Davey Tree Flipbooks

16 | March/April 2014 D avey's Emily Hamilton has spread a lot of love to the trees and green spaces of Fall River, Mass. Her contribution to the city's Tree Farm project (see The Bulletin, Sept/Oct 2013, page 14), which began last year, is only a fraction of the difference she's made in the community since she started her involvement as a contracted city forester three years ago. To recognize her hard work, the Fall River community awarded Hamilton, Davey Resource Group consulting urban forester, a certificate of appreciation to prove her efforts were well worth it. Hamilton attended the 2013 Fall River appreciation banquet, expecting to thank her volunteers. To her surprise, the community members thanked her instead. Hamilton not only received a certificate of appreciation from Mary Ann Wordell, Fall River Street Tree Planting Program, but also a Mayoral Citation from Mayor William Flanagan. "Emily has done amazing work," says NRC Assistant Manager Joe Gregory. In fact, Hamilton has helped grow the green industry within the city, communicating with interest groups, helping register an official tree ordinance, planting trees and protecting others from construction zone injuries. For example, Hamilton was involved with construction planning along Plymouth Avenue for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in 2012. She also helped select trees for Highland Park and plant trees at Rolling Rock for Arbor Day and at North Park for Memorial Day. Hamilton also led the city's Tree Steward Certification Program. "It's the little extra things we all do that benefit the city; seeing they recognize that and appreciate it is very encour- aging," she explains. "These projects were huge stepping stones for the city's urban forestry." Hamilton expresses much gratitude toward the city's Mayoral support from Flanagan and the Davey colleagues who have acquired, supported and helped coordinate the projects she has accomplished in Fall River. Looking ahead, Hamilton hopes to use TreeKeeper ® software to help Fall River manage information about its trees. "I most enjoy the variety of project assignments and people I work with," she says. "All the people I meet are enthusiastic and excited about trees." TREEmendous Thanks the Plant One Million effort and instructed tree steward training classes. The mayor of Wilmington also selected Gaskill to join the Wilmington Tree Commission. Because Gaskill is a practicing arborist, the commission often solicits his knowledge for sharing tree information within the community. "Once we start talking about tree care, people realize trees are living things, at all times," Gaskill explains. "Then, they get more excited about trees and the care they need, which is a good feeling." Something Gaskill enjoys the most from volunteering? The faces he sees when others learn something new about trees. As he explains, "I want people to see trees in a different, positive way." J ason Gaskill wants others to get excited about trees. For the past eight years, Gaskill, a sales arborist at Davey's King of Prussia R/C office, has volunteered countless hours for the City of Wilmington, Del. From leading "tree talks" to facilitating Arbor Day events, Gaskill's community involvement has helped educate and certify fellow tree stewards, as well as teach others new information about trees. His efforts earned him the Delaware Center for Horticulture's (DCH) 2013 Tree Steward of the Year Award. "Tree stewards are advocates for trees in the community and within the state of Delaware," Gaskill explains. Through his involvement with the program, Gaskill has also participated in Making a Difference for the Benefit of Trees Bravo! Davey's Jason Gaskill receives the 2013 Tree Steward of the Year Award from the Delaware Center for Horticulture. Highland Park after its new facelift project. Green Team members from Fall River, Mass., volunteer during an Arbor Day event. In the background: Highland Park site plan Mary Ann Wordell (right) presents Hamilton's certificate of appreciation.

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