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
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FROM THE EDITOR Taking the Pulse of the Industry About this time each year, I like to get feedback from industry experts about where the industry stands and where it is headed. Although this is by no means scientific, and definitely not all-encompassing, it helps to gain additional perspective from some respected sources. According to Shawn Bernick, vice president of Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements, there have been several challenges for pro- fessional arborists during the past year, most notably those related to drought and abiotic problems across much of the country, as well as lingering customer issues around Imprelis-damaged trees. "Companies must ensure that they include proper watering, mulching and other cultural practices with many of their tree health care recommendations," said Bernick. "Plant health care applications should focus on managing overall tree health and preventing stress- related issues that are secondary, such as wood borers and stress related diseases. With regard to Imprelis, I believe that, while slow out of the gate, DuPont has handled the claims process quite well; how- ever, this type of an issue takes time," Bernick added. According to Cary Shepherd, CTSP, senior business specialist, arboriculture, forestry and logging at Husqvarna Group, the biggest challenge for the tree care industry has been attracting qualified, passionate people into the industry. However, recent formation of the National Arboriculture Collegiate Committee, which is comprised of arboriculture professors and instructors, industry professionals and trade associations has helped address that, he said. "As part of supporting the overall well being and growth of the arboriculture industry, the committee objectives will evolve around the development of a nationally recognized collegiate arboriculture curriculum, and also the challenges and solutions around attracting qualified people into the industry," Shepherd added. With regard to industry trends, Bernick said he is pleased with the trend toward ash canopy conservation by municipalities to preserve their ash trees against emerald ash borer (EAB). "There is growing consensus among key influencers that this should be an important component of a sound EAB management strategy," he said. Shepherd said that he is pleased that professionalism, safe work practice and safety in general are becoming more cultural in the industry as result of commitment, involvement, responsibility and training. "We need to continue to foster initia- tives to eliminate all workplace fatalities and injuries within the industry and make arboriculture synonymous with safety culture," he said. According to Bernick, the biggest story John Kmitta Associate Publisher, Editor 847-720-5613 jkmitta@m2media360.com 6 Arbor Age / October 2012 of 2013 will be that symptoms and tree stress will accumulate as a result of this year's drought. Shepherd added that invasive species and insect infestation, such as emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle will continue to be prominent topics in 2013, as will the continued discussion regarding E15 fuel. 1030 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068 www.arborage.com jkmitta@m2media360.com Integrated Content Team Executive Vice President Charles Forman Associate Publisher, Editor John Kmitta Production Team Art Director Adam Lane Production Manager Karen Kalinyak M2MEDIA360 President/CEO Marion Minor Vice President, Finance and Operations Gerald Winkel Senior Vice President, Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito Vice President, Operations and Human Resources Mary Jo Tomei Direct Mail List Sales Cheryl Naughton, 678-292-6054, fax 360-294-6054 e-mail cnaughton@m2media360.com Reprint Service Cheryl Naughton, 678-292-6054, fax 360-294-6054 e-mail cnaughton@m2media360.com For subscription inquiries and customer service questions please call: 845-856-2229; 845-856-5822 (fax) ARBOR AGE SALES TERRITORIES Charles Forman, Executive Vice President Advertising Account Managers ph: 213-596-7220 fax: 213-624-0997 gdatz@m2media360.com 626 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Glenn Datz 626 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 500 Los Angeles, CA 90017 213-596-7226 Bruce Loria bloria@m2media360.com 16267 W. 14 Mile Rd., Ste. 202 Beverly Hills, MI 48025 248-530-0300 Leslie Palmer lpalmer@m2media360.com Publisher's Notice: We assume no responsibility for the validity of advertising claims in connection with items appearing in Arbor Age. Reader Service Numbers are given to facilitate further inquiry. Commercial product names are used for the convenience of the reader. Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by Arbor Age or Bev-Al Communications, or preference over similar products not mentioned. 360 1030 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068 www.arborage.com