THE ARBOR DOCTOR

My first exposure to urban forestry and arboriculture came when I answered an article about joining the Westwood Tree Board.  We worked with Steve Sandfort who was a consultant to the Cincinnati Park Board at the time.  Later, Steve was my boss when I interned at Cincinnati Urban Forestry.   Ron

The Announcement from Wendi Van Buren:

I have sad news from Kurt Kastner, a city forester for Cincinnati.  The creator of Cincinnati‘s first forestry program Steve Sandfort passed away last Saturday.  His family is having a private ceremony for him.  Most of you know Steve, but for those of you who don‘t I found a nice bio from the Hamilton County Soil and Water District, since he was a board member.  Our thoughts and prayers go to his family. 

Steve Sandfort was a Registered Forester and a Certified Arborist, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from the University of Missouri in 1970. After working for the Georgia Forestry Commission for 9 years practicing urban and rural forestry in addition to public relations, which included a weekly TV show in Atlanta. He came to Cincinnati as a consultant to guide the creation of the City’s first forestry program.  When the effort was successful, Steve became Urban Forest Manager and, until his retirement in 2003, supervised the care and planting of trees along 1000 miles of streets. Steve was an active member of numerous professional organizations, has spoken to groups all over North America, was a published! < /span> author and earned 4 national awards for his work.

Cincinnati Enquirer

SANDFORT Steve. Beloved husband of Peggy Sandfort. Loving father of Melinda Sandfort Atkinson. Died suddenly Saturday May 23, 2009. Age 66. Long time Forester for the City of Cincinnati. At Steve’s request there will be no services. Memorials requested to Operation Men c/o UCLA Hospital System, 10945 LeConte Ave., Suite 3132, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1784. Mihovk-Rosenacker Funeral Homes serving the family. www.nmrfh.com

http://dunes.cincinnati.com/classifieds/obits/obitDisplay.aspx?id=929651

Wendi Van Buren

Regional Urban Forester

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

777 Columbus Avenue, 5-A, Lebanon, Ohio  45036

office (513) 932-6836, mobile (614) 670-2653

From OSU Extension Educator Joe Boggs:

Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Shelby and Jessamine
Counties in Kentucky.  The Shelby find is in a private woodlot, and
the Jessamine find is in a residential landscape.  Shelby County
(http://www.shelbycountykentucky.com/) is approx. halfway  between
Franklin and Louisville on I-64.  Jessamine County
(http://www.jessamineco.com/) is just south of Lexington.

You can read the story at:  http://www.ca.uky.edu/news/?c=n&d=369

Below is an update from Joe Boggs, reprinted with his permission, on some significant Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) developments.  Local Emerald Ash Borer infestations appear to be increasing rapidly.  Today, I found that most of the trees in Armleder Park on Wooster Road appear to be infested.  If you have an ash tree you wish to protect, you should contact us now.  Be aware that over the counter formulations are probably not sufficient to protect larger trees, according to ongoing research.  If you are scheduled for a treatment which has not yet been performed, we are continuing to treat.  The Tree-age material we are using is effective soon after being injected into the tree and remains so for two seasons. 

Ron

Ronald E. Rothhaas, Jr.
Arbor Doctor, LLC
http://www.arbordoctor.com
Member,  American Society of Consulting Arborists,
International Society of Arboriculture
ISA Certified Arborist, OH-5177A
B.S. Horticulture Interpretation, The Ohio State University
A.A.B. Ornamental Horticulture, Cincinnati State
Technical and Community College
(513) 661-2673

From Joe Boggs:

 
GOOD NEWS:
A new, comprehensive, multi-state EAB fact sheet titled “Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees From Emerald Ash Borer” was posted today on our Ashalert website ( http://ashalert.osu.edu/). The address for the fact sheet is: http://ashalert.osu.edu/userfiles/EAB%20Insecticide%20Options%20Bulletin.pdf
 
The fact sheet was produced through a joint effort between The Ohio State University OARDC/Extension, Michigan State University, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin Extension, and the University of Illinois.
 
DEVELOPING NEWS:
As you may have read in this week’s BYGL (http://bygl.osu.edu/), EAB adults have now emerged in southwest Ohio.  Indeed, I’ve been snapping some great pictures of EAB adult’s feeding, mating (no voyeur comments!), and laying eggs.  The game’s afoot!
 
GRIM NEWS:
- From Hamilton County:  We have long predicted that the EAB population in Hamilton could rapidly “breakout” to new locations given the size and apparent age of the Anderson Twp. / Newtown infestation found in 2007 coupled with support from other smaller infestations (Anderson Twp. along Rt. 52; and West End at Ezzard Charles).  It now appears the breakout is happening.  Dave Gamstetter and his Cincinnati Parks, Urban Forestry team is working to delineate infestations in Hyde Park, Ault Park, Mt. Lookout, Mt. Adams, and Over-The-Rine.  Stay tuned for more developments.
 
- From Butler County:  Some of you may have seen the report last night or this morning on Channel 12 (WKRC) News regarding an EAB infestation in Liberty Township (Butler County).  The report described the infestation as “massive.”  You can view the coverage at the following website:  http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Liberty-Township-Street-Infested-With-Ash-Borer/9CF9-LN0OkCoisidi4_IeQ.cspx
 
I just returned from visiting the site and it appears the infestation is contiguous with the original Butler County infestation found in Monroe in 2006.  So, the Liberty Township infestation is not new.  However, I was surprised to see clear evidence of whole-tree attacks more that 1/4 miles from the southern boundary of the original infestation.  This indicates a very high EAB population and the rate of spread may be increasing.
 
Have a great holiday weekend.
 
J.B.
 

“More than any time in history mankind faces a crossroads.  One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness, the other to total extinction.  Let us pray that we have the wisdom to choose correctly.”  — Woody Allen

**********************************************************************************
Joe Boggs
Extension Educator, Commercial Horticulture,
OSU Extension, Hamilton County
————————————————————————————————
Ohio State University Extension
Hamilton County
Suite 315
110 Boggs Lane
Cincinnati, OH  45246-3145

The Kentucky Mesonet is a network of automated weather and climate monitoring stations being developed by the Kentucky Climate Center at Western Kentucky University to serve diverse needs in communities across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

http://kymesonet.org/

Black locust is now blooming in southwest Ohio.  This is a reliable phenological indicator for the emergence of emerald ash borer (EAB) adult beetles.  Are your ash trees protected?

Friends:

Sometimes in life, it becomes apparent what’’s really important.

As we have enjoyed the warm weather and the progression of spring, my
focus changed in an instant.  At about 2:30 Sunday afternoon, April 26, I received
a call that my brother, Robert, had passed away suddenly and
unexpectedly.  He was just 42 and left behind a wife and two girls.

Obviously, this is a very difficult time for me and my family.  If you
are so inclined, I would covet your prayers. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Ron

Ronald E. Rothhaas, Jr.
Arbor Doctor, LLC
http://www.arbordoctor.com
Member,  American Society of Consulting Arborists,
International Society of Arboriculture
ISA Certified Arborist, OH-5177A
B.S. Horticulture Interpretation, The Ohio State University
A.A.B. Ornamental Horticulture, Cincinnati State
Technical and Community College
(513) 661-2673

Robert “Rob” Edward Rothhaas (January 19, 1967 - April 26, 2009) Guest Book | Sign Guest Book Robert Edward Rothhaas “Rob”, a 13 year resident of Shady Side, MD and previously of Temple Hills, MD, died suddenly at Anne Arundel Medical Center on Sunday April 26, 2009. Rob was 42.  Born January 19, 1967 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Ronald & Eileen Rothhaas, Sr., Rob attended Miami University of Ohio, where he received a B.S degree in Mathematics and a Masters degree in Statistics. Robert started at the Census Bureau in 1989, working as a statistician. He attended Cedar Grove United Methodist Church in Deale, MD, and enjoyed watching wrestling and horse racing and minor league baseball. He became an official Girl Scout member & treasurer, to support his daughters”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””” Girl Scout troop. Robert is survived by his wife of 14 years, Cynthia Ann Rothhaas of Shadyside, MD and his daughters, Rebecca and Sarah Rothhaas, both of Shadyside, MD; his parents Ronald and Eileen Rothhaas, Sr.; his brother Ronald,Jr. and sister in law Bridget Rothhaas.   In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to National Institute of Mental Health, 6001 Executive Blvd. Room 8184, Bethesda, MD 20892.  Please sign the online guest book at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com   Interment at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Cemetery in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.