Volume 59 issue two 2026 What's Inside 1
President’s Message
3
Financial Report
5
Reprint: The Tale of Maid Marion
12
A Day in the Life: Interview with Ezekiel Willard, RCA #774
21
Host a TPAQ® Course
23
Committee Reports
28
Member News
31
Book Reviews
32
Send Us Your Best Shot Creative and Innovative Planting Practices
33
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.]
My first ASCA board meeting was in the spring of 2020 and held over the pandemic, on the Zoom platform. At that meeting, Kay Sicheneder, RCA #668 I mostly ASCA President observed as seasoned board members discussed the significant challenges resulting from Covid. Would we be able to hold our Annual Conference in December? How could we support members facing financial hardships without jeopardizing our financial stability? How could we best serve our members in these changing and uncertain times? Covid fundamentally changed how we live and work. The pandemic brought great loss and hardship to many, and I believe we all shared a collective sigh of relief as the world moved through the pandemic. Yet, as challenging as it was, Covid catalyzed change in ways that continue to benefit us today. Consider the shift to virtual meetings and education. Virtual sessions have increased productivity while also making education more accessible for folks who are unable to attend in person. For myself, I am surprised at how quickly I adapted to Zoom
meetings, depositions, and webinars. The use of virtual tools is still evolving. While many institutions, corporations, and courts are returning to some form of in-person interaction, virtual options are here to stay. The Program Planning Committee’s efforts to organize both in-person and virtual educational opportunities is a good thing that is not likely to go away any time in the foreseeable future. The same applies to technology newer to our scene, such as artificial intelligence (AI). Conversations surrounding Consultants’ use of AI have come to the attention of the board lately from a variety of sources. What constitutes proper use of AI in our industry? Is a report only valid if written and edited by the hand of the arborist? What guidance can ASCA provide on this matter? AI was a topic of significant discussion at our spring board meeting. We are actively looking at how other organizations and institutions are navigating its use. At this stage, ASCA views AI as a tool like any other tool a consulting arborist might use. It has valid and productive applications, but there are also pitfalls that members should be aware of. Use care when sharing information with AI tools, especially personal or client data. Continued on Page 2
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