Knowledge :
Links:
Tree Biology Professional Organizations
Wildlife Snags Links
of Interest
The Resistograph Drill Local Places
Treehouses
Arborist Certifications
Articles &
Presentations
 Recent presentation
by Scott Baker in March 2007 to the Iowa Shade Tree Conference at
the University of Iowa entitled :
"Diagnostic Progression for Tree Inspection"
(pdf of presentation attached)
Read about the science behind arboriculture and hazard tree
assessment in the article,
"Scott Baker likes going out on a Limb". Daily Journal of
Commerce. 08/04/2006.
Look for Scott Baker's article
"The Do's and
Don'ts of Planting New Trees." Daily Journal of
Commerce special section, Landscape Northwest 2004. 4/22/2004.
Guidelines for successful tree protection on a development site are
given in Scott Baker's article,
"How to Keep Development from Killing Trees: Some Things Architects
Need to Know." Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, A & E Perspectives,
11/20/2003.
Tree Biology
Dr Ed Gillman’s
Pruning site
Shigo & Trees
Associates: Tree information by Dr. Alex Shigo
Center for Urban
Forest Research
Create A Wildlife Snag
An alternative to tree removal: create a healthy wildlife habitat on your property as part of the urban forest ecosystem!
When a large tree develops decay or structural problems that present a hazard, the first response is often to completely remove the tree. However, many trees can be left in place to be managed, with reasonable safety, as a wildlife snag.
A tree chosen to be snagged is intentionally reduced in size to a point where it is unlikely to fall over or break under a wind load. We cut the tree in a manner that imitates a tree broken in a storm and we expect decay. Care is taken to insure no damage is done to the plantings beneath the tree. These techniques were pioneered by Tim Brown, who is a master of artificially created or enhanced snags. The intent is to disguise the fact that the tree has been artificially cut.
Living branches are left on the tree to keep some energy flowing into the trunk to slow the deterioration of the remaining tree and to lessen the visual impact of the change. We won’t let the tree grow back in an unwieldy manner. Instead, as we manage our snag, we will keep pruning off some of the expected new growth.
Cavities are cut into the tree to attract birds. A “bat slit” can also be cut to attract bats. Normally, it would take several years for the tree to be developed in this manner by fungi and woodpeckers. As a tree begins to decay, the early decomposers attract woodpeckers, who in turn begin the cavities which will eventually accommodate some of the local cavity-nesting birds. Bats often shelter under the bark as it begins to slough off.
Contact us to see if your tree is suitable for "snagging" instead of removal. We can also provide snag specifications to your tree company.
The Resistograph Drill
Resistographs are handy testing and measuring devices, working upon the principle of measuring the resistance while drilling and delivering detailed information about the inside of tree trunks and roots. The devices are precise and fast, while causing minimal injury to the tree. The use of a Resistograph can prevent accidents and helps to save valuable tree populations.
Resistographs detect: Wood decay, rot in various stages, hollow areas and cracks, annual ring structures, growth tendency according to the width of the annual ring.
The Resistograph has been developed for the following tasks:
Examination of trees.
Tree inspections to ensure traffic safety.
Assessments to tree damage in forests.
Testing of wood playground equipment.
Examination of wood poles.
Testing of wooden bridges.
For more information on resistographs, please visit
IML-USA.
Five new videos showing the Resistograph in action were filmed at and
around Tree Solutions headquarters in Seattle last February. Our
own Scott Baker had a leading role as spokesman, screenwriter, and
co-producer in videos tailored to specialized uses of the Resistograph
decay detection instrument.
Treehouses
Living in a tree is a dream that many people have from childhood. We can help you pick the right tree for your treehouse, and keep that tree healthy and strong for many years.
Scott Baker regularly teaches at the World Treehouse Association Conference in Takilma, Oregon.
If you'd like more information on building a treehouse,
visit one of these links:
Out 'n' About Treesort &
Treehouse Institute
Tree Climbing Japan
Treehouse workshop
Forever Young Treehouses
Professional Organizations
 American
Society of Consulting Arborists
Professional education,
referrals.
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
Books, publications, professional education, referrals.
Pacific Northwest Chapter of International
Society of Arboriculture (PNWISA)
Tree Care Industry
Association (TCIA)
Links of Interest
Seattle Urban Nature
Arborist Site .com
Green Footprints Blog
Neville Faye, Consulting Arborist
(UK)
Erk Brudi,
Consulting Arborist (Germany)
Tree Buzz Online Conversation
Washington Community Forestry
Council
Gypo Climber
Plant
Amnesty
Earth Corps
Fungi Perfecti LLC: Gourmet &
Medicinal Mushrooms
Urban Hardwoods
Big Tree Supply
Sherrill Arborist Supplies
Solvita: Soil, Compost & Garden test kits
Soil Food Web Inc: Soil Microbe
Testing
Susan Black and Associates
Local
Places
University of Washington
Botanic Gardens / Center for Urban Horticulture
Washington Park Arboretum
IslandWood Outdoor Learning Center
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