ISA Michigan

06/01/2026

Ticks are bad this year! Here are some tips from ISA Michigan for tick safety awareness:

Ticks can transmit serious illnesses such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Staying aware and taking simple precautions reduces risk and keeps our teams safe and healthy.

Prevention
Before entering the field:
• Wear light‑colored clothing to spot ticks easily.
• Apply repellent to exposed skin.
• Treat clothing with 0.5% permethrin.

While on the job:
• Avoid tall grass, brush, and heavy leaf litter whenever possible.

After completing work:
• Do a full tick check on your body, clothing, and gear.
• Change into clean clothes.
• Wash work clothes in hot water.

Tick Removal
Most bites are harmless, but quick removal reduces risk.
Use fine‑tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward with steady pressure. Wash your hands and the bite area afterward. Dispose of the tick by flushing it or sealing it in a container. Monitor for symptoms such as fever, rash, fatigue, or joint pain.

05/29/2026

To finish out Oak Wilt Awareness Month we wanted to share a feel-good story about the preservation of the world's oldest oak tree, a 13,000 year old Palmer's oak in California.

"World’s Oldest Oak Gets Shielded From California Development Project

The tree above may look more like a shrub to you. It’s only about 6 feet tall, but it is rather wide, spreading out nearly 80 feet in Southern California’s Jurupa Valley. And it holds a very special distinction: It’s the world’s oldest oak.
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​At 13,000 years old, this colony of Palmer’s oak, dubbed the Jurupa Oak, has survived through the era of woolly mammoths and the end of the Ice Age — and now it also seems to be in the clear of a construction project that threatened its existence.
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After around 18 months of negotiations, developers and conservation groups agreed to establish 54.7 acres of protected open space around the tree. Additionally, the development’s border will be set back 1,000 feet from the oak, more than doubling the previously suggested 450 feet. This buffer addresses fears that construction encroachment would potentially kill the tree, which relies on a deep, widespread root system for stability and water.
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“I’m relieved that we can steer development away from an oak that’s so special it can’t be found anywhere else in the world,” Aruna Prabhala, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement. “Our goal was to minimize risk to the Jurupa Oak and this agreement does exactly that while also making it easier for hillside animals in the region to roam and thrive.” - Credit SFGate

05/27/2026

Congratulations to S. Kevin Bingham and Eric Clos, our two ISA Michigan climbers who competed at the North American Tree Climbing Championship in Kent, Ohio!

05/26/2026

Don't miss your chance for Early Bird pricing to the International Society of Arboriculture Conference in Detroit this August!

05/21/2026

The International Society of Arboriculture Conference is coming to Detroit this August. Register now to lock in early bird pricing!

The latest issue of Tree-sources is out now! Don’t miss Early Bird Registration for the ISA 2026 Annual International Conference before 31 May at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Join arboricultural professionals from around the world in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., 10–12 August, for 40+ educational sessions, industry insights, and CEU opportunities.

To register visit: https://ow.ly/ZJuJ50Z2gCv

To check out the full agenda visit: https://ow.ly/RPcc50Z2gCw

05/19/2026

May 20th is the last day to apply for in-person testing!

Planning to take the ISA Certified Arborist exam?

We are offering an in-person ISA written exam on June 12 in Lansing.

This is a great opportunity to test locally, but there are a couple important steps to be aware of. All candidates must first apply and enroll through ISA before registering for this exam event.

ISA candidates with an approved application can view and enroll in available exam dates through ISA’s credentialing system.

Important deadline:
You must be enrolled in an exam by May 20, 2026 to participate in the June 12 testing.

Start your application and enrollment here:
https://www.isa-arbor.com/

If you’ve been working toward certification, this is a great opportunity to take that next step.

05/15/2026

Exciting news to share from the City Of Holland, Michigan - City Hall! The City of Holland has been a valued partner of ISA Michigan and a gracious host of several of our Michigan Tree Climbing Competitions. Congratulations Holland, MI!

05/13/2026

It is time to register for the Arborist Prep Course!

If becoming an ISA Certified Arborist is on your radar—or you’re ready to strengthen your foundation in the essentials—this three-day course is designed to set you up for success.

We’ll cover the core concepts, connect them to real-world application, and give you the confidence to move forward.

June 9–11, 2026
Lansing, MI

Join us for a focused, practical review of the knowledge every arborist should have.

Register here:
https://www.asm-isa.org/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=883139&item_id=2929961&actr=3

05/06/2026

ISA Michigan Partner Elite Field Service is proud to announce its appointment as the exclusive authorized Michigan dealer for Bandit Industries industrial product lines.

For the first time in its 43-year history, Bandit Industries has selected an authorized dealer in the state of Michigan. Elite Field Service, located in Wayland, Michigan, will now oversee all Bandit industrial equipment across the state, including horizontal grinders, whole tree chippers and slow-speed shredders, along with full sales, service, parts and customer support.

This partnership means customers can expect localized expertise, faster response times and a single trusted point of contact backed by one of the most respected names in the industry.

Being selected as Bandit’s first-ever Michigan dealer is a significant milestone for the Elite Field Service team. The company looks forward to continuing to strengthen support across the state and being part of customers’ future projects.

To read the full announcement and learn more about what this partnership means for Michigan customers, visit the Elite Field Service website: https://www.elitefieldservice.com/post/elite-field-service-named-exclusive-michigan-dealer-for-bandit-industries

05/01/2026

May is Oak Wilt Awareness Month.

Oak wilt is a serious disease affecting oak trees across Michigan, and awareness is one of the most important tools we have in slowing its spread. During the high-risk season, fresh wounds on oak trees can attract sap-feeding beetles that may carry the fungus from infected trees to healthy ones.

Avoid pruning or injuring oaks during the high-risk period, watch for signs of decline, and take suspected oak wilt seriously. Early identification and proper management matter.

This month, help us spread the word about protecting Michigan’s oaks and the important role they play in our landscapes, woodlands, and communities.