Davey Tree Flipbooks

19 July/August 2026 | THE DAVEY BULLETIN MINNESOTA TRAININGS HIGHLIGHT NEW AND PROVEN SKILLS Davey arborists in Minnesota were busy honing their skills and learning new techniques in May. In Plymouth, Minnesota, Residential/Commercial (R/C) services employees in the North Central region reviewed root soil excavation services and root systems while performing hands-on work as they practiced uncovering stem-girdling roots at a Soil Services Workshop. "No two trees look exactly the same once excavated – and those factors make for a very unique service and conversa- tion," Ally Bode, plant health care coordinator, South St. Paul offi ce, R/C, said. "I really enjoyed learning about parts of the tree that the typical person tends to ignore. Having the language and knowledge to know which types of services are available is a game-changer." They also learned about biochar, a carbon-rich charcoal-like substance that offers benefi ts to soil, and how it can be used for soil renovations, top dressings, vertical mulching, and more. "Workshops such as this that involve multiple offi ces are crucial because they help us ensure consistency of services as well as share ideas and pass knowledge," Bode said. "Soil care services like the ones presented at the workshop are maybe not sold as widely as some others, so having a workshop that features some of the experts can help us gain confi dence in both selling and executing these spe- cialty services. We grow as a whole so much faster when we are able to learn from each other." At the Arborist Skills Climbing Module training in Lakeville, Minnesota, Lake region R/C employees learned more about the fundamentals of climbing with a focus on ascending, working positioning and descending skills. This included skyline rigging set up, dynamic climbing systems, canopy and basal anchors, and hands-on climbing up in the trees. Joshua Lapacz, tree care coordinator, North Minneapolis offi ce, liked how the training provided space, time and plenty of encouragement to be able to try something new. "Davey prepares us in not only being able to advance your own knowledge and skills through these modules but also being able to take what we learned back to our team and improve how we train in the fi eld," Lapacz said. It also tackled aspects of working on a job site: Safety, drop zone policy, gear inspection, and throwline equipment and techniques. "Whether it is using a new piece of gear or an unfamiliar technique or even refreshing on methods you may not have used in a while, the module created the perfect environ- ment so you can do it all and more," Lapacz said. Attendees at the Arborist Skills Climbing Module in Lakeville, Minnesota, where they practiced throwline techniques, isolating and choosing a good tie in. Above: Attendees at the Soil Services Workshop in Plymouth, Minnesota, learned about root systems, root soil excavation techniques, biochar usage and more during the training. ADDITIONAL DAVEY TRAININGS Factors & Forces Dearborn, Michigan – Lakes Utility operations Soil Services Workshop Detroit, Michigan – North Central R/C operations Wires Under Tension Kent, Ohio (SEED Campus) – National Utility operations Growing to LEAD Kent, Ohio (SEED Campus) – personnel from numerous departments attended ADDITIONAL TRAININGS:

• Cover