21
July/August 2018
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THE DAVEY BULLETIN
The Bulletin: How can climate change affect the
way Davey does business?
Herms: Insect pests also are emerging earlier. So,
our offices might change when and where they start
monitoring for certain pests depending on the location.
Increasing periods of drought and heat waves are also
leading to greater stress on trees and plants. So, for
example, our crews might work with a client to change
their irrigation practices to mitigate these effects.
The growing season also is getting longer. With shorter
winters, that means crews could start working earlier
in the spring and later in the fall as a client's landscape
care needs extend beyond the traditional spring,
summer and fall months.
Higher temperatures also pose a risk to crews working
in warmer parts of the continent, where they are
encountering more days with temperatures above 95
degrees – posing health and safety risks to employees.
These are just a few of the many factors we are taking
into consideration as the Davey Institute further
examines the implications of climate change on the
field of arboriculture.
Dan Herms
vice president of research and development
* Editor's Note: Herms and the Davey Institute will be publishing
additional information specific to regions about how climate
change affects our clients. In addition, Herms spoke at the
International Society of Arboriculture Annual International
Conference and Trade Show this year in Columbus, Ohio, in
August about the effects of climate change on the green
industry after giving a presentation at a recent Garden Writers
Association meeting.
