Tree News

The Georgia Arborist Association is charging forward in its efforts to organize local tree care companies, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Georgia Foerstry Commission through its Urban & Community Forestry Grant program. The 14-year old professional association of tree workers, arborists, and tree enthusiasts is using the grant to fund the GAA's first executive director position, a move that promises to pump fuel into the growing organization. On October 12, the GAA announced that the new executive director, Donna Rayfield, would take over the day-to-day operations of the association. This bold step will free the board of officers to lead rather than administrate. Rayfield is currently the secretary of Rayfield Tree Care, and will serve as a part-time director. Her strengths in business management, web administration, and business networking will add new depths of talent to the GAA. "We want to move the GAA from a local focus to a state and regional focus," R...

Mulberry Park residents and shoppers are treated daily to the grandeur of a landmark tree, a 54" diameter Pecan tree located at the entrance to the live/work community. Mulberry Park is a new multi-use development outside of Braselton, GA . The tree was saved during construction of the site in 2003 and 2004, when the new community was transformed from farmland. The tree used to be hidden next to an abandoned barn, struggling among thick undergrowth and rampant-grown swamp privet. Early in the project stages, Sivica Communities hired tree preservation expert, Jesse Milton , to join the team dedicated to saving this unique tree. The tree was given plenty of room for its roots to remain protected. Milton worked closely with the landscape architect, Hughes Good O'Leary and Ryan, to design a drainage system under the proposed road that would assure that the Pecan didn't drown. A lightning protection system was even installed in the tree canopy. Three and a half years la...

The Piedmont Park Conservancy has had enough, and they aren't going to take it anymore. Last year, one of the largest trees in the fell victim to Ambrosia beetles , after an estimated 12 trees died over the past several years. Fueled by a generous grant from The Home Depot Foundation , the Conservancy hired Bartlett Tree Experts to conduct a study of the insect at the Piedmont Park. The study concentrated on determining the population levels of the beetle and the threat it poses to the park's forest. The results of the study, which was just recently completed, has led to the development an integrated management program for control of the pests on mature and young trees in Atlanta's most important park. On October 12, the Conservancy hosted a formal presentation of the findings of the report to concerned green industry professionals, property managers, and park supporters. Onebark Consulting Arborist is particularly interested in the findings of this report, since the ...