Volume 59 issue one 2026 What's Inside 1
President’s Message
3
ASCA Annual Conference Recap
6
From Tree to Testimony: Mastering Effective Witnessing Part 1
13
A Day in the Life: How This Tree Inspired a City
16
A Day in the Life of a Consulting Arborist - Jeremy Lee Hinkle
20
Host a TPAQ Course
25
SEO Opportunity for ASCA Members
[The Arboricultural Consultant is a publication of the American Society of Consulting Arborists® 2023. All Rights Reserved. For more information, contact the ASCA headquarters office. Unless otherwise noted, all images are copyright ASCA and their respective owners. The ideas and opinions expressed in the Arboricultural Consultant are solely those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the view, positions or policies of ASCA, its members, its board of directors, officers or staff. ASCA is not responsible for any claims made in any advertisement, and does not endorse any vendor. ASCA does not warrant the performance of any member.]
Happy New Year and greetings, Members and Friends, It is safe to say that 2026 will be remembered as Kay Sicheneder, RCA #668 an exceptionally ASCA President harsh winter. Here in the Detroit area, we have already experienced the worst that winter can offer: extreme cold, repeated cycles of snowfall and melt which means surface ice everywhere, and several minor ice rain events. Last week while traveling to Michigan’s west coast I had my first experience with ice fog and the resultant unpleasant white-knuckle driving. All of this by mid-January which is more harsh weather than we typically encounter in many years. Reports suggest much of the country is in the same situation. We are indeed in deep winter, and there is no better time for reflection and planning for the year ahead. When I first joined the ASCA Board just months before the COVID shutdown, I was frustrated—if not discouraged—by the limited volunteer opportunities within the organization. I distinctly recall asking, “How do I
become involved in ASCA?” and not receiving a clear answer. At that time, apart from Board service, there were few volunteer roles and no open or transparent process. That has changed dramatically, and ASCA is far stronger because of it. During one of my early Board meetings, I shared my view that one hundred percent of this organization’s purpose is to serve its members. Member input on how best to do that is critical. Meaningful participation by members in the purpose, focus, and work of ASCA is essential to a healthy professional organization. I am therefore particularly pleased and proud that ASCA now has more than a dozen volunteer committees, supported by over one hundred volunteers and expertly assisted by staff from Stringfellow Management Group. I encourage you to explore ASCA’s committees and their missions. They are working for you. One of these committees is poised to be especially active. The Marketing Committee was formed several years ago but initially lacked a clear charge, direction, or funding. At that time, ASCA was emerging from COVID, had recently hired a new management company, and was operating under an outdated strategic plan and with no marketing plan in place. I am thrilled Continued on Page 2
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