Davey Tree Flipbooks

18 THE DAVEY BULLETIN | January/February 2023 EXPERTISE TREE CONSERVATION AT HISTORIC OCRACOKE LIGHTHOUSE In preparation for its 200th anniversary celebration of continuous operation, an historic preservation project is being planned by the National Park Service (NPS) that will include renovations to the Ocracoke Lighthouse Keepers' Quarters. In 2019, storm surge from Hurricane Dorian caused record flooding, damaging the building. David Dechant, senior consulting arborist, Arborguard Atlanta office, was chosen by the NPS prime historic preservation consultant to assess the condition of the live oak trees at the site. In October, traveling via ferry boat, Dechant visited the site which is home to around 30 trees, mostly live oaks, two dawn redwoods, and two coastal cedar trees. "I wrote a report on all the trees, including an assessment of their likelihood for survival, instructions on how to prune the trees, and how to David Dechant inventorying trees on the grounds of the historic Ocracoke Lighthouse. Live oaks at the coastal site take the brunt of Nor'easters and hurricanes coming off the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the live oak trees do not grow very tall due to a sweeping wind effect that keeps the treetops pruned down. "If a Nor'easter comes in off of the Atlantic, and it's transition time between the growth of the fresh new leaves with no waxy cuticle, the new leaves can be burned off, which stunts the growth of the trees over time," Dechant said. Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Mitchell Park Horticulture Conservatory, known as the Domes, is a living museum filled with plants from all over the world. A candelabra cactus at the Domes started to shed pieces and appeared to have reached the end of its life. The Domes, managed by the Milwaukee County Parks system, asked Davey's North Milwaukee R/C office to inspect it. Justin Bence, district manager, North Milwaukee office, determined the cactus needed removed. The Davey cactus removal crew wore full hazmat suits, large rubber gloves, face shields, and goggles for protection. Candelabra cacti do not have spines but the sap can irritate skin. "This is probably the only cactus we'll ever get a chance to remove in the Midwest," said Matt Dodge, crew leader, North Milwaukee office. "We took the cactus down in small pieces, as carefully as we could, to keep the milky substance that was oozing out as under control as possible. This was one of the most well planned and thought out jobs I've ever been involved with." CANDELABRA CACTUS REMOVED BY NORTH MILWAUKEE OFFICE Ocracoke Lighthouse Historical Significance • Built in 1823, it is the oldest working lighthouse in North Carolina, and is America's second oldest working lighthouse. • Located on Ocracoke Island, a remote barrier island on North Carolina's Outer Banks. Matt Dodge, wearing a full hazmat suit, climbs the candelabra cactus. Meta Ehlen, trimmer; Matt Dodge, crew leader; Matthew Jackson, trimmer; Kiran Hoppe, trimmer; Mychal Messenger, crew leader; and Eduardo Medina, arborist skills trainer, Davey Institute, teamed up to remove it. provide equipment access around the structure during the construction phase," Dechant said. The opportunity to visit unique places on the job and carry the Davey badge is something Dechant enjoys. "It was quite an honor to do work on a NPS project, especially as it involved historic preservation," Dechant added.

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