M.D. Vaden writes for the industry

[treeseer]

Mario wrote a fine piece here http://on-line-seminars.com/pb/wp_f4c8dea5.html?0.5029982632719415

Read, enjoy, take the test!

If more arborists write for online seminars, the information therein would be much more reliable.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Great article Mario!

 

[M.D. Vaden]

Thanks.

Len Phillips included a link to my page at the end of that Online Seminars topic. My site's page is slightly longer, with one or two more signs.

A couple of years ago, I noticed that ISA's Pacific NW Chapter referred to 8 signs. Realizing that there are many more, it seemed like a good subject to compile.

By the way, if anybody wants CEUs for the tests, be sure to login and, or, fill in the box at the test page top. It must read IP addresses, because you can only take it once. I forgot a couple of times myself. I had to use our other computer to retake the test with my name and email included.

 

[Tree Machine]

Nicely done, Mario. Very thorough, and it reads well. Good work.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

One thing I personally would like to see expanded on, was leaning trees.
Many people see a leaning tree, or a long horizontal branch and think it hazardous. But if it grew like that, it's probably just fine.

 

[M.D. Vaden]

One thing I personally would like to see expanded on, was leaning trees.
Many people see a leaning tree, or a long horizontal branch and think it hazardous. But if it grew like that, it's probably just fine.

Check out the link to my site's page, referred to at the end of the topic. The articles on that site are constrained to a certain size, likely because of the verification test with the topics. My page mentions part of that extra. It's in the SOURCES and PHOTOS section at the bottom.

 

[Sunrise Guy]

There is an error in the quiz:

Question: 1. A dead tree is not always a hazard tree.
True
False

The answer is "True." If the dead tree does not have a target, as in a dead tree standing in a field or forest, it is not, by definition, a hazard tree. I believe the answer page shows the correct answer as "False." I do consulting on hazard tree evaluations.

From the USDA Forest Service site: "A “hazard tree” is a tree with structural defects likely to cause failure of all or part of the tree, which could strike a “target.” A target can be a vehicle, building, or a place where people gather such as a park bench, picnic table, street, or backyard."

 

[M.D. Vaden]

There is an error in the quiz:

Question: 1. A dead tree is not always a hazard tree.
True
False

The answer is "True."

Did you email Len Phillips to let him know?

The article agrees with you. Like the habitat tree part.

 

[treeseer]

Mario, why didn't you compose the questions, to avoid this kind of misunderstanding?

I do consulting on hazard tree evaluations.

I do tree risk assessments. Same service, but without the "H" word, which makes many people act irrationally toward the tree--arborphobic.

Any harmless feature of a tree that looks unfamiliar to the inexperienced observer can be called a defect that creates a “hazard tree”, defined as a tree with an unacceptable level of risk to a target. The question is, what can be done about it? All risks can be lowered (abated, mitigated, lessened), but when arboricultural options are not carefully considered and clearly communicated, the owners cannot make an informed decision. Quickly labeling “defects” and “hazards” can lead to the needless removal of valuable trees, when more conservative actions may have been more reasonable.

 

[Sunrise Guy]

Len Phillips? Sorry, I'm not following.

 

[Sunrise Guy]

Mario, why didn't you compose the questions, to avoid this kind of misunderstanding?

(snip) Quickly labeling “defects” and “hazards” can lead to the needless removal of valuable trees, when more conservative actions may have been more reasonable.

Excellent points. If I recall correctly, the article hints at the fact that dead trees are not all hazard trees, as it suggests that dead habitat trees should be monitored, as opposed to taken down right off the bat.

In an hour I'm off to try and save an ash that this client wanted taken down. A number of dead limbs were spooking her. When I pointed out how removal of a section of one of the co-dominant leaders that contains the dead limbs and is dying itself could give the other very healthy looking leader dominance, she seemed cool with that. In truth, the tree may not have much more time, but working on it today may give it a few more years. I'll re-evaluate it after I get it pruned today.

 

[treeseer]

Excellent points.

I stole em from the CEU article in the October issue--did you take that test?

working on it today may give it a few more years. I'll re-evaluate it after I get it pruned today.

your work may give it Many more years. Take pictures!

 

[Sunrise Guy]

Your work may give it many more years. Take pictures!

Arrghhhh! I was going to take pictures, had the camera, got to the gig, promptly forgot about the darn camera. The tree looked very good once it was worked on. The client was happy and said she would like us to come back next year to check on it. If things go well, the good side will spread out now that all of the dead stuff is not resting on it. The bad side was brought back to an OK sized lateral, and I'm hoping the sprouts left on it will have the strength to grow big and strong over the next growing season. We'll see----

 

[M.D. Vaden]

Len Phillips? Sorry, I'm not following.

Len Phillips administrates that Online Seminars website and probably writes the tests.

On their home page http://http://on-line-seminars.com

Is his name and contact email at the bottom.

By the way, CEUs can be available for writing articles for that site.

Ask Ken Phillips what's available if anybody is interested.

 

[treeseer]

Len Phillips administrates that Online Seminars website and probably writes the tests.

It only makes sense for the author to write the questions. That's how it's done at Arborist News. Who else knows the material better?:monkey:

I hope others take up the challenge to send something in. Just look at what's been in there the last few issues, and write about something else. Or just ask Len (he may answer to Ken too, depending on what you are willing to offer Online Seminars)

 

[M.D. Vaden]

Apparently, this topic had a fair amount of reading, according to an email I got.

Maybe Treeseer's post with the link helped.

One subject I'd like to read there, would be about pruning saws transferring pathogens. I remember a thread in here where that was discussed briefly.

So I sent a request on that subject, if available.

 

[Munkee feet]

error on quiz

There is an error in the quiz:

Question: 1. A dead tree is not always a hazard tree.
True
False

The answer is "True." If the dead tree does not have a target, as in a dead tree standing in a field or forest, it is not, by definition, a hazard tree. I believe the answer page shows the correct answer as "False."

I agree with you Sunrise guy...I could not figure out how you guys shade in previous statments..but question 1 is true and the computer states it is false. they just dont want us to get a 100%
Munkee feet

 

[M.D. Vaden]

There is an error in the quiz:

Question: 1. A dead tree is not always a hazard tree.
True
False

The answer is "True." If the dead tree does not have a target, as in a dead tree standing in a field or forest, it is not, by definition, a hazard tree. I believe the answer page shows the correct answer as "False."

I agree with you Sunrise guy...I could not figure out how you guys shade in previous statments..but question 1 is true and the computer states it is false. they just dont want us to get a 100%
Munkee feet

Maybe nobody emailed that site's administrator yet.

This forum does hyperlink to the individual article, and some people may not find the admins email on the home page....

The site's primary URL is...

http://on-line-seminars.com

And Len Phillips email is at the bottom.

But if anybody only got 70% by missing number one, and needed the 1/2 CEU, I'd be suprised if they didn't make it right.

 

[046]

nice job!!!