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www.arborage.com Arbor Age / September 2014 31 workload and subsequent equipment purchases. Tibbets' entrepreneurial spirit epitomizes what can be ac- complished with dedication, innovation, and, yes, some risk- taking. In the decade since founding A-Plus Tree Service, Tibbets' company has enjoyed exponential growth supported by a diverse roster of clients who appreciate the company's ethics, conscientious and thorough work, and responsiveness. From one visionary founder and one chipper to a work- force of more than 40 professionals, an extensive fl eet of Vermeer tree care equipment, and a unique vision for how individual trees shape the personality of entire urban forests, Tibbets is leading a movement that not only holds promise for bettering the tree care industry; but for revolutionizing it — one tree at a time. Randy Happel is features writer at Two Rivers Marketing, Des Moines, Iowa. Article provided by Vermeer, Pella, Iowa. All photos provided by A-Plus Tree Service and Vermeer program that has become the foundation of his tree care business model; appropri- ately named ArborPLUS. ArborPLUS is a web-based program designed to provide arborists, property managers and contractors with a birds-eye satellite view of their urban forests and a database of historical data for every tree. As a web-based application, there's no software to buy or install; all information can be input and retrieved easily simply by accessing the Internet. There's even an iPhone app for use by onsite personnel that allows arborists to identify and verify the location of specifi c trees and validate completion of work in real time. "ArborPLUS is dynamic and easily searchable and can integrate with existing software to gather, input and analyze all sorts of information," said Tibbets. "A com- prehensive GIS inventory provides property managers with information they need to develop a comprehensive community for- estry management plan; and helps facilitate more accurate long-term budgeting." Building a fi le for individual trees begins by plotting and entering GIS coordinates, snap- ping a photo for visual reference and logging pertinent data specifi c to each tree including species, height, general condition and health, and any special notes of importance. The data helps move customers from the reactive mindset of "we have a few trees that should probably be trimmed" to a more proactive approach including a long-range planning component where every tree is placed on a trimming and shaping rotation based on size, growth rate and position within the forest. Then, certifi ed arborists from A-Plus visit the property and recommend specifi c pruning and/or health treatments specifi c to the tree's unique needs. "Everything about a tree — from pruning to insect control and feeding — can be accessed from the application," said Tib- bets. "ArborPLUS allows for more effi cient and cost-effective tree care management planning that ultimately saves money. The program also helps streamline the RFP process for pro- curing bids for various tree care projects." Once trimming, pruning and treatment recommendations offered by A-Plus are entered into the database, property man- agers can generate an entire RFP for different projects with just a few clicks of a mouse. Detailed procedures, maps and digital pictures make the process effi cient and consistent, and lessen the chance that mistakes (wrong tree; wrong limb; wrong pest treatment) will occur. And for Tibbets, ArborPLUS has allowed him to better plan for the future by more accurately projecting