a risk of death at one in 7,200.

In Canada, even after allowing for the difference in our popula-tions, the mortality rate due to

falling trees is even lower since we do not get as many hurricanes and severe storms. In Great Brit-ain, with a population of around 61 million living on a relatively small piece of land, the annual deaths due to falling trees seem to be around seven to ten a year or around one in six million. The chances of being killed by a fall-ing tree (or part of it) are incred-ibly small.

This extremely low number of deaths could be a result of several factors:a) Risk assessment programmes in North America or Great Brit-ain are very successful and have eliminated most of the extreme risk trees. Most people live in densely populated areas where extreme risk trees have generally been removed. Risk reduction programmes could be one factor. But the vast majority of the land

base lies outside places where a regular tree risk assessment pro-gramme is in place. b) Most fatalities take place in storms and, usually, most people are sheltering during such weather. This seems likely to be one factor, although there are cases where apparently mild weather conditions topple trees. Tree failures in that category have probably been seriously weakened prior to failure.c) Tree are actually fairly safe structures and they stand up well in many conditions, even though all of them will eventually fall

down. Although press descrip-tions of accidents do not record the details about the trees, photo-graphs often show that not all of the fallen trees exhibited massive defects, and not all of them were dead at the time of failure.

It is common to see major storms toppling large healthy trees in urban and rural areas. A post-failure examination of these trees is instructive to see if there were obvious structural problems that could have been detected in a standard visual assessment. Sometimes issues are apparent and would have been picked up had an assessment been under-taken. In other cases there are no

external indicators of the internal structural problems, and occa-sionally there are no problems at all; the tree was simply blown down by extreme weather condi-tions.

Given that the odds are so low, risk managers need to con-sider what an acceptable level of risk might be. For cities and urban areas in general, there are clear societal expectations that the trees on public lands are, or should be, relatively safe. In this sense, the risk manager will usu-ally be considering an acceptable level of risk based on normal weather conditions, not when a hurricane is roaring by. In urban parks, the same standard would usually apply. As we move further away into suburban areas, and then onto rural lands, the extent of the public land base may be much larger, and the level of assessment will be less simply because it is not possible to exam-ine every tree in every location. In these areas, the level of acceptable risk may be higher. Of course, the highest use areas such as main parking lots, high traffic trails, and major roads through the parks ought to be assessed more rigorously because these places are where the greatest number of people will be found. As with many other risk issues, there are no absolute rules dictating what an acceptable level of risk is. Descriptions are almost always qualitative, not quantitative. However, the risk manager still needs several key components in the management strategy. Firstly, there needs to be a policy that

explicitly recognizes the poten-tial problems that may arise as a result of trees falling. That policy is the basis for a due diligence programme. Secondly, there needs to be a budget that enables the risk manager to find out what the present condition of the trees is throughout any one area. Next, there needs to be staff who have the skills to assess tree conditions and report back. Finally, there needs to be a procedure for deal-ing with trees that are considered to be too risky to retain any more. In all cases the implementation of the risk assessment programme must be thorough and complete.

In most areas, trees growing on private lands also have the potential to fall onto people or property. Defining an acceptable level of risk on private property is less simple, because very few private landowners are aware of the risks associated with their trees, and most lack the technical skills to assess risk. While public landowners seem to be expected to actively and effectively manage risk issues, private landowners are often not held to the same standard. There may be occa-sions where the private landowner manages a park or garden, or hosts an event on their lands, and it is prudent for the landowner to assess these areas for tree risk issues beforehand.

The perceived risk of tree fail-ure leading to damage or injury varies between the lay public and skilled risk assessors. The per-ceived risk level also varies among assessors because risk assessment

TREEWORKAHEAD

Perceptions of riskLocation, potential damage to life and property are factors to consider in assessment

Risk managers need to consider what an acceptable level of risk might be. For cities and urban areas in general, there are clear societal expectations that the trees on public lands are, or should be, relatively safe. In this sense, the risk manager will usually be considering an acceptable level of risk based on normal weather conditions, not when a hurricane is roaring by.

The perceived risk of tree failure leading to damage or injury varies between the lay public and skilled risk assessors.

continued next page


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ACCIDENT REPORTS

protocols depend on experience, training, education, and the decisions made by each per-son. Generally, most people can agree about the risk of a tree that is clearly about to fall down. Perceptions of risk are more likely to be divergent when the tree’s condition is less obvious. It may have several obvious defects or external indicators of possible internal problems, but whether or not these are really important can be much harder to decide.

Ultimately, deciding on an acceptable level of tree risk is entirely dependant on the owner’s willingness to see risk issues as a whole, and compare them to other issues. The track record of tree risk and fatalities is extremely low compared to other much more common activities, such as driving a car. Consequently, implementing a risk assessment programme that focuses on detailed assessment in high-use areas as a priority, and a more general level of assessment in lesser-used areas as time and money permit, can be an effective way to manage risk. Risk assessors should always be aware that it is their job to assess risk and report on it. It is the risk manager’s job to decide what actions to take, and define how much risk can be accepted.

AccIDENT pREVENTION

Hydraulic hazardsPressurized fluid can cut flesh like a laser“You wouldn’t believe the mess to a hand when there is a pin hole in a hydraulic line,” says Kevin Reilly, hydraulic special-ist for Princess Auto in Whitby, Ontario, discussing hydraulic accidents. “I believe you don’t even feel it. It cuts like a laser. Never check for leaks with your hand or even with a glove. Use a board, or some-thing else.” The hot oil is streaming from the hole often at 3,000 psi. “It happens so fast.”

“If the log splitter is assem-bled correctly you have to stand back when the ram boom is extended or lowered.” In his shop, Reilly demonstrates how a correctly installed “dead man” lever works. Not only are hands and feet clear of the active area, but the operator is standing well back if a line is ruptured.

There are other types of injuries from hydraulics. In a research paper on hydrau-lic safety, Colorado State University says fluid from a pin hole “can be injected into the skin as if from a hypodermic syringe. Immediately after the injection, the person experiences only a slight stinging sensation . . . By the time a doctor is seen, it is often too late and the individual loses a finger or the entire arm.”

A third hazard is poor coupling. Ruptures occur. Spewing hot oil can cause burns, bruising, abrasions, and fire.

There is an excellent article with diagrams on the positioning of hydraulic lines at http://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/200/Issue/Article/False/6576/Issue. Advice in the article includes the following points to consider when installing/replacing hydraulic lines:

- allow for contraction and expansion of the lines;- bend the line in only one plane—twisting a high pressure hose at five degrees can

reduce service by 70 per cent, while a seven degree twist can reduce service by up to 90 per cent;

- prevent external damage with covers or guards; - allow for movement;- use non-conductive hose if you are working near power lines or flammable liquids.

Improperly configured control leads to amputationIn February 2009, an employee of a firm in Langley, B.C., amputated his thumb and finger while operating a log splitter. The splitter was fabricated about twelve years prior to the accident.

According to the Work Safe BC accident investigation report, the lever when pushed should have lowered the ram. Pulling the lever should have raised the ram. However, the control was oriented to be operated with movement to the right and left. It also had a detent feature that allowed the lever to be locked in place. This circumvented the “dead man” feature that would default the con-trol to a retract position.

Work Safe BC also noted that the controls were at face level, creating another hazard if the lines failed.

The employer was directed to remove the log splitter from service until the safety guidelines were met. It was also stated: “The employer has not provided the workers with adequate instruction on the safe use of a log splitter.”

Kevin Reilly, a hydraulic specialist in Whitby, Ontario, demonstrates a “dead man” or hold-to-run function. The oper-ator’s hand has to be on the control when the ram is in the down stroke.

“You wouldn’t believe the mess to a hand when there

is a pin hole in a hydraulic line.”

Trees and the Law continued



Anyone traveling to Thunder Bay can not help but notice a domi-nant feature on the landscape: trees.

That’s a positive thing from an environmental perspective but it has also presented a challenge for Thunder Bay’s urban forester.

“You can drive 15 minutes from the city and you’re sur-rounded by bush,” Shelley Vescio says.

“It used to be that trees in Thunder Bay were not considered to have much value . . . People have had to recognize trees are part of the city’s infrastructure.”

Attitudes began to change soon after Vescio was contracted as the Ontario city’s tree consult-ing forester in 1995.

Vescio, hired as the full-time city forester in 2001, helped city employees and companies work-ing for the city understand that urban trees have a measurable value for the beauty they provide, their ability to lower heating and cooling costs, and their many environmental benefits.

As a result, there’s a whole different attitude today—along with a set of regulations.

For instance, when city infra-structure improvements are made, the goal is to avoid removing or damaging trees. And when there’s no other alternative, two trees are planted for every one that’s removed.

“No one rolls their eyes any more . . . [and] the contractors can be your best friend because they think of solutions that save

trees,” Vescio says.She started from scratch to

initiate the attitudinal transfor-mation and had a lot of help along the way.

There was support from Thunder Bay’s parks department. She communicated with urban foresters from across Canada and from Duluth, Minnesota where climatic conditions are similar to those in Thunder Bay.

Positive media stories gener-ated public interest in city trees. The Trees Thunder Bay advo-cacy group sprang up and Vescio works with an advisory commit-tee composed of area residents.

According to a study conduct-ed by KBM Forester Consultants, Thunder Bay’s canopy varies from 13 per cent in developed parts of the city to as much as 60 percent

in areas Vescio describes as rural.The average is just under 50

per cent.About 400 trees are removed

annually, having succumbed to the ravages of time, disease or insect pressure. Vescio estimates there are about 20,000 street trees in Thunder Bay and 10,000 spots where trees could be planted.

This year, Vescio is work-ing with an operating budget of around $200,000 and a capital budget of $209,000. The latter funds new plantings, the develop-ment of an urban forest master plan, and arboriculture services.

When it comes to planting, standards have been set for the tree type and caliber.

Boulevard tree plantings must be approved. Residents have three options when making a request. If they want the city to pay the full cost, they’re put on two-year waiting list. They can pay the full cost themselves and have it planted in the same year, either in the spring or the fall. They can also participate in the Tree Stew-ardship Program (TSP).

The TSP splits the costs

between whoever makes the request, the city, and a fund to which other levels of govern-ment, businesses and corporations have contributed. TSP trees are planted within the next planting season and bud burst is guaran-teed in the first growing season or they’re replaced for free. They are typically 12 feet in height with a caliber from two to 2.5 inches.

Vescio says she’d like to even-tually establish a regular pruning schedule for street and park trees. For now, trees on city property are pruned on an as-needed basis or at the request of homeowners.

There’s a detailed set of guidelines for homeowners who wish to perform minor prun-ing on street trees next to their homes, including receiving per-mission from the parks depart-ment. Homeowners are also provided with advice for other aspects of tree care, including watering, mulching and insect control.

Another challenge for Thun-der Bay trees has been climate change, which is likely to lead to more pest and disease pressure.

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Urban forester gets buy-inShelley Vescio used to face opposition in Thunder Bay to her pro-trees

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Another challenge for Thunder Bay trees has been climate change which is likely to lead to more pest and disease pressure. Accord-ing to the canadian Forestry Service and the city forester’s own observations, temperatures are warming and the risk of drought is greater.

When city infrastructure improvements are made, the goal is to avoid removing or damaging trees. And when there’s no other alter-native, two trees are planted for every one that’s removed.


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According to the Canadian Forestry Service and Vescio’s own observations, temperatures are warming and the risk of drought is greater.

Thunder Bay currently lies within a transition zone between the boreal forest and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest Region. Among the typical native deciduous trees are bal-sam poplar, white birch and trembling aspen.

As an urban centre in a northerly setting, Thunder Bay relies on a variety of introduced species including winter-hardy tree varieties brought in from Manitoba. These include lin-den, silver maple, bur oak and ash along with lilac, Amur chokecherry and Amur maple in areas where height is an issue.

Vescio is managing two interns: Bradley Doffs, who’s working on the master plan, and Rena Viehbeck. She also works with private consulting arborist James Reid.

Don Vezina is the parks service coordinator in Thunder Bay. The parks manager is Dwight Gessie.

Vescio, hired as the full time city forester in 2001, helped city employees

and companies working for the city understand that urban trees have a

measurable value, for the beauty they provide, their ability to lower heat-

ing and cooling costs and their many environmental benefits.

The Thunder Bay forestry team: From left to right, James Reid, Rena Viehbeck, Bradley Doff and Shelley Vescio.

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EQU I PM E NT


When it comes to brush chipper mainte-nance, don’t forget to look under the hood.

Chipper operators should inspect the knives on a daily basis—either before start-ing work or at day’s end—along with other components of the machine.

Safety is a key consideration, accord-ing to the experts at Morbark, Inc., one of the many companies manufacturing brush chippers.

“First and foremost, never open the hoods when the chipper drum or disc is turning. Always make sure the engine is shut off and the lockout/tag-out must be installed so that no one can start the engine. Always wear steel-toe shoes, gloves, hearing and eye protection,” says Curt McMullen, Morbark’s assistant man-

ager of international sales.Under normal working conditions

and with clean material, drum knives will last 50 to 60 hours before they need to be changed or sharpened. Disc knives, in comparison, stay sharp for about half as long. The difference is due to the angle: 90 degrees versus 37.5 degrees, respectively.

Operators should do what they can to limit foreign materials from entering the chipper. Things like dirt and nails will shorten a knife’s life. If working with con-taminated materials, check the knives every few hours.

Dull knives should be flipped or exchanged but first make sure they’re free of cracks, chips and burrs – another key safety consideration.

By running dull blades, you’ll reduce the life of your machine. It puts extra load

on both the engine and hydraulic compo-nents and shock waves are created that can lead to structural damage and wear.

By running damaged knives you run the risk of a knife being thrown out the discharge chute, McMullen says. As well, you may seriously damage or even destroy the machine.

Before replacing a knife, make sure the knife pocket is free of debris. The bolts should also be properly torqued to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Cracked knives should be discarded. Dull knives, including those with chips and burrs, can be sharpened. Morbark charges a dollar per inch of edge for the service—a considerable savings compared to buying new knives.

For sharpening, an industrial knife grinder operated by a qualified person is recommended. An industrial grinder will sharpen to the precise angle required and uses coolant. You’ll never achieve the precise angle with a handheld grinder and you’ll ruin the steel by heating it exces-sively.

Knives can be repeatedly sharpened but there’s a limit to the amount of steel that can be ground away. Morbark specifies that no more than a half-inch of mate-rial should be removed from either side. More than that and the knife should be discarded.

Knives can be touched up with a handheld sharpener while installed in the machine.

With newly sharpened blades, knife life can be increased by placing a small back-bevel on the knives using a file, hon-ing stone or air sanding disc.

Another important consideration is the clearance between the anvil or shear bar and the knives. As the knives are sharp-ened and replaced, the anvil needs to be adjusted to maintain the correct clearance.

This maximizes chip quality and machine performance and ensures that the knives do not hit the anvil.

The anvils should be flipped or replaced when the edges become rounded. Make sure the bolts are torqued to the proper specification.

“In drum chippers and disc chippers with more than one knife, knives should be sharpened/replaced in sets to maintain bal-ance and the best possible chip quality.”

Many brush chipper owners accumulate three or four sets of knives, a set on the machine, and sets that are either stored away for sharpening or are available as replacements.

Another component on chippers that may require sharpening—but only after hundreds of hours of machine use—is the roller edges that grab the material being chipped. Replacement is another option.

Apart from the knives and anvil, daily grease points, belts, clutch adjustments, fluid levels and air filters are among the things that should be routinely checked.

Keep your machine clean. That helps you detect any engine oil or hydraulic fluid leaks.

Maintenance recommendations and specification can vary among the several companies that manufacture brush chip-pers.

Morbark, Inc., is headquartered in Winn, Michigan.

Brush chipper maintenance— keep it sharp, watch tolerancesRunning dull knives shortens equipment life

Another component on chippers that may require sharpening—but only after hundreds of hours of machine use—is the roller edges that grab the material being chipped.

Knives can be repeatedly sharp-ened but there’s a limit to the amount of steel that can be ground away.

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R E FO R E STATION

B Y PAT K E R R

What do Obama, the U.S. presi-dent, and Tim Horton’s have in common? They both support the endangered chestnut. The loss of this magnificent tree was dra-matic but the situation is turning around because one man took it on as a retirement project.

“Older people,” says 92-year-old Dr. Colin McKeen, “viewed forests as forever. Trees always grew.”

The fungus destroying our chestnuts (Cryphonectria parasiti-ca) spread through the traditional chestnut growing areas. However, individual mature native chestnut trees are surviving in other areas. These trees are functioning as a genetic storage. These include horse chestnut, Japanese chest-nut, Chinese chestnut, European chestnut, and hybrid crosses.

Dr. Greg Boland from the University of Guelph says the chestnut is an adaptable species and was always a horticultural curiosity. Mature native chestnuts are found far outside their native range including Vancouver, Mon-treal, Ottawa, Huntsville, Sault Ste. Marie, and another 30 to 50 trees are in Nova Scotia. They were usually planted by American settlers as ornamentals.

“The main limiting fac-tor for chestnut survival is soil, not climate,” says McKeen. The chestnut doesn’t like wet feet, preferring sandy, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH (like the soil preferred by azaleas and blueberries).

John Hill, manager at a Tim Horton’s camp where some chest-nut planting was done, says they do get some winter kill. The trees also have a long tap root and are difficult to transplant. The eight-year-old specimens are now 20 feet high and producing.

Boland says he stores chestnut seeds in a refrigerator in a slightly open plastic bag with high humidity. Dry seeds will not ger-minate. Mould should be washed off with water or diluted bleach and the seed stored in a clean bag.

Chestnut blight was first dis-covered in 1904 in New York and it entered Ontario around 1920. By 1940, two million trees were dead or dying. By 1950 in the U.S. alone nine million trees were dying. One quarter of the eastern American deciduous forest was reduced to scrubby bushes. In the days of the American pioneer, the hardy straight-grained tree was used “from the cradle to the grave” and everything in between. More durable than cedar, easier to work then oak, and the nuts with their sweet flavour helped make Virginia hams famous. Its loss contributed to the decline and

near extinction of the wild turkey.The chestnut tree has both

male and female flowers but is not self-pollinating. The male flower on a tree sheds its pollen before the female of the same tree is ready to be pollinated. This makes the tree prone to hybrid-ization and single specimen trees poor producers.

The fungus girdles the tree, cutting off mois-ture and nutri-ents, and the tree dies back in one year to resprout from the root. However, the sprouts rarely reach nut-producing size before they are reinfected. The tree, once the choice for telegraph poles, was reduced to a shrub.

In Europe, chestnut blight also flourished. However, a natu-rally occurring virus that inhibits the blight spread naturally with few genetic barriers. The chestnut industry in Europe was saved. A search for a similar virus was done in North American and four to five versions were identified. These have more genetic barri-ers and natural protection is only seen on a limited basis in Ontario and Michigan.

A quote from one of McKeen’s articles published in 1995 says: “During the last decade, a slow recovery has been observed [to chestnut blight.] Although virulent infections are found throughout the chestnut belt, a few hypovirulent infections characterized by ‘healing’ cankers are also present. The most dis-tinct hypovirulent infection is that shown by a tree at Arner, Ontar-io. Blight in this tree, represented by superficial basal trunk cankers, has not obviously impaired its overall growth during the last 10 years. Whereas most hypoviru-lent infections yield causal fungi containing double-stranded ribo-nucleic acid, it does not appear to be present in the Arner patho-gen. The Arner fungus is being evaluated as a biocontrol agent of chestnut blight.”

There is hope. Slow natural spread of viruses that attack the chestnut blight has been noted in both Ontario and Michigan. However, scientific studies done using this technique to protect individual high value trees do not have guaranteed results . . . yet.

The goal of researchers at the Canadian Chestnut Coun-cil is to achieve a 97 per cent back-crossed Canadian strain of the American chestnut with the three per cent carrying the dis-ease resistance from the Chinese variety. An American program is

about one generation ahead of the Canadian. The experts disagree when these trees will be commer-cially available but the numbers range from seven to 20 years.

In the meantime, for those who dream of “roasting native chest-nuts on an open fire,” the CCC will supply chestnuts seeds for propagation of the native chest-

nut “to good homes.” These seeds are casually collected from natural trees and are not expected to be disease resistant or guaranteed to be 100% pure native chestnut. Grimo Nut Nursery, a commer-cial tree sourceat [email protected] or (905) 934-6887, also has some stock.

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Experts disagree when a resistant chestnut will be commercially available, but the numbers range from seven to 20 years.


The first step in any work plan and especially a felling plan is evaluating site hazards, tree risk indicators and tree placement considerations such as tree height and felling site location and placement. When evaluating a site and tree, I like to look at it from two viewpoints—one from a distance back and another up close. This two-stepped process I like to call my outer perimeter and inner perimeter surveys. The word ‘perimeter’ is key in that it indicates a circular or all encom-passing look.

Perform the outer perimeter survey from a distance, prefer-ably about equal to the height of the tree. View the site and tree from all sides by simply walk-ing around the tree. During the outer perimeter survey, some site considerations you are looking for are obstacles or hazards such as power lines, other trees, buildings, fences etc. Tree considerations include the size of the tree, dead limbs or tops, decay and promi-nent lean. It is always best to choose to fell your tree with the natural lean so gravity can work for you. I will expand on lean assessment in the next article of this series.

One final step I recommend performing as part of the outer perimeter survey is to determine the tree’s height as this often dic-tates if a tree can fit in the desired drop zone. A simple field method for determining the height of a tree can be done using a straight stick roughly the length of your leg. 1. Cradle the stick in your arm so

it runs from your hand to your

eye, (be sure you have safety glasses on!)

2 Site along the stick line it lines up with the base of the tree.

3 Grasping one end, hold the stick upright so the stick and your arm form a 90-degree angle.

4 Sight and look at the top of the stick and walk forward or backward until the top of the stick is in line with the top of the tree and the bottom of the stick where you are holding it is lining up with base of the tree. When this lines up where you are standing is very close to the height of the tree.

The more you practice this technique, the more accurate you will become.

By determining the height of

a tree, it becomes easier to decide where to fell the tree and ensure it is free and clear of contacting any obstacles during the felling process.

The inner perimeter survey is done up close and focuses specifi-cally on the tree, the placement of your notch and establishing your escape route. Once again, make a complete circle around the base of your tree in close proximity to the tree, and look for additional indication of wood decay and cavities. Mushrooms or conks can be indications of internal wood decay and should be seri-ously considered as decayed wood affects the performance of your hinge. Additionally, the desired direction of fall may change due to the presence of a cavity or wound where your hinge wood

needs to be. Your inner perim-eter survey also involves clearing brush, debris or anything that could impede your cutting of the notch, back-cut and escape route.

This survey process is the beginning of your plan and is very important. It is step one of a five step planning process for felling trees and integrates into all of the other steps in this plan. I will be referring back to the outer and inner perimeter surveys as I continue this series.

Remember: accidents are unplanned events and an excel-lent way to avoid an accident is to plan your work and work your plan. We use a planning process and explain it in series of steps to help us remember and follow a system. When felling a tree these steps are blended and integrated in our mind as we formulate our felling plan.Dwayne Neustaeter is President of Arboriculture Canada Training & Education Ltd. This is the second in a six part series.

Technical Tree Felling

Outer and inner perimeter inspections are part of evaluation process

Two steps in the process of estimating a tree’s height: the worker on the left is sighting along the stick to the bottom of the tree while the worker on the right is lining up the top of the tree with the top of the stick. Though simple, the method is very accurate.

During the outer perimeter survey, site considerations you are looking for are obstacles or hazards such as power lines, other trees, buildings, and fences. Tree considerations include the size of the tree, dead limbs or tops, decay and prominent lean.

An inner perimeter survey also involves clearing brush, debris or anything that could impede your cutting of the notch, back-cut and escape route as well as watching for wood decay.


I N S I DE STO RY

B Y PAT K E R R

“We’re not competitors,” Paul Hanousek of Douglas Wood Large Tree Service chuck-led. “Except for him.” Hanousek pointed to another tree service worker getting out of his truck. The two laughed and waved. The jokes stopped when it was time to get to work.

Hanousek was one of 57 workers who volunteered a day of labour, along with equipment, on April 29 to celebrate Arbor Day by helping the McMichael’s Canadian Art Gallery Collection in Kleinburg, Ontar-io. In all, 23 companies, all members of the Ontario Commercial Arborist’s Association, worked on the 100-acre forested property in Vaughan, Ontario. Trees were pruned, stumps and dangerous trees removed, and the canopy cut back to encourage under-growth.

Most participating companies came from the Toronto area, but one drove three hours to join in.

McMichael’s spokesperson Stephen Weir said tree planting started in the 1970s but, for lack of finances, maintenance fell behind. The institution is now using all native plantings, naturalized settings, and no chemicals, is decreasing grass cutting, and is devel-oping “green buildings” complete with solar power.

The McMichael Gallery is an all-Canadian, only-Canadian art gallery that includes collections from the Group of Seven, as well as Inuit and Native works. The galleries themselves are field stone and hand-hewn log. It is unique in Canada.

One of the concerns for the day included sensitivity to the public. Many of the trees were originally planted in memory of individuals. Every effort was made to respect the emotional impact and feelings associated with tree maintenance. Workers were advised in the event of conflict to immediately stop work and refer the person to gallery staff.

Weir says they received many positive comments and they were “blown away” with the volunteer effort. “This was a gift we could never have raised funds for. We had a big picnic. It was great.”

Ken Lunn of Four Seasons Tree Care says the OCAA’s “Day of Service” is an annual time to give back to the community, while sharing techniques and information.

O R G A N I Z AT I O N P R O F I L E

Ontario Commercial Arborist’s Assoc.Group lobbies on behalf of tree service industryThe Ontario Commercial Arborist’s Association (OCAA) might be described as a politi-cal outgrowth of the Ontario chapter of the ISA. According to Ken Lund of Four Sea-sons Tree Care, and an OCAA member, an organization was required that met the needs of commercial arborists and could lobby the government.

Steve Mann is the current president of the Ontario chapter of ISA and the past president of the OCAA. Mann said when the federal government allowed the provincial governments more legislative power, arborists needed the ability to lobby as a group. This can not be done by ISA because its mandate is education.

The most recent example of the OCAA’s lobbying efforts was regarding the legislation banning cosmetic pesticides. As originally written, the legislation would not have allowed tree service workers to treat for gypsy moth. But the OCAA attended eight stakeholder meetings and the legislation was adjusted to reflect the needs of arborists. Their ISA membership gave them the credibility while the smaller focused OCAA was able to address the specific interests of commercial arborists in Ontario.

Paul Hanousek of Douglas Wood Large Tree Ser-vice said OCAA is also a way to get cheap training. The group can bring in a speaker for $1,000 and divide the cost by many members. This allows the group to cover topics and the educational needs specific to the industry. They have had programs from crane usage to the management of a tree service company.

OCAA became an association separate from ISA in 1994 with five companies, but it was only incorporated a couple years ago. It has now increased to about fifty member companies while the Ontario chapter of ISA has 677 members. (Individuals may or may not be ISA members, but companies both large and small are members of OCAA.)

“We want to see arborists recognized with the same professional perception as nurses or veterinarians,” says Lund. He is serious. Even his email address is “thetreedoctor.” “We are a science. We work with living things.”

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Members of the Ontario commercial Arborist

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help with a variety of tree-related problems at

Ontario’s famed McMi-chael’s Art Gallery.

Group of many benefits Group of Seven Gallery benefits from volunteer work

“This was a gift we could never have raised

funds for. We had a big picnic. It was great.”

~ Stephen Weir, McMichael Gallery

“We want to see arborists recognized

with the same professional percep-

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Now that the heat is turned down a notch or two on Alberta’s economy, Tree Monkeys owner Steve Preboy says more people are asking about jobs in tree service.

“This is the first year that I’ve had lots of people asking me for work: 45-year-old women, young guys, old guys,” says Preboy, who’s been in the busi-ness for about 20 years.

“But I like to go back with the climbers I’ve had before and know because safety is a big part of bringing in a new employee.”

New employees without experience receive on-the-job training and, even if they say they have experience, Preboy starts them out on the ground. They’re told to stay well clear of the dangerous drop zone.

The worse on-job-accident in Preboy’s career was sustained by himself, an inch-long cut on his forearm after an overzealous pull on a handsaw.

Preboy is a hands-on employer who typically works with one or two employees or on his own. His two experienced climbers have other jobs and so are only able to devote three-day weekends to their tree-climbing passion.

It’s a flexible approach that allows him to increase or downsize his staff according to the amount of work available. It also means he doesn’t need to worry about providing work to employees over the winter when business slows.

“When the leaves fall off and the snow comes, people forget they have trees. That’s when we could be working.”

The Wetaskiwin-based businessman figures he’ll have plenty of work in 2009 and so will likely need to hire another employee.

Reports of Alberta’s economic downturn are somewhat exaggerated and the tree service profes-sion tends to be recession proof, Preboy says.

“If a tree falls down, it needs to be cleaned up and if it looks like it’s going to fall down, homeown-ers often see the sense of having it taken down before it does damage.”

Hazardous tree removal is a big part of the busi-ness, although there’s a considerable amount of pruning work. Preboy says he’s built up a substantial clientele in the Wetaskiwin, Red Deer and Camrose area, including cottage country just west of Wetaski-win.

Preboy does turn down jobs, but only when cus-tomers have unreasonable demands, such as pollard-ing trees—cutting off their tops.

Preboy, 48, is from Fox Valley located in the all-but-treeless southwestern corner of Saskatchewan.

He came to Alberta to learn how to hang glide and landed a job with Ace Vegetation, an Edmon-ton-area company that was once heavily involved in line-clearing work. That’s where the tree-climbing bug bit.

“I was walking through a right-of-way one day and I stumbled across a chainsaw, some rope, a har-

ness and a set of climbing spurs someone had left behind.”

The foreman got the chainsaw, Preboy recalls, but he got the rest and was soon climbing trees as part of the job. In time, he started working for him-self on weekends.

Early mentors include Leif Hanson of Wetaski-win, Steve Staby of Edmonton and Darrel Shelley who’s from Millarville, Alberta.

Thanks to word-of-mouth advertising and the colourful company name dreamed up during brain-storming sessions with friends, he eventually began working for himself on a full-time basis.

“Tree Monkeys is a name you remember . . . I’ve had people phone me in the middle of the night and ask what it means.”

Two key employees who’ve been with Preboy for some time are K. J. Carlson, a former Canadian high-school champion wrestler, and Mel Ward, whom Preboy met when both were climbing 300-foot-plus cell-phone towers.

“I don’t need to push these guys to do anything,” he says.

Debra Hamar also helps with the business and is Preboy’s partner in life. The couple has built a home together at picturesque Lac la Biche northeast of Edmonton and Preboy is building his tree service business in that area of the province.

Hamar is also a college instructor and member of The Alpine Club of Canada.

“She’s probably climbed every major peak between Banff and Jasper,” says Preboy, who has introduced rock climbing techniques and equipment to his business.

Tree climbing, Preboy says, started with pole climbing for hydro and telephone work and evolved, more or less, separately from mountaineering or rock climbing.

Preboy favours Vermeer stump grinders and chippers for quality and service. Husqvarna chain-saws are used for groundwork and Stihl in the trees.

AtlANtic BRAiDS

ltd.

Tree Monkeys:Alberta arborist likes his feet off the ground

Reports of Alberta’s economic

downturn are somewhat

exaggerated and the tree ser-

vice profession tends to be

recession proof, Preboy says.

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Steve preboy and partner Debra hamar anchor Tree

Monkeys, a successful tree service company in

Wetaskiwin. The company is seeing more job applicants this year than at any time

during the previous two decades.

Above and right: Steve preboy on the

job. Below: one of Tree Monkey’s key

employees is K.J. carlson, a former

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PRIZES:The winner of each issue's competition will receive a STIHL chainsaw ideal for use in the tree service industry. The MS 192 C is STIHL's lightest top handle gasoline chain saw making it easy to rotate in different directions. the MS 192 C also comes fitted with the Easy2Start™ system for easy starts in tough “in tree” situations. They are also equipped with a highly effective anti-vibration system to increase operator comfort and safety. The winner will receive a certificate which they may use to claim their MS 192 C chainsaw at their nearest authorized STIHL dealer.

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Summer 09 ISSUE COMPETITION CLOSING DATE: AUG. 21st, 2009

Please fax your completed competition entry form to fax. 1-250-478-3979 or alternatively send your entry by post to: Tree Service Canada (CHAINSAW Competition), Southern Tip Publishing Inc, 4623 William Head Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V9C 3Y7. The first entry drawn after the closing date will win a chainsaw. All usual Tree Service Canada competition rules apply.

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Tree Service Canada has teamed up with well known chainsaw manufacturer, STIHL, to offer readers the chance to win one of four MS 192 C arborist chainsaws.

JUNE 2009

June 7 Annual Quebec Tree Climbing Championship, Blainville, QC.

Tel. 450-689-9393 www.SIAQ.org

JULY 2009

July 4-5 Prairie ISA Tree climbing Championship, Medicine Hat, AB.

www.isaprairie.com

July 24-29 ISA Conference & Trade

Show, Providence, RI, USA

www.isa-arbor.com/conference

SEpTEMBER 2009

Sept 12 Ontario Tree Climbing Championship, Gage Park, Hamilton,

Ont. www.isasontario.com

Sept 17-19 ISA Atlantic AGM, Saint John, NB. www.isaatlantic.org

Sept 19 BC Regional Tree Climbing Competition, New Westminster,

BC www.pnwisa.org

OcTOBER 2009

Oct. 5 Pacific Northwest – ISA Chapter

Tree Climbing Championship, Kelowna, BC

www.pnwisa.org

NOVEMBER 2009

Nov 19-20 Green Industry Show & Conference

Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, AB

Phone: 780-489-1991 or 1-800-378-3198

Email: [email protected]; www.greenindustryshow.com

Come see us at the Tree Service Canada booth!

Come see us at the Tree Service Canada booth!


Members of

We Employ World Class Arborists

Contact your nearest Davey representative now:

AlBeRTA & BRiTish COluMBiAUtility Line Clearing Marjorie Mooney [email protected] (250) 755-1288Utility throughout BC & AB

Residential Tree Care Blair Veitch [email protected] (604) 264-8737Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria

ONTARiOLine Clearing & Residential Tree Care Mike Nash [email protected] (905) 333-1034 ext.234London, Kitchener, Hamilton, Toronto, Mississauga, Orillia, Ottawa, Niagara

or visit www.davey.com

The Davey Tree Expert Co. of Canada, Ltd., Burlington, ONT & Nanaimo, BC.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Immediate Positions for Tree Trimmers & Foremen, Utility Line Clearing & Residential/Commercial Arborists

POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN MOST AREAS ACROSS CANADA

GREAT CAREERS..... GREAT JOBS.

Positions AvAilAble: • Arborist Climbers • Ground Support • Pest Control Technicians

QuAlificAtions & exPerience: • Minimum 1 year work experience in

arboriculture and/or training in an arborist diploma program

• Experienced in the safe and efficient operation with the tools of the trade (chainsaws, wood chipper, rigging systems etc.)

• A valid G driver’s license (DZ an asset) • ISA Certified or equivalent an asset • First Aid/CPR certified an asset • Team player • Commitment to Safety • Professionalism emPloyer’s commitment: • Health benefits package • Vacation pay • Respect for all employees • A safe work environment with proper

equipment• Opportunity to develop and grow with

the company

Our Company has established a solid reputation and customer base, built on quality work and good service. Based in Toronto, Cohen & Master Tree Services Inc. services all the GTA.We are poised for growth and are seeking committed arborists for full-time employment in our company.

Please phone our office directly for more information and to arrange an interview. In addition, please fax us your resume for our file.

cohen & master tree services tel. (416) 932-0622 • fax. (416 932-1701

BE GOOD TO YOU R TREES

Tree Care Professionals WantedClimbers, bucket-truck opera-tor, groundsmen.Located in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Good pay for the right people. Tel: 506-457-1906 or [email protected]

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