TCIA Celebrates 75 Years

NAA … the early years

At the 13th annual meeting of the Shade Tree Conference in Baltimore, a meeting was held by commercial tree men. A committee was appointed by acting chairman Charles F. Irish to formulate plans and prepare a constitution to be presented to the 14th annual meeting in St. Louis.

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Commercial tree men, numbering about 30, met on August 30, 1938. A number of names were suggested for this organization, including American Society of Arborists, National Association of Tree Men, National Association of Arborists, National Arborists, Master Arborist Association and National United Tree Surgeons. The following day a motion was approved that the new organization be known as the National Arborist Association.


The first officers of the new organization, elected August 31, 1938, were: President H.M. Van Wormer, 1st Vice President J. Cooke White; 2nd Vice President C.L. Wachtel; and Secretary-Treasurer; W.O. Hollister. The first directors were C.F. Irish, George Lewis and John Fox.

The Association is established to bring together those persons or firms engaged in the care of trees as a livelihood by the recognized methods of tree surgery, pruning, spraying, fertilizing, diagnosis and kindred activities, in order that the profession may be recognized as a science and its activities may be promoted, that problems pertaining to practices may be discussed by the group as a whole or by committees, and to cooperate in securing or opposing legislation pertaining to the care of trees or those engaged in this work.

The objectives of the association have remained constant over the decades, though the words may have changed.

NAA grew with our active members, as they built a profession


Jeff Gregson, left, a 50-plus year Bartlett employee from Roanoke, Virginia watches over a crew in 1947.


An early Davey Tree Expert Company picture with a state-of-the-art Sky-Worker bucket.


Frost and Higgins, a charter member of NAA, established their firm in Arlington, Mass., in 1896. The company was sold to current members C. L. Frank and Bartlett.


Forest City Tree Protection, a member since 1948. William (1971) and Lauren (1993) Lanphear each served as president of NAA.


Bracing and cavity work by S. P. McClenahan Company, one of the early pioneers in tree care and a member since 1984.


Swingle, in business since 1946 and a member since 1948, proudly displays a truck from their early days.


M. F. Blair Tree Surgeons, a West Coast pioneer in early arboriculture.


Parr & Hanson truck proudly displays the NAA member logo


Charter member Wachtel Tree Science & Service Company shows off the uniforms of professional tree surgeons.


Tree transplanting was a major revenue source for tree companies in the 1930s. Charter member Frost & Higgins was among the industry’s leaders.

Associate Members supplied the tools of the trade

War surplus materials were repurposed into the first chipper and chip truck unit on the West Coast.

A reflection of changing tastes and company strengths over time, McCulloch was once the best selling chain saw in arboriculture. How many safety issues can you find?

Some companies, like Oregon, continue to supply the industry with the tools of the trade.


Inventors have always had a place in arboriculture, as have innovative names. Why this saw was called the Jack Kenealy Speed Saw is anyone’s guess.

Karl Kuemmerling and John Bean are multi-generation suppliers to the industry and members of the association.

Ads for Fanno Saw Works, a member since 1977, and Bartlett Arborist Supply & Manufacturing, a member since 1984, in Trees Magazine from the 1940s.

An early bucket from Mobile Aerial Towers, the Hi-Ranger is now manufactured by Terex.


Ernie DiPiero, Jr. and Ross Farrens, long-time supporters of the association and industry, visit in the Aerial Lift booth.

Long-time member Don Blair, Sierra Moreno Mercantile – members since 1982, has been a TCI EXPO fixture at the demo tree, in the classroom, and at his booth.


Richard Goforth, Vice President of Southco Industries and a member for more than 30 years, was an early and consistent supporter of TCI EXPO and Tree Care Industry magazine.

NAA and TCIA’s staff & volunteer leaders …


Dr. Paul Tilford, NAA Executive Secretary from 1940-1965. This is the basement office in the home of Paul and Esther. Working together as a team, they were responsible for the early growth and accomplishments of the association.


Gerald Farrens, left, NAA President in 1977, accepts congratulations from Robert Felix, NAA Executive Vice President from 1974-96.


Pat Felix, who ran the association with Bob for almost three decades, with Rob Fanno, a 35-year member company and a consistent supporter of the association’s mission.

Cynthia Mills was hired to run the association in 1999 and served with distinction for more than a decade.


NAA’s Peter Gerstenberger, who has held almost every job at the association in a career spanning 25+ years, and ISA’s Bill Kruidenier work together at NAA office using the computing power of an early Apple.


Long-time association staff NAA staff Pat Felix, 24 years, Sachin Mohan, 16 years, and Chris Brown 10 years, field questions atTCI EXPO.

Ross Farrens, President in 1946.

Freeman Parr, master communicator and NAA President in 1960.

John Z. Duling, President in 1963.

(L-R) Harry Morrison, NAA President in 1966, receives the Past President’s Award from Edwin Irish, NAA President in 1965.

William. P. Lanphear, President in 1971.

Larry Holkenborg, NAA President in 1979

Bruce Walgren, President of NAA in 1980. Walgren Tree Experts joined the association in 1945.

Walt Money, President in 1981.

(L-R) Eric H. Haupt, President in 1982, hands over the gavel to incoming President Lee Lesh.


Paul McFarland, NAA President in 1983. McFarland Landscape Services has been a member since 1969.


(L-R) Robert Mullane, NAA President in 1984, accepts a gavel and plaque from incoming President Neil Engledow.


Robert Bartlett Jr., NAA President in 1986, at the podium for WMC 1987 on Marco Island, prepares to hand over the gavel to Bill Owen.


NAA on the road at Paul Smith’s College. (L-R): Randall Swanson, Paul Smith’s and George Tyler, NAA President in 1988.


Green industry leaders in the 1980s (L-R): John Shaw, ALCA; Allan Shulder, PGMS; Robert Felix, NAA; and Robert Lederer, AAN

Frank Harder, Harder Tree & Landscape Service, President in 1989.


(L-R) John Hendricksen, President in 1990, Bill Owen, President in 1987, and Robert Bartlett, President in 1986.


Robert Felix with two ISA Executive Directors, Cal Bundy and Professor Eugene Himelick.

F. David Dickson, past owner of Swingle Tree and NAA President in 1991.


NAA Board at WMC 1995 in Orlando. (L-R) Gary Mullane, President in 1994, Susan Haupt, 1996, and Art Batson, Jr., 1995.

John Wright, past owner of Wright Tree Service and NAA President in 1999.


Maryellen and Jim Allard, NAA chair in 2000, enjoy a sunset cruise at WMC 2001 with Cynthia and John Mills.


Mark Tobin, President of Hartney Greymont and NAA chair in 2001, with Cynthia Mills at New England Grows trade show.


Lauren Lanphear, President in 1993, and Rusty Girouard, president in 2003.


Susan Haupt, center, President of NAA in 1996 and owner of The Haupt Tree Company, prepares to cut the ribbon to open TCI EXPO. Haupt Tree has been a member since 1960. To her right are Jim Allard, President in 2000, John Wright, President in 1999, and Dick Proudfoot, President in 1997.


1998 NAA Board of Directors. Back Row (L-R): Mark Shipp, Tom Golon, Rusty Girouard, Dan Christie, Greg Daniels, John Britton. Front Row (L-R): Mark Tobin, Jim Allard, John Wright, Tim Johnson


Tim Johnson, owner of Artistic Arborist and NAA president in 2002.


Tim Harris, left, Chair in 2005, and Mark Tobin, Chair in 2001.


Chair Greg Daniels, far right, prepares to cut the ribbon at TCI EXPO with the 2004 Board of Directors Tim Harris, Cynthia Mills, Stacy Hughes, Jeanne Houser, Terrill Collier, Mark Shipp, Scott Jamieson, Randy Owen, Tom Tolkacz, and Tom Golon.

Tom Golon, Chair in 2006, and Jeanne Houser, Chair in 2007.


2008 Board of Directors: (L-) Scott Packard, Chair of the Board, Randy Owen, Steve Sylvester, Scott Jamieson, Will Maley, Ron Keith, Ben Tresselt, Erich Schneider, and Cynthia Mills. Missing are Terrill Collier and Tony Gann.


2011 Board of Directors: (L-) Kevin Caldwell, Scott Jamieson, Ben Tresselt, Andy Ross, Jack Guffey, Randy Owen, Will Maley, and Tony Gann. Missing is Steve Sylvester and Bill Weber.

Promoting safety and best arboriculture practices has been a constant for the association.

In 1956, tree climbing saddles had a long way to go in the comfort department.

Safety and best practices bulletins from the National Parks Service, adapted and disseminated by NAA, help guide arborists in their work.


EHAP training – a staple among the association’s training programs – has trained tens of thousands of arborists in safe work practices.

The old NAA pruning standard became an ANSI standard in 1995. There are now 10 published Standards covering Pruning, Fertilization, Site Development, Integrated Vegetation Management and more.

Sharon Lilly with ISA and Tim Ard with Forest Applications Training take a break during filming of Basic Training for Ground Operations video series.

This program and the Basic Training for Tree Climber series were cooperative projects with the NAA and ISA.


Tree Care Academy, launched in the late 90’s, has trained more than 2,000 arborists in safe work practices

Launched in 2012, TCIA’s Pro Arborist Series is the latest installment in the association long history of safety and training products.


Until We’re All Safe, a campaign for industry awareness, keeps safety at the forefront of every workday.

From the annual winter conference to the world’s largest tree care trade show, the industry gathers with the NAA / TCIA.

A holiday invite to the 1956 Annual Winter Meeting in Cincinnati.

The first NAA trade show at a winter meeting was held in Florida in 1969.


NAA 25th anniversary gala at the winter meeting in St. Louis, 1963


Sparse crowds at Arbor Expo led to a call for NAA to launch Tree Care Industry Expo.


A less-than-crowded Bandit booth at the first TCI EXPO 1990 in Richmond, where attendance topped 600!


Tom Clancy (not that one) and Bob Felix are all smiles as they see a 12% increase in attendance for the second TCI EXPO in 1991.

(L-R) Vince Newendorp, Associate Board member, Chris Nichols and Denny Vos are dressed and ready for the Vermeer Opening Reception at TCI EXPO.

Touching trees with Dr. Alex Shigo at TCI EXPO 1996 in Charlotte.


Graphic arts were a definite NAA challenge in the 1990s.


Bob Rouse; Peter Dubish with ACRT, a member since 1985; Peter Gerstenberger, Don Blair, Sierra Moreno Mercantile, a member since 1982; and Ken Palmer, ArborMaster, a member since 1997.


Chip Doolittle, President of ArborSystems, a member since 1996 and a staunch association supporter, demonstrates his injection technique at TCI EXPO in the mid-1990s.

Peter Gerstenberger in his snappy Merv Griffin Botany 500 NAA green jacket announces the winner of the Arborbucks drawing at TCI EXPO 2001.


The industry gathers at TCI EXPO. Here, Robert A. Bartlett Jr, President of NAA in 1986, and Robert A Bartlett Sr., together at TCI EXPO 1996.


Getting the next generation enthused about the industry is an important part of EXPO. Celebrating Student Career Days in Columbus in 2001 are (Far Left) Mark Chisholm with Aspen Tree Expert Co., and Stihl, members since 1987 and 1994. (Far Right) NAA staff Tim Walsh and Bob Rouse.


Outdoor Demo Day 2005 was a popular feature of the not-so-popular TCI EXPO Spring in Long Beach, California

Since its founding, the association has fought to encourage sound legislation and oppose regulation that is harmful to the industry.


NAA Executive Vice President Robert Felix was a familiar figure on Capitol Hill in the 1970s and 80s.


NAA Executive Vice President Robert Felix with Vice President Dan Quayle in 1992.

Helping member companies navigate the complicated rules and regulations handed down in Washington has been a staple member services since the association’s founding.


Cynthia Mills, President from 1999-2009, leads a delegation of members to meet with Rep. Joe Wilson. (L-R) Peter Gerstenberger, Randy Owen, Erich Schneider, Mills, Andy Ross, Wilson, Will Maley, Jeff Wilson, and Kevin Caldwell.


Kevin Caldwell, Chair in 2012, brings the message of commercial arboriculture to Sen. Johnny Isakson.

Educating the public about the need for professional tree care -- and the difference between members and fly-by-night companies -- has been a constant for the association.

From the earliest days, NAA members educated the public about the difference between professional arborists and the hackers. Here, a public relations release in 1947 advises homeowners to “Avoid The Quack Tree Expert.”


Eric H. Haupt, president of NAA in 1982, and an unidentified tree lover dedicate a plaque at Audubon Park.


A joint NAA-ISA public relations campaign highlighted the longevity of well-cared-for shade trees with a plaque recognizing the tree was planted before the American revolution.

New sales tools in 1992 for members to customize and send to potential clients. These direct mail brochures stood out for their warm and professional appeal.


(Center) Daniel Van Starrenburg, President & CEO of SavATree, a member since 1986, receives the 1997 Excellence in Arboriculture Heritage Award from (L-R) NAA President Dick Proudfoot, board member Peter Sortwell, Award sponsor Tom Merrill from Altec, and Dr. Alex Shigo.

TCIA’s name change is approved by the membership in 2003, and the National Arborist Association is branded the Tree Care

Industry Association for members, nonmembers and consumers.

Staff Arborist Tim Walsh pruning limbs before the cameras for the association’s consumer education video, starring Pat Summerall.


Billboard from one of the first TCIA Accredited companies, Adirondack Tree Experts, proudly announcing their achievement to the public.

TCIA works with outside organizations such as the better Business Bureau to help consumers identify qualified tree care companies


Through National Days of Service, the association highlights the need for professional tree care. Here, two unidentified arborists participate in National Day of Service at Statue of Liberty in 1987.


Bill Collins with Collins Tree Service, a member since 1984, prunes a tree during the Day of Service with Lady Liberty in the background


Paul Wolfe II, NAA President in 1998, presents an Arbor Day Award to Arlington Cemetery Superintendent John Metzler Jr. NAA held two days of service at the cemetery in 1993 and 1998.


Gregg Daniels, Chair in 2004, and Cynthia Mills, President from 1999-2009, plant a tree on Belle Isle as part of TCIA’s Day of Service in Detroit in 2004.


TCIA’s Accreditation program, launched in 2004, gives consumers the means to identify credentialed and trustworthy businesses. (L-R) Ben Tresselt, member since 1991 and Chair in 2013, Cynthia Mills, Terrill Collier, member since 1982 and Chair in 2009, Bob Rouse, a 15-year TCIA employee, and Tim Back, member since 1995.

Treecaretips.org is the association’s education outlet for consumers. It offers information and a means to find TCIA member companies.

This PowerPoint will continue to grow throughout 2013. Share your photos and stories at TCIA.org and we’ll add them to our growing archive for TCI EXPO in Charlotte.