Best TCI Magazine Podcasts (2025)

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TCIA Welcomes New Leader for Advocacy 9:28

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1d ago9:28

9:28

BY PETER GERSTENBERGER The Tree Care Industry Association in August welcomed George Strout as its Strout will lead TCIA’s efforts to mobilize tree care professionals across the country in support of smart policy and industry advancement. With more than a decade of experience in grassroots organizing, legislative strategy and PAC (political action c…

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CTSP Credential Shows a Commitment to Safety and the Industry 5:15

1d ago5:15

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BY TAMSIN VENN Rare is the employer who does everything he or she can to help an employee secure their next job. But that was the case with Daniel Miraval, BCMA, and Brianna White, ISA Certified Arborist, co-owners of Emerald Tree Care LLC, a 14-year TCIA member company in Roselle, Illinois, when they sent Anthony Santisi, who had been with them fo…

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“The Informed Gardener” and “The Informed Gardener – Blooms Again” 4:35

12d ago4:35

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REVIEWED BY STEVEN F. PREGLER These two books were written by Linda Chalker-Scott, former urban horticulture extension specialist and a professor in the Department of Horticulture at Washington State University Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.By TCI Magazine

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DOL Self-Audit Programs See Expansion and Reimplementation 4:36

13d ago4:36

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BY BAILEY GRAVES In July 2025, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced it reinstated and updated self-audit programs run by its agencies, including the reimplementation of the Wage and Hour Division’s Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) Program and expansions to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s On-Site Consultat…

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Tariffs and Tree Care Equipment 3:42

16d ago3:42

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BY AUSTIN BONNEMA As a TCIA Board member and a long-time industry participant, I’ve seen plenty of challenges come and go, but few have been as persistent and unpredictable as tariffs. For those of us involved in equipment manufacturing or purchasing, the ongoing shifts in global trade policy are more than headlines – they’re real issues that affec…

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Help! How to Attract and Retain Reliable and Qualified Employees 6:25

17d ago6:25

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BY BRIAN FAIN, P&C, L&H Day in and day out, I have conversations with many of my clients expressing their frustrations on how to hire and retain reliable, qualified employees. I am sure you will agree that this is one of the more, if not the most, difficult aspects of your business. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking…

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Lost in Translation: Avoiding the Pitfalls of the Assumption Trap 6:53

18d ago6:53

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BY KATE ZABRISKIE Ever had that moment when a project seemed crystal clear during a meeting, only to find out weeks later that everyone had completely different interpretations? It’s like playing a grown-up version of the game “telephone,” where what starts as “We need this done by the end of the week” ends up as “We’ll get to it when we can.” Reme…

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Cultivating Culture & Retention 9:25

19d ago9:25

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BY BETHANY KEMPPAINEN, CTSP Arboriculture often requires physically and mentally demanding effort, constant attention to risk, complex logistics and care for challenging clientele. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.By TCI Magazine

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Hand Snipping as Opposed to Shearing 3:07

20d ago3:07

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BY DAVID M. ANDERSON For many years, shears have been the popular choice for trimming shrubs. Whether performed by a homeowner, a landscaper or an arborist, shearing is faster and easier, and it seems like the logical choice. The problem with electric shears is, if they are used too often or too aggressively, they can harm plants. Remember to get y…

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What “Safety Differently” Means for the Crews in the Field 12:38

26d ago12:38

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By TCI Magazine

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Still on Mission: Some Things Change, Some Things Stay the Same 8:46

27d ago8:46

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BY ANDY JONES, CTSP Every September, tree care professionals across the country load up their gear, shut down their regular schedules and head to a national or state veterans cemetery – not for work, but to serve. It’s called Saluting Branches, and it’s become the largest single-day volunteer event in the arboriculture industry. Remember to get you…

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Learn More Than the Ropes With TCI EXPO ’25 Training Partners 10:30

1M ago10:30

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BY TIM BARTELT TCI EXPO is a great opportunity to peruse exhibitors’ booths and check out their latest equipment innovations or earn CEUs in educational seminars. It also is a great opportunity to demo equipment, get hands-on experience or learn a new, practical skill under the tutelage of top experts in their field. In this article, we’ll highligh…

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What to Consider When Choosing a Hand-Fed Woodchipper for Tree Care Work 5:06

1M ago5:06

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BY BETHANY LENEHAN Selecting the right hand-fed woodchipper can make a significant difference in the efficiency, safety and overall success of your tree care operation. With the wide range of chipper models, configurations and features available today, understanding how different components impact performance can help professionals make informed de…

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BIK Boom Trucks: Lifting Up the Tree Care Industry 8:33

1M ago8:33

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BY TIM BARTELT With its strong focus on the customer, safety and training, BIK Boom Trucks has become a household name for trucks and knuckle- boom cranes in the tree care industry. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.By TCI Magazine

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Insurance Concerns for the Tree Care Industry 9:26

1M ago9:26

9:26

BY DUSTIN MEYERS, TRAQ The following was originally submitted as a letter to the TCI Magazine editor. I have dedicated my professional life to tree care. For more than 20 years as a TCIA member and an ISA TRAQ arborist, I have watched this industry evolve from ropes and bucket trucks to knuckle-boom cranes, tracked lifts and highly mechanized, safe…

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New Tools Help Make the Most of Your TCI EXPO '25 Experience 6:18

1M ago6:18

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BY TRACEY MILLER Each year, TCI EXPO grows, evolves and delivers new opportunities for tree care professionals to learn, connect and discover the tools and strategies they need to succeed. Whether you’re coming to explore equipment, build your network or sharpen your business skills, this year’s event has been designed with one goal in mind: to hel…

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Using SPSD to Hone Your Diagnostic and Management Skills, Part 1 13:19

1M ago13:19

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BY MICHAEL J. RAUPP, PH.D., AND PAULA M. SHREWSBURY, PH.D. At TCI EXPO ’24 in Baltimore, Maryland, we conducted a Pre-Conference workshop entitled Plant Health Care Pathways. This tripartite workshop included sessions on honing diagnostic and management skills, tree nutrition and soil management and pruning by the ANSI 300 standard. Remember to get…

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Time Well Spent: The Impact of Leaders on Employee Development 10:17

2M ago10:17

10:17

BY JONATHAN TANK, CTSP In any competitive field, success often is attributed to a company’s technical skills, efficiency and bottom-line profits. There are endless books about success in business, including different strategies and approaches for how to improve and grow. Marketing is important, as well as fiscal responsibility. However, after 25 ye…

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Overview of Federal Policy Developments Through the Summer 8:23

2M ago8:23

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BY BAILEY GRAVES Over this summer, federal policy developments have emerged related to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) work, workforce development and employer-sponsored immigration. TCIA’s government-relations team has tracked the following notable actions and events that will shape the policy agenda through the fall. …

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Putting Safety First at Saluting Branches 10:02

2M ago10:02

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BY ERIC CAMPBELL Since 2015, Saluting Branches has grown from a one-time civic project of Rainbow Treecare of Minnetonka, Minnesota, to a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit with a singular mission: “We honor American service men and women by organizing volunteer tree and landscape care for the property dedicated to our veterans. Remember to…

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Increase Sales Using Digital Content 10:16

2M ago10:16

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BY DAVID M. ANDERSON, CTSP As a hard-core, self-proclaimed tree nerd, I love to talk, read and write about all aspects of tree care. I guess you may be guilty of the same obsession if you are reading this. Unfortunately, most people aren’t. Most of my friends, family and random strangers have had to tell me to shut the “heck” up when I go off on “t…

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Update from TCIA Hazard Tree Assessment Task Force 3:43

2M ago3:43

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BY Eric Petersen In case you are unfamiliar, TCIA’s Board of Directors is responsible for setting the strategic direction and overall performance of the organization. Our responsibilities include establishing our vision, formulating policy, providing strategic planning and ensuring strong financial oversight. Remember to get your free subscription …

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Slippery Slope: Tree Care Operations and the Normalization of Risk 10:41

2M ago10:41

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BY TYLER LYON, CTSP, ASP; and CHRIS SPRAGUE, MEng, CTSP, ASP In 1986, millions of people witnessed the Challenger space-shuttle explosion that tragically killed seven astronauts, including a civilian teacher on board for the Teacher in Space initiative. Investigations revealed the explosion was caused by the failure of a large O-ring designed to se…

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Brandon Pankey Has a Focus on Safety Culture 4:20

2M ago4:20

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BY TAMSIN VENN Out in the 150-mile stretch between Duluth and Twin Cities, Minnesota, Brandon Pankey, owner of Blue Pine Works LLC, a two-year TCIA member company, has honed a respected reputation for tree work by having an emphasis on safety. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.…

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Adventures in Consulting: No Good Deed 12:01

2M ago12:01

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BY HOWARD GAFFIN, BCMA, RCA A cold wind blew outside. Holed up in my toasty office, I was contemplating how grateful I was to no longer have to endure the agony associated with getting the feeling back in my numb digits so I could work the climbing rope and resume the task at hand on a sub-freezing day. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI…

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The Financial Playbook for Tree Care Professionals 11:16

2M ago11:16

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BY EDWARD MORROW It’s one thing to project the financial results you want. It’s something else to do the right things to produce those results. And it’s a whole other process to become the person who can make it all happen. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.By TCI Magazine

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A Piece of Industry History Is Lost With the Passing of Jon H. Hickey 5:12

2M ago5:12

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BY PETER FELIX It is with profound sadness that we say farewell to Jon H. Hickey, who passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025, at the age of 88. Jon, a resident of North Massapequa, New York, was not only a legendary arborist but also a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor and friend. His life was a testament to passion, i…

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Petzl Knee Loop Is a Step Up 4:06

2M ago4:06

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BY TCHUKKI ANDERSEN, BCMA, CTSP If you’re looking to save your strength and move smoother on your next climb, Dekota Wall wants you to know how the Petzl Knee Loop can do that for you. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.By TCI Magazine

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For Ricky Folse, Taking Care of Trees Is Taking Care of Veterans 12:20

2M ago12:20

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BY TIM BARTELT Ricky Folse, founder of Veteran Tree Care, a second-year TCIA member company based in Houma, Louisiana, is a man on a mission, and that mission is to help both men and women. Military veteran men and women, to be more precise. Even though Folse was unable to complete the requisite military time commitment, he considers himself an “ex…

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SingleOps + LMN + Greenius = a Results-Driven Collaboration 6:32

2M ago6:32

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BY PATRICIA CHAUDOIN Strengthening the green industry was the driving force behind last year’s merger of SingleOps, Landscape Management Network (LMN) and Greenius, says Steve Samuels, the merged company’s senior account executive. The former GM/CFO of multiple businesses, including landscape and arborist companies, had served with SingleOps for fo…

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Cultivating Success: A Guide to Launching Plant-Health-Care Programs 12:18

2M ago12:18

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BY HEATHER DIRKSEN As tree care companies look to deepen client relationships and diversify their revenue streams, one opportunity continues to stand out – launching a plant-health-care (PHC) program. Yet, for many business owners and managers, the idea of starting a new service line – especially one that requires technical knowledge, licensing and…

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Big-Picture Thinking for Daily Excellence in Tree Care Businesses 9:13

2M ago9:13

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BY KELSEY GRUENWOLDT In tree care, it’s easy to get consumed by the urgency of the day – storm calls, high-risk removals, employee situations, scheduling pivots, equipment issues. But if you want a sustainable company – one that thrives even when you step back – big-picture thinking must be woven into your daily execution. Remember to get your free…

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Insurer Made Us Cut Our Tree 2:19

2M ago2:19

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BY MARIE HAWKINS This column was written in response to the article “Insurance Pruning: Cut Risks, Not Canopies,” by Jim Kasper in the July 2025 issue of TCI Magazine. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.By TCI Magazine

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Part 7 Dirty Deeds Done Legally: Why Proper Pesticide Disposal Is No Laughing Matter 9:46

2M ago9:46

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BY KATHY GLASSEY Let’s face it, when most people think of plant health care, they think about solving a customer’s problems and getting rid of the pests causing the problems. What they don’t think about – until the moment of truth arrives – is what to do with that half-empty jug of pesticide living rent free in the shop. Remember to get your free s…

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Executive Order Aims to Improve and Modernize Wildfire Prevention and Response 7:13

2M ago7:13

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BY BAILEY GRAVES On June 12, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14308, “Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response.” The order cites the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires as an example of the need for faster and more effective response and coordination. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.…

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Where Innovation, Education and Community Converge 5:10

2M ago5:10

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BY ELIZABETH RODEWALD, CTSP As the tree care industry continues to evolve, professionals are constantly seeking opportunities to grow their skills, network with peers and stay on the cutting edge of technology. Enter TCI EXPO ’25, returning bigger, bolder and more exciting than ever. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clickin…

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How Legislation and Incentives Are Driving Battery-Equipment Adoption 7:06

3M ago7:06

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BY CHARLES KEMPER, CTSP For decades, gas-powered tools have defined the daily operations of professional tree care – bringing with them the unmistakable exhaust, engine maintenance and fuel handling that come with traditional equipment. But the industry is evolving. Concerns over worker safety, rising fuel costs, noise and increasing equipment main…

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Business as a Team Sport: Playing to Win With Economic Engagement 2:40

3M ago2:40

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BY JENNIFER MCPHEE In the tree care industry, we often talk about building strong crews. But what if we thought of our entire company like a championship sports team? That’s the mindset we embraced this past year, inspired by Jack Stack’s book, “The Great Game of Business,” which outlines his economic engagement model, formerly referred to as open …

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First-Ever California Line-Clearance Competition 8:18

3M ago8:18

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BY DANIEL KALLAI While in some areas of the country power companies are hardening their systems against high winds and torrential rains, here on the West Coast we have the additional hazard of fire. Power companies are employing thousands of hands in the effort to prevent fires from igniting, especially from trees contacting power lines. I’ve met t…

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The Ins and Outs of Subcontracted Tree Care Professionals, Part 2: You're the Boss 17:13

3M ago17:13

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BY AARON SCHAUER, CTSP, WITH ERIC PETERSEN This is the second installment of a two-part article. Part 1 looked at the benefits of being a subcontractor and working with subcontractors (TCI Magazine, June 2025). Part 2 looks at how to become and operate as a subcontractor Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.…

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The Right Tools Can Increase Production & Longevity 11:19

3M ago11:19

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BY JEFF INMAN JR., CTSP When I was a little kid – and if I’m being honest, it’s still this way today – I idolized the men in my family. My paternal grandfather was a serious goofball, and in many ways I feel like my sense of humor came from him, along with a sense of curiosity in finding diamonds in the rough. Remember to get your free subscription…

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In the Wake of the Storm: Arborists, Brotherhood and the Spirit of St. Louis 7:54

3M ago7:54

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BY ANDY JONES, CTSP The tornado outbreak that ripped through the greater St. Louis area in early May 2025 left an indelible mark on the region’s urban forest and the people who call it home. What happened in those brief, violent minutes reshaped entire neighborhoods, devastated tree-lined streets and toppled century-old giants in Forest Park. As an…

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HMI: Finding Common Ground for Insurers and Arborists 7:23

3M ago7:23

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BY TAMSIN VENN For professional tree care companies, particularly those focused on residential work, the property-insurance industry represents a valuable referral channel, since it is one of the largest, if not the largest, consumer of emergency tree work each year, according to Gretchen Piechottka, director of program services at HMI-Horticultura…

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Part 2: Safe Storm Response Using the Buddy System 9:03

3M ago9:03

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BY JOHN BALL, PH.D., BCMA, CTSP We often speak of our arboriculture colleagues as buddies. We are the brotherhood – and/or sisterhood – of tree workers. After all, we are an exceedingly small part of the U.S. workforce, a little more than one-tenth of one percent. There is camaraderie forged in the unique experience of arboriculture. Remember to ge…

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Key Hazards in Storm Work 11:37

3M ago11:37

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BY JEFF INMAN JR., CTSP As I write this article, in our part of the world – the Mid-Atlantic states – we’re experiencing our first influx of storm work for the season. It’s fitting that I was requested to write an article on key hazards to look out for in storm work, almost as if we all willed this into being. Be that as it may, the topic is freshe…

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A Brush With Discomfort – Poisonous Plants to Know 5:35

4M ago5:35

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BY STEVEN F. PREGLER Being an avid outdoorsperson and having had a career working outdoors almost every day, I have encountered several poisonous plants growing in our geographic region. Unfortunately for me, my job required me to deal with these hazards from time to time. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.…

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Revocation of Temporary Protected Status Could Impact Workforce 6:50

4M ago6:50

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BY BAILEY GRAVES The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken steps to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain countries, which could have workforce impacts for the tree care industry. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.By TCI Magazine

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Recording and Reporting Incidents to OSHA 8:43

4M ago8:43

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BY PETER GERSTENBERGER If your company had 10 or fewer employees for the last full calendar year, you do not need to record and keep OSHA injury and illness records.* Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.By TCI Magazine

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Part 6: The Oh-So-Often-Forgotten Pesticide Storage 7:14

4M ago7:14

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BY KATHY GLASSEY In the pursuit of pristine lawns, pest-free patios and flourishing gardens, property owners often turn to pesticide products or pesticide-application services to handle the job professionally and safely. But what happens when the products are not stored properly or the applicator or company cuts corners? Remember to get your free s…

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Urban Biochar: From Pilot to Pathway in Debris Management 10:19

4M ago10:19

10:19

BY SARAH GASKIN As professionals in tree care, the challenges of wood-chip management are nothing new. While traditional methods such as mulching and dumping have been the norm, a groundbreaking approach has been emerging – biochar production through pyrolysis – right in the heart of our cities. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazin…