ArborViews

Hardly one to let a little bad weather dampen her spirits or her competitiveness, Jo Hedger won the title of 2010 Women’s International Tree Climbing Champion at the ISA International Conference. In this episode of ArborViews, Dana Karcher interviews Jo and she shares her perspectives on climbing and competition, her background, and her enthusiasm for the field.

In this episode, ISA Certified Arborist Joe Murray, who serves as assistant professor of biology at Blue Ridge Community College, offers valuable insights and perspective on tree biology, and specifically the path that carbon and nitrogen follow through a tree, as well as how that seemingly familiar information can help dictate new approaches and understandings in the profession.

In this episode of “ArborViews”, Mark Bridge talks about how climbing techniques and rigging equipment have developed and become more specialized over the last one hundred years. Mark is an ISA Certified Arborist and founding member of the Baumklettern Schweiz training company in Switzerland, as well as an experienced climber. He joins us to discuss how climbing techniques and equipment have changed, and how some things have remained the same.

In this edition of "ArborViews", James Urban, author of “Up by Roots: Healthy Soils and Trees in the Built Environment,” provides his insight into how landscape architects and developers can benefit from incorporating trees into design, and how arborists can collaborate with engineers to integrate trees into storm water management.

The underlying factor behind tree health and tree problems is just that – underneath. Study of the soil and the processes by which the soil quality and structure are or can be affected is crucial to providing arborists with the information they need to plan accordingly. In this episode, host Dr. Todd Watson is joined by Dr. Bryant Scharenbroch, who offers researched approaches on improving soil quality, alleviating compaction, and shows how earthworms and other organisms can improve structural soil composition and plant health.

Risk assessment and management are important aspects of our industry. In this episode of ArborViews, our guest Dr. Julian Dunster talks about the fundamentals of risk, including the definition of terms, understanding important principles, the decision-making process, and risk thresholds. Dr. Dunster also talks about mitigation strategies and how the tree manager should take risk assessment into consideration to effectively manage trees.

Not enough cash, not enough time, difficulty managing employees? We live in uncertain economic times. Every business needs cash and there are only two ways to improve cash flow—reduce cost and increase revenue. In this episode, our host Todd Watson interviews Keith Center, an expert in strategic planning and business. Keith talks about how the lack of strategic planning can become a problem for tree care companies and what solutions can be implemented to grow your business.

In this episode, Dana Karcher—project developer for the Davey Resource Group—interviews Anja Erni, the winner of the 2009 International Tree Climbing Championship. For Anja, the trees are just as important as the people. “[It is] very important that the tree is in the center.” When she speaks of the magnificent tree that she so artfully climbed on her way to victory, she does with such respect and admiration. Don’t miss this incredibly genuine chat between Dana and Anja!

What, exactly, is “deep tree biology?” Dr. Kim Coder, professor of tree biology at the University of Georgia, discusses the need for arborists to take a deeper look at how trees work to fine-tune the way they care for trees. Understanding photosynthesis and respiration, the key processes of tree physiology, can provide a stronger foundation for diagnosing and treating stressed trees.

Diagnosing insect damage to a tree and identifying the culprit can be a challenge. This engaging interview with Mike Raupp, PhD, professor of entomology and extension specialist at the University of Maryland, offers a practical, step-by-step process for fine-tuning your ‘Crime Scene Investigator’ skills to pinpoint what is “bugging” your client’s tree.