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April 2005

FMC Barrier Treatment targets urban mosquitoes

FMC Corporation's (NYSE: FMC) Dina L. Richman, Ph.D., Product Development Manager, FMC Specialty Products Business, presented laboratory trial study results for the use of TalstarOne(TM) multi-insecticide in the residual control of mosquitoes at the National Pest Management Association's public health conference. The two-day conference, held 1/6 -1/7 in New Orleans , provided a 2005 Perspective of Public Health Pest Implications and the role of the pest management professional on this frontier.

Mosquitoes, endemic throughout the United States , have the ability to transmit vector-borne diseases such as malaria, West Nile Virus, St. Louis, Eastern, Western, LaCross, and Cache Valley encephalitis, dengue, yellow fever and dog heartworm. Due to their public health significance, mosquitoes have been implicated in depressing property values, holding back land development, and adversely affecting tourism, recreation and work-related activities.

"This problem led FMC to investigate the use of TalstarOne(TM) multi-insecticide as a residual harborage treatment to control mosquitoes," said Don Claus, Director, FMC Specialty Products Business.

Bartlett acquires six tree care companies in early 2005

Mar. 11, 2005 – Stamford, Conn. – To further it’s growth both in the U.S. and abroad, Bartlett Tree Experts has completed the acquisition of the business operations of a total of six tree care companies in early 2005. What began nearly 100 years ago as a regional tree care company serving the eastern U.S. has now expanded into an international organization, with over 90 offices worldwide.

The acquired companies cover a variety of geographies and are all highly respected in the regions they serve. They are Jordan Tree Care in North Carolina, Bailey Tree Service in Connecticut, Arbor Care in California, Arbour Care in Canada and Branchline Tree Solutions and Four Seasons Tree Care in Great Britain.

Conwed Acquires NSW, LLC

Conwed, a leading provider of high-performance oriented square netting, recently announced the acquisition of NSW, LLC, headquartered in Roanoke, Va. NSW manufactures products for filtration, food packaging, industrial parts protection, agricultural, and automotive industries . The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.“

Our acquisition of NSW provides us with a complementary operation that will enable us to expand our reach in the marketplace and provide further value for customers,” explained Mark Lewry, President and CEO. “As the leader in the marketplace, we’ve continuously reinvested in the business to offer a greater breadth of solutions.”

Lewry also announced that NSW’s President and CEO, Larry Ptaschek, will remain in place at NSW as will the entire senior management team. Conwed plans to retain all employees and keep the Roanoke facility in place.

“We are pleased that NSW has joined Conwed and look forward to all we can accomplish,” Ptascheck said. “We have a number of synergies that will make this union a success, including our focus on excellent customer service, product performance and development.”

Together with NSW, the company will now have combined revenue of approximately $100 million and robust manufacturing capabilities that will accelerate Conwed’s growth into additional markets.

Trainer Tim Ard joins Husqvarna

CHARLOTTE , N.C. [ February 15, 2005 ] — Husqvarna has hired renowned industry trainer Tim Ard to serve as the company’s manager of field applications. In this newly created position, Ard will be leading the professional products specialist team, which is responsible for training end users and dealers in applications of Husqvarna products.

Ard’s extensive list of accomplishments include appearances on numerous television programs including The Victory Garden, Back Yard America and This Old House. Over the past ten years alone, he has trained more than 50,000 individuals in the safe and productive use of chain saws and power equipment and has made more than 1,000 presentations and appearances across the country.

March 2005

STMA appoints new executive director

The Sports Turf Managers Association announced the appointment of Kim Heck as its new executive director, effective September 1. Heck will manage the association from a new office to be established in Lawrence, KS where she resides. "This is very exciting," Heck said in a recent telephone interview. "It's a fascinating profession, and part of the Green Industry, which I love. Since it's a brand new position, the challenge will be to help the STMA board lead the organization to the next level."

Heck says her goals will be to strengthen membership by providing highly valued services and to continue to advance recognition for the profession. "STMA's long standing vision has always been to have its own Executive Director and staff," says Bob Campbell, CSFM, STMA president. "That time is now, and our board feels that Kim can help lead us to the next level of growth for our membership and visibility for our profession."

Since 1994, Heck has held membership services positions of increasing responsibility on the staff of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America <http://www.gcsaa.org> (GCSAA). Most recently Heck was GCSAA's director of brand strategy and market research. "When I first came here in 1994, I was part of GCSAA's new career development initiative," Heck says. "As part of that new functional area, I created a kind of 'HR Department in a Box.' It was a collection of resources about employment contracts, performance evaluations, resume writing and critiquing, writing job descriptions and many other things."

As GCSAA's Director of Career Development, Heck helped develop resources that assist golf course superintendents with their personal career development, including interviewing techniques and negotiating skills. She also helped create resources superintendents can use to educate their employers about the value of their skills. In addition to these projects, Heck has also contributed to the development of student programs, scholarships and GCSAA's diversity efforts.

Oregon Cutting Systems Group sends aid to Schools in Sri Lanka

Portland, Oregon, February 2, 2005 – Oregon Cutting Systems Group of Blount, Inc., the world leader in chainsaw bar and chain manufacturing, sent funds to help schools in Sri Lanka impacted by the tsunami. The donation was sent through Mr. Najeeb Deen of Deen Brothers Imports ( Pvt) Ltd. , Blount’s distributor for Sri Lanka , who also serves as the president of Paragon Organization for the Matara Province in the southern part of the country.

Paragon Organization works to elevate the educational level of children in their region, with a special focus on the less affluent. For the children who survived the disaster, the need is great. “They need books and school materials, uniforms/dress, shoes and most important is their health,” wrote Mr. Deen in a letter to Oregon Cutting Systems Group.

“Blount recognizes the valuable work that Paragon Organization and others do everyday, especially in response to natural disasters,” said James S. Osterman, CEO of Blount, Inc. “We are working through the business partners of our organization who live and work in these regions to provide assistance.”

Jan. 26, 2005 – Stamford, Conn. – The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company, one of the world’s largest tree and shrub care companies, today announced the promotion of Kenneth J. Karp to Vice President, Marketing and Public Relations.

Mr. Karp joined Bartlett five years ago and has since been working to refine and promote Bartlett’s brand image through the execution of highly targeted direct marketing, launch of a new advertising campaign, development of the company’s web site and innovative use of other corporate communications vehicles. He brings nearly 20 years of marketing and communications experience to the company.

“By promoting Kenneth to this key role, we are acknowledging the excellent work he has done to date as well as emphasizing the importance we place on effectively communicating with our customers and prospects,” said Greg Daniels, President of Bartlett Tree Experts.

February 2005

SavATree adds two new offices

SavATree recently announced the acquisition of Maryland-based Trim-A-Limb and the opening of a new office in Silver Spring, Md. Their growth continues with the opening of their 17th branch office in Bernardsville, N.J.

SavATree's direct presence in Maryland and New Jersey demonstrates its long-term commitment to preserving, beautifying, and maintaining area properties.

Fred Lutes of Trim-A-Limb states, "Trim-A-Limb has been providing local residents with quality and reliable tree care for over 20 years. As I considered options for selling the company upon my retirement, I knew that I wanted to entrust the business to a company with similar values and high quality standards. I chose SavATree because of their strong dedication to customer satisfaction and arboricultural excellence."

David Wesley has been promoted to branch manager for the Silver Spring office. He has more than 15 years of green industry experience in Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia.

Ryan Moore has been promoted to branch leader to head up the Bernardsville office. He is a N.J. Certified Tree Expert and ISA certified arborist with 15 years of green industry experience.

January 2005

Vine & Branch honored

The National Arbor Day Foundation has awarded the Langston Development Company of Carmel INdiana with an Honorable Mention i their Building With Trees award program. Langston received this award for their work on the Brookside project in Westfield, Ind. For this project, Langston worked in conjunction with TCIA member Judson R. Scott of Vine & Branch Inc.

The Building With Trees program is designed to recognize and award builders and developers who protect trees drung building and land development. Winners are reviewed and chosen by developers and urban foresters from across the country.

FMC Partners with Wilbur-Ellis to launch Portfolio(TM) 75 DF and
Crossing(TM) 75 DF herbicides for industrial vegetation management

December 16, 2004 ( Philadelphia , PA ) - FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) today announced its partnership with Wilbur-Ellis Company to commercialize Portfolio(TM) 75 DF and Crossing(TM) 75 DF, new herbicides with registration received from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use to control many weeds and maintain bare ground on railroad rights-of-way. Crossing(TM) 75 DF), as well as on highway, roadside, industrial areas, fence rows and other non-crop sites (Portfolio(TM) 75 DF). Both products are dry flowable formulations containing 75% of the active ingredient sulfentrazone, representing a new class of residual chemistry for the industrial vegetation management (IVM) market.

"Portfolio(TM) 75 DF provides excellent long season residual control of certain broadleaf and sedge species of weeds, including Russian thistle, kochia, pigweeds, mustards and wild lettuce," said Don Claus, Director Specialty Products Business of FMC. "Since sulfentrazone is a PPO-inhibiting herbicide, it is effective at controlling those resistant strains which have developed as a result of repeated use over many years with herbicides that target the ALS Enzyme system or other key physiological functions of the plant."

Portfolio(TM) 75 DF and Crossing(TM) 75 DF are the first examples of FMC's strategy to commercialize new products that leverage proven FMC chemistries and adapt their application from one segment to others. The active ingredient in the new herbicide, sulfentrazone, was discovered by FMC and is registered in the United States on soybeans, tobacco, and other crops. Portfolio(TM) 75 DF and Crossing(TM) 75 DF can be applied as tank mix partners in the late summer, fall or early spring with adequate rainfall available.

FMC and Wilbur-Ellis have agreed to partner together to distribute sulfentrazone to the industrial vegetation market in twelve Western states. As a new foundation residual broadleaf herbicide, Portfolio(TM) 75 DF and Crossing(TM) 75 DF provide several benefits to the IVM market:

-- Represents a new class of residual chemistry for the VM market;
-- Helps manage resistant weeds including Russian thistle and kochia;
-- Soft on the environment;
-- Long residual control;
-- Is not corrosive or a hazard to human handlers;
-- Does not harm most desirable grasses

Burridge new president of SMA for 2005

The Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA) announces a transition of officers for 2005. With the resignation of Jude O’Conner as President of SMA, Vice President Lloyd Burridge is now the SMA President. The position of Vice President will be filled by long time board member Andy Hillman as of January 7 th, 2005 .

The many contributions made by O’Conner during her presidency are greatly appreciated by SMA. Her leadership as conference chair led to a very successful meeting in Denver , CO. Jude has also been very beneficial as an SMA Board member over the past several years.

Burridge takes over the presidency with 25 years of experience in the Municipal Arboriculture/Urban Industry field. He has played an active role in the SMA as a member of the Board of Directors. As a long time member of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and its Ontario Chapter, Burridge also served as a founding member of the Municipal Specialist Certification committee as appointed by SMA. Burridge recently retired from his position as the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry with the City of Windsor, Ontario.

December 2004

Husqvarna sponsors Capitol Holiday Tree, announces sweepstakes winners

Husqvarna is an official sponsor of the 2004 Capitol Holiday Tree, which will decorate the front lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. This is the fifth consecutive year Husqvarna has been chosen as a sponsor for the program. Husqvarna provided two chain saws for the tree cutting ceremony as well as safety apparel for the individuals who performed the tree felling. The 70-foot Red Spruce was cut in Virginia’s George Washington National Forest. The tree will be the centerpiece of an official lighting ceremony, scheduled for December 9, in Washington, D.C.

Also, the grand prize winner of the Husqvarna “Total Source” Arborist Sweepstakes was announced at TCI EXPO in Detroit in October. Charles Morris, owner of Environmental Tree Service in Beaumont, Texas, won the grand prize package, including the new Husqvarna HUV utility vehicle, Husqvarna chain saws (a 338XPT, a 334T and a 336) and safety apparel (helmet systems, roping gloves and chaps), all valued at more than $10,000. Morris has worked in the arborist industry for 21 years and has owned Environmental Tree Service for the past 11 years.

Second prize was awarded to Turlock, Calif, arborist Ethan Autrey, who won a trip for two to a 2005 NASCAR race in Charlotte, including suite tickets, airfare and lodging. The third prize winner, Ricky Anderson of Theodore, Ala., received a certificate for two to the Kings Experience at the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

Bartlett Tree Experts recognizes Board Certified Master Arborists

Bartlett Tree Experts in November, for the first time, had two employees named Board Certified Master Arborists by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Scott Diffenderfer, arborist representative in their Chambersburg, Pa., office, and Deborah Green, arborist representative in their Southampton, N.Y., office, earned the Master Arborist title, the highest professional certification in Arboriculture, after successfully completing an intensive exam administered by the ISA this past August.

“We’re very excited to have not one, but two Master Arborists here at Bartlett,” said Robert A. Bartlett Jr., Chairman of Bartlett Tree Experts. “It’s a very high honor for Scott and Deborah and it truly demonstrates Bartlett’s commitment to ongoing training and education for its arborists.”

The ISA has been certifying arborists for nearly a decade to improve the level of knowledge and standard of practice within the tree care industry. There are currently about 15,000 Certified Arborists and fewer than 25 have received the Master Arborist title. Certification as a Board Certified Master Arborist represents the highest level of skill in the care of trees and requires significant experience, advanced education, ethical standards and in-depth knowledge of landscape plants nationwide.

Wilson promoted to GM for John Deere Boots & Shoes

Wayne Wilson has been promoted to general manager of John Deere Boots & Shoes. As GM, Wilson will be involved in all aspects of leadership, including hiring and managing the John Deere Boots & Shoes sales force, account management, working with the John Deere dealer organization on the exclusive dealer line of footwear, inventory control, and assisting with product development. Wilson has more than 20 years of experience in the footwear industry, including 12 years at Georgia Boot. He most recently served as key account manager, eastern division, for John Deere Boots & Shoes, which offers a full line of premium quality footwear for agriculture, construction, forestry, and lawn and turf care.

Oregon rolls out major brand campaign

The Oregon Cutting Systems Group of Blount Inc. has initiated a national multimedia promotional campaign aimed at increasing consumer awareness of the Oregon brand name as it relates to the company’s core products: cutting chain and guide bars for chainsaws. The campaign includes: cable television ads, consumer magazine ads, point-of-purchase literature and a special Web site dedicated to the brand campaign. “More people use Oregon chain and bars on their saws, but in our research we’ve learned that some of those same people do not know their chain is a descendent of the earliest curved-tooth chain invented over fifty years ago by Oregon logger Joe Cox. And it was the Cox chain that initiated the era of the modern chainsaw” stated Cyrille Michel, vice president of marketing for Oregon. The brand campaign’s theme is suggestive of the company’s long history in forestry: “ Oregon, Legendary Cutting Gear.” A 30-second television ad and a four-minute sales video can be viewed at www.oregoncuttinggear.com.

RedMax Strato-Charged engine wins award

Komatsu Zenoah’s Strato-Charged engine brought home the gold from Germany! The innovative, low-emissions, two-cycle engine, which powers many RedMax products, took the top honor at GaLaBeau 2004, a major European landscape trade show. During its four day run, GaLaBau, held in Nuremberg, attracted more than 49,000 professional gardeners and landscape contractors from Germany, Austria, German-speaking Switzerland and eastern Europe. The Strato-Charged engine was honored for the innovative technology that allows it to meet clean air regulations without the need for a heavy, hot catalytic converterThe patented Strato-Charged engine was the first two-cycle engine to meet California’s CARB II and U.S. EPA Phase 2 emission standards without a catalytic converter.

Samson, Arbormaster team for test program

Samson, a leader in performance cordage, and ArborMaster Inc. recently teamed up to conduct a groundbreaking test program. The testing was closely monitored by members of Samson’s Research and Development team as well as other industry researchers, such as Andreas Detter from Germany. Ken Palmer, president of ArborMaster Inc., stated, “We were interested to measure, in a scientific way, the effects that rigging knots have on the strength of rigging lines as well as rigging slings when tied to a tree.” Knots reduce the strength of rope, so the testing, which has never been attempted in a comprehensive manner for the arborist industry, was approached with optimistic enthusiasm. Testing began with a 16-foot x 13-foot log being installed in a test bed, followed by a series of 60 break tests at Samson’s manufacturing plant in Ferndale, Wash.. Various knots and hitches were put through rigorous testing and the information gathered was extremely valuable and will enable Samson to continue to confidently recommend and develop the best rope for the needs of their professional arborist customers.

ArborMaster Training Inc. gains grant

ArborMaster Training Inc. has been awarded a two-year grant from the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC). The grant money will be utilized for a program titled, “Saving Tree Workers’ Lives: The Neglected Component of Urban Forest Management.” The objective of the program is to examine accidents in which aerial rescue is needed and what procedures are best suited to safely and efficiently rescue victims with minimal risk to the rescuers.

“The tree care industry needs a realistic protocol and methodology to teach and respond to emergency situations in a way that can truly save lives,” says Ken Palmer, president and CEO of ArborMaster Training. “This grant will help to take a disciplined approach to stake holders around the country. This is important to address geographical diversities and to gain buy-in and attention from the industry, nationally and ultimately, internationally.”

Care of Trees merges with Oakland-based Treescapes

The Care of Trees has merged with Treescapes Inc. of Oakland, Calif., which provides a wide range of tree care services to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal clients. Founded in 1977, Treescapes is the second West Coast company to become part of The Care of Trees. Safe and Beautiful (now called Safe and Beautiful by the Care of Trees), its West Coast office in Menlo Park, was acquired in 2002. This acquisition is part of The Care of Trees’ overall strategy to expand its base in the lucrative northern California market. “Treescapes is a perfect addition to The Care of Trees,“ says Scott Jamieson, the company’s president and CEO. “Both companies share the same philosophy and dedication to tree care and client service. We plan for this new office to become the center for expanding operations throughout the East Bay area.” The acquisition was also done with an eye toward employee development. “The Care of Trees is an employee-owned organization,” Jamieson says. “Consequently, one purpose of our growth is to create additional opportunities for our teammates, who are also our shareholders. Our acquisition of Treescapes enables both new and long-term employees of the two companies to benefit from the consistent skills training and employee development programs that The Care of Trees provides.”

Treescapes will continue to operate as usual under the direction of its founder, Torrey Young, whose new title will be district manager. His entire staff remains intact, and includes many long-term employees. Young is an ISA-certified arborist and an ASCA-registered consulting arborist, has a long history of service to and awards from green industry associations, which will continue as he assumes the presidency of the American Society of Consulting Arborists for 2005.

The Care of Trees now has its West Coast offices in Menlo Park, Calif., and employs six certified arborists and 36 staff members operating a fleet of 15 trucks.

Plant Health Care acquires VAMTech; Partners with Scotts

Plant Health Care Inc. (PHC), a leading provider of natural products for plants and soil, has acquired VAMTech Inc. VAMTech specializes in the synthesis of formononetin, a compound that stimulates the growth of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi, a naturally occurring, soil-borne fungi that exists in healthy soil. The transaction includes all technology and patents surrounding VAMTech’s formononetin production. Formononetin is demonstrated to increase yields of row crops such as corn, soybeans and cotton, even when used in small quantities. PHC plans to aggressively target these crop markets worldwide with the newly-acquired VAMTech technology. PHC’s technology is based on mycorrhizal fungi, an essential part of all plant growth. In soil, mycorrhizal fungi are readily available to plants. However, in urban landscapes and most farmland, the fungi are not present in sufficient quantities to benefit plants. Studies show that stimulating plant roots with mycorrhizal fungal products increases the surface area of the root system and improves plant health and survivability. PHC has developed processes that isolate and concentrate Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (VAM) fungal spores that allow PHC products longer shelf life than similar products. VAM spores can be mixed effectively with other biological (beneficial bacteria) and non-biological (biostimulants) ingredients which enable PHC to diversify its product portfolio.

“VAMTech has traditionally been an R&D company, but PHC now provides routes to market its technologies through our own sales channels,” John Brady, CEO of PHC, says. “In addition, we will be able to target new markets.”

PHC has alsoentered into an exclusive long-term agreement for consumer product development and commercialization with The Scotts Company, the world’s leading supplier and marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The agreement combines PHC’s expertise in mycorrhizal fungi, bacterial ingredients and related products with Scotts’ consumer retail product development. Scotts will retain exclusive rights to use PHC’s proprietary technology and plant products, which have been shown to improve plant health, in consumer markets. The partnership has the long-term potential to provide gardeners with a wider array of solidly performing organic and natural gardening products.

FMC partners with Bayer CropScience

FMC Corp. has signed a development agreement with Bayer CropScience (Bayer) for development of a number of new products for the turf and ornamentals market. Additional announcements on these products are expected in the very near future. FMC Specialty Products Business makes high-performance insecticides, miticides and herbicides for use by pest management, tree, lawn care, and golf course professionals. FMC SPB’s strategic growth initiatives encompass a series of programs aimed at expanding in the market segments of termite, general insect pests and turf & ornamental pests.

The Sports Turf Managers Association has appointed Kim Heck as its new executive director. Heck will manage the association from a new office to be established in Lawrence, Kan., where she resides. Heck says her goals will be to strengthen membership by providing highly valued services and to continue to advance recognition for the profession. A background in service Since 1994, Heck has held membership services positions of increasing responsibility on the staff of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Most recently Heck was GCSAA’s director of brand strategy and market research.

November 2004

Arborists climb to the sky in Pittsburgh
28th International Tree Climbing Championship

CHAMPAIGN, IL (August 24, 2004)- The sky (or at least the tops of the trees) was the limit on August 7 and 8 when the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) held its 28 th International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) at West Park in Pittsburgh, PA. Bernd Strasser, Gomadingen , Germany ; and Kathy Holzer, Seattle , WA , were named male and female international champions.

The event showcased the talents of some of the best tree climbers in the world as they competed for the title of world champion. The competitors are arborists-“professionals in tree care and preservation.” Through these competitions “arborists around the world can learn new techniques from one another and have the opportunity to see new and different equipment” says ISA Executive Director, Jim Skiera .

Competitors from Europe , the United States , Canada , Australia , and New Zealand performed five different climbs on Saturday. These climbs demonstrate their ability to quickly, professionally, and safely maneuver in a tree while performing work related tasks.

The top scorers moved on to Sunday’s ITCC Masters’ Challenge championship round. Four men and two women performed for crowds of spectators as they vied for the title of champion.

Bernd Strasser (five time ITCC champion) won the men’s title for the third consecutive year. Strasser emphasizes that one must climb from the heart, “You have to have a love for the tree, not just for climbing.” He continues to return to ITCC because of “the warmth with the other climbers, the open hearts, the exchange of ideas, and the increased awareness of trees.”

The women’s winner, Kathy Holzer, took the title after only her second year at the international competition. After watching the women compete at the Seattle ITCC in 2002, Holzer decided she should compete. “I felt it was my responsibility as a woman in this industry to stand up and show that women can be talented climbers.” Competing has also exposed Holzer to new ideas. “The ITCC competition has motivated me to become a better climber.”

ITCC champions receive championship buckles, cash, prizes, and the opportunity to return next year to defend their titles. Other competitors who made it to this year’s Masters’ Challenge are:

• Mark Chisholm; Freehold, NJ, USA
• Frank Chipps; Tofield , Alberta , Canada
• Dan Kraus; Seattle , WA , USA
• Christine Spence; Hamilton, New Zealand

Carpenter named Michigan Forestry & Park Association's new executive director

LANSING -- Michigan Forestry and Park Association, Inc. (MFPA) named Nancy A. Carpenter, CAE of Vermontville, Mich., as their new Executive Director. At a recent meeting the Board gave their unanimous support for Carpenter as their new executive.

Carpenter, a consultant to small businesses and non-profits, comes to MFPA from the Michigan Water Environment Association where she was their executive director. Prior to that she was with the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers.

The Michigan Forestry and Park Association, Inc. (MFPA) founded in 1926 is the recognized authority on tree care and urban and municipal trees issues in Michigan.

Komatsu Zenoah America Inc. names New President

Kunio (Kevin) Watanabe has been named president of Komatsu Zenoah America Inc. Komatsu Zenoah manufactures RedMax handheld outdoor power equipment.

Previously, Watanabe was deputy general manager of the overseas marketing department at Komatsu Zenoah in Japan. That department is responsible for marketing the company's products to all countries outside of Japan .

Watanabe joined Komatsu Ltd., Komatsu Zenoah's parent company, in 1975, soon after earning a degree in civil engineering from a national university in Japan , With sales of more than $10 billion, Komatsu Ltd. is the second largest manufacturer of construction and mining machinery in the world.

Watanabe noted that the company's heavy machinery based design philosophy has resulted in powerful, durable products, many of which meet 2005 EPA regulations using the Strato-Charged engine. "I am pleased," says Watanabe, "that RedMax products are not sold in home centers and other big box stores. I want to deliver our products to dealers who serve customers on a face-to-face basis."

TEREX UTILITIES reorganizes business operations

September 20, 2004 - Terex Corporation (NYSE: TEX) is pleased to announce the reorganization of the operations of its Terex Utilities business units to better serve its customers. The operations of Terex Telelect, Terex Utilities-South, and Terex Utilities-West will work together in a single, customer-focused manner under the Terex Utilities banner. Terex Utilities has 22 locations across the country, and its direct channel approach provides customers with a convenient “one stop shop” for buying the brands they know and love, Telelect and Hi-Ranger, directly from the manufacturer with local support and service. Terex Utilities offers its customers a total solutions package detailed to their individual needs.

October 2004

Municipal Arborist Exchange Program 2005 

The Society of Municipal Arborists is sponsoring an exchange program for municipal arborists located around the world. SMA and contributing sponsors will fund airfare and basic expenses for professional exchanges within the next year, which will take place in spring or summer of 2005. Each participant will spend at least one week visiting and working with another city’s forestry department. An “exchange” may be “two-way,” meaning that paired participants take turns hosting the other, or “one-way,” where a selected participant only visits a willing host city identified and approved by SMA.

The purpose is to create a way for municipal arborists to exchange urban forestry expertise, management ideas and technology through “in-person” contact and on-site experience. What better way to find out how other forestry practitioners operate than to spend time with each other? We have much to learn from other programs in our own countries and around the world, and we each have much to offer. Not only will the program facilitate the transfer of knowledge, it will help foster an international community of municipal arborists.

A candidate must be a member of SMA. One can apply immediately upon joining. A candidate must be employed within the urban forestry profession, preferably as a municipal arborist, for at least two years. Knowledge of a second language is helpful but not essential, although the application must be submitted in English. For a two-way exchange, a chosen participant (or the host municipality) must be able to provide lodging for the visiting participant (private homes are encouraged). The willingness to host a visiting municipal arborist increases the chance of being selected.

Two-way exchange pairings will be made by our selection committee on a “best match” basis. The number of participants will depend on available funding. Selected participants will most likely be from cities of similar size and climate, and speak a shared language. Ideally, each forestry program will have or do something that the other can learn from – a unique or exemplary program, site condition, problem, etc. The selection committee will consider if an applicant wishes to have an exchange with someone from a preferred city, country, or region. Municipal arborists from communities participating in the Sister City International Program that propose an exchange with a sister city are especially encouraged to apply. One-way exchange selections will be based on the applicant’s programmatic needs and the potential for a viable learning experience.

Participants will spend at least one full work week with the host city’s forestry department or arborist. Each participant will be required to write an article for the SMA journal “City Trees” about what he or she learned and experienced for the interest of the SMA membership.

All applications must be received by September 17, 2004 . Awardees will be notified by December 1, 2004 . The timeframe for the exchanges will be determined by the participants with the assistance of the SMA program coordinators. Join SMA and obtain the application on-line at www.urban-forestry.com.

Cooperation with town leads to new facility location

In May of this year, 60-year TCIA member Total Tree Care (formerly known as Cheshire Tree Service), and its affiliated company Arbor Oil, moved into new facilities in Cheshire, Conn.

Total Tree Care, founded in 1957 by Tom and Harriane Williams, had been housed for 34 years at its previous location at 382 South Main St. in Cheshire. Four years ago, land and equipment, storage inadequacies and traffic obstacles motivated the business’s owners, brothers Luke and TJ Williams, to begin a search for a new location. The town of Cheshire worked with the Williams brothers by granting tax abatements for the new facility, enabling the company to remain in Cheshire. The new School House Road facility, a 16,000-square-foot building located on a 5.8 acre parcel of land, will allow the company to operate more efficiently and to continue to expand well into the foreseeable future, according to its owners. The town of Cheshire will benefit by having a bigger future tax base.

In celebration of this new facility, Total Tree Care and Arbor Oil will host a grand opening celebration at 280 School House Road Sept., 25 from 8 a.m. to noon. All TCIA members are invited and encouraged to attend.

FMC's Specialty Products Business announces organizational developments

PHILADELPHIA , August 20, 2004 - FMC Corporation, makers of high-performance insecticides, miticides and herbicides for use by pest management and tree, lawn care and golf course professionals, today announced key appointments for the company's Specialty Products Business, Agricultural Products Group. Appointments include Nancy Schwartz as Product Manager, Michele Imel as Communications Specialist and Jay Rhyu as Business Development Analyst.

Schwartz' tenure with FMC spans a 5-year period dating back to 1999 when she began her career with the company as Communications Manager. As a member of FMC's communications group, Schwartz directed insecticide communications and contributed to the marketing efforts for a wide variety of the group's products in the Specialty Products Business and North America Crop Business divisions, including the introductions of Talstar One(TM) multi-insecticide and Mustang Max insecticide. Schwartz received her Bachelor of Science from Temple University, and is in the process of completing her MBA there.

Michele Imel will serve as Schwartz's communications replacement. Imel has been a senior sales representative for FMC's Specialty Product Business in the Phoenix area. Prior to joining FMC, she also served in a sales capacity for Whitmore Micro-Gen and Target Specialty Products. Imel received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Horticulture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is currently completing her MBA.

Rhyu joins FMC with more than 10 years' experience across the United States and Korea in financial modeling and forecasting, planning and analysis, overall project management, and business development. Rhyu has worked on several Six Sigma projects and is trained as a Six Sigma Green Belt. In his role at FMC, Rhyu will provide strategic and financial feasibility analyses for key new business development projects within Specialty Products Business' existing chemistries, programs, and market channel access. Rhyu is an MBA graduate of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Rhyu is fluent in Korean, Cantonese, and French.

Tom Dunlap joins Swingle Tree and Lawn Care

Denver , CO – Swingle Tree & Lawn Care has recently hired Tom Dunlap as Manager of Training and Education. Tom will be responsible for developing training procedures, instructional material, education program management, and crew development. His focus will be on Swingle’s Shade and Ornamental Tree Pruning departments and other Enhancement services. He will report to Jeff Oxley, Director of Operations for Enhancement Services.

Tom, a native Minnesotan, has an extensive background in tree care and teaching, bringing more than 25 years of experience in the arboriculture profession to Swingle Tree & Lawn Care. Tom owned and operated a tree care company that handled residential and commercial accounts and taught production and safety training for the industry through trade shows and conferences. Tom taught Arboriculture at Hennepin Technical College in Minnesota and presented seminars for regional and international arboriculture organizations. In addition, he conducts workshops on tree climbing for practicing arborists and guides recreational tree climbing for non-professionals.

“We are very pleased to have Tom join us at Swingle,” says Jeff Oxley, Director of Operations. “Tom’s extensive experience and knowledge in arboriculture, combined with his passion for trees, will help build our team and keep Swingle ahead of the pack.”

Swingle Tree & Lawn Care has been in business since 1947 and is considered Denver’s leader in the tree and landscape care industry.