October 11, 2018

Association Updates Dear MAA Members, The Maryland Arborist Association was pleased to host a successful Day of Safety and Health in partnership with Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) at the Howard County Fairgrounds last month. We had over 75 participants join us for the event, and lots of knowledgeable speakers. A few highlights from the event included a chainsaw maintenance and safety demonstration by Cary Shepard and Jack Easterly of the Husqvarna Group, and a pre-and-post trip inspection demonstration by Duane Pearce of MDOT. Thank you to all of our speakers and everyone who attended!

Chainsaw maintenance and safety demonstration by Cary Shepard and Jack Easterly of the Husqvarna Group. Pre-and-post trip inspection demonstration by Duane Pearce of MDOT.

Looking forward, the planning committee for the 2019 Arborist Day event, which will be held at Adkins Arboretum in Ridgely on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, will be completing their site walk this month to prepare their work plan for the event. We encourage all MAA members to participate and MAA is using this event to reach out to more potential members on the Eastern Shore. You may contact the MAA staff if you are interested in assisting with planning of this event. We are also working to finalize the agenda for our 38th Annual Safety and Pesticide Recertification Seminar that will be held January 22-23, 2019 at the Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center in Ellicott City. Speakers have already been confirmed for topics including spider lifts, air spaders, pollinator protection, and a hands-on plant diagnostic demonstration. Keep an eye out for more details and registration coming soon!  Stay Safe! Lindsay Thompson MAA Executive Director (443) 262-8491

Thank You to our White Oak Sponsors

Altech | Arborjet | Fisher & Son Co. Inc. | Georgetown Insurance | Moran Insurance | Security Equipment Company | Vermeer Mid Atlantic

Sugar Maple Sponsor  First National Bank of PA

Wet Summer Weather Impacting Health of Trees The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Forest Pest Management program advises landowners to keep an eye out for trees affected by heavy rainfall throughout the summer months. This extended wet period has created favorable growing conditions for fungal pathogens in many parts of the state. This is important information to share with your customers as hardwoods begin to lose leaves this fall, making it more difficult to differentiate between senescence and fungal infection.   Full Story

Invasive Spotted Lanternfly  Our upcoming Annual Safety and Pesticide Recertification Seminar agenda will include Emelie Swackhamer of Penn State Extension who will be speaking on Pennsylvania’s pesky Spotted Lanternfly. The Spotted lanternfly feeds on a wide range of fruit, ornamental and woody trees, with tree-of-heaven being one of the preferred hosts. Spotted lanternflies are invasive and can be spread long distances by people who move infested material or items containing egg masses.  Learn More

UMD Extension IPM Report

The University of Maryland Extension office has published the weekly IPM Report - and was distributed on October 5, 2018. Take a look at the bulletin for timely information. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, contact Suzanne Klick . View Report

New LTE's - Congratulations!

Congratulations to the following individuals who passed the July, August, and September  exams:

Enrique Doig James Martin Andrew Roman George Shaw Christina Folderauer Katherine Hormann Jiamone Scheidt William Shelton Kenneth Simon Dustin Snyder

Robert Soares Stephen Stickley Richard Warner Logan Fisher Jose Cedillo-Hernandez Vincent Hipp Kyle Kimmell Mark Nosal Jason Wimer

Chain Saw Safety The video below was sent to us recently with the reminder that owning a chainsaw does not make you a Licensed Tree Expert. The following are chainsaw safety tips from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) : Clear away dirt, debris, small tree limbs and rocks from the saw's chain path. Look for nails, spikes or other metal in the tree before cutting. Shut off the saw or engage its chain brake when carrying the saw on rough or uneven terrain. Keep your hands on the saw's handles, and maintain secure footing while operating the saw. Proper personal protective equipment must be worn when operating the saw, which includes hand, foot, leg, eye, face, hearing and head protection. Do not wear loose-fitting clothing. Be careful that the trunk or tree limbs will not bind against the saw. Watch for branches under tension, they may spring out when cut. Gasoline-powered chain saws must be equipped with a protective device that minimizes chain saw kickback. Be cautious of saw kick-back. To avoid kick-back, do not saw with the tip. If equipped, keep tip guard in place. Tree Cutting Epic Fails

MD/DE Society of American Foresters Fall Meeting – November 1, 2018 – Cumberland, MD

The MD\DE Society of American Foresters will hold its fall meeting at the Alleghany College of Maryland in Cumberland, Maryland on November 1, 2018. The tile is appropriately: Forestry's Future: Students and Technology, as they highlight the technology and learning experiences of today's forestry students. An agenda and registration information will be coming soon.

7th Annual Trees Matter Symposium – November 14, 2018 – Silver Spring, MD

Montgomery Parks and Casey Trees, Washington D.C., present the seventh annual Trees Matter Symposium. Presentations will focus on the health and welfare of trees in our increasingly developed landscapes. Trees are invaluable; they cleanse and cool our air, stabilize our soils, provide wildlife habitat and beautify our urban and suburban areas. Learn from some of the country’s leading experts about innovative efforts to plant, protect and preserve trees in urban and suburban settings. Continuing education credits will be offered. Registration is $85 until October 13th, and then the fee goes up to $95.

MAC-ISA Tree Risk Assessment Renewal – November 30, 2018 – Gainesville, VA The ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) program provides an opportunity for professionals in the arboriculture industry to expand their knowledge through education and training in the fundamentals of tree risk assessment. This qualification promotes the safety of people and property by providing a standardized and systematic process for assessing tree risk. The results of a tree risk assessment can provide tree owners and risk managers with the information to make informed decisions to enhance tree benefits, health, and longevity. The Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Course is a one-day refresher, with five hours of instruction, and three hours to take the exam. Current TRAQ holders can complete the abbreviated course as early as four years into their qualification.

MAC-ISA Day of Arboriculture – December 1, 2018 – Washington, DC Mark your calendars for December 1st to attend a day long training at the US National Arboretum for 8 CEUs. Registration will begin later this month. Presented by the Arboretum and MAC-ISA.

38th Annual Safety and Pesticide Recertification Seminar - January 22 & 23, 2019 - Ellicott City, MD

Mark your calendar for our annual Recertification Seminar, held at Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center. Multiple credits will be offered for MD LTE, MAC-ISA, TCIA, SAF, and Pesticide Applicators. More details coming soon!

Upcoming LTE Exams

Maryland Licensed Tree Expert exams are administered on the second Wednesday of each month at the Department of Natural Resources Headquarters in Annapolis. Upcoming exam date s are November 14, and December 12, 2018 . To register, please contact Ms. Romcesa Estep, 410-260-8531.