18
THE DAVEY BULLETIN
|
March/April 2026
In February, 56 employees became stronger Davey
leaders, built connections and refined their skills at this
year's Davey Institute of Tree Sciences (D.I.T.S.) program
held at the SEED (Science, Employee Education, and
Development) Campus. This marked the first D.I.T.S. at
Davey's new training and research facility.
In two of the building's classrooms, students learned
about each of Davey's service lines from top leaders,
plant and tree identification and diseases from technical
advisors and how to keep safety first from the health
and safety department, among many other topics. In
the 10,700-square-foot climbing center, they practiced
chainsaw handling and learned about rigging dynamics
and climbing techniques. Outside on the 200-acre
property, they learned about the i-Tree
©
tool and
completed a group project with MyTree, where they
took a tree's measurements, condition and light exposure
to make quick calculations of the tree's benefits.
SEED HOSTS FIRST D.I.T.S.
EXPERTISE
028A3666 (not safety reviewed yet)
he one of him with the chainsaw in the
climbing center
"We've learned a lot about proper techniques
in various areas, and more information about
the planting side of the job is something my
office can definitely benefit from. It's been
great to learn much more about all the great
things Davey is doing."
— Jose Ventura, Jr.
trimmer, North
Philadelphia
office, Residential/
Commercial services
Alyssa Cleland checks out some
critters during the insect identification
session during week two of D.I.T.S.
Jose Ventura Jr. (middle) and A
account manager, Montgomery
Maintenance account, CLS, par
in some hands-on learning abo
"I can't imagine being
anywhere else but
the SEED Campus
for D.I.T.S. We are all
ONEDavey, so it has
been great to be
able to come here and learn more about how Canada and U.S.
operations are similar and different. Being among the best of the
best from all teams was also something I've really enjoyed."
— Rob Kotwa
plant health care technician, Niagara office,
Davey Tree Expert Co. of Canada, Limited
Rob Kotwa runs through a
chainsaw handling exercise
in the climbing center.
