2012 Annual Report

Illinois Arborist Association

1248 Members

Certification: 1458 Certified Arborists 94 Certified Tree Workers 21 Municipal Specialists 40 Utility Specialists 15 Board Certified Master Arborists 4 Aerial Lift Specialists

Who Speaks For Illinois Trees?

1458 Certified Arborists

Number of people that took exams in 2012

140 took the Arborist Certification Exam 3 took the Certified Tree Worker Exam 5 took the Municipal Specialist Exam 5 took the Utility Specialist Exam

1248 Members (Detailed Breakdown)

487 Commercial Arborists 420 Municipal Arborists

196 Arborists (No specification on record) 69 Utility Arborists (19 Companies)

64 Research/Education 12 Nurseries

Who Cares For Illinois Trees?

Certification Workshops held in 2012

Moline Downers Grove Mt. Vernon Rockford Round Lake Beach Springfield

Number of Exams given in 2012

18 Certified Arborist/Municipal Specialist & Utility Specialist Exams

2 Certified Tree Worker Exams

Healthy trees mean communities. Tree-filled neighborhoods

Lower levels of domestic violence

Are safer and more sociable healthy environment

100 mature trees catch about 139,000 gallons of rainwater per year.

A 36 inch Bur Oak will intercept 6,365 gallons of storm water runoff in a year.

A 36 inch Bur Oak tree will reduce atmospheric carbon by 1,625 pounds in one year.

Trees act as mini-reservoirs, controlling runoff at the source. Trees reduce runoff by: Intercepting and

holding rain on leaves, branches and bark

Increasing infiltration and storage of rainwater through the tree's root system

Reducing soil erosion by slowing rainfall before it strikes the soil

2012 Day of Service at the Governor’s Mansion

For the second year in a row, local tree care companies from the Springfield area gathered at the Governor’s Mansion located at 410 E Jackson St. to remove and trim trees at no charge to the State. It is no secret that Illinois is going through difficult financial times, so every bit helps. Harry Lewis, horticulturalist at the mansion, said, “if it wasn’t for the tree companies donating their equipment and labor, the work probably wouldn’t get done.”

Hats off to the following companies for taking the time to help out the

State!

Arborsmith: Greg Smith and Phil Smith

Heartwood Tree: Dan Coffin and Gavin Burton

Natural Path Urban Forestry Consultants: Matthew Basile and Ben Reynoso

Throop & Son Tree Care: Earl Throop Sr., Earl Throop Jr., Cameron Jiannoni, Ryan

Johnson, Glen Kendall, Brain Patton, Mike Rechner.

The day started out with a torrential down pour! Everyone thought that this important event wasn’t going to happen. After an hour “Mother Nature” lightened up providing perfect weather for the work to be performed. Throop and Son Tree Service brought their crane and removed a Sugar Maple and two large Austrian Pines along the perimeter of the mansion. Earl Throop Sr. said, “Using the crane would cause the least amount of impact to the surroundings, plus it was safer to use because of the wet conditions.” Arborsmith chipped in (literally and figuratively) by providing their chipper. For the healthy trees on the property, Heartwood Tree and Natural Path Forestry Consultants handled the groundwork of pruning them and checked them for any decay or structural risks. Ben and Matt of Natural Path also performed a tree inventory using the latest GPS technology. Breakfast and lunch was provided for all in attendance. Bill Bolt (IAA past president) and Cal Williams (IAA future president) were on had to assist with the coordination. Overall, the day was a great success. The sick and dying trees were removed and the healthy trees were maintained to preserve them for future generations. In the past two years of the Day of Service at the Governor’s Mansion over $15,000 of work has been donated by our wonderful and caring members. This is just one more example of the impact of volunteering. Volunteerism is the foundation of the IAA and we appreciate each and everyone of our members who take time out of their busy schedules to give back to trees.

From left to right: Cameron Jiannoni, Dan Coffin, Brian Patton, Mike Rechner, Gavin Burton, Earl Throop Jr., Glen Kendall,

Ryan Johnson, Earl Throop Sr., Matt Basile, Greg Smith, Ben Reynoso, Phil Smith, Harry Lewis

Midwest Urban Tree Care Forum 2012 Brings Students into the Industry

Midwest Urban Tree Care Forum (MUTCF) The objectives of the MUTCF are to present some of the

many facets of urban forestry and urban tree care by looking at sites, projects, and programs of tree

care industries, municipalities, and agencies in the Chicago area. An array of career opportunities

were on display. This year’s MUTCF took place on April 13 & 14.

Friday, April 13, 2012:

1. EAB in Chicago—John Lough

2. Chicago Streetscapes—Hannah Higgins

3. Lurie Garden at Millennium Park—Jennifer Davit

4. Tree Planting in Chicago’s North Loop—Jeff Brink

5. Tree Pruning & Climbing—Don Roppolo, David Boone, Joe Armiger

6. Dinner and career Fair at the Marriott, Lincolnshire.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

1. Tree Ordinance & LEED Certification—Peter Gordon

2. Tree Care at Ravina Music Center—Steve Matravers & Brad McCumber

3. Urban Wood Utilization—Bruce and Erika Horrigan

4. Tree & Plant Care at The Chicago Botanic Gardens—Tom Tiddens

5. Utility Arboriculture—Kevin Jury & Geoff Watson

MUTCF 2012 Budget

Income

Student Fees $2570.00

Sponsorship $9000.00

Career Tables $250.00

Total: $11820.00

Expense

Buses $3275.00

Food $5596.49

Trademark $860.00

Shirts $735.33

Total: $10466.82

Total Income: $11820.00

Total Expense: $-10466.80

Net Revenue $1353.18

The 2012 IAA Golf outing was held at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling, IL. On Friday, July 13th. Member businesses and vendors donated lots of great raffle prizes.

IAA 2012 Annual Golf Outing

2012 Golf Outing

Revenue

Golfers 52 @ $95 $4940.00

Sponsors $1750.00

Raffle $770.00

Total: $7460.00

Expenses

Hole-in-One Insurance $375.00

Signs $212.02

Golf Bill $4736.17

Prizes/plaques $718.15

Flyer Print $359.60

Total: $6400.94

$1059.06

Hole Sponsors: Arborjet Bayer Environmental Becker Underwood Growth Products NuFarm Valent

Raffle Donors: Arthur Clesen Arlington Power Dolmar Growtech Mauget Midwest Arborist Supplies Oregon Illinois Arborist Association

Beverage Cart Sponsors: Rainbow Treecare Scientific

Golf Committee: Todd Haefke Mark Nega Mark Simon Kevin Spiller

Hole-in-One Witness and Photographer:

Todd Haefke

Even if you aren’t superstitious, this year’s IAA golf outing could make you a believer. The day began with what has become the norm...hot and humid; so why the superstition? Simple, we were golfing at Chevy Chase Country Golf Club on a Friday the 13th. As we began our trek out to our respective starting holes, the lightning and thunder began sending us all running for shelter. It was ironic because under normal circumstances we would be complaining about the rain and wondering why it couldn’t wait until another day. This day however, would be different...we actually wanted the rain. So we all sat and waited for the much-needed rain to pass. A little over an hour later we were heading out onto the course to finish our round. After golf, we sat down for an awesome dinner and raffle. This year’s raffle was amazing, thanks to all of our kind sponsors and donors. We always have a ton of fun at the outing.

IAA Mission Statement

“Foster interest, establish standards, exchange professional ideas and pursue scientific

research in Arboriculture.”

Illinois Arborist Association Board of Directors

Director Municipal: Jeff Brink

City of Chicago

Director Municipal: Joel Craig

Oak Lawn Park District

Director Industrial: Mark Nega

Rainbow Treecare Scientific

Director Research: Angela Hewitt

The Morton Arboretum

Director of Programs: Jim Semelka

Village of Oak Park

Director Utility: Katie Runyan

ComEd

Executive Director: April Toney

Board of Directors

President: Mark Duntemann Natural Path Urban Forestry Consultants

President Elect: Cal Williams

Corn Belt Energy

Vice President: Mark Simon

Arthur Clesen

Past President: Mark Younger

City of Evanston

ISA Director: William Vander Weit

City of Champaign –retired

Director Commercial: Don Roppolo

The Care of Trees

Director Commercial: Grant Jones

Davey Tree Experts

Illinois Forest Facts Forest Area Facts

Total land area - 35.6 million acres

Forestland prior to European

settlement - 13.8 million acres (40

percent)

Forestland today - 4.4 million acres

(12 percent)

Most of the original forests were

cleared for agriculture, fuel-wood,

fence posts, transportation, and urban

and industrial development

Illinois ranks 49th among states in

percent of land remaining in original

vegetation

Since 1991, over 190,000 acres of

marginal farm ground and pasture

have been planted to trees through

state and federal conservation

Basic Facts Illinois grows some of the finest

hardwoods in the nation, such as

black walnut, red oak, white

oak, yellow poplar, ash, hickory,

hard maple, and soft maple

97 percent of Illinois’ forests are

classified as hardwoods

3 percent of Illinois’ forests are

classified as conifers

Principal forest cover types:

Oak-Hickory (53 percent); Elm-

Ash-Cottonwood (22 percent);

Maple-Beech (20 percent),

Misc. Pine (3 percent), and Oak-

Gum-Cypress (2 percent)

Average annual volume growth

exceeds forest removals by 160

percent

Membership growth through the years

Year Number of Members 1995 592 1996 630 1997 708 1998 769 1999 812 2000 000 2001 000 2002 819 2003 855 2004 848 2005 1004 2006 1052 2007 1280 2008 1386 2009 1187 2010 1093 2011 1162 2012 1248

On May 19th,the 2012 ITCC was held at Reed Keppler Park in West Chicago, IL. 23 climbers from Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky came to compete.

Winners:

1st place: Beau Nagan 2nd place: Jason Diehl 3rd place: John Meiszner

One woman competed: Josie Spagnolo from Kentucky.

2012 Tree Climbing Championship

Revenue

Competitor Fees $2207.08

Sponsors $1000.00

Total Revenue: $3207.08

Expenses

Prize Money/Travel for winner $1049.35

Flyer Print $387.70

Rule books $126.00

Signs $73.66

Shirts $1240.75

Equipment $435.51

ISA fee $200.00

Judge travel $190.47

Food $344.56

Refund $75.00

Total Expense: $4123

Total Revenue: $3207.08

Total Expense: $-4123.00

Net Revenue: $-915.92

2012 Illinois Tree Climbing Championship Fun in the trees. On May 19th at Reed Keppler Park in West Chicago, 23 climbers from Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky came together for the Illinois Arborist Association’s annual tree climbing championship. Each year it seems as though the climbers kick it up a notch from the year before. New climbing techniques...new equipment and new attitudes converge for a day of camaraderie and competition. I always find it uplifting to hear the climbers cheering on other climbers. The competition has climbers of all different skill levels competing for prizes, money, bragging rights and of course...a paid trip to compete in the ISA’s 2012 ITCC competition in Portland Oregon.

The weather couldn’t have been better...a sunny and warm, but not too warm day in the trees. TCC chairs Don Roppolo and Eduardo Medina along with past chair Norm Hall put together a well-run event that never lost its primary focus...safety. The day began with a complete and thorough equipment check and event instructions. Each competitor participated in 5 events: Belayed Speed Climb, Secured Footlock, Aerial Rescue, Throwline and the Work Climb. The cumulative score from each of these events determined the three finalists that would compete in the Master’s Challenge. After each group cycled through the event stations, their scores were posted on the large whiteboard just outside the scoring table where Rex Bastian, Jeannie Kelley and Kathy Hall entered the results. As lunch approached, Kramer Tree Specialists jumped into action and prepared a wonderful lunch. As with the past couple of years, Mike Kurkjain and Tim Rickerson of Kramer Tree grilled out hamburgers, hot dogs and brats for all in attendance. All the donations made for the lunch provided by Kramer was donated to the TREE Fund.

This year’s traveling ComEd Corporate Cup which is awarded to the organization that takes 1st place in the

Scoring Team Rex Bastian Jeannie Kelley

Score Sheet Runner James D Ross

Special Advisors: Eduardo Medina Don Roppolo Norm Hall

Master’s Challenge HJ: Eduardo Medina SJ: Don Roppolo SJ: Gary Kohler SJ: John Montgommery TT: Tyler Roehler GT: Isreal Garcia TM: Stephanie Adams SA: Norm Hall

Work Climb: HJ: Gary Kohler SJ: Joshua Loewen SJ: Joel Craig SJ: GT: TT: Justin Bentz TM: Stephanie Adams

Aerial Rescue: HJ: John Montgommery SJ: Tyler Roehler SJ: Felipe Cornejo TT: Jon Braga TT: Jason Hall GT: Kevin Spiller GT: Leo Mendoza GT: Victor Torrez TM: Jennifer Hatz

Secured Footlock: HJ: Mark Younger TM: Brad Wise TM: Amy Olson TM: Kate Green BL: Greg Blick BL: Paul Hack

Belayed Speed Climb HJ: Scott Carlson TM: Michael Rayfus TM: Betsy Meyers TM: Nick Willis BL: Devon Montgommery

Throwline: HJ: Jeff Kramer TM:

2012 Judges, Timers and Volunteers TCC Budget

2012 Illinois Tree Climbing Champions

2012 IAA Legislative Day Adds A New Partner May 2, 2012 4th Annual Lobby Day

This year’s Legislative Day saw the addition of Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) to our current lineup of Illinois Arborist Association (IAA) and Illinois Forestry Association (IFA) members. Scott Grams, Executive Director of ILCA, rallied eight people from his organization to join us in passing out literature to local representatives and senators throughout the chamber. The day began with introductions and the distribution of our signature fluorescent green shirts, which

displayed “Trees Grow Money for Illinois Communities.” After our planning session, we all head out to meet with our legislators in

an effort to bring awareness to the issues that face our industry. “We speak for the trees.”

EHAP grant with TCIA April 19 at the ComEd facility in Oak Brook Terrace.

UTHiL2zR Two day workshop for Urban Timber Harvesting. February 23 & 24 at Salt Creek Forest Preserve. Urban Timber Harvesting for Hardwood Lumber Utilization and Recovery. This two-day workshop featured OSHA approved directional tree felling techniques, chainsaw safety & maintenance, and hardwood value improvement (bucking, limbing, and grading) of urban trees for alternative lumber uses. This workshop will be taught by Mr. Ken Lallemont who is a certified Game of Logging and Hardwood Value Improvement Program instructor and Jason Jensen the International Game of Logging Champion for Missouri.

Illinois Arborist Association 2012 Strategic Plan

Illinois Arborist Association 2012 Strategic Plan

IAA Annual Conference and Trade Show Oct 16 & 17

Sponsors 2009

Spanish Sposnor $2,500.00 1 $2,500.00

Day Sponsor $1,000.00 2 $2,000.00

2 day sponsor $4,000.00 0 $0.00

Tree Stand $500.00 2 $1,000.00

Hospitality Suites $250.00 0

Board lunch sponsor $250.00

TREE Fund $1,000.00 3 $3,000.00

Cookie Break $750.00 1 $750.00

T-shirt sponsor $650.00 2 $1,300.00

Lunch Sponsor $500.00 1 $500.00

Past Presidents lunch $250.00 3 $750.00

Student Sponsorship $500.00

Total Sponsor: $11,800.00

Speakers

Audio/Visual

Honorariums $1,093.00

Room Rental + Tax

Copies $0.00

Total Speaker: $1,093.00

Luncheon and Breaks

Hospitality Suites $953.44

Tuesday Breakfast $2,868.75

Tuesday Break $3,132.50

Tuesday Lunch $8,435.00

Tuesday Break afternoon $2,475.00

TREE Fund Raffle and Reception $2,428.50

Past Pres Lunch $308.37

Wednesday Breakfast $2,362.00

Wednesday Break $2,685.00

Wednesday Lunch $6,800.00

Service Charge + tax $8,808.62

Board Lunch $322.42

$4,866.83

Total Food: $46,446.43

Miscellaneous

Badges $99.00

Mailings $768.00

Deposit for Holiday Inn $5,000.00

Demo Tree Shirts

Program Directory $3,884.00

T-shirt $3,017.00

Valley Expo $4,755.00

Tree Demo Pay $3,618.00

Signs and banners $548.00

Speaker Gifts $375.00

shirts $0.00

Awards $668.00

CDs of presentations $440.00

Total Miscellaneous: $23,172.00

Total Revenue: 132,205.00

Total Expenses: 66,110.00

Total Profit/Loss: 66,095.00

Trees impart enhanced quality of life and aesthetic values to residents at home and in their workplaces. In neighborhoods where mature trees are prevalent, property values are known to increase more rapidly.

As with tradition, the IAA awards those who go above and beyond the call of duty. The 2012 Award recipients are as follows: Thomas Dilley

Awards

Northeast Municipal Forester Meetings January 19, 2012 Speaker: Josh Behounek and John Gall Tree Inventories/Tree Management Software

February 16, 2012 Speaker Kerstin Von der Heide & Sandy Clark Storm Fighting

April 19, 2012 Speaker: Eve Pytel, Stephanie Adams, and Jim Semelka. “Hot Topics” in Municipal Forestry

May 16, 2012 Speaker: Jeff Brink Asian Longhorn Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer, and Reforestation in Chicago.

June thru August– Summer Break September 20, 2012 Tour of Baha’I Temple Speaker: Dave Coulter Dave Coulter and senior members of the garden team led a tour through the Baha’I Temple’s recently renovated grounds. 2012 marked the 100 year anniversary of the temple and a number of renovations have recently been completed.

October meeting was cancelled because of conference

November 8, 2012 Information exchange and Andrew Koeser

December 20, 2012 Speaker: Al Zelaya i-Tree version 5 features many new tools and options that make i-tree more accessible and affordable for communities. This workshop focused on utilizing online and desktop tools such as i-Tree Design, i-Tree Canopy and i-Tree Vue. Al demonstrated new options such as the i-Tree Pest Detection protocol.

Northwest Municipal Forester Meetings (NWMF) The IAA began the Northwest Municipal Forester Meetings which mirror the Northeast Municipal Forester Meetings (NEMF). This meetings will take place in Moline, IL from 6-8pm on every third Thursday.

January 26, 2012 Speaker: Rex Bastian Insect and Disease Update

February 23, 2012 Speaker: Mark Duntemann Tree Risk Management

May 24, 2012 Speaker: Ian Hunt Chainsaw Safety

Tree City USA for Central and Southern IL March 27, 2012 TCU for Northern Illinois at Illinois Beach Resort in Zion on March 29, 2012