The Tree Care Industry Association's (TCIA) Certified TreeCare Safety Professional program is the only safety credentialing program in the industry.  A CTSP educates his/her team in safe work practices.  A CTSP also acts as a safety "coach," working to change organizational attitudes about safety and motivating employees to willingly participate.  The coursework helps candidates develop proficiency in four key areas:  leadership, hazard identification, incident control and prevention, and adult learning.

Jeff went to Chicago, Illinois to an intensive workshop and sat for the exam on the next day!  Victorian Gardens has always strived to be a safe environment for all to be involved with and this credential is an honor for Jeff and Victorian Gardens to attain!

Congratulations Jeff!!!!!

We had a great time at the ITCC - International Tree Climbing Championship in Lisle, Illinois and the ISA Conference in Chicago, Illinois!

Jeff passed his last report for ASCA (American Society of Consulting Arborists) in April of this year.  He now is a Registered Consulting Arborist, #491. 

It is time to treat your pine trees for Pine Wilt! 

Don't let this vicious disease kill your Pine Trees!  We can prevent it. 

Call us, so we can prevent the loss of your trees.

Jeff and I went to Ohio on June 5.  The ISA Chapter of Ohio was hosting the OTCC.  Jeff volunteered for the Foot Locking event.  We had a great time and the Ohio Chapter were great hosts!  The Championship was run smoothly and the competitors were fantastic. 

Workshop offered by Victorian Gardens

Instructors:  Jeff Thierbach, Kristian Schultz and Rob Brown

Location:  639 Sunset, White Lake, Michigan

Dates:  June 9 & 10, 2010

Contact Dawn Thierbach to Register

810-338-6531

Testimonials from Attendees: 

"I had no prior knowledge about tree climbing, and the second day I was able to safely climb a tree!"

"I obtained all the knowledge and skills outlined in the syllabus and then some!"

The workshop was fabulous!!  The participants were eager to learn and climb.  We enjoyed the day!!  All participants ascended a tree!

Some photos from the two day event!

Special Thanks - Kathy, Bartlett Arborist Supplies

Tim Mautz, Medical First Responder

The Participants - Thank you for attending - See you soon at the Intermediate Climbing Workshop

If you are interested in any other workshops - contact Dawn Thierbach (810-338-6531).

Michigan Tree Climbing Championship

August 21, 2010 - Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan

- Free for the Family - Great entertainment

- Fantastic Athletes!!

COME WATCH YOUR TREE CARE COMPANY COMPETE!!

Jeff has always been involved in Safety Training.  In the 1980's Jeff was in the U.S. Navy.  He was a Search & Rescue Diver trained in Jackson, Florida.  Many times he performed rescues from ships and helicopters.

We did an Aerial Rescue Scenario on March 7, 2010. 

Our Scenario was removal, where the climber injured himself with the chainsaw, so spurs were permitted.  First time we used this scenario.  Jeff, Rick and Rob performed the aerial Rescue.  Jeff attended an ASM Aerial Rescue Workshop with Jontan.

Victorian Gardens attended the EHAP program in Lansing this past week.  Required training.  Jeff, Rob and Jontan attended.  Rick Davis from EN Davis went with them.  It is a program designed to inform tree care companies about the electrical hazards for themselves and the crew members.  The Arboricultural Society of Michigan sponsors this workshop.    

Tim Mautz will be coming at the end of February to instruct us on First Aid and CPR.  It is time for renewal.  This is required right along with the EHAP program.  Jeff, Dawn, Rob, and Rick completed CPR/AED/First Aid.  Molly and Katie completed CPR/AED.  We will also be staging an aerial rescue, which is an additional requirement for EHAP. 

Tim does a great job!

 If you are in need of First Aid/CPR training,

do not hesitate to telephone him.

Did you find us.  There we are - Jeff is pointing at you.  Rob is standing next to Jeff.  This was during our Aerial Rescue Training with two CTSPs.  Kristian Schultz was one of the CTSPs and Paul Michaels was the other CTSP.  We are also in TCIA's CTSP training brochure. 

We had this photo taken at the Pet Supplies in White Lake, MI.  Northern Lights Photography did a great job.  With this crew it took 2 hours.  They were so patient.  And the results were fantastic.

The Arboriculture Society of Michigan has selected Victorian Gardens to receive the 2009 ASM Corporate Award.  Victorian Gardens was selected to receive this award as a business that provides financial support to the arboriculture industry through sponsorships of meetings and workshops, provide volunteers and/or in kind services for arboriculture projects, and facilitate education for the industry and their employees.

We are thrilled to receive this award and would like to thank ASM Board Members for considering us for this award.

As many of you know, Wesley and Meagan have left for Iowa.  All of us at the Arboricultural Society of Michigan wish them the best.  Therefore, a new MTCC Chair was elected by the board.  Dawn Thierbach (me) is the new Chair. 

All volunteers are welcome.  We need Judges, Technicians, Climbers and Runners.  Contact Nancy Carpenter at ASM (517-337-4999) or Dawn Thierbach at Victorian Gardens (810-338-6531).  ASM, the Michigan Chapter of International Society of Arborists, would like to extend an invitation to everyone to join them at the Michigan Tree Climber's Championship. 

The event will be at Oakland University on August 21, 2010.  It is free to come and watch!!!  Bring the family - everyone is welcome.  Come watch your tree care company compete!!

You can still reach us at the same telephone numbers.

We have a new email address:

 vicgartree@aol.com

Marshall Baeckeroot from Oakland Community College asked Jeff to come and teach the Fundamentals of General Tree Work course for one night (June 16, 2009).  We had a great time.  There were eight students in attendance.

We really enjoyed ourselves.  The students were full of enthusiasm and loads of fun.  Thank you Marshall for the opportunity to use our knowledge to help others.

Jeff's brother died on December 2, 2008.  Jack will be missed by all!

Dawn finished the Oakland Community College Fall 2009 semester with A's in Nursery Practices, Flowering Annuals and Perennials and Landscape Construction - Irrigation.  She is on the Dean's List.

The Oakland Community College Winter 2010 Semester is finished and Dawn is still on the Dean's List.

Fall 2010 Oakland Community College Semester is here and Dawn is registered for Business Communication, Introduction to Geology, and Introduction to Film.   With a successful semester Dawn will have her Associates Degree in Landscape Horticulture by December 2010.

   Jeff became an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA) in April and a TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) in July.

Rob is a  MIOSHA Level I Certification.    He is the first in the ASM organization to complete this certification.  Rob will be attending MIOSHA Level 2 Classes soon.

Jeff and Rob will be attending the Tree Risk Assessment Certification Program (TRACE) in October of 2010.  The program is presented by ASM and was developed by the ISA Pacific Northwest Chapter.