Tree News

The Georgia Arborist Association has announced a new workshop for municipal government staff: Tree Maintenance for Local Governments. The course will be taught by Connie Head of Technical Forestry Services, and is scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2008 . This offering will be for municipal staff only. Topics will include: Tree Biology, Tree Protection, Pruning, Tree Planting, and basic hazard evaluation. Lunch included! Venue: White Oak Park , Dallas GA 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM Contact the GAA for more information or call 770-749-0444.

The Georgia Arborist Association is continuing their vision for high-quality training for the tree care industry. This particular seminar is designed for participation, meaning that a number of activities will actively engage each person in “doing” as opposed to “watching.” The targeted number of instructors for each learning station is 2, creating a 5:1 instructor/student ratio. A Spanish translator will be available for each group of 10 Spanish speaking participants. A brief written test at the end of the seminar and certificates of completion will be awarded each participant. These subjects will be offered: 1. Electrical Hazards 2. Ground Safety 3. Ground Operations 4. Hazard Assessment 5. Knot Tying 6. Throw Line Six I.S.A. Continuing Education Credits will be offered Contact Office: (770) 554-3735 Fax: (770) 554-2022 georgiaarborist@bellsouth.net www.georgiaarborist.org When Saturday, May 31, 2008 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Where United Methodist Children’s Home 500...

A tornado touched down in downtown Atlanta, sometime between 9:30 and 10 PM, Friday night. As the city's residents go outside this morning to examine what happened, they may find that their beloved trees have been damaged or even toppled. So far the blogs and news sources are reporting that many trees came down onto houses and cars. Like the tornado of 1998, north of Atlanta in Dunwoody, trees will need to be cleared from roads and taken off houses over the next few weeks. Many more trees, that are still standing, have suffered partial or non-catastrophic damage. All tree owners should take the time over the next week to examine their trees for the following: - A new, or aggravated, lean - Broken, hanging branches teetering in the tree canopy - Large cracked limbs still attached to the trunk - Broken roots near the soil surface - Heaving or mounding soil near the base of the tree If there is any question as to whether these failures are hazardous, a qualified tree risk assessor ...

Registration for the 11th Annual 2008 Georgia Arborist Association Tree Climbing Championship is filling up fast. The event, to be held Saturday, March 1, is at: The United Methodist Children’s Home 500 South Columbia Drive Decatur, GA 30030 As always, admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to come and experience the thrill of competitive tree climbing. These types of events are a great way to see the skill and professionalism required in tree work. There will be sponsors and prizes for the event. Companies such as Vermeer, Premier Tree Care, Davey, Bartlett, Stihl, American Chainsaw, Rayfield Tree Care, Bishop co., and Baileys have either donated resources or have offered valable prizes to the contestants. Anyone interested in sponsoring or donating can do so online at the GAA website . Much preparation of the event site is required. Trees need to be pruned, blocks set in trees, ropes run, and competition areas delineated. Anyone interested to volunteer for the...

For the second year, a $10,000 Urban Forestry Grant has been awarded to the GAA by the Georgia Forestry Commission's Urban & Community Forestry Grant Program. This grant will enable the GAA to retain it's current Executive Director, Donna Rayfield. Our Executive Director was originally hired on October 12, 2006 and serves on a part-time basis. She manages the day to day operations of the GAA including maintaining the GAA website, making arrangements for GAA meetings and workshops, and membership recruitment.

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...