For more than 30 years, Arbor Age magazine has been covering new and innovative products, services, technology and research vital to tree care companies, municipal arborists and utility right-of-way maintenance companies
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/469201
How can arborists say thanks to those who have served us? Military members make a commitment to protect our people and the freedoms our country holds dear, and often make the ultimate sacrifi ce of giving their lives in service to our country. Many of these veterans make our National Cemeteries their fi nal resting place, where their families and loved ones can visit in remembrance and gratitude for their service. Making these sites safe and beautiful for visitors is a way that arborists, like us, can honor that service and the memory of these brave men and women. THE START OF SOMETHING BIG Many of the arborists at Rainbow Treecare, a full-service tree company in Minneapolis, and sister company of Rainbow Treecare Scientifi c Advancements, had participated in a day of service at the National Cemetery in Rainbow's hometown for several years. This event was organized by the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture, and was a great opportunity for arborists from many local companies to work together for a cause bigger than ourselves. Getting to work on the same team with people who are your competitors every other day of the year made for a fun and rewarding day of tree work. Thinking this may be something that could benefi t cemeteries across the country, we reached out the n BY BRANDON M. GALLAGHER WATSON INDUSTRY EVENTS Department of Veteran Affairs (DOVA), to ask if they would be interested in professional arborists uniting for a no-charge day of service, providing our arboricultural talents at these hallowed grounds. This would allow us to give back, while showcasing what we do best: provide great tree work. Not surprisingly, DOVA was thrilled with the idea. Talking with DOVA representatives, we learned there are 119 veterans' cemeteries throughout the country. Many of these cemeteries, particularly the larger or higher-profi le sites, have contracts with professional companies to maintain the property and, by extension, the trees on the grounds. Many, however, do not have professional arborists tending regularly to the care and safety of their canopies, so that's where we come in. The chief agronomist for the National Cemetery Administration helped us identify the properties where our volunteers could be the most impactful. This wasn't about trying to fi nd the locations that gave our industry the best exposure; it was about fi nding the properties where we could do the most good. From the initial list of more than 100, we were able to narrow it down to 22 sites where we could be impactful. We are now set to hold our fi rst Saluting Branches Day of Service at these cemeteries nationwide on September 23, 2015, and we are looking for your help. Saluting Branches: A National Day of Arborist Service Coming September 23, 2015 ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY RAINBOW TREECARE SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENTS 8 SPRING 2015 n ARBOR AGE www.arborage.com