November 15, 2021
MAA Members,

Cooler weather is setting in as we enjoy the scenic colors of fall. The Association is preparing for the Winter months by planning for various upcoming events. We look forward to seeing our members at meetings this season, including our 41st Annual Safety and Pesticide Recertification Seminar. The Board is excited to offer an informative agenda at this important event, tentatively scheduled for March 22-23, 2022 at the Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center. Keep an eye out for more details on this and other events coming soon!

We are also continuing to prepare for an upcoming election for our Board of Directors in 2022, and looking for new individuals who are interested in becoming more involved with MAA. Check out the information under "Industry News" if this is something you'd like to learn more about.


Stay Safe and Healthy!

Danielle Bauer Farace
Executive Director
Being a Maryland Arborist Association Member provides a number of benefits to you and your business.
Benefits include discounted event registration, educational resources, and up-to-date news and information.
THANK YOU TO OUR WHITE OAK SPONSORS:
Sugar Maple Sponsor:
Tree Trimmer Used Doctored Photos to Deceive Customer
MAA Members are encouraged to remind their customers the importance of hiring licensed and insured companies for tree service. A recent story from ABC 2 WMAR shares how one company used doctor photos to cheat a customer out of $1,450. MAA members can share resources from MD DNR with their customers on how to verify if companies are legal to perform tree service in the state. MAA members can also share our Facebook post on the issue to spread this message with their following.
ADF Urban Forestry Economic Impact Study
The Arbor Day Foundation (ADF) has released a new report and companion resources detailing the economics of urban & community forestry—both across the United States and in each individual state and the District of Columbia. You can locate the full report, state and national infographics by clicking here (scroll to the bottom of the webpage).

This is one of three different studies reporting on this topic. The ADF is the first to be released. The other two are the Northeast-Midwest State Foresters Association's study which will be released later this winter and the Southern Region State Foresters Association's study due summer.    

The ADF study used information collected from the Tree City USA and Tree Campus Higher Education applications (public agency data) as well as surveyed applicants and obtained data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. FYI - in 2020, Maryland had 57 Tree City USA communities (both county and town) with 81.64% of the state population living in a TC USA community. Maryland also had 8 Tree Campuses.    

No data (LTE or Qualified Professionals or roadside tree permits or FCA) was collected from the MFS to be used in this report or the Maryland specific report.
Wanted: Ash Trees Infested with Emerald Ash Borer
The University of Maryland is looking for trees infested with Emerald Ash Borer between the dates of November 1st to April 15th to use in a joint study with the MDA and USDA. The beetles will be reared and collected in our rearing facility in College Park. The trees must be alive, not treated with any insecticides, and display most, if not all, signs listed above. Logs must be cut into 2’ sections, and be between 2” to 12” in diameter. If found, contact Stokes Aker at saker@umd.edu.

Report Sightings of the Spotted Lanternfly
We have been hearing of an influx of sightings of the Spotted Lanternfly throughout the state recently. If you have a sighting, you can report it here.

In late fall, the adults will mate, and the female will begin egg-laying. Spotted lanternfly females prefer to lay their eggs on the tree-of-heaven, but will lay their eggs on any flat vertical surface, including other trees, stones, vehicles, outdoor furniture, and many others. The eggs are laid in groups of approximately 30-50, and then coated with a waxy gray film. When this film has dried, it can look similar to a splash of mud, which can make them difficult to notice. You can watch this video to learn how to destroy egg masses.
Are You Interested in Becoming More Involved with the MAA?
The Maryland Arborist Association is looking for volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors ahead of our upcoming election in 2022. Serving on the Board of Directors is an exciting opportunity to network with other tree care experts across the field, plan educational events, and help to make key decisions to guide the future of the organization. The Board represents the members’ interest in the organization and holds ownership of the organization on behalf of the members.

The Board of Directors meets on average three times per year at various locations around the state. If you are interested in attending a board meeting to learn more, contact Executive Director Danielle Farace at 410-928-4888 or office@mdarborist.com.
Member Resources:
The Maryland Arborist Association would like to remind members of resources shared in recent editions of our Shady Notes e-newsletter:
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

According to the newest ANSI Z-133-2017 before leaving a stump grinder unattended the operator shall ensure what has taken place? (Clue – See sect 5.5)
                               A: Key left in ignition
                               B: Key removed and pocketed
                              C: Wheel has stopped rotating
                               D: Cutting wheel fully extended off ground
Stump Grinder Safety
Operators of stump grinders should be trained on the general principles of stump removal and on the specific operation of the stump grinder they are using. The following are important safety precautions from the CDC for operators to note before using a stump grinder:

  • Check for debris and buried objects before positioning the stump grinder, making sure the machine is stable.
  • Ensure the operator has good footing and a clear path to exit the work area.
  • If working on a slope, position the machine and operator below the stump on the downhill side. However, operators should avoid working on steep slopes.
  • Be mindful of surroundings to ensure there will not be property damage or injury to persons if debris is thrown from the machine.
  • When possible, use a barrier to repel any debris from the cutting action.
  • Only the operator should be present during stump grinding operation. Ensure no other people are within 75 feet while operating the stump grinder.
  • Never modify or alter the stump grinder in any way.
PennState Extension is currently offering a free monthly webinar series on community forestry topics. The final session, titled, "Pruning Young Trees for Strength, Structure, and Form" will be held on November 17.
Join University of Maryland Extension on December 3, 2021 for their Advanced IPM Conference that will be held at Carroll Community College. The event will offer ISA and various pesticide credits. Space is limited so be sure to sign up quickly.
This three-day course has been designed to assist tree care professionals and other professionals who wish to become ISA Certified Arborists. The next course will be held December 7-9 in Derwood, MD.
Upcoming exam dates have been posted online. The next exam is tentatively scheduled for December 8, 2021. Those interested in taking the exam need to submit their exam application paperwork so they can be contacted with up-to-date exam information.
ISA will hold it's International Virtual Conference December 13-16, 2021. With more than 40 on-demand educational sessions, this year’s exciting lineup includes some of the arboriculture industry’s most topical and innovative presenters you won’t want to miss, including Valerie Trouet, author of Tree Story and professor in the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research at the University of Arizona, as the keynote speaker. The sessions will be available to watch during the conference and up to 30 days on demand after the event making the experience more convenient than ever.  
41st Annual Safety and Pesticide Recertification Seminar
Mark your calendar for the Maryland Arborist Association's 41st Annual Safety and Pesticide Recertification Seminar, happening on March 22-23, 2022 at the Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center in Ellicott City, MD.
43rd Arborist Day Project
Keep an eye out for details regarding the Maryland Arborist Association's 43rd Arborist Day Project at the Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park, which has been postponed to April 23, 2022.