Davey Tree Flipbooks

20 THE DAVEY BULLETIN | January/February 2020 For Colorado-native Allison Serafin Steere, consulting arborist, Davey Resource Group (DRG), protecting the ash trees that comprise more than 20 percent of the urban tree canopy in Denver is a personal mission. When the Boulder-area quarantine zone banning transportation of wood ends at the beginning of 2020, emerald ash borer (EAB) will likely spread, potentially devastating more regional ash trees. The quarantine began in 2013 when EAB was first detected, which Keith Addis, UVM specialist, Davey Resource Group, arrived at the Carlsbad, California, home early in the morning. For years the homeowner refused to comply with 15-foot federal and state utility line clearance regulations, which meant two 60-foot tall date palms with 20-foot fronds lining a tropic-themed backyard and neighborhood walking path needed immediate pruning. Addis visited the property owner four times, each time emphasizing the importance of safety. He was also the last attempt in a series of procedures before San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) would file a force-prune, where the palm cut-backs would be enforced by law enforcement. Thankfully, due to Addis' diligence and relationship-building, the homeowner agreed to allow Davey to complete the work. "In the end he appreciated Davey's insistence on safety first, for neighbors and for crews," Addis said. "It's important to build trust with difficult customers. A mix of soft and hard Two date palms were completely removed from the property to comply with new SDG&E regulations. Addis offered replacement trees from Davey's "Right Tree, Right Place" guide. PERSISTENT COURTESY PAYS OFF PROTECTING ASH TREES IN COLORADO RESOLVE Davey Resource Group is working with the Colorado State Forest Service to educate municipalities in Colorado about emerald ash borer and how they can better manage their ash trees with regard to the pest, which is responsible for killing tens of millions of ash trees across North America. allowed municipalities to plan ahead, control the spread and plant new trees. Serafin Steere is part of a DRG team working on the "Your Ash is on the Line" campaign, which encourages local municipalities in the state's Front Range – the current westernmost boundary of EAB spread – to better manage their ash trees through education and community engagement. With funding from the U.S. Forest Service and in partnership with the Colorado State Forest Service, DRG is building a management plan and a web-based "toolbox" that municipalities can adapt based on their financial resources. "I see a lot of opportunity for economic development, especially in the Front Range communities, for alternative wood uses," said Serafin Steere. "With this project, Davey is showing that we're innovators, providing solutions to problems affecting our urban forests and encouraging more forethought into tree usage throughout the tree's life cycle." DRG Team includes: Allison Serafin Steere, Tina McKeand, Dana Karcher, Josh Behounek and Emily Spillett people skills like listening and being patient can work in the end if you let them tell their story but stand firm on enforcing local regulations."

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