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The Holden Arboretum and Ohio Chapter ISA are partnering to present the next Certified Arborist Preparation Course to be held October 20 through December 8 in the Cleveland area.  This 7-week course is designed to provide a comprehensive education on arboriculture as well as prepare individuals for the ISA Certified Arborist Exam. Classes will meet on Wednesday evenings.  Look for more details in the next issue of The Buckeye Arborist.

“Team Ohio” – Beth Buchanan and Kevin Jones – have accepted the challenge to take on this year’s TREE Fund’s signature event, Stihl Tour des Trees (Tour).  Launching from Chicago’s Millennium Park on July 18, the Tour will travel 500 miles through northern Illinois, returning to a heroes’ welcome at The Morton Arboretum a week later.  

The Tour raises money to support research on trees and their care and promotes the importance of urban and community forests. Every mile the cyclists ride and every dollar raised by sponsors help further research and education in the field of tree care worldwide.

Each rider is required to raise a minimum of $3,500 to ride. Show your support of Beth’s and Kevin’s efforts and make a donation today! The Ohio Chapter ISA is showing its support by matching your donations up to $1,500 per rider.

Remember your support helps ensure a better tomorrow for future generations.  

To learn more about the Stihl Tour des Trees, how Beth and Kevin are faring, and how you can support tree research through their rides, visit the official web site.

Best wishes to Beth and Kevin on their upcoming rides!

    

USDA Volunteer Forest Pest Survey

America’s trees are under attack. Help us track down the killer beetles.

The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) has destroyed tens of thousands of hardwood trees. The USDA, ODA, and the Ohio Chapter ISA are partnering to ask members of the Ohio Chapter ISA to participate in the Volunteer ALB Forest Pest Survey. We need your help to determine if this damaging forest pest is in your community.

The ALB most likely arrived in the United States inside solid wood packing material from Asia. Since its discovery, ALB infestations have been reported in four states and there could be other undetected infestations in the country as well. Although an infestation of ALB has not been detected in Ohio, the beetle has been found in warehouses which have imported solid wood packing material.

Read entire letter . . .

ALB Beetle Detectives Fact Sheet

More than more than thirty-five registrants attended the Northern Ohio Regional Meeting on Friday, June 4, at The Toledo Zoo.

We wish to thank our incredible speakers – Matt Ross, Dan Herms, Jessica Simons, Joe Boggs, Nancy Bucher, Patti Kapperman, Scott McCormick, Craig Schaar and Amy Stone – for sharing their time and expertise with the attendees.

A special thanks to Becky McCann and Amy Stone for organizing this terrific program, and to all of the wonderful staff at The Toledo Zoo for making this day a memorable one for all those who attended.

Power Point Presentations

To download the Powerpoint Presentations from the meeting click on the name of the presenter.

Dan Herms - Root Allocations in Stressful Environments (3.1 MB)
Jessica Simons - Urban Wood Utilization (30.6 MB)
Matt Ross-Tree Selection Considerations After Ash Done (168 MB)
 

Thank you to our
2010 Northern OH Regional Meeting Sponsor
Toledo Urban Forestry Commission

Seventeen climbers competed in the 31st Ohio Tree Climbing Championship on Saturday, June 5, at Walbridge Park in Toledo.

Justin McVey, from Ahlum & Arbor Tree Preservation in Hilliard, captured the title of 2010 Men’s Ohio Tree Climbing Champion. He received a prize package from ArborMaster, a trip to Chicago, Illinois as the Ohio representative to the International Tree Climbing Competition in July, and the opportunity to return next year to defend his state title.

Other competitors who made it to this year’s Masters’ Challenge include:
•    2nd place – Brian Griffith, Madison Tree Care & Landscaping, Milford, Ohio
•    3rd place – Jay Butcher, Madison Tree Care & Landscaping, Milford, Ohio

The three winners, left to right, Brian Griffith (2nd place), Justin McVey (1st place) and
Jay Butcher (3rd place). Photo by Chris Ahlum

A very special THANK YOU goes out to John Hartenburg, owner of Knot & Rope Supply, who chaired this year’s event. 

Our appreciation and gratitude are extended to our sponsors – Knot & Rope Supply, Penn Line Service, Fred Marvin Associates and PSP Enterprises – and the many volunteers who dedicated their Friday and Saturday to ensure a seamless event.

Finally, we wish to thank the incredible folks at the City of Toledo Division of Parks and Forestry, The Walbridge Park Advisory Board and the Toledo Urban Forestry Commission for their amazing support and for providing such a beautiful backdrop for this event.

2010 Ohio TCC Scores

Thank You to the following sponsors for their support of the
2010 Ohio Tree Climbing Championship
 

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

More than 65 people “got down and dirty” as part of Jim Urban’s Up By Roots Workshop on Friday, June 18, in Columbus.  Participants learn about soil properties, soil analysis and much more during this all-day workshop.

Thank you to the committee - Carrie Paulus (chair), Bill Dorman and Mary Maloney - for their extraordinary leadership on this event.

A special "THANK YOU" is extended to the folks at the OSU Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens and FOD for their amazing assistance in ensuring a seamless event.

Thank you to the sponsors, golfers and volunteers, especially the golf committee - Dave Ahlum (Chair), Jack Butcher, Bill Fitch, Jeff Jackson and Bud Pack - who made the June 24th golf outing such a success.  More than $2,500 was raised to support the TREE Fund. Thank you for your support!

 

Congratulations to the following winners:

 

1^st Place

Dave Ahlum Fan Club

Tom Jacobs

Tim Malone

Jim Mermis

Keith Soucherau

 

2^nd Place

Ahlum & Arbor #1

Dave Ahlum

Jack Butcher

Bill Fitch

Jeff Jackson

 

Prize Hole Winners

Closest to the Pin – Hole #6 – Ted Moran, Certified Tree Care

Closest to the Pin – Hole #9 – Jeff Weitzel, Davey Tree Expert Co.

Closest to the Pin – Hole #14 – Bill Fitch, Ahlum & Arbor #1

Closest to the Pin – Hole #16 – Carl Hart, Bartlett Tree Experts

Longest Drive – Hole #3 – Mike Roley, Bartlett Tree Experts

Longest Drive – Hole #11 – Ritchie Tuttle, Asplundh #3

Longest Putt – Hole #18 – Keith Soucherau, Dave Ahlum Fan Club

  

Thank You to our 2010 Golf Outing Sponsors:.

CORNERSTONE SPONSOR

Prize Hole Sponsors
Ahlum & Arbor Tree Preservation
Arborwear
Madison Tree Care & Landscaping, Inc.
Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements

Hole Sponsors
Arborjet Inc.
Asplundh Tree Expert Co.
Bandit Industries, Inc.
Bayer Environmental Science
Bryan Equipment/Stihl Power Tools
Creative Sales, Inc. (CSI)
Darby Creek Nursery & Landscaping
EcoTree Services
Jobie’s Tree Service
Nelson Tree Service, Inc.
Ohio Chapter ISA Past Presidents
Southeastern Equipment Co., Inc.
U.S. Hydraulic Services, LTD
Vermeer of Southern Ohio, Inc.

The deadline for early conference registration is July 8 for ISA’s 86th Annual International Conference and Trade Show, July 23-28, 2010, in Chicago, Illinois.  Win a chance to get your full conference registration FREE by registering online by July 8.

Register by July 8 and SAVE $100 with early registration pricing. After July 8, you must register on site.

Hotel Information
To ensure a room in Chicago at the ISA Conference discounted rate, you must place your reservation by July 1, 2010.

Headquarters Hotel:
The Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers
Single/Double..................$191/night + taxes

Additional rooms also available at:
Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile
Single/Double..................$139/night + taxes

Visit the ISA Website for more conference information. For questions regarding conference registration, contact the ISA office at 1-888-472-8733.

 

TCI EXPO 2010 is the world’s largest tree care industry trade show and conference. TCI EXPO brings together the unparalleled value of first class conference education combined with endless networking opportunities with colleagues, vendors, manufacturers, and the industry's top thought-leaders in business, safety and best practices in arboriculture. You can also compare equipment, evaluate products, meet with tree care professionals, gain knowledge, and more.

TCI EXPO 2010 will be held November 11-13, 2010 at David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA. To learn more, or register, please visit www.tcia.org.

Avi Eitam
Pest Survey Specialist
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Heath Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine

Invasive woodboring insects pose a severe threat to native trees. European or Asian species are often introduced to North America through the importation of infested solid wood packing material, such as crates and pallets. They usually arrive without the natural enemies which keep them in check in their native lands. Also, North American host plants often lack resistance to these exotic species. While many exotic insects have become established without a significant impact, others have had devastating effects.

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, has killed tens of millions of ash trees in Ohio and other states. First discovered in Michigan in 2002, this native of China and eastern Asia has been detected in 13 states and parts of Canada, and currently occurs in the majority of Ohio’s 88 counties. Larvae of this beetle tunnel under the bark, cutting off the tree’s water and nutrient supplies. At the high population levels seen in North America, infested trees typically die within three years of attack. Signs of infestation include crown dieback, epicormic shoots, D-shaped exit holes, S-shaped tunnels under the bark, and severe woodpecker damage.

More information on EAB
More information on EAB in Ohio

The oak splendour beetle, Agrilus biguttatus, is closely related to EAB. This species, native to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, has not yet been detected in North America. If established, it could become a very serious pest of oak trees. Look for signs of infestation similar to those described for EAB.

The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis, is a threat to a wide range of broadleaf trees, primarily maple, birch, elm and willow. Infestations have been detected in Illinois, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. The New York infestation is still under eradication more than a decade after its discovery in 1996. In Massachusetts, thousands of infested trees have been found since the first detection in 2008. In Ohio, two adult beetles were detected in warehouses in 2007 and 2009. While no infestation has been found, these detections demonstrate the potential for the introduction of this pest to Ohio through imported cargo.

ALB larvae bore deep into the wood of their host trees. Signs of infestation include shallow divits in the bark where the eggs are laid (termed oviposition niches), sap seeping from wounds in the tree, dime-sized, perfectly round exit holes, and frass (sawdust-like materials) on the ground and the branches. For more information on ALB, go to www.beetlebusters.info.

Sirex woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, is a pest of pine trees. A native of Europe, Asia and North Africa, is has caused serious damage to plantations of North American pines in the southern hemisphere (South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand). First detected in New York in 2004, it has also been found in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Vermont and Canada. In 2009, it was detected in Lake County, Ohio. Signs of infestation include resin beads and drips, round exit holes, cambial staining (by a symbiotic fungus), and tree crowns turning light green to yellow to reddish brown.

Bark and ambrosia beetles, subfamily Scolytinae, are small beetles that may overwhelm tree defenses by aggregating in large numbers on a single tree. Many species attack pines and other conifers, while some, such as the European hardwood ambrosia beetle, Trypodendron domesticum, are pests of broadleaf trees.

Our objective is to detect any infestations as early as possible, to facilitate eradication and other control measures. Each year, we conduct extensive surveys to detect these and other exotic woodboring insects in Ohio. We need your assistance in this effort. Be aware of signs of infestation or unexplained tree decline, and report any suspicious finds to USDA-APHIS-PPQ, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, or your county extension agent. If you have any questions, please email me.

Wood-Boring Insect Article Photos

Tree Treks, a class offered at The Holden Arboretum, is for anyone interested in learning about the principal native and introduced landscape trees found in our area. In each session, a different set of 12 trees will be highlighted on a 2-hour walk. Distinguishing characteristics for identifying each species are discussed, along with site adaptations and other horticultural characteristics. Tree Treks is taught by Holden’s president and CEO Clem Hamilton, along with Charles Tubesing, chief horticulturist, and Ethan Johnson, plant records curator. Two instructors lead each session. ISA members can earn CEUs for participation. Sessions are on Saturday mornings 9-11:00 am, twice per month, beginning in May 2010 and running through the first Saturday in October. For more information and to register, please call 440-602-3833 or go to www.holdenarb.org.

Earlier this fall, a White Oak sample from a Franklin County community tested positive for Bacterial Leaf Scorch, Xylella fastidiosa.  Bacterial Leaf Scorch (BLS) is a chronic and eventually fatal disease that displays its most noticeable symptoms in late summer/early fall.  These symptoms include premature leaf browning, marginal necrosis, and defoliation.  The symptoms typically begin at the leaf margins and migrate to the midrib of the leaf.  The following year the tree leafs out normally, but leaves on a few more branches turn prematurely brown in late summer. This will be repeated over a period of years until the entire tree turns prematurely brown and dieback will occur.  Since this can be easily confused with other disorders, it is best to have the suspect tree tested by collecting samples.

Below are three Web sites to help you become more familiar with this disease:   

US Forest Service
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
Alan Iskra, Forest Pathologist, USDA Forest Service

BLS is seriously affecting urban forests in New Jersey and Delaware, and because of the positive find in Franklin County, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry will conduct a statewide BLS survey in late summer/early fall 2010.  Lisa Bowers, the Central Ohio Regional Urban Forester, who is temporarily helping the Forest Health Program, will coordinate this effort.  Because the time to collect leaf samples is quite narrow, Lisa will require help.  The samples that are collected will be sent off for specialized testing.  Sample packaging can be obtained through the ODNR Division of Forestry.  For now, if you have questions about the survey, please Email Lisa Bowers.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) University, a collaborative effort of the US Forest Service, Michigan State University, The Ohio State University, and Purdue University, is a series of Webinars bringing you the latest information on EAB.  All Webinars are free although registration is required to access Webinars.  Registration deadline is 5 p.m. on the day before the Webinar. Unless otherwise noted, all Webinars will be at 11 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.  

For more information, visit Emerald Ash Borer University or contact:

Robin Usborne, Michigan State University - (517) 432-1555 x 169 - Email
Amy Stone, The Ohio State University - (419) 575-6783 - Email
Jodie Ellis, Purdue University - (765) 494-0822 - Email

SherrillTree has issued a recall on aluminum rings. Two users have experienced failure of these rings that could have led to injury.  If you have such a ring, stand-alone or spliced into a product, it is vitally important that you dispose of or submit it for replacement immediately.

Please inspect your equipment to ensure that the aluminum rings you have were individually tested and laser marked. 

Visit SherrillTree for more details on the recall as well as replacement instructions.

2011 Ohio Tree Care Conference

February 13-15, 2011
Hyatt Regency in Columbus

Ohio Department of Agriculture Expands Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine

Department adds 14 counties to existing quarantine

Complete Story . . .