out on a limbfebruary issue 2018A monthly newsletter for the Treescape Community

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Treescape Announces James Fletcher as New CEO

New Toy Reduces Waste to Landfill By Up To 65% Treescape Australia (Brisbane City Council contract - Planting) has just taken delivery of its new soil / mulch screen. This will be used to recycle waste soils that would normally be sent to landfill which will reduce our waste soil landfill costs by up to 65%.

The machine, based at our Taraba Street yard in Wacol, will also be able to screen our cured yard mulch and blend our own compost. These soils, compost and mulch will now be sorted, blended and certified to exceed industrystandards. Our crews will then use the soil on upcoming projects to further improve our planting and maintenance capability. Written By: Daniel Oaten, Senior Arborist, Brisbane

Treescape are pleased to announce the appointment of James Fletcher as its new ChiefExecutive Officer. James was chosen in part due to his inspirational businessleadership ability, and his willingness to challenge the status quo.

In May of 2017, Ed Chignell announced he would be retiring as CEO in thecompany that he and co-founder Brandon Whiddett started 37 years ago.Brandon’s role as Chief Operations Officer remains unchanged.

James’ experience in medium and large scale Australasian businesses meanthe was a good fit to take Treescape to the next level of growth and change. Says James: “I relish transforming businesses both in their approach to health and safety leadership and as part of an overarching growth strategy.”

Over a 21 year business career, James has transitioned from law to the buildingproducts, contracting and services industries, delivering efficient and sustainable outcomes. He is excited about his latest transition into the tree, vegetation and environmental management world given Treescape’s health and safety and customer facing focus. James started in his new role on Monday 15 January 2018.

Ed took up a role with start up company Predator Free 2050 limited in August 2017, a NFP government owned organisation established to help eradicate New Zealand of three key mammalian pests by the year 2050. He will remain a shareholder and a director of Treescape, and Chairman of the board.

Written By: Anita Jeffcoat, Marketing, GO/Otahuhu

Safety and Quality Award Recipients The Terrific Guy Award for January 2018, for the CA/Otahuhu Office:

Corrin Spittles is a valued CA crew member who has pretty much taken the reins of Phil Arthur’s role, following his departure late last year. Corrin is now looking after client sitevisits, quoting, securing job/s and carrying them through to completion. It has been a mind bender for him BUT also a solid experience in the Treescape world. A massive thank you and well done!

Nomination from Chris Sheffield, Business Manager, CA/PV, Otahuhu

Amazing Return From Near Destruction On the evening of 8 July 2014, following weeks of rain and a relentless wind, a historically significant icon of the Mahurangi region fell. The “Notice Tree” a Pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) well over 100 yearsold, sustained root damage during road works. With its large canopy, it was unable to keep its footing in the strong winds. Locals were outragedas people started removing wood from the fallen tree for firewood. Excerpt from Mahurangi Magazine: “No Notice Taken”

Early casualty of a weeklong gale, and possibly of root damage sustainedduring less-than-thoughtful road-building in the 1990s, the Notice Tree fellon the evening of 8 July 2014. Earlier expedient butchering of the tree hadangered Huawai Bay resident Frederick ‘Beau’ Jackson, and resulted in thelocal council being clearly apprised of its importance.

“Generations of locals left notices on the pōhutukawa, which was near afork in the Mahurangi West Road that afforded the most direct route toPūhoi, most part of which remains a paper road.”

Recently Auckland Council approached the Treescape Warkworth crewwho were tasked with saving as much of this historically significant treeas possible. After much notification and discussions with the localcommunity the Warkworth crew devised a plan to save as much of the treeas possible and retain its significance to the area.

The crew removed most of the canopy to reduce the weight of the tree andsail area in order to right it and place it in its original position. Operationsdrew the interest of many locals, some outraged that the canopy had to beremoved. This was unfortunately the only viable option to save the tree.

Using a 13 ton excavator the tree was righted and placed back in its originalposition with minimal damage to its already severely damaged root system.

Logs were taken to a local carver to preserve some of the natural heritage andsignificance that this tree has in the region’s history.

Three years on, the tree is showing an amazing return from near destruction with thick and healthy regrowth covering the trunk and two large leaders.

Written By: Ivor Shannon, Business Support Manager, GO/Otahuhu

Pictured Top, after the storm, middle: removing the canopy, and bottom: the tree stump with two leaders righted

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Image from Mahurangi Magazine

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Harnessed Up for Planting on Steep Slope Transforming a steep embankment into an urban forest is not an obvious task, especially if the said embankment has been covered in chicken wire deeply anchored with steel rods in the soil to ensure its structural integrity. However, this is what the local community in Highgate Hill, Brisbane, had requested from the local Councillor Jonathan Sri: The greenery and amenity once provided by mature rubber trees (Ficus elastica) on the slope needed to be removed due to the impact of their invasive roots onto local infrastructure, especially sewer, and nearby townhouses.

24 openings had been formed by the engineers in the wire mesh to enable the planting of native trees. These were to be supplemented by more advanced stock at the toe of the bank, as well as a smothering of 120 low shrubs and ground covers in tube stock throughout the bank. Jean Rousseaux (Planting Coordinator) also suggested the construction of a low timber retaining wall planted with matt rush and grevilleas to the top of the bank to provide instant greenery at footpath level when seen from the road above, which was supported by the client.

To enable the planting, the crew had to wear harnesses fitted for purpose by Scott Kane (Trainer) to overcome the steepness of the slope and slipperiness of the chicken wire. With this attire, Nathaniel Caneris and James Sykes had to abseil the embankment and juggle with picks and stakes, and hoist plants, soil and mulch in buckets to carry out the planting. A support team member at the top of the site kept them stocked up with supplies - a role filled by Troy Shephard and Glenn Farr. Mulch pillows were also constructed around the openings to provide a greater depth of soil for the trees and ground covers to establish.

The resulting combination satisfied the brief, and is now thriving following the recent summer rains as well as the regular maintenance work provided twice a week by Gavin Williamson and Trevor Perekrest. Let’s hope that the local wildlife will soon move back into the revegetated embankment, and that the local community will be thrilled with a reconstructed green oasis in their inner city suburb.

Written By: Allan Kliese, Business Manager, Brisbane

Brisbane Yard gets a Christmas Clean UpThe Brisbane yard got a present of a different kind over the Christmas period, with Warren Arthur, Allan Kliese and Adam Kriedemann putting in some hard and extra hotyards between Christmas and the New Year. Prior to Christmas, it was noticed that thegardens and landscaping at the front of the building at 11 Quindus Street, Wacol, werein need of some TLC, so the three men decided to make it happen.

While many people put on weight over the holiday period, Warren, Australia’s GeneralManager, said that as a result of all the hard work he lost 3kg’s! Warren is excited to befacilitating a cultural shift in the Australian operations, and believes that having pride inwho we are and where we work is a big part of this.

The Wacol workshop also got a tickle up, beingtransformed from a messy work space into a muchmore organised and safe place to get jobs completed.

The images show the pristine gardens at the frontof the property.

Well done Warren, Allan and Adam!

Written By: Anita Jeffcoat, Marketing/Projects, GO

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We want to hear from you: Do you have a story idea for the next edition? Get your story in the next issue of Safety First by emailing copy and photos to newsletter@treescape.co.nz. The Safety First newsletter is distributed to Treescape sta� and valued clients. If you are not on the mailing list, simply request your regular copy by contacting newsletter@treescape.co.nz.

Join our online community by following Treescape on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. You can �nd us at TreescapeAustralasia (f ), TreescapeNZ & TreescapeAU (IN), and treescapeaustralasia (LI).

Staying Cool as the Mercury RisesStruggling to sleep at night with the warm temperatures?

Here are some of our favourite cool down tips for you:

- Fill a hot water bottle with cool water and place it in your bed.- Place pillow cases inside a plastic bag and place in the freezer an hour before bed. Remove from the plastic bag and apply to your pillow just before going to bed.- Dampen a full size towel and place it over yourself.- Point a fan out a window and open a window on the shady side of the house to draw cooler air in.- Sit in front of a fan. Place a bowl of ice in front of the fan for extra cooling effect.

Source: DYC Clever Living newsletter, February 2018

Big Thumbs UpCustomer Feedback Regular Feature

“This was the second time I have used Treescape to help me sort out some tree/shrub issues and again, I have to say, what an absolutely outstanding job your team did today. Thank you so much – your attention to detail is exactly what I wanted. Your pricing is a little higher than quite a number of other companies but it was worth every cent to have the job done perfectly and to have absolutely no mess left afterwards.

“And thank you to your team for taking away some branches I had removed from another tree before Christmas and left stacked up for me to remove. They didn’t have to do that but it was just another aspect of the amazing customer service you provide. Please pass on my genuine thanks to your team. They are outstanding and I would recommend your company to everyone.”

Comments from Thomas Richards, Steph Tabaillou and Ritchie White on Belfast Road regarding work carried out by Otahuhu PV crews.

“We would like to give a BIG thanks to the tree contractors who planted the new trees along Redford Crescent, Spielberg Ave, Ford Close and Stallone Circuit. The workers did a fantastic job, toiling in the hot sun, to plant the new trees and to remove some dead ones near the McDowall Reserve. We would be very grateful if someone could let them know what a tremendous job they have done. Please pass on the sincere appreciation to all involved – great team effort!”

Comments from the residents involved, regarding the efforts of Gawain and the team in the McDowell tree planting. Thanks to Graham Bridge, Regional Coordinator Arboriculture North, Asset Services, Brisbane City Council, for passing this on.

“We greatly appreciate your organising this for us. Again many thanks. You and your team have been so personable and Nigel has kept us fully informed about where things are at, which has been extremely helpful and very much appreciated”

Comments from Nigel Welch and Corrin Spittles regarding work completed on Access Road, Auckland