Tree Service Canada #8 Winter 2008

Volume 2 Issue 3 Winter 2008/2009 $5.00

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Bartlett Tree Experts has made another substantial investment in Canadas tree service industry.According to the companys Victoria-based division manager, an agreement for the purchase of Cypress Tree & Landscaping was been finalized last fall.

We wanted to expand to West Vancouver and North Vancouver and this opens that up for us, Noah Violini says.

The owner (Bruce Larson) had established a good company and hes come on board with us . . . One of the reasons he wanted to sell was that he built his company as big as he could and he needed support to grow further.

Larson is to continue on in a management capac-ity and all 15 employees are to remain on the payroll. The focus of Cypress had been tree care and land-

scaping. With Bartletts purchases, pest and disease management and soil management will be added to the service list.

Bartlett offers a benefit package for its employees and there are training opportunities, Violini notes.

Barlett now has locations in 26 states and in British Columbia and Ontario. The company was founded in 1907 by Francis A. Bartlett and continues to be a family-owned business.

Bartlett maintains a 350-acre research property at Charlotte, North Carolina where a laboratory and team of diagnostic experts are stationed. According to Ken Karp, vice-president of marketing and public relations, Bartlett works closely with public institu-tions to move the tree service industry forward.

The company is growing.Along with its purchase of Cypress Tree & Land-

scaping, Bartlett purchased a small tree service busi-ness at Duncan, British Columbia. There have also been recent acquisitions in the US.

Purchase gives access to West and North Vancouver markets

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

The economic downturn hasnt left Canadas tree service industry unscathed but the situation is much worse in the US.

Across Canada, some compa-nies have seen a decline in calls while others have noticed their customers are spending more time looking for low-bid compa-nies.

The situation in the US may be even more challenging.

For the residential and com-mercial jobs, it is literally all over the map. In some states, like Florida and Michigan, tree service businesses are definitely hurting, says Mark Garvin, chief program officer with the Tree Care Industry Association in New Hampshire.

Those states have special regional concerns.

Theres a glut of new tree service businesses in Florida, many of which were founded in response to hurricanes which struck the state in recent years. In Michigan, there have been many manufacturing job lossesespecially in the auto sector.

Garvin also points to declin-ing consumer confidence in the face of the housing crisis, the

stock market meltdown and gen-eral uncertainly for the future.

People are being careful of their cash. Cash is king. Unless a tree falls on their house, most people are saying, lets hold back on spending, Garvin says.

In some areas, business is booming. That includes Ohio where a lot of storm damage occurred in the wake of the Sep-tember hurricane that passed through, Garvin says. Many companies across the US that specialize in utility work are also doing well, especially those that contracted work when fuel prices were high.

In Canada, there is also con-cern, but there are also some company owners who feel their businesses, so far, have been unaf-fected.

Along the west coast, Noah Violini of Bartlett Tree Experts points to a modest decline in business. When it comes to cos-metic tree service work, people may be less inclined to open their wallets, he says.

Glen Warren of A-1 Tree Service at Halifax, Nova Scotia says hes coming off his best year in the past 15 but feels people are reacting to the economic uncer-

Tree service industry sidesteps worst of economic downturnAnticipate tougher competition, price-minded

customers if economy fails to rebound


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B Y PAT K E R R

askatchewan was the first province in Canada to start trapping for the Banded elm

bark beetle, Scolytus schevyrewi Semenov, in 2004. In 2007, this invasive species was found in 5 of the 10 areas where traps were established. Traps are identical to those currently used to monitor native elm bark beetle--the main insect vector for Dutch elm dis-ease (DED) in the prairies.

With the beetle known in 21 states, the areas chosen to moni-tor for banded elm bark beetle included communities from the east to west. Positive results were in Estevan, Weyburn, Moose Jaw, Assiniboia, and Maple

Creek. (They were not discov-ered, as reported in the last issue of Tree Service Canada, in Sas-katoon.) The 2008 Saskatchewan program increased the number of traps in these communities. The plan is to determine if the posi-tive results indicate chance finds or if there is an established/establishing population in the area. Traps were also set in Sas-katoon and more northern areas to attempt to locate the northern edge of the range. The 2008 trap-ping results will not be available until spring of 2009.

Dr. Rory McIntosh, of Sas-katchewan Ministry of Environ-ment Forest Service Branch says, they are taking steps to start a research project with the Uni-

versity of Manitoba to determine behaviour, ecology and other bio-logical factors of the insect under Canadian conditions. Details of the insects flight ability, overwin-tering behaviour, and develop-ment under our conditions are needed to guide a science-based management response.

Saskatchewan, Ministry of Environment started their DED program in the 1980s and this continues. But more informa-tion must be obtained to adapt management activities to control this new threat to Saskatchewan forests.

The plan is to determine if the earlier positive results in tests for the banded elm bark beetle indicate chance finds or if there is an established/establishing population in the area.

Banded Elm Bark Beetle In SaskatchewanWhere it is and where it isnt

CLARIF ICAT ION

While theres probably no one reason for the mys-terious near absence of white oak acorns in Torontos urban forest, climate change may be a key consideration.

At least thats the opinion of Jack Radecki, executive direc-tor of the Ontario Urban Forest Council.

These white oaks need a specific temperature regime when theyre pollinating in the spring. There has to warm weather when the flowers are out followed by cool weather.

In the Toronto area, flowering occurs around mid-May. For a bumper crop of acorns, 10 warms

days during the flowering period followed by 13 to 20 cool days is optimal.

According to the US Forest Service, sporadic acorn production

in white oak is normal and good crops generally only occur every four to 10 years. Several years may pass without a crop at all.

Still, foresters and biologists in the Toronto area have been expressing concern. Theres anec-dotal evidence of abundant acorn crops 20 years ago.

Radecki feels lower than normal rainfall may be having an impactalong with squirrels which prefer acorns from the white oakQuercus albaover other species. Squirrels often eat white oak acorns immediately upon finding them rather than putting them into storage.

Gavin Miller, a biologist with

the Toronto Region Conservation Area also points to the squirrel impact but has other theories.

The few white oak acorns produced in recent years that

have managed to germinate face a great deal of competition from such species as Manitoba maple, Siberian elm, Tatarian honey suckle and white ash. In addition, higher soil nitrogen levels may be providing a boost to the competi-tors.

White oak regeneration is also associated with fire. Miller sug-gests propagation could be sup-ported by direct seeding into suit-able sites, prescribed burns and the removal of aggressive woody competitors.

Miller says hes also discov-ered a few isolated examples of white oaks that did produce a fair amount of seed in the past year. These include trees at Casa Loma, a few near the George

Bell arena near the downtown core and the old white oak at the Royal Ontario Museum.

The uncertainty about the sit-uation has meant Radecki, Miller and others are taking a wait-and-see approach. A continued absence of acorns over the next few years in the Toronto area and in such locations as Washington, DC. and parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania may be an indica-tion of a real problem.

White oaks grow through-out most of the Eastern United States, much of Southern Ontario and in southwestern corner of Quebec. Many of the worlds largest white oaks are in Mary-land and Delaware.

Where have all the acorns gone?Mystery surrounds sudden drop in white oak acorn production B Y J E F F R E Y C A R T E R

The few white oak acorns produced in recent years that have managed to germinate face a great deal of

competition from such species as Manitoba maple, Siberian elm, Tatarian honey suckle and white ash.

A continued absence of white oak acorns over the next few years in the Toronto area and in such locations as Washington, DC. and parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania may be an indica-tion of a real problem.

NATURAL CYCLE OR CL IMATE CHANGE?

Jack Radecki, executive director of the Ontario Urban Forest Council, says that while theres probably no one reason for the mysterious near absence of white oak acorns in Torontos urban forest, climate change may be a key consideration.

S


in the news

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Tree Service Canada is published four times a year by Southern Tip Publishing Inc. Subscription rate for one year: $19.95 (GST included). Single copy price: $5.00. Contents copyrighted by Southern Tip Publishing Inc. and may be reprinted only with permission.PRINTED IN CANADA Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050172Postage paid at Vancouver, BC Postmaster: Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Tree Service Canada, 4623 William Head Road, Victoria, BC V9C 3Y7Contents copyright 2007 by Southern Tip Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 1710 4955

economic downturn continued from covertainty and fears of a worldwide recession.

Id say definitely, without a doubt, people are not as will-ing to spend money . . . All the negative news that you heardpeople listened to it . . . tree service is only essential when things really need to be done.

The situation does need to be put into perspective. The approach of winter has always been associated with a decline in tree service work.

Garvin and others feel the impact of the economy down-turn will not be fully under-stood until February and March when people begin booking spring work.

There are also some business owners who say theyre as busy as ever.

At Edmonton, Alta, Craig Jabs of Alberta Arborists and James Ladouceur of Active Tree Service says the economic slow-down hasnt affected them at all.

Jabs, who sits on the Prairie Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture, has heard of considerable concern in the US but says the economic downturn has yet to impact tree service in his oil-rich province.

In Winnipeg, Man, Jerry Werestiuk of Kildonan Tree Service Ltd., runs as many as

13 cutting crews and has been in the business for 36 years. He doesnt expect economic worries will have much of an impact on his business.

We dont notice it here (the economic downturn). Our economy is good. We have lots of things going on in Winnipeg and Manitoba, Werestiuk says.

Were focused on what matters. We take care of whats in front of us.

Its a similar story for Al Miley of Al Miley & Associates in Toronto, Ontario.

Miley has been in the tree service business since 1980, runs three crews and advertises extensively.

Ive already been through a couple of recessions and what I tell the younger fellows in the

business isthe green industry (arboriculture, horticulture, etc.) is not affected, Miley says.

Most of the clients we deal with are in their homes already and often the homes are paid for. They like to maintain their properties and do the upkeep.

Miley, whos making some substantial equipment invest-ments, feels tree service provid-ers will have a better handle on the situation by next spring.

Two other Toronto tree service operators, Erik Bostrm

of Viking Tree Service and Jor-dan Dobbs of Napoleon Tree Service are somewhat less opti-mistic.

Dobbs says hes only been in the business for a year.

Were still getting a fair number of calls but more cus-tomers are pushing on lower bids, he says.

Bostrm says hes made a few adjustments.

The calls have dropped and Ive dropped the prices by 30 per cent. But the prices have been high for the past couple years. Theyve gone up by 50 per cent and so dropping the price is not so bad . . . Discre-tionary spending typically dries up in times of uncertainty.

Bostrm has been operating his tree service business on a fulltime basis for 10 years. He runs as many as two crews.

Noah Violini, of Bartlett Tree Experts, In Victoria, BC, notes a modest decline in business. When it comes to cosmetic tree service work, people may be less inclined to open their wallets, he says.

Ive already been through a couple of recessions and what I tell the younger fellows in the business

isthe green industry is not affected, Al Miley, Al Miley & Associates, Toronto, Ont.

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Your privacy is important to us. Occasionally we make our subscriber list available to reputable companies whose products or services might be of interest to our readers. If you would prefer to have your name removed from this list, please call 1-866-260-7985, fax: 250-478-3979 or write us at Tree Service Canada, 4623 William Head Road, Victoria, BC V9C 3Y7 or email us at [email protected].


Twenty-five or thirty years ago employee incentive programs were simpleyou did a good job and you got to keep your job.

Gone are those days, said Gerard Fournier, owner of For Trees at Didsbury Alta, and boss to 12 workers. Your reward was the pay cheque. You got lots of negative feedback when things went poorly but basically top level performance was just expected of us.

But employees really respond well to perks, he said. Hes given cash bonuses, employee discounts on items from the For Trees tree farm and nursery and he has also paid Alberta Health care for his employees.

At Calgary, Jim Fisher president of Arborcare, with 100 employees, gives tickets to Flames, Stampeders and Calgary Roughnecks lacrosse games while

his Edmonton workers receive tickets to hockey, football and lacrosse pro games in their city.

Clarence Talbot, owner of Tree Works, Halifaxs largest residential tree service company

employs four to seven workers and has employed as many as seventeen. He gives cash bonuses to his employees at Christmas and as a special reward if theyve worked long hours or completed a difficult job. These are based on performance, he said, but he also thinks its only fair to share the wealth. If he does well financially on a job, his workers should get

a piece of that too. He also gives climbing gear and gift certificates as a way of rewarding good work.

All three employers pay for job training for their employees. Increased knowledge and confi-

dence in the workplace are clear benefits of employee training but theyre not the only ones. Fourni-er sees an increase in productiv-ity and safety as another posi-tive consequence. And it also improves camaraderie, he said.

Every month one of the Arborcare employees is chosen to be the recipient of the Happy Arborist award. We pick one of

the field people who has run some pretty good numbers; passed all the safety issues; done an all around good job and maybe had letters of recog-nition from clients, Fisher said. That person gets a gift cer-tificate from Marks Work Wearhouse to buy clothes.

Fourniers Tree-via contests are also monthly. If employees answer a question cor-rectly, along with their pay cheque theyll receive a small prize. Its just a token thing, he said, a pen knife, or maybe a toque, something from a supplier. It didnt really cost any-thing but it gets people involved; they talk amongst themselves about it. It just keeps people engaged and involved. They feel like theyre part of the team.

Helping workers to feel like theyre part of the team is just one of the results employers see when they offer perks to their employ-ees. Fisher said he believed in rewarding good work and perks

are a motivator.The most important asset

you have in your company is your employees, said Talbot so you do whatever you have to do to keep them happy and sometimes its perks of one type or another.

At the same time employ-ees should keep in mind that an employer isnt obliged to give perks. When the employee just takes it for granted the fun of giv-ing is gone. They should always remember to say thanks, he said.

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The role of perks & incentivesWhat goes around comes aroundB Y S H I R L E Y B Y E R S

Helping workers to feel like theyre part of the team is just one of the results employers see when

they offer perks to their employees. Rewarding good work is also a motivator.

Gerard Fournier, owner of For Trees at Didsbury Alta, uses perks to maintain a team spirit among the dozen or so employees that work for his company.

RETAIN ING EMPLOYEES

ACCIDENT REPORTS

NB Tree Service Ltd, of Cal-gary, pleaded guilty on March 31, 2008 in Alberta to failing to ensure the health and safety of workers. This was the result of an accident in Sept 2005 when two workers were felling trees and one worker, age 21, was struck breaking his leg and wrist. The worker required sur-gery. Fines totaled $75,700.50. This included $70,000 to the Olds College Fund.

The investigation following the close call in Beaverton, Ont where the boom of a truck, lifting a tree, toppled into a house is complete. No charges were laid. The cause was that the load chart for tree weights did not account for water uptake by poplar tree in spring of year, which can cause this tree to be much heavier than tree tables indi-cates. No orders were issued.

In July, 2008 a trained New Brunswick worker was trim-ming trees in an overhead bucket along power lines when his arm came in contact with a low voltage line (120 v). The worker sustained a burn. The incident follow up report stated: That where work that may bring any person or object closer to an energized electrical utility line or utility line equip-ment than the distances speci-fied in subsection (1) or (2), an employer shall contact the authority owning or operat-ing the electrical utility line or utility line equipment and shall

ensure that the electrical utility line or utility line equipment is de-energized, or is adequately insulated or guarded before permitting the employee to commence the work.

In Northwest New Brunswick in September, 2008 a worker was cutting a tree when a dead limb caught in the tree branches. The limb fell and struck him in the head. He died later that evening in hos-pital from head trauma. The incident is being reviewed by the Fatality Review Commit-tee. Public information is not available until this investiga-tion is complete.

The RCMP and Work Safe BC investigated and incident in October, 2008 in the park-ing lot of the Canlan ice rink in North Vancouver where Burley Boys Tree Service Ltd. was working. A 140-foot-tall Douglas fir tree was felled into a parking lot. It landed on a vehicle passing by through the fall zone. The lone occupant of the vehicle was not seri-ously injured but was taken by ambulance to Lions Gate Hospital. The incident report found access to the parking lot was not flagged or barricaded. In addition to the previous investigations the employer was ordered to complete their own investigation. The RCMP confirmed their investigation is complete and no criminal charges were laid.

Alta, Ont. accident investigations complete


news

B Y R E B E CC A FAT E R

he Eugenia Place high rise in Vancouver, BCs well-heeled West End is an attractive

landmark that sits on English Bay. The building is surrounded by manicured grounds and a sweeping 360-degree view. The most eye-catching feature of the landscape, however, is a 37-foot-high pin oak sprouting from the buildings roof, more than 200 feet from the ground.

Last June, when the oak needed attention, a single, scary thought flashed through the mind of arborist John Martyn when the Eugenia Place property manager found his number in the local yel-low pages and called him.

What does a fall from (approximately) 200 feet feel like? Martyn recalls wondering.

The pin oak, Quercus palus-tris, is technically the highest, if not tallest, tree in Vancouver, thanks to its lofty placement.

The oak is a nod to the sites purest, earliest existence: the old-growth trees that stood on the shore of the English Bay before loggers made their mark on the land. The buildings architect thought it would be fitting to have a tree up at the same height as the old-growth forest. Old growth cedar, spruce and Doug-las-fir were commonly 200 to 250 tallsome even taller.

Understanding that the old-growth trees were likely Doug-las-fir and cedar, the architect deliberately chose a non-native deciduous oak, realizing that he needed a tree able to with-stand the strong winds and wild weather likely to accompany life at 200 feet. The pin oak was 15 years old when construction began on Eugenia Place. The tree was planted on the roof in 1987 and packed down with 100,000 pounds of soil.

But, while a good deal of thought went into the tree itself, there was one piece of the vision that builders neglected to con-sider: the chore of caring for it.

The trees well-being became a serious question after brutal wind storms whipped through Vancouver in December 2006 and January 2007, dealing massive damage to trees and buildings across the region. Nearby Stanley Park had more than 10,000 trees downed by the wind storms.

Enter Martyn, owner of JPM Tree Service in Vancouver, who has never fallen more than seven feet on a job and never seriously injured himself. And he decided to push his luck a bit farther.

Steeling his nerves and scaling

Eugenia Places 19 floors, Martyn was surprised to learn that gaz-ing at the tree from the ground is quite a different experience from standing right next to it.

Strangely enough, when you get up on the roof, its nothing spectacular, he says. If you put that tree on the street or in front of a home, its just a regular tree. But up in the sky it looks huge! Its an optical illusion.

Martyns, initial inspec-tion found no significant wind damagea testament to the oaks wiry nature. He did, however, discover some minor caterpil-

lar feeding and an infestation of Leucanium scale, an insect that damages the tree by sucking juice from its leaves. Then there was the matter of pruning the tree, which grows out of a metal pot approximately 3 feet deep in the roof, its crown blossoming out into the wide blue nothingness.

Its the fear that keeps you alive and makes you check and double check every piece of equipment you have, says Mar-tyn, who describes any ascension higher than 40 feet as the Mount Everest zone. If you fall (from

anything as high as 40 feet), youre going to have a serious injury.

The first pruning Martyn performed last September proved to be a painstaking exercise in patiencedue not only to the trees high perch, but also the fact that the only access to it is through the penthouse apart-ment and patio where the tree is planted.

With the assistance of a ground man, Martyn pruned about 15 percent of the tree and cut the waste into one- to two-foot lengths to fit into a garbage

pail. That pail then had to be schlepped down a set of stairs with a glass railing, out the suites front door and down the elevator. Unhappily for the ground man, there was enough waste to fill 20 garbage pails.

And just in case the height wasnt enough to make Martyns nerves quake, the pressure of car-ing for the most notable tree in the city was an extra reason to swallow hard.

Its extremely well known, says Paul Montpellier, Vancou-vers city arborist. It has quite a

jarring effect as you drive down there and notice it.

But all the skill in the world wont make the oak last forever. Martyn predicts the trees dwell-ing place will spell an early end to its existence. The oak is naturally programmed to grow 100 feet tall, but the pot will likely prove too small to allow much growth beyond its present size, he says.

It definitely has a limited life span, says Martyn. I just say, Were treating the patient. And the patient isnt going to live forever.

In addition to the pruning, Martyn plans a spring and sum-mer watering regime to prevent heat stress to the tree, and will apply a dormant oil spray in early spring to address the scale. He

will only resort to spraying with insecticide if the scale population continues to thrive through the summer.

He says the tree is part of Vancouvers folklore. People come up to me and say, Oh, I asked my wife to marry me under that tree. Its famous.

For Martyn, the climb and the risk is worth every bit of effort.

I hate heights, but I love views, he says. And its a view to die for.

This article originally ran in the March 2008 issue of Tree Care Industry magazine, and it is reprinted here with permission of the Tree Care Industry Association.

Photos courtesy of John Martyn, unless otherwise noted.

Caring for the highest tree in VancouverArborist John Martyn answers a unique call

The 37-foot pin oak sits 19 floors, about 200 feet, above Beach Avenue in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The pin oak, Quercus palustris, is technically the highest, if

not tallest, tree in Vancouver, thanks to its lofty placement.

John Martyn with the pin oak, which has a view to die for, according to Martyn.

T


The view from the base of the pin oak, 19 floors up.

If and when anything should happen to the current tree, shown here being planted in 1987, it would have to be replaced by order of the original building permit issued by the citys planning department. Photo courtesy of Henriquez Partners Architects.


Risk assessment is future based. It aims to predict which trees, or component parts of any one tree, will fail within any one time frame. Pre-diction of future events is seldom simple. We can say with certainty that all trees will fail and fall; they always have and they always will. There is much less certainty about when this event will hap-pen, and under what circum-stances.

Estimating probability of failure relies very heavily on the knowledge, training, and above all, experience, of the assessor. Extensive training and knowledge is a starting point. New research and better knowledge is constant-ly emerging, and as a result, what we learned in the past is con-stantly being challenged, refined, and sometimes confounded. Experience is gained by translat-

ing training into practice. Increas-ing experience in risk assessment enables the assessor to better understand the many factors affecting any one tree, or group of trees. But, no matter how much experience the assessor has, every one of us still has to deal with the element of uncertainty.

Risk levels extend over a spec-

trum from very low to very high. We can model that conceptually in a simple chart, as in Figure 1. For this example, the chart fol-lows a standard bell curve of distribution. In practice the shape of the curve varies considerably. Once we gain experience with types of failure by species, climate patterns, site conditions, and other attributes, our knowledge and understanding improves, and to some extent, our discomfort with uncertainty lessens. For the novice, a lack of experience produces large amounts of uncer-tainty about how to interpret the externally visible symptoms of a tree, simply because they have no other reference point for com-parison. The experienced assessor may well examine the same tree and undertake detailed tests, and make interpretations that lead to very different predictions, result-ing in a risk level that is lower or higher. Either person will face the challenge of seeing and reading the body language of the tree, and interpreting the biomechanical implications, although the factors of concern to the novice may be quite different from those of con-cern to the expert.

Risk assessment is further complicated by time. Risk assess-ment conclusions are based on the information available at the time of the assessment. Because our knowledge of how any one tree will perform in the future is limited, our ability to accurately predict future risk is also limited. As the length of time increases from the point of assessment, so too does the amount of uncer-tainty inherent in the prediction. Over the lifespan of a tree we would reasonably expect that it should be relatively simple to predict probability of failure when the tree is young and vigor-ous; we would probably predict that failure is not likely. As the

tree reaches middle age, assorted biological and mechanical issues become more likely, but when these will lead to failure is often difficult to know. Of course, as the tree gets really old and close to the point where it is ready to die, the ease of predicting failure gets easier once again, because the biomechanical features of the tree get easier to see and interpret. Figure 2 shows this concept. At all stages of the lifespan we face

some uncertainty about our pre-dictions, and it is unlikely that we will always be correct. Predicting risk issues in a short time frame has less uncertainty than those made for several years or even longer time frames (which is why the competent assessor understands the use of well defined limiting clauses in the assessment report). We have no means of knowing how the weather, environmental condi-tions, site changes, and the trees response to any of these will occur in future years. That creates huge uncertainty in our predic-tions, and as a result, the assess-ment is most valid on the day it was undertaken, and may become increasingly less valid over time, as the situation changes.

Since uncertainty is inevitable,

we deal with it best by recogniz-ing its existence and incorporat-ing it into the risk assessment process. By far and away the best approach comes with experience examining trees that have already failed. That knowledge will be greatly enhanced by understand-ing the basic principles of tree biology and mechanics, the prop-erties and growth patterns of trees throughout their entire lifespan, and by ensuring that all risk

assessments incorporate a clear recognition of what we do and do not know. Of course, it is tempt-ing to be so conservative about risk that we always err on the side of caution. But, large numbers of trees have been cut down far too soon, simply because the assessor lacked the confidence to deal with uncertainty. And yes, there are undoubtedly some trees that were retained after a risk assessment that should have been removed, although this is not that common if the risk assessor is competent. Developing expert skills at deal-ing with uncertainty takes time, but it is not impossible. Recog-nise it, understand it, and then integrate it into the assessment process and your risk assessment results.

Trees & the LawB Y J U L I A N D U N S T E R

Dealing with UncertaintySince uncertainty is inevitable, it is best dealt with by recognizing its existence and incorporating it into the risk assessment process

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Figure 2: As the tree gets really old and close to the point where it is ready to die, the ease of predicting failure gets easier once again, because the biomechanical features of the tree get easier to see and interpret.

Figure 1: Risk levels extend over a spectrum from very low to very high.

New research and better knowledge is constantly emerging, and as a

result, what we learned in the past is constantly being challenged, refined,

and sometimes confounded.


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Collection and storage of seed is a way of preserving plant genetic material. Seeds are the product of genera-tions of parent plants evolutionary adapta-tions. These adaptations are specific to the plants natural habitat. Every habitat has specific pest and environmental pressures that directly affect the development of the plants growing within the habitat.

Every seed encases its unique version of traits to survive within its habitat. The biodiversity of the seed and the habitat allow for natural selection of the best adapted plants. Pest pressures and environ-ments continue to fluctuate and currently there are trends suggesting that changes will be rapid. This underlines the neces-sity to have diverse genetic material to allow for a higher variation of adaptations, which in turn allows for the continuation of the species.

Maintaining a diversity of genetic material in seed banks protects and distrib-utes plants that are able to better adapt to changing conditions. Reclamation, refores-tation, agricultural, horticultural and scien-tific purposes can potentially benefit from seed banks. Seed bank projects are not unknown and one that is underway as a protected seed vault is coined the Dooms-day bank in Norway.

Seed banks are interesting from an academic point of view, but how can the private horticulturalists or gardeners in

Alberta benefit? To the best of our knowl-edge none of the large-scale seed banks are open for public access. It is our vision to promote a public seed bank and exchange at the Olds College. The seed bank is unofficially started with seeds from trees and shrubs. It requires public and private interest and support. Horticulturalists can benefit by having a genetic diverse resource available.

Our project focus has been on tree and shrub material. Wood producing plant material, trees and shrubs, are generally longer lived and provide such benefits as carbon sequestration, animal habitats, oxygen production, and help reduce heat-ing and cooling costs by providing shade and wind protection to buildings. Native and naturalized plant materials produced from seed have less risk to succumbing to environmental and pest elements. These plants are able to withstand local weather and pests providing an advantage to allow

increased survival. The two barriers for a seed bank are seed availability and woody seed dormancy issues. When stored, woody seed experiences deep dormancy and often germinates poorly compared to fresh seed from the previous season. This requires pregermination treatments to overcome this deep dormancy specific to each spe-cies; some species require research to solve this issue.

Olds College currently possesses adequate storage facilities, knowledge resources, and seed sources to successfully establish and maintain a public seed bank. Being a public institution with widespread industry connections and a central Alberta location, the college is an ideal site for such an operation. The college also has the capacity to facilitate trials in improv-ing germination of older seed. One such trial has already been conducted by the authors in 2008 at the college, indicating that with correct treatment aged seeds can show germination potential comparable to fresh seed from the previous season. Genetic diversity offered by seeds should be made available, to allow everyone to enjoy the uniqueness and strength that nature provides.

For more information, call Gord Koch 1-403-556-4751

Andrew Bunton is enrolled in the Olds Col-lege Bachelor of Applied Science (Production Major).Daniel Wirch is enrolled in the Olds College Bachelor of Applied Science (Land-scape Major) Bunton and Wirch are currently completing the final year of their program study which consists of an 8 month directed field study placement in industry.

The seed bank at Olds College is unoffi-cially started with seeds from trees and shrubs. However, it requires public and private interest and support.

Establishment of a seed bank & exchange at Olds College, AltaStudents propose institution to preserve genetic diversity with focus on trees and shrubs

B Y A N D R E W B R U N TO N & D A N I E L W I R C H

Olds College currently possesses adequate storage

facilities, knowledge resources, and seed sources to successfully

establish and maintain a public seed bank.

PRESERVING DIVERS ITY


Cover Story

B Y PAT K E R R

In Ontario in 2008 a crane tipped over smashing into a house while lifting a poplar. In BC in 2005 a 35 ton crane tipped over when lifting a 12 foot section of fir. These werent isolated occurrences. Lifting trees can be dangerous. One tree service worker who owns his own crane said, I cant sleep at night for worry. Wayne DeLOrme of Ontario Ministry of Labour said, The hazards are differ-ent, unique (referring to lifting trees with a crane compared to cutting a tree). If you have no training it is easy to say, you are safer but youve introduced new hazards.

In both the examples above the acci-dent investigations determined the prob-lem was an error in load calculation. It is a common statement in crane accident reports. It means the operators underes-timated the weights of the trees, an easy thing to do. Trees just dont come in stan-dard sizes.

An engineer involved with urban for-estry in Quebec said, You cant accurately determine a trees weight and they should never be lifted with a crane for safety. In theory he is correct but in the real world sometimes a tree has to be lifted.

One western tree service worker described a couple of difficult removals he faced. A compromised tree fell on top of a school and in another case a weakened tree fell on to a skylight of a million dollar home. In his opinion rappelling down onto the tree and lifting it with a crane was far safer then climbing a widow maker.

First, because neither weighing a tree nor guessing a trees weight is optional with a crane lifting, an experienced crane operator referred me to a couple of web sites he uses for assistance estimating a trees weight. The first is at www.wood-web.com. It has 104 types of wet and dry lumber based on dimensional lumber sizes. The second at www.wtsherilltree.com. It provides 32 types of logs. There are some obvious problems if these are used to cal-culate a trees weight directly and yet they are useful tools for the experienced opera-tor.

Trees are not just wood. There is a sig-nificant weight in leaves, bark, roots and the soil that adheres to the roots. Darren Allen, of Natural Resources Canada when speaking on an unrelated matter said, Trees try to maintain equal mass above and below ground. This doesnt mean if your tree is 35 tons above ground it is 35

tons below ground. It means that each spe-cies tries to maintain a balance in its above and below ground mass.

If the root ball is to be lifted you have to calculate the soil weight as a separate equation in addition to the tree weight. Fraser Cocks of the BC Crane Safety Association said, The root ball is a bigger issue then the wood and leaves.

Some less obvious concerns with tree weights were highlighted in research com-piled by Michael Ter-mikaelian of Ontario Forest Research Institute for Tree Service Canada. (More of his charts of dry and green weight of Canadian trees are on the Tree Service Canada web site: wwwtreeser-vicecanada.ca. These are summer weight estimates so the foliage, bark and leaves are includednot the roots or root ball.)

Tree weights vary by geographical region. We dont know why or how but we do know they vary. So a pine from Florida can be very different in weight than a pine of the same size in BC. This is why in the charts there is a huge weight range. The weight of a tree growing on a good site may exceed the weight of a tree growing on an average site by 50 per cent or more.

For real accuracy you need charts with tree weight averages for the specific species for your own location or citwhich just do not exist.

Tree weights in charts are almost always based on forested trees because in North America most of our research is in forestry not landscaping. One obvious difference is forested trees usually have significantly fewer branches (and thus weight) than landscape trees possibly due to competi-tion. Forested trees may also have stretched higher compared to their girth in the search for sunlight.

The accident in Ontario was thought to be partially due to an increased weight in the tree due to a wet season. Not only do deciduous trees increase in weight with leaf production they also increase and decrease in weight depending on the weather. There is not a lot of data on how much or why tree weights vary but a researcher in 1970 determined lodgepole pine moisture con-tent varies from 45 per cent to 108 per cent of the oven dried weight. We dont know if this was seasonal, weather or site related. We also dont know if a tree is subjected to repeated drought over its life span (mak-ing the rings tighter) will it weigh more or less than a similar sized tree of the same species from the same region that did not suffer recurrent drought. (For example a landscape tree that was watered.)

Ter-Mikaelian said, I tried to approach people who have conducted bio-mass studies with a request for their raw data. The idea was that each study may have sampled trees in one location but if I get data from several such studies, I may be able to do some testing on inter-site variation. I ended up accumulating some data but quickly discovered that this was a hopeless endeavour: many authors have not collected basic data on tree growing condi-tions, so the ingredients for among-site comparison were missing. Ive also found out that a lot of data was lost, or research-ers have retired and I could not find them, and so on. He continued, the coststime, money, labour prevents researchers from answering all the unknowns.

For all the problems with tree weight charts, for now, they are all we have to esti-mate the weight of a tree. One professional crane operator from Ontario said, Load charts help us determine what size of crane to use. Never, never use a crane that is just big enough. He said when called to lift a tree he often sends a crane that is larger than the arborist ordered. . . for safety. This increases the short term costs but a good accident rate is worth far more.

The same operator said he refuses to lift any tree without first lifting a limb off the specific tree and weighing it with either the load scale or a scale added onto the boom. He then lifts a larger limb and feels his way into the tree. The load charts, he says, just give an estimate to indicate the size of crane needed.

Safety in Canada is provincially man-dated so every province is different. If in doubt ask your own insurance provider and safety association but in Ontario and

in BC the crane operator is responsible for all that occurs from the time the lift starts regardless of who hooks up the line or who determines the tree weight. Thus if a tree service worker determines the tree weight, hires a crane operator then hooks up the line it is the crane operator who is liable and responsible for the lift. But if a tree service worker owns and operates his own crane and hires someone to hook up the line the tree service worker is liable. The responsibility is not joint.

Fraser Cocks of the BC Crane Safety Association said, Crane operation is a trade like any other and it deserves respect. The crane industry is not understood by everyone. It requires skill. Have the appro-priate skill and respect it. Take pride in what you do. Educate the public. Never work against crane operators or put them in a position where they have to compro-mise. Cultural changes are needed because people are not aware of the issues. It is a big industry.

Since the crane operator is responsible they have the legal right to choose the crane size, refuse a lift or dictate how a lift should be accomplished. Cocks says, Load charts are a tool at your disposal. Follow the process. Eliminate issues and problem areas. Ignorance is not a defense.

Estimating loads is key to avoiding trouble when lifting trees

Some less obvious concerns with tree weights were highlighted in research compiled by Michael Ter-mikaelian of Ontario Forest Research Institute for Tree Service Canada.

PointTipping

Tree weights in charts are almost always based

on forested trees because in North America most of our

research is in forestry not landscaping.


Cover Story

Certificate of Qualification for crane operators in Ontario range from 1,000 hours for cranes that can lift 16,000-30,000 lbs to 6,000 hours for cranes that can lift over 30,000 lbs.

The Ontario crane operator who feels his way into trees and never trusts load charts says he had 6,000 hours before he completed his apprenticeship and now he has years of experience. He believes training is the key to safety with crane operation. When he hears about the con-cerns of other operators he says, Inexpe-rience. When he hears about the cause of accidents he says, Carelessness. He thinks that the problem with a recent tree service-related crane accident in Ontario, was, Lack training.

Work Safe in BC would agree. They have a new crane testing program based on the same principals as a standard driv-ing test. Mobile and boom truck opera-tors who were registered before July 1, 2007 are not required to write a theory exam but they are required to complete a practical test. All tower crane operators get both the theory and practical exam. Like standard driving tests, the practi-cal exam for cranes in BC is done on equipment supplied by the worker. This increases worker comfort and keeps costs down.

For new operators in BC, apprentice-ship is still voluntary for crane operation. Fraser Cocks of the BC Crane Safety Association says, Where you get your knowledge is a business decision that you make. You can do a study at home pack-age, take a course, or an apprenticeship but you will have to pass both practical and written (multiple choice) exams.

Brian Garry of Ontarios Ministry of Training, Colleges and University said, In Ontario all operators of mobile cranes rated with lifting capacity over eight tones must either have a Certificate of Qualification, be registered as an appren-tice, or have a provisional Certificate.

Crane operation is divided into three categories: cranes that can lift between 16,000 and 30,000 pounds require 1,000 hours training. (This includes 240 hours off the job training). Cranes that lift over 30,000 pounds require 6,000 hours (including 480 hours of off the job instruction). Tower crane operators require 3,000 hours of training (with 360 hours off the job). They all require a min-imum grade 10 education, and you can not operate a crane during the process unless a qualified crane operator is pres-ent. For experienced operators transfer-

ring into Ontario, the minimum standard hours is required plus a demonstration of skills. They are then authorized to write the examination and become certified in Ontario.

Training cant guarantee there wont be accidents. Like driving a car when fatigued or driving while talking on the phone and drinking a coffee. Preventing accidents requires concentration.

~PK

SK ILLS

Training, skills key to safe crane operationAuthorities increasingly insisting of training and experience

One crane operator said he refuses to lift any tree without first lifting a limb

off the specific tree and weighing it with either the load scale or a scale added onto the boom. He then lifts a larger limb and

feels his way into the tree.

Like standard driving tests, the practical exam for cranes in BC is done

on equipment supplied by the worker. This increases

worker comfort and keeps costs down.


research

CatalogCatalog20082008


When the Dutch elm disease threatened, the citizens of Fred-ericton sprang to actiona reflection of the citys remarkable tree heritage.

We have a tree history that dates back to 1810 with the first tree plantings and then there was the Dutch elm disease. Back in 1952, a tree commission of eight citizens and once councilor first made plans to deal with the prob-lem when it came, City Forester Don Murray says.

The effort led to the creation of a bylaw allowing the city to enter onto private property to remove diseased treesat the citys expense. In addition, sanita-tion pruning was stepped up to maintain the general health of the little citys urban canopy.

In 1961, the first diseased tree in Fredericton was removed and by the 1970s, the disease was running rampant across New Brunswick but in Fredericton, itself, the battle to save elms was paying dividends. Diagnosis and removal efforts resulted in only 4.2 per cent of the citys elms being lost to the disease by 1975.

According to a study by Natu-ral Resource Canada (NRC),

Fredericton vs Dutch elm diseaseOngoing (and successful) campaign began in 1952

Efforts to preserve the citys elms include pruning and, if necessary, removal.

URBAN FORESTRY

Most of the tree crew is from the East Coast and includes graduates from the Nova Scotia Agricul-tural College which has an arborist component to its horticultural program.

Elms are part of Frederictons streetscape. This magnificent specimen towers over the Justice Building.


researchthe municipal effort saved nearly 4,000 elms, reduced removal costs and helped stop the spread of disease.

Despite the success, pressure mounted, as areas outside New Brunswick provincial capital were devastated.

According to the NRC, (Fredericton) was becoming a green island in a sea of destruc-tion. Most trees were dead in the outside areas and there was an influx of disease carrying beetles, in search of living elm, to the city . . .

The city soldiered on, howev-er. By 1980, 80 per cent of Fred-erictons trees were still healthy and by 1986 the annual loss was reduced to less than one per cent.

Murray, who joined the city staff in 1985, says the high suc-cess rate has been maintained and even improved over the years and the effort to control the disease has become almost second nature for the employees with the citys forestry division.

If a tree shows signs of dis-ease, we remove it . . . We still have a lot of elms and were planting elms.

Along with tree removal and regular pruning, elm wood is chipped to ensure that any elm bark beetle larvae that carry the disease are destroyed.

Murray favours Valley Forge white elm nursery stock. Its reputed to have tolerance that was developed from individual trees in North America that managed to survive the ravages of the disease.

Elms also have of significant visual appeal and are hardy and well-suited the rigours of city environments.

Murray works with three other forestersJohn Denovan, Mike Glynn, and Chris Aldersalong with forest technicians and arborists. There are about a dozen employees at the busiest time of the year. They have 100 per cent responsibility for the municipal-itys trees and also look after the citys docks and wharfs and help with snow removal.

Murray says its a cost-effective approach for the city of 50,000. We planted more than 500 street trees each year and we have well over 30,000 trees that we monitor.

Other than elms, several oak species are planted along with sugar maple, red maple, royal red Norway maple (for the colour), single stem serviceberry which works well under utility lines and thorn-less hawthorns. With new plantings, adjacent homeown-ers are asked to water the trees a couple times a week during dry periods.

Murray says he and the tree-team members spend much of their time doing tree mainte-

nance. As part of the disease-control strategy, elms continue to be removed from private property at no charge.

Looking to the future, Mur-ray sees the Emerald ash borer as a looming concern. The insect was first identified in the Detroit/Windsor areas and has spread as far east as Montreal.

Murray says the City of Fred-ericton, with its historical asso-ciation with Dutch elm disease, is working with both the New Brunswick and Canadian govern-ments to help slow the movement of the EAB threat. He favours a total ban on any movement of firewood and nursery stock com-ing out of Ontario, among other

measures.We havent found it in Fred-

ericton but we are looking.Murray says there may be

5,000 to 7,000 ash street trees in Fredericton and another 10,000 to 15,000 along waterways and in parks in the city.

Another challenges for the citys forestry division is employee

retention. Most of the tree crew is from the East Coast and includes graduates from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College which has an arborist component to its hor-ticultural program.

Employees, like Murray him-self, are also recruited from the University of New Brunswicks forestry program.

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The high success rate in dealing with Dutch elm

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COMPANY PROFILE

It didnt take Tony Wilkinson long to set his sights higherfiguratively and literallyafter he bought a stump-grinding business serving the Okanogan Valley 10 years ago.

I started out as Action Stump Grinding. I bought a company from a fellow who wanted to retire, Wilkinson says.

I always want to do something in forestry and so I said lets grind some stumps . . . The need for tree removal showed up all the time in my phone calls . . . Now were one of the biggest tree service companies in the Okanogan Valley.

Wilkinson says a huge learning curve was involved. Today, he and the employees at Action Tree Removal have gained a reputation for taking down big and dangerous trees.

They use a 40-ton Link-Belt crane with a 150-foot reach and a 30-ton Grove crane with a 120-foot reach.

The cranes represent a hefty, up-front cost but in the long run they save money, Wilkinson says. With a crane, hes able to place trees where they can be easily taken apart, chipped and loaded. When a tree is taken down by a climber, ground workers usually have to drag the debris for a considerable distance and theres far more cleanup involved.

It can take a bit of time to set up the crane but thats much better (in terms of cost) than to throw-ing labour at cleaning up the yard.

Setup is a key consideration. It may take just minutes but in other instances an entire morning may be required, Wilkinson says.

It boils down to getting the equipment and out-riggers level and secure using blocks and shims.

An improperly placed outrigger will destroy a driveway . . . We try our best not to do that but if a driveway is damaged, we will repair it.

Naturally, there are times when traditional climbing methods become necessary. Thats the case when theres simply no room for the crane to be located. In other instances, the ground may be too soft or too sloped for a safe and proper setup.

Once a crane is ready, other concerns may come into play.

Big trees are especially challenging when theyre located in a tight spot, such as next to a building or between buildings. And trees that have deteriorated to the point that theyre unsafe to climb are also a concern.

Another key consideration, perhaps the most important, is tree weight (see related story, this issue). Theres no sure way to come up with an accurate number. That explains why tree jobs are the last thing many crane operators want to become involved with.

Many of the crane companies that rent out cranes will not send out a crane and operator to do tree removal . . . Those cranes are worth a lot of money.

All trees are heavy but weights vary significantly due to a number of factors, Wilkinson explains.

There are differences according to the species. Dead trees normally weigh less than live trees. Slow-growing trees (those with a higher number

of growth rings in relation to diameter) tend to be heavier but trees with fewer rings may also be heavy when theyre loaded with water weight. Tree weight also tends to vary on a seasonal basis.

In response to the complexity of the situation, Wilkinson uses his years of experience to make a ballpark estimation and errs on the side of caution.

Based in Kelowna, Wilkinson says he provides tree service throughout the length of the Okanogan Valley in Southern BC, including Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Oliver and Osoyoos. Its a Zone 5 region with many coniferous trees such Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir but there is also a variety of deciduous

trees including elms, maples and green ash.Wilkinson says he takes a hands-on approach

with Action Tree. Hes also formed a partnership with a Steve Brewer in Precision Tree Service.

Precision represents about half the business and does a lot tree removal, pruning and consultation on upscale properties.

Along with the two owners, there are five employees. Among the key employees are Jim Atkinson, Zane Keys and Mike Kirby.

We normally work until the snow flies which in Kelowna is around the first of December and we start again around the first of Marchbarring any emergency situations, Wilkinson says.

Along with his cranes, theres a 70-foot Altec bucket truck, a Vermeer stump grinder, two Vermeer chippers, Stihl chainsaws and a portable Wood-Mizer LT-40.

We do a lot of large tree removal and we sal-vage lumber and anything thats not salvaged as lumber is moved to our firewood processor and is sold by the bin.

Wilkinson says Action Tree Removal has a con-tract the City of Kelowna for pruning, stump grind-ing and removal services. To promote the services of both companies Wilkinson and Brewster rely on word of mouth but also advertise extensively.

Action Tree Service reaches higherCranes speed tree removal but require experienced operatorsB Y J E F F R E Y C A R T E R

I always want to do something in forestry and so I said lets grind some stumps . . . The need for tree removal showed up all the time in my phone calls . . . Now were one of the biggest tree service compa-nies in the Okanogan Valley.

~Tony Wilkinson, Action Tree Service


COMPANY PROFILE

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Scenes from the Action Tree Service corporate album: company equipment includes a 40-ton Link-Belt crane with a 150-foot reach and a 30-ton Grove crane with a 120-foot reach, as well as a 70-foot Altec bucket truck, a Vermeer stump grinder, two Vermeer chip-pers, Stihl chainsaws and a portable Wood-Mizer LT-40.

Action Tree Service Photo Album

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In my last article, I talked about bar maintenance and said that a saw cutting crooked or curved was a result of uneven bar rails and less to do with the cutters filing angle. I want to make a point of clarification: while bar rails do contribute significantly to cutting crooked, if the right hand or left hand cutters are filed at very different angles or if most of the right or left hand cutters are very blunt then your saw will also cut curvy.

After my last article came out I received an e-mail from Tim Ard, who runs a successful training company called Forest Applications, suggesting I perform an experiment and was a bit off in my statement in the article about a saw cut-ting curved. Now, before I go on, I have to tell you something about Tim. He was the first person who really educated me about chainsaws. He is my mentor and I have a lot of respect for his knowledge about saws and people.

I met Tim many years ago and had the privilege of taking courses from him in the early 1990s; he challenged my beliefs about felling and taught me the

art of blending training and education as it pertains to chainsaws. Simply put, I owe a lot to Tim Ard.

So you might imagine how I felt when I received the following email from Tim:

Hi Dwayne, Ive been reading your saw articles in Tree Service Canada. The recent one on bar maintenance and your statement that teeth may not be the culprit on banana cuts caught my attention.

An assignment for you. . . Take a new bar. Next file the points of the cutters on one side, the right or left side, to a state of dull with a flat file. Now try to see if you can cut with-out a banana cut. Irregular top plate angles or lower depth gauges on one side will produce the banana shape also. If the chain is right it really doesnt ride on the bar rails unless pressure is applied. Uneven bar rails will cause bananas and also bent bars but probably 80 percent of what I see is chain related

causing tropical fruit shapes. Good Sawing, Tim Ard President Forest Applications Training, Inc.

I immediately responded to Tim and we caught up on old times, I thanked him for his feedback and told him I would mention it in my next article.

Hello Tim, great to hear from you, I want to thank-you for taking time to write me, I do appreciate it and I want to tell you that I feel that I learned more about saws and cutting from you than anyone else in my career thus far. Obviously, I need to keep learning more.

This letter from you I take seriously and I value your input. I do under-stand that bad filing is also a con-tributor I have found that for me in most cases I have contributed banana cutting to uneven bar rails. Of course, teeth as way off as you describe would have the same result. In my next article, I intend to refer to your comments and I will be sure to clear up any confusion. I am also curious about what you mean when you say the chain does not really ride on the bar rails, I know it porpoises along but I also know that uneven rails causes cutting problems.

Dwayne

Tims response:Dwayne, The chain rises off the bar when

the tooth engages the wood then returns to the rail. If the tooth is cut-ting correctly, and about every third tooth really cuts as it passes a given spot, then it returns to the rail. If the loop is cutting consistently, the chain is lifted off the rails and is pulling out chips. As you know not everything is going to work, exactly as planned

so there is some inefficiencies. When pressure is applied, the chain is in contact with the rails.

Tim

I want to point out that this is an example of two people respecting each other and be willing to take time and energy to expand the mental toolbox. My training organization builds on this foun-

dation and it is one of the focuses in our instructor certification program.

I admire and respect Tim because of his willingness to share and continue to train and mentor. As a result, I have learned more and am sharing it with you.

Tim Ard you are an excellent instruc-tor, thank-you!

My intention in this article is to share something more about the importance of bar maintenance and proper sharpen-ing, and with this, it finalizes my series on these subjects.

I also wanted to emphasize the impor-tance of being willing to learn from others and being open-minded. I thought this article would be a good lead-in from main-tenance into my next series on tree felling techniques.

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Of banana cuts, bars, mentors & learningWherein our columnist hears from a mentor, and has to rethink his knowledge

Straight cuts require proper filing as well as a well-maintained bar.

Ive been reading your saw articles in Tree Service Canada.

The recent one on bar mainte-nance and your statement that teeth may not be the culprit on

banana cuts caught my attention.

~ email from Tim Ard, Forest Applications, to

Tree Service Canada columnist Dwayne Neustaeter


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B Y PAT K E R R

eech bark disease, or BBD, is one of those conditions that arrived in Canada over cen-tury ago when the country was just waking up to the need to plant and reforest. It is thought

the canker arrived on ornamental or European beech seedlings (Fagus Sylvatica). However, it is only recently that we learned of the dangers of this disease, as it gains momentum, and solutions are sought. There is a tremendous amount of informa-tion about this disease that is still conjecture.

American or native beech, (Fagus grandifolia) is a magnificent shade tree of Eastern Canada and the US. Its smooth bluish grey bark is distinctive in the forest and as a landscape tree. Its nuts are an important mast species for blue jays, squirrels and black bear. There is some indication that in mature beech dominant areas nut production is related to black bear cub survival rates as bears climb for this autumn protein. In disease prone areas the spindly trees wont support a bears weight and squirrels get

the nutrients.BBD is a complex that starts with an exotic

sap feeding scale insect, Cryptococcus fagisuga. This scale insect, it is thought, feeds on the living tissue under the bark preferring high nitrogen phloem. The holes left by the insect feeding are then infected by different native fungi. There is indication an exotic fungi contributes to the complex but this is not proved. Eventually the tree is girdled, breaks off or dies back.

Beech is not in any danger of extinction because it spreads by root sprouts or suckers. When the mature tree breaks off, sprouts grow up. Howev-er, these saplings, genetically identical to the original tree, are quickly infected and deformed never reach-ing full size. The result is a forest or landscape tree that no longer contributes to the environment as a majestic late succession, shade tolerant, long-lived tree producing bumper crops of seed. Instead it becomes straggly distorted trees or bushes that often produce little seed while out competing, other ben-eficial species and perpetuating the disease.

Warm Winters Spreading Beech Bark DiseaseNo danger of extinction but perpetually deformed trees a possibility

Advice from experts is straight forward and positive. Do not clear cut the good/healthy trees. These are the hope for the future. In ornamentals, blast the insect scale with a detergent solution.

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In New Brunswick, where BBD arrived early, 95.8 per cent of the beech are con-sidered very badly damaged. The current front is Georgian Bay in Ontario.

Judy Loo of Natural Resources Canada at the Atlantic Forestry Center is on the trail of naturally resistant native beech. Where ever there is beech a few are untouched by the disease, she says. There is high probability that she has identified resistant beech based on green house experiments. Field trials continue for testing under natural condi-tions. The continuing challenge is reproduction of the trees.

Judy and her American counter parts are working with trees that appear to be resistant to the insect as opposed to those resistant to the fungi. Grafting is success-ful for testing resistance in the lab. Large scale commercial propagation is still not an option. In nature, beech produce large amounts of seed only after age thirty and bum-per crops are irregular depending on weather but the grafted trees are in flower in two to three years However, the disease resistance is not dependent on a single gene. This means the seed from resistant trees may not produce resistant off spring.

Foresters on both sides of the border are making requests for a native resistant beech to restore the balance in their regions. With the need for beech developing throughout the east researchers are striving to find and preserve the genetics of trees from all the tree zones where beech is native. Jennifer Koch says, Forest managers need a tool to use on the killing front of the disease.

Working with Judy, Jennifer Koch of the USDA is seeking both the DNA and proteins that potentially travel with the BBD resistant trait. In one of her experiments she took 14 potentially resistant Canadian tree samples, two American and five samples from susceptible trees. She sorted the phloem samples by two physical characteristics of the proteins. These were the size and the electrical charge. She is comparing similarities in the resistant trees and differences to the non resistant trees. She expects the second stage of her work will be done in a few months. But the final ability to distinguish a resistant tree from a non resistant tree? If I get lucky, she replies, her voice trails off and there is no answer.

Beech is not like ash or American chestnut. Native resistance does exist and it is believed to exist within all regional variations.

Judy says, We think warmer winters have increased scale populations in New Brunswick. Her advice is straight forward and positive. In woodlots do not clear cut the good/healthy trees. These are the hope for the future. In ornamentals, blast the insect scale with a detergent solution. On the NRCan web site it is suggested to apply a dilute solution of bleach to kill the fungus on the bark. As no one has completed work on these measures the dosage, dilution, and success rates are not known.

In the days before BBD, Judys grandmothers home was built with beech flooring. A century and a half later it still holds up well. In Canada the tree is no longer consid-ered an economic species and many Canadian kids cant identify a beech leaf. It was a magnificent tree with a multitude of commercial uses, and magnificent lawn ornamental but its been reduced to firewood.

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Beech is not in any danger of extinction because it spreads by root

sprouts or suckers. When the mature tree breaks off, sprouts grow

up. However, these saplings, genetically identical to the original

tree, are quickly infected and deformed never reaching full size.


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For the life of your trees .

The growing public recognition for the importance of trees is something the City of Barries urban forester appreciates well.

Over the past 25 years, Barrie has been among the fastest growing cities in Canada, more than doubling in size to more than 130,000 residents since 1990, Kevin Rankin says.

Thatalong with the devastating tornado that struck the city in 1985has made the maintenance of the citys urban forest a significant challenge.

Fortunately, city council has made some good decisions over the years. Giving trees a top priority in new subdivisions was one.

Developers have to go through a tree permit process that includes a tree preserva-tion plan. Most of the new subdivi

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Tree Service Canada #8 Winter 2008

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