Best TCIA Podcasts (2025)

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Update from TCIA Hazard Tree Assessment Task Force 3:43

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15d ago3:43

3:43

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

9d 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

12d ago8:23

8:23

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

13d ago10:02

10:02

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

14d ago10:16

10:16

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

16d ago10:41

10:41

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

19d ago4:20

4:20

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

21d ago12:01

12:01

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

22d ago11:16

11:16

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

24d ago9:13

9:13

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

24d ago6:32

6:32

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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Petzl Knee Loop Is a Step Up 4:06

24d ago4:06

4:06

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

24d ago12:20

12:20

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

24d ago5:12

5:12

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

24d ago12:18

12:18

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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Insurer Made Us Cut Our Tree 2:19

29d ago2:19

2:19

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

1M ago9:46

9:46

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

1M ago7:13

7:13

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

1M ago5:10

5:10

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

1M ago7:06

7:06

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

1M ago2:40

2:40

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

1M ago8:18

8:18

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 Right Tools Can Increase Production & Longevity 11:19

1M ago11:19

11:19

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

1M ago7:54

7:54

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

1M ago17:13

17:13

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

2M ago7:23

7:23

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

2M ago9:03

9:03

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

2M ago11:37

11:37

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

2M ago5:35

5:35

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

2M ago6:50

6:50

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

3M ago8:43

8:43

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

3M ago7:14

7:14

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

3M 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…

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When in Doubt, Rig It Out 9:45

3M ago9:45

9:45

BY ZACHARY RICHARDS With so many flashy devices and gear options available within the tree industry, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stick with the basics – or even just resort to the trusty “cut and chuck” to get the job done. “Cut and chuck,” if we’re being honest, is typically the practice of a climber or bucket operator holding a limb with one…

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Rigging a Lightning-Struck White Pine Tree 12:01

3M ago12:01

12:01

BY CHRIS GIRARD Recently, Girard Tree Service LLC, which I co-own and operate with my wife, Heide, was asked to take down a lightning-struck white pine tree (Pinus strobus) on an island here in New Hampshire. Due to the remote location and terrain, everything would have to be climbed and rigged down by hand. On top of that, there were no adjacent t…

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No Bars? No Problem. Zoleo Satellite Communicator Keeps Crews Connected 7:08

3M ago7:08

7:08

BY TCHUKKI ANDERSEN, BCMA, CTSP In the tree care industry, communication is more than just convenience – it’s a safety essential. That’s why arborists Charlie White, CTSP, QT (TCIA Qualified Trainer), and Angel Arroyo, both with Northern Tree Service, a 48-year TCIA member company based in Palmer, Massachusetts, recently spent time field testing th…

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Collision Course – Tree Care and Insurance Industries 3:26

3M ago3:26

3:26

BY ERIC PETERSEN By now, almost every practicing arborist has probably been involved in at least one conversation with a customer regarding their homeowner’s insurance company threatening to cancel their policy unless a tree or branch that is close to their home is removed. There often is no scientific basis for the removal expectation, leaving the…

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Insurance Pruning: Cut Risks, Not Canopies 12:08

3M ago12:08

12:08

BY JIM KASPER Across neighborhoods in the U.S., something strange is happening. Homeowners are receiving notices from their insurance companies warning them, “Prune back those limbs overhanging your home or lose your coverage.” The offending branches? Those on trees that overhang roofs – even healthy, structurally sound trees and branches. Remember…

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Highlining Over the Elora Gorge 7:14

3M ago7:14

7:14

BY JOE LEGATE A couple of years ago, we were contacted to remove a linden tree growing on the side of a cliff at the Elora Gorge, on the Grand River about 70 miles west of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. The tree was approximately 25 feet down from the top/edge of the limestone cliff and about 100 feet above the river below. The linden was leaning towa…

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Grapple Saws Revolutionize Debris Management for Bob Ray Company 7:25

3M ago7:25

7:25

BY DANIEL SHULTS The adoption of grapple trucks and grapple saws transformed debris management in several ways for Bob Ray Co. Inc., an accredited, 55-year TCIA member company based in Louisville, Kentucky. For instance, the company was out in early May 2025 performing storm cleanup after tornadoes passed through the Louisville area. In years past,…

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Engaging Arborists Through Adaptive Training and Education 3:33

3M ago3:33

3:33

BY JAMES HOUSTON Over the past 40 years, our industry has experienced a remarkable advancement in the quality of training offered to professionals. What was once a largely informal, hands-on trade has grown into a highly specialized field backed by science, standardized practices and a strong emphasis on safety and environmental stewardship. Rememb…

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Inflation Reduction Act Funding Freeze Faces Legal Challenges 7:02

3M ago7:02

7:02

BY BAILEY GRAVES After months of uncertainty stemming from executive orders issued by President Trump and ongoing litigation, a federal judge has ordered the resumption of funding for urban and community forestry grants established under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.…

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Part 5: Pesticide Handling, Spill Response and Maintenance 8:29

4M ago8:29

8:29

BY KATHY GLASSEY Despite decades of experience in the pesticide industry, certain areas of pesticide handling and safety still pose challenges. Every stakeholder, manufacturer, distributor and end user has a responsibility to ensure safe and legal handling, transportation and application of pesticides. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI …

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Changes to CDL Medical Examiner’s Certification 10:03

4M ago10:03

10:03

BY KRISTOFFER RASMUSSEN, CTSP, QCL For tree-service companies, the open road is as much a workplace as the treetops. Operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), such as chip trucks, aerial lifts and log loaders, demands strict adherence to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations – a complex web of rules that can feel like un…

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Executive Order Tightens CMV Driver English Proficiency Rules 6:08

4M ago6:08

6:08

BY KRISTOFFER RASMUSSEN, CTSP, QCL Drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) with limited English proficiency (LEP) are about to face a significant regulatory shake-up that could have real consequences for the tree care industry. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.…

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Safety Training for the Long Term 4:04

4M ago4:04

4:04

BY TAMSIN VENN For Timothy Brogan, gaining TCIA’s Certified Treecare Safety Professional credential (CTSP) was a way to empower him to teach other tree care professionals the tools needed to increase their longevity in the industry through safe practices and a safety-culture mindset. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clickin…

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Safety Update: Who Is a Tree Worker? 17:08

4M ago17:08

17:08

BY JOHN BALL, PH.D., BCMA, CTSP, and Mike Tilford, CTSP Who is a tree worker? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) spent a lot of time and effort defining this – through the questions they asked of small business representatives during SBREFA (Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act) – concerning the scope and applica…

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Rebecca Johnson, Breaking Ground on the Accreditation Auditor Team 7:38

4M ago7:38

7:38

BY PATRICIA CHAUDOIN Rebecca Johnson, founder and owner of Arborholic LLC, has a list of arborist credentials a mile long, but laughs when she says she’s never worked full time for a tree care company. “I actually ended up in forestry kind of by default,” she says of her degree from Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Remember to get your free …

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The Ins and Outs of Subcontracted Tree Care Professionals, Part 1 16:06

4M ago16:06

16:06

BY AARON SCHAUER, CTSP, WITH ERIC PETERSEN This is the first installment of a two-part article. Part 1 looks at the benefits of being a subcontractor and working with subcontractors. Part 2, in a future issue of TCI Magazine, will look at how to become and operate as a subcontractor. Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clickin…

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Rocking Crane-ASSISTED Tree Removal 10:39

4M ago10:39

10:39

BY JONATHAN FOOTE, CTSP, CCO Watch out for the mechanical beasts! For years now, I have been asked the question with regard to cranes, “Are you worried these machines will steal your job?” I simply reply, “No, we complement each other.” Remember to get your free subscription to TCI Magazine by clicking here.…