FROM THE EDITOR
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6 Arbor Age / May 2014 www.arborage.com
Singular Focus
This special edition of Arbor Age is dedicated entirely to utility
arboriculture / vegetation management. In the coming pages, you will fi nd
editorial about the fundamentals of utility vegetation management (UVM),
safety and training, legal and regulatory insights, herbicides, vegetation
management equipment and more.
We know that only a portion of our readership is devoted to utility
arboriculture, but the topics discussed in this issue have relevance for
everyone in the tree care industry. So I hope that you will fi nd value in this
one-stop special focus on issues related to UVM.
For those who are focused on utility arboriculture, there are many more
resources available to assist you in your professional development. A great
starting point is the Utility Arborist Association (UAA).
One of the goals of the UAA is to be part of the professional life of
individuals involved in the practice of arboriculture and vegetation
management. The UAA plays an active role on the ANSI A300 and Z133
committees, producing industry standards that should be incorporated
into all specifi cations for utility vegetation management operations.
The UAA and its members also play an active role in the development of
Best Management Practices (BMPs). Working with the International Society of
Arboriculture, these publications provide an interpretation of the professional
standards and guide work practices based on current science and technology.
The BMPs are designed for arborists, tree workers, and their supervisors.
Visit www.utilityarborist.org for standards and BMPs on the following
topics: Tree Worker Safety, Utility Pruning of Trees, Integrated Vegetation
Management, Tree Risk Assessment, and Herbicide Use.
The UAA also offers industry white papers to provide insight into various
issues and current thinking about state-of-the-art utility vegetation manage-
ment. These papers have not undergone the type of rigorous review that
would qualify them as "Best Management Practices" but refl ect the discussion
among industry leaders. Topics include Customer Interface, Cost Drivers,
Funding, and Natural Disasters and Utility Vegetation Management.
Earning credentials is another way to demonstrate that you have the
proper knowledge and skills, as well as a high level of dedication to the
profession. The Utility Specialist Certifi cation demonstrates knowledge and
experience in the fi eld of utility vegetation management. An ISA Certifi ed
Arborist Utility Specialist has a minimum of 2,000 hours experience over two
years in electric utility vegetation management or has served as a consultant
to a utility, with a minimum of 4,000 hours
over a maximum 10-year period. The candidate
must work in utility vegetation management.
Certifi ed Arborist Utility Specialists have been
tested on topics such as electric utility pruning,
program management, integrated vegetation
management, electrical knowledge, customer
relations, and storm response.
Learn more about ISA credentials at
www.isa-arbor.com/certifi cation/index.aspx.
There are many other ways to grow your
professionalism and demonstrate your commit-
ment to the urban forest and the community in
which you live/work, such as Tree Line USA, and
the ROW Stewardship Program. For information
about these and other industry programs, visit
www.utilityarborist.org/research/bestPractices.aspx.
John Kmitta
Associate Publisher, Editor
847-720-5613
jkmitta@specialtyim.com
