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THE DAVEY BULLETIN
|
March/April 2022
D.I.T.S. HELPS STUDENTS EXCEED CLIENT EXPECTATIONS
Students who come to the Davey Institute of Tree Sciences
(D.I.T.S.) gain skills that not only improve them professionally
but help them live up to Davey's mission of exceeding
client expectations.
Coming to D.I.T.S. was an honor for Madison Law and Jesus
Sanchez. Law is an S&S coordinator, South Houston office,
and Sanchez is a supervisor, PG&E Southern Coast account,
Davey Tree Surgery Company.
"It means a lot to me to get the experience, and being
picked to come is an honor," Sanchez said. "It's helped me
be more knowledgeable to answer our clients' questions
and make sure I'm doing the right things when working on
client properties."
The staff at the Institute was amazing, Law said. "It's so cool
that Davey has the technical advisors in place to help us. I
now know where I can go for information about turf, viruses,
pest identification, fungi and more," Law said. "They are so
well versed in their fields, and they are a great resource. All
the scientists back in the lab are working so hard for us to
help us with our client interface. My hat's off to them."
Left: Davey Institute of Tree Sciences (D.I.T.S.) students dove into plant
pathology and entomology during week two of the month-long program.
Right: D.I.T.S. students worked on all aspects of tree climbing and
rigging during week three.
Left: Employees from
across the U.S. gathered
in Kent, Ohio, for D.I.T.S.
this winter. The students
are introduced to the
topics of practical tree care,
the technical sciences,
management and more.
Right: The students
heard from members of
Davey's senior leadership,
including Mike Mittiga,
vice president and general
manager, Eastern Utility,
U.S. Utility services.
LEADERSHIP
The safety knowledge Sanchez gained has been the most
impactful part of D.I.T.S., especially the Factors and Forces
training. "What we learned in Factors and Forces about how
trees are impacted by weather and people and what you need
to look out for when you're about to climb a tree, it's all about
saving lives," Sanchez said. "Even though we do have a strong
safety program in my area, at D.I.T.S. the instructors went
into more detail about the things we may overlook."
Law believes D.I.T.S. has given her the tools to better assess
situations, and she learned of a network of resources at the
Institute, which will only benefit her clients.
"Now I can relay the information to the client in a way they
can understand, because they don't have a plant or forestry
background," Law said. "It's explaining things to them, so they
are comfortable with the services we are providing. D.I.T.S.
helps us be more confident in what we are talking about and
showing we are the experts."