November 2024

New Report Establishes Business Case for Integrated Vegetation Management on Transmission Rights-of-Way (Part 1)

Research confirms IVM as least costly and most beneficial strategy for electric and gas utilities 

John W. Goodfellow, BioCompliance Consulting, Inc

The Right-of-Way Stewardship Council (ROWSC) is pleased to share the findings of recent research examining the business case for Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) for electric and gas transmission rights-of-way (ROW). The research follows earlier preliminary studies. The findings of the analysis model confirms IVM as the least costly and most beneficial ROW vegetation management strategy. 

“Findings from our least cost analysis present a compelling case for the economic benefit of an IVM-based ROW maintenance strategy,” said John W. Goodfellow, Principle Investigator with BioCompliance Consulting, Inc. The advantage of IVM was demonstrated across a wide array of benefits including public safety, operational risk, recreational use, public nuisance, site disturbance, water quality, compatible vegetation, incompatible vegetation (density & height), and a range of wildlife species. 

There are 450,000 miles of electric transmission line operating at 35-765 kV across North America, with a total land area being managed as electric transmission rights-of-way (ROW) estimated at between 9-11 million acres. There are an additional 306,000 miles of natural gas and liquid petroleum pipeline in North America, representing an estimated 2 million areas of land. Reluctance by some utility vegetation managers to adopt IVM is often based on a perception that it is a more expensive management system than simply "controlling brush" by repeated mowing. 

“Broader adoption of IVM is an important strategy for utilities that want to manage costs while also providing important services and benefits to customers and stakeholders”, said Derek Vanice, Chair of the Right-of-Way Stewardship Council and President of CN Utility Consulting. [Editor's Note: CN Utility Consulting is now Eocene Enviromental Group.]

Look for Part 2 in the December 2024 issue of TREE Press.

Lead Donors

We are deeply grateful to the following people and organizations whose accumulated contributions to TREE Fund in 2024 surpassed $2,500 or more as of October:

Canadian TREE Fund

Christopher & Carole Jordan

Ohio Chapter ISA

Regna Jones

Vermeer Corporation

West Coast Arborists

See the full list of lead donors who make our vital tree research and education work possible on our website.

TREE Fund Annual Appeal

During this season of giving thanks, we reflect on the incredible support and dedication from our TREE Fund community. From the groundbreaking research you’ve made possible to the outreach initiatives inspiring the next generation of tree stewards, your contributions have helped us sustain and advance our mission of supporting the science behind the care of trees and urban forests. This year, our Tour des Trees cyclists once again demonstrated the power of collaboration, raising awareness and funds to ensure healthier, greener communities for all. Each of you—donors, volunteers, and advocates—are integral to the TREE Fund family, and we are deeply grateful for your unwavering commitment.

As we look ahead, your continued support will be more crucial than ever. The science we fund helps combat threats like climate change, pests, and diseases that challenge the vitality of our trees. During our annual appeal, we invite you to join us in securing the future of urban forests by making a gift today. Every contribution, no matter the size, fuels vital research and education programs that create a lasting impact. Together, we can ensure a thriving canopy for generations to come. Thank you for your trust, generosity, and shared vision for a greener future.

Warm regards,

Paul Putman

President/CEO, TREE Fund

Free Webinar Series update

Back again this year, TREE Fund is proud to partner with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to bring you free education offerings.

Next Webinar

December 17, 2024. Noon CT.

Presenter: Dr. Rebecca Abney and Ms. Holly Campbell.

Presentation: Biochar for Tree Growth and Water Quality: Exploring Potential in Urban and Disturbed Soils

Registration for this webinar will be available soon. See our Webinar page for more information. https://treefund.org/webinars

TREE Fund’s 1-hour webinars are free and offer 1.0 CEU credit for live broadcasts from the International Society of Arboriculture and the Society of American Foresters. Registration and information will become available on our website approximately two weeks before each webinar date.

Upcoming Webinars (registration opens about two weeks prior)

• March 11, 2025. Dr. Huade Guan. A pumping-test analogue for characterizing root-zone and plant integrated hydraulic systems based on above-ground measurements

Missed a webinar? Watch it anytime on our website.

CEU Credit for Recorded Webinar

TREE Fund offers ISA CEU credits for one recorded webinar: "Loading of a Tie-in Point While Climbing." If you missed this webinar, you can now watch the recording and earn ISA CEU credits by completing a 20-question quiz with 80% accuracy. Learn more on our website.

TREE Fund Scholarship Update

We are connecting with some of TREE Fund’s recent scholarship recipients to see how they are coming along in their studies and their careers.

Today, we feature Peter Murray, who received the Robert Felix Memorial Scholarship in 2023:

The TREE Fund scholarship was instrumental in helping me complete my degree, and since then, I've transitioned straight into the workforce, applying my education to the field of urban forestry. Since graduating in December 2023, I’ve had the privilege of working at Davey Resource Group as both an urban forestry planner and a field technician. The work I do directly influences tree management decisions in communities nationwide.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my field work has been hearing from residents about their complex relationships with urban trees. I get the most out of hearing of the challenges that come with living alongside them. As an urban forestry planner, I work with a team of consultants to ask questions, investigate, uncover, and share the story of how our clients manage their trees today, and how they can best prepare for managing them in the future. It’s rewarding to see how people across the country are coexisting with urban forests in unique ways.

Thanks to the TREE Fund Scholarship’s investment in my education, I am both learning from and contributing to the field of urban forestry.

TREE Fund Liaison Spotlight

Every ISA chapter recruits a volunteer to serve as their TREE Fund Liaison. These volunteers spend extra time attending meetings, spreading the word about TREE Fund happenings, events, and news, and often being the point person for TREE Fund fundraisers at their local chapters.

We'd like to highlight these wonderful volunteers and let you know a little more about them.

Penn-Del Chapter Liaison: Jon Schach

General Manager, Good’s Tree and Lawn Care, Harrisburg, PA

First year as a Liaison for Penn Del Chapter.

Q: Why do you enjoy being an arborist?

A: I’ve spent most of my life in Pennsylvania where the horizon in most places is lined by trees and still most residents can’t identify but a handful of them by name. As an arborist, I enjoy introducing trees to people. I’ve learned that we tend to care about others more when we know them by name. 

Q: Why did you choose to be the liaison for your chapter?

A: I rode my first Tour des Trees last year in Nevada and California. At the time, I thought it would be one and done and just an opportunity to traverse an amazing landscape on a bike. Afterward, it became more about the community and the cause than the destination of the ride. As the only rider on Team Penn-Del for this year’s Tour in southern New England, it only made sense that I would volunteer to be our chapter’s liaison. I’ll be working to get more riders signed up for next year’s Tour des Trees in Michigan.

Q: Why is new research important to you?

A:  New research is important to me for two reasons: (1) Arboriculture and Urban Forestry remain relatively young disciplines, and we have much to learn whether it is in the applied science of growing and maintaining landscape trees, the continued development of safer practices for working in trees, or figuring out how to maximize the opportunities for all communities to engage with trees and reap the benefits that they provide. (2) Climate change has necessitated additional areas of research for better understanding of the dynamics associated with rising greenhouse gas concentrations on our ecosystems. Such research will help us develop strategies that promote resilience in our urban forests. Designing and implementing robust and widespread green infrastructure systems that include trees will be central to any long-term solutions for stabilizing our climate. 

Tour des Trees 2025- Save the Date!

We are very excited to announce the dates for the 2025 Tour des Trees! Mark your calendars and get ready to ride in Michigan, August 10 t0 16.

Starting and ending in Grand Rapids, this year's route will feature some beautiful views of western and northern Michigan's forests, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Lake Michigan.

The full Tour will be five days and approximately 430 miles with shorter distance options and partial day schedules available. Look for more information and registration in mid-January and be sure to follow the Tour des Trees Facebook page for the latest updates.

We look forward to seeing you ride with us in 2025!

TREE Fund

Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund

1755 Park St. Suite #200, Naperville, IL 60563

(630) 369-8300

treefund@treefund.org

www.treefund.org

TREE Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to support scientific discovery and dissemination of new knowledge in the fields of arboriculture and urban forestry.

TREE Fund recently earned our 2024 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency! Check out our nonprofit profile to keep up to date with our impact. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/17bf1c65-c913-4096-8695-11f0dc3fa73f.

Keep this link handy, we want to make sure you always have the information you need to support our work with trust and confidence.