TCI Magazine Audio Edition

BY AUDREY SELLEPACK What is a pesticide-compliance superhero?  Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here .

John Ball, Ph. D., BCMA, CTSP Exposure to electric current is one of the many hazard sources during arboricultural operations. But electricity is one of the most unforgiving of these sources. A review of utility data shows that one in four contacts that resulted in an injury to an arborist working near overhead power lines was fatal. While contact with electrical current is the number-three fatal...

BY PATRICK PARKER, CTSP  Congratulations! You are about to enter what I consider the most fascinating sphere of arboriculture. Plant health care (PHC) involves research, investigation, diagnostics and treatments. Providing PHC services allows you to better serve your clients and their trees, developing long-term relationships and a source of recurring, high-profit-margin revenue.  Remember to get...

BY CHELSi ABBOTT, MSC In this article, we are going to talk about fungal anatomy as well as how and where fungi (fun’ ji) attack trees, and how that in turn affects the trees and us.  Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here .

BY GLYNN C. PERCIVAL, PH.D. The importance of mycorrhizae and the role they play in enhancing tree health is widely recognized by arborists. However, the role of endophytes, i.e., bacteria and fungi that live within a tree without causing any disease symptoms, is greatly unappreciated. The aim of this article is to provide a brief overview highlighting the benefits of endophytes, especially their...

by  Rick Howland In about a generation, it is possible that running a tree care business may be unrecognizable compared to what it is today.   As quickly as computer technology is changing the American business landscape, tree care veterans now in their 50s and 60s are unlikely to see profound changes before they retire. On the flip side, if Art Batson III is correct, the younger generation now in...

By Joe Jurec I had the honor of giving a presentation at the 2023 TCI EXPO in St. Louis this past November. I addressed some common fears and reservations that small-business owners in the tree care industry might have about embracing new technologies. It makes sense that terms like “artificial intelligence” (AI) and “emerging technology” can seem intimidating and even irrelevant to the work done...

By Gordon Ho The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and LinkedIn in the tree care industry represents a significant advancement in how businesses operate, connect and grow in this sector. This article delves into the multifaceted benefits and applications of AI and LinkedIn – focusing particularly on AI chatbots – to enhance the tree care industry’s efficiency, outreach and innovation.  R...

By Paul Lozeau Every business comes to an inflection point where it must pivot from legacy methods to a more modern approach, the proverbial fork in the road. Stanley Tree Service recently came to one such fork.  Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here .

By Michael Hoppe In the Milwaukee area, where I’ve spent my tree career, I’m one of the few outfits that works by the hour. Most of my competitors work by the bid. There are upsides and downsides attendant with each way of pricing work.  Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here .

By Mike Sisti I recently came off the road from a number of trade shows at which I had many conversations with small-business owners in our industry. During one of the marketing sessions I led, we discussed how companies were utilizing their marketing as the foundation for their businesses and incorporating it into the other facets of their companies.  Remember to get your free subscription to TCI...

By John Ball This is a continuation of the discussion of the electrical-system equipment found along distribution lines. One of the requirements for arborists working in proximity to an electrical hazard – within 10 feet of the lines – is familiarity with the equipment that shares the poles with the lines. The electrical-system equipment can be divided into three categories: 1) voltage-management...

By Howard Gaffin The opposing attorney walked toward me jauntily. “So, have you heard the one about how many opinions one would receive when employing 10 arborists to appraise a tree?”  Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here .

By Patrick Nelson I spent nearly seven years in the Army as a paratrooper, with three combat deployments. I was wounded in action on one of those tours. As I transitioned from soldier to civilian, I was met with many of the challenges veterans face. I found it difficult to relate to others, because they hadn’t been through the same situations as me. That isn’t to take anything away from them, it j...

BY JENNIFER MCPHEE In the world of arboriculture, investing in the future goes beyond just planting trees; it’s about shedding light on the industry’s role in our planet’s health and building a professional environment that encourages our industry to thrive. By leaning on some common principles of financial investing – such as compounding interest, patience, diversification and motivation – the ar...

BY PATRICIA CHAUDOIN  Keeping tree care workers safe is one of the guiding principles of business at Cranes 101, according to its founder and president, Jay Sturm. “I’ve never been an arborist – we cover a number of industries here, including construction and industrial crane usage – but I have a special affinity, a real passion, for the tree care industry,” says Sturm. “I thought it needed help i...

BY JOHN BALL, PH.D., BCMA, CTSP Basic terminology and how the electric-power system works from generation to the end consumer was covered in Part 1 of this series (TCI Magazine, October 2023). This article will focus on the distribution system. Trees are often near these lines, so arborists need to be familiar with the associated electrical-system equipment. Remember to get your free subscription...

BY RICK WEDEN In this article, we are going to discuss inland marine insurance policies, including equipment valuation, coverages and options, focusing primarily on insuring aerial lifts and cranes. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here .

BY RICK HOWLAND Battery-powered compact lifts likely will be an expanding and permanent fixture in tree care, though it’s too early to know to what extent and which technology may prevail. Depending on who you talk to, battery-powered compact (or tracked) lifts are either fully functional and capable of replacing gasoline and diesel models in tree care, or they are still fine for dedicated use and...

BY PETER NIEVES-SOSA Before running a new piece of equipment, we read the operator’s manual. That’s the first step in figuring out how anything works, correct? I would say training begins day one for any job or task we choose. Some tasks may take longer and be more in depth than others. Some require continuing education or updates.  Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clickin...

By Tamsin Venn Scott Turner, president of Truetimber Arborists, an accredited, 20-year TCIA member company based in Richmond, Virginia, has many goals for his business, one of which is to reduce wood waste to zero. As it is for many tree care companies, wood-waste utilization is a major effort, though for Truetimber, generating revenue from it often is not a primary target Remember to get your fre...

BY ANDY JONES, CTSP  As recently as 10 years ago, the typical industry stance on Single Rope Technique/Single Rope System (SRT/SRS) was pessimistic at best, and the idea of outfitting tree crews with mini skids was seen as a major waste of resources. It’s crazy how blind we so often are. Now, I can’t imagine handling a full production-climbing workload without SRS systems or mini skids! Remember t...

BY DAVID RATTIGAN Tree care operators who run wood-waste recycling operations are glad to have the chance to make a positive impact on the environment, but most will admit that is not the reason they got into the business. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here .

BY RICHARD HAUER, PH.D., JAKE MIESBAUER, ANDREW KOESER, BLAKE THILMONY AND ABIGAIL TUMINO Fun fact: What happened on July 9, 2002? If you guessed a birthday for Rich Hauer, Tom Hanks or the late Nikola Tesla, congratulations. You win and score a point. If not, no worries. Perhaps you said it was the anniversary of Johnny Cash’s signing with Columbia Records in 1958, or the last Grateful Dead conce...

Book Excerpt BY Lindsey Purcell The following is an excerpt from “Arboricultural Practices, A Scientific Approach,” a new book by Lindsey Purcell, with illustrations by Jeff Harris. It is tentatively scheduled for release in January 2024. This excerpt has been edited for style and length. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here .