May 17, 2021
MAA Members,

As we continue into Spring, we hope for a sense of normalcy offered by recent announcements made by Maryland's Governor Larry Hogan. It was refreshing to see many of you in-person at our 40th Annual Safety and Pesticide Recertification Seminar last week. As advancements in overcoming the virus continue, we look forward to offering other events later in the year, including our annual Day of Safety and Health and Arborist Day Project. More details about these exciting events can be found later in this newsletter. We must remember though that while strides are being made and many are becoming vaccinated, the virus is still not yet behind us. Continue checking guidance from the CDC on how to safely operate your business as we move through this busy season.

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Danielle Bauer Farace
Executive Director
Being a Maryland Arborist Association Member provides a number of benefits to you and your business.
Benefits include discounted event registration, educational resources, and up-to-date news and information.
THANK YOU TO OUR WHITE OAK SPONSORS:
Sugar Maple Sponsor:
MAA Hosts 40th Annual Safety & Pesticide Recertification Seminar
The Maryland Arborist Association would like to thank both our in-person and virtual attendees who joined us last week for our 40th Annual Safety & Pesticide Recertification Seminar.

The MAA was pleased to offer this important education event in spite of these difficult times. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about tick management, scale insects, diagnosing tree diseases, tree biology, soil health, and see a live demonstration of a drone used for spot-treating plant material.

The MAA would also like to thank all of our knowledgeable speakers and our sponsors for the event:
  • White Oak Annual Sponsors - Altec, Chesapeake Employer's Insurance, Correlli Inc., Moran Insurance, Security Equipment Company, and Vermeer All Roads
  • Sugar Maple Annual Sponsor - First National Bank
  • Event Sponsors - Ag Insurance Solutions, Bartlett Tree Experts, Fisher & Son Company, Husqvarna, and MAC-ISA.

We hope to be able to offer our full event in it's usual format next year.
Are You Interested in Becoming More Involved with the MAA?
The Maryland Arborist Association is looking for volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors ahead of our upcoming election in 2022. Serving on the Board of Directors is an exciting opportunity to network with other tree care experts across the field, plan educational events, and help to make key decisions to guide the future of the organization. The Board represents the members’ interest in the organization and holds ownership of the organization on behalf of the members.

The Board of Directors meets on average three times per year at various locations around the state. If you are interested in attending a board meeting to learn more, contact Executive Director Danielle Farace at 410-928-4888 or office@mdarborist.com
Brood X Periodical Cicada Emergence
The following was provided by Stanton Gill, Extension Specialist in IPM and Entomology, CMREC, University of Maryland Extension and Professor, Montgomery College, Landscape Technology Program. Read the full story in the University of Maryland Extension IPM Report published February 26, 2021.
Photo credit: University of Maryland Extension.

We continue to monitor soil temperatures in central Maryland on the Eastern Shore and the soil temperatures remained below the magic 64 °F temperature used to predict when nymphs come out of the ground. In city areas like Columbia, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and College Park, the dense populations and many buildings all create a micro-environment where temperatures reached the 64 °F temperature range. Not so in less densely parts of the state and certainly way too early for the Washington, Alleghany, and Garrett counties in the western part of the state.

Stanton continues to monitor emergence and answer questions in the University of Maryland Extension's IPM Report for Arborists, Landscape Managers, and Nursery Managers. Sign up to receive this weekly e-newsletter for the most up-to-date information on insects, diseases, and more.
DNR Reminds Homeowners to Use Licensed Tree Experts
In response to reports of recent scams in Baltimore and Harford counties, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources released a statement cautioning homeowners to be alert for non-licensed tree contractors who take money for work that never gets done.

You can view the full release here, or share the release with your followers on Facebook by clicking here.
Directory of Maryland Forest Products & Services
If you are in any way associated with providing a service or offering products tied to the Maryland Forestry Industry, please take a moment to fill out this short survey form.
Your input is greatly needed and much appreciated as the Maryland Forests Association works to create a free Statewide Directory of Maryland Forest Products & Services that will highlight businesses, promote the forestry industry, and encourage local consumers to buy Maryland wood products.

This survey is hosted by Grow & Fortify, who is working with the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (TCCSMD), with input from the Maryland Forest Association and the Maryland DNR Forest Service, on a grant to promote the Forest Industry of Southern Maryland.
Maryland LTE Continuing Education Requirements
In response to the Governor’s Executive Orders [Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak], the Maryland Forest Service will accept approved online courses to meet the MD Licensed Tree Experts continuing education requirement for those renewing December 2021 and December 2022 (both odd and even numbered licenses). A listing of online courses will be available on their website.
Member Resources:
The Maryland Arborist Association would like to remind members of resources shared in recent editions of our Shady Notes e-newsletter:

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

What are the two most commonly reported causes of serious injury and death from operating wood chippers?

a. Being caught in moving parts and being struck by the hood
b. Being struck by lightning and heat stroke
c. Being struck by debris and burns

Chipper/Shredder Safety
Safe work habits are important. Here are three important actions you can take to be safe on the job site.

  1. Learn all you can. To prevent accidents with wood chippers/shredders, read and follow directions in the equipment operator’s manual. Pay attention to safety instructions in the manual and to warning labels you see on the equipment. If you have questions, stop and ask your supervisor before you continue.
  2. Concentrate on working safely. Sometimes you may be tempted to take risky shortcuts. Remember that an accident can leave you permanently injured or cut your life short. For your safety and the safety of those around you, do not take unnecessary risks. No deadline is so pressing you can’t take the time to do your work safely.
  3. Additional precautions. Do not operate machinery if you are tired or have taken drugs or alcohol. If you are on medication, discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you are capable of safely operating machinery.
Registration is open for the 2021 event, which is scheduled for June 5 at Morven Park in Leesburg, VA. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event has been scaled back and will have 30 spaces for competitors.
This virtual conference, to be held on June 8, is for Commercial Pesticide Applicators, Landscape Contractors, Arborists, and Professional Fertilizer Applicators to get education credits for renewing their license.
MAC-ISA is offering the renewal class in a virtual format on Thursday, June 24th. This class is a 5-hour refresher course and is the instruction part of the course only. At the completion of the course, ISA will send you the link to take the exam online.

In addition, they are offering an in-person TRAQ Renewal class and exam on Sunday, October 3rd. The class will take place at the Holiday Inn Solomons just prior to the 2021 MAC-ISA Annual Meeting (October 4-5, 2021). 
Join Penn State Extension for their upcoming webinar on June 24, that will guide you through a series of detailed pictorials on how to prune so that you will feel empowered the next time you are out pruning.
This three-day course hosted by MAC-ISA has been designed to assist tree care professionals and other professionals who wish to become ISA Certified Arborists. It has been developed to help prepare individuals for the ISA certified arborist exam, which is usually scheduled the day after the course. The course content is consistent with the Arborist Certification Study Guide (2010 edition) and the domains of the exam. The course will be held July 27-19 in Richmond, VA.
Join MAC-ISA on August 14 in Virginia Beach for a morning of learning with live safety demonstrations. Safety sessions include: Safety Around Utilities, Aerial Rescue Demonstration, and Balance Point Rigging Crane Demonstration. Space is limited. You must be pre-registered to attend, no walk-ins.
MAA & MOSH Present: 6th Annual Day of Safety and Health
The Maryland Arborist Association in partnership with the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) - Division of Labor and Industry will hold their Annual Day of Safety and Health at the Howard County Fairgrounds on September 15, 2021. Additional details will be released as we get closer to the date.
Saluting Branches is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and honoring our veterans. Their 7th Annual Day of Service will be held on September 22,2021 locally at Baltimore National Cemetery in Catonsville, MD. More details to come.
43rd Arborist Day Project
Mark your calendar for the Maryland Arborist Association's 43rd Arborist Day Project on on November 6, 2021 (rain date November 13) at the Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park.
Upcoming exam dates have been posted online. The next exam is tentatively scheduled for June 9, 2021. However, if state buildings are still closed to the public, the exam will need to be held outdoors and will be weather dependent. Those interested in taking the exam need to submit their exam application paperwork so they can be contacted with up-to-date exam information.