Davey Tree Flipbooks

A Natural Talent Idea submitted by: Crystal Worley, wife of Foreman Chris Worley, Clinton Utility Board account C hris Worley gives downed trees a second life. He collects the dead or damaged logs that are removed from trees after storms, then, secures the wood away to dry for several months—sometimes up to one year. And once the drying process is complete, Worley selects a specimen for his next wood-turned creation. Worley, foreman on the Clinton Utility Board account, spends much of his spare time wood turning to create bowls, hollow forms and other masterpieces for customers all over the world—but also local charities neighboring his home in Oneida, Tennessee. Approximately seven years ago, a man approached Worley on the job and asked what he planned to do with all the downed trees on the work site. Instead of hauling them away, Worley helped the man gather some wood— a collection Worley soon discovered fed the man's passion for wood turning. Interested in learning more about the unique hobby, Worley bought a wood lathe and some cutting tools; he's been wood turning ever since. "It's my main hobby," he says. "I've made a lot of pieces, perhaps thousands." But who exactly ends up with the finished products? According to Worley, some regular customers purchase his pieces online from his wood turning Facebook page. But other wooden bowls become donations to charities for fundraising auctions. Because Worley's mother and some in-laws have died from cancer, Relay for Life is one of his favorite charities to which to donate pieces. His creations and proceeds earned from their purchase have also benefited the Children's Center and the Boys and Girls Club. Although one project takes two to four hours to complete—after the wood dries for six to 12 months, depending on the size and species— Worley really enjoys creating his product. The best part? His wife and kids get involved to help out, too. T he Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) shared congratulatory news with three departments from Davey's corporate office early this year. The safety department won a TCIA Outstanding Company Safety Award for "Leading Indicator Focus." The three leading indicators Davey chose to focus on to improve safe productivity include job observations, close-call communications and effective job briefings. Logging, tracking and analyzing the results helps Davey lower the frequency of safety incidents and deficiencies in the field. The marketing department won a TCIA Professional Communications Award in the digital/electronic media category for an infographic that illustrates economic and environmental tree benefits. The second TCIA Professional Communications Award recognized the Tree Care Industry Recognition corporate communications department for its MyDavey Bulletin submission in the Newsletter/Brochure category. 16 | March/April 2015 According to Chris Worley, you can turn wood with just about any tree species, including maple, oak, cherry, walnut and box elder.

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