Fall 2014
2014 TREE Fund Events Raise over Three-Quarters of a Million Dollars
The trifecta of events to benefit the TREE Fund that took place at this year’s ISA Conference in
Milwaukee was wildly successful, generating well over three-quarters of a million dollars. This recordbreaking level of support will fund scientific research on urban trees, education programs to foster
environmental engagement and scholarships for aspiring tree care specialists.
STIHL Tour des Trees
85 STIHL Tour des Trees cyclists got a taste of Midwestern hospitality this summer courtesy of the
Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA) and its fellow sponsors of the 2014 Tour. A custom cycling route
developed by Wisconsin cyclists Dick Rideout, Thom Kraak, Doug Drysdale and Jeff Edgar appealed to
cyclists, tourists and arborists alike, with bucolic scenery, challenging cycling and plentiful evidence of
Wisconsin’s passion for trees, cheese, and even polka music. The adventure began at Milwaukee’s
famous GermanFest parade, where the Tour was cheered by thousands of spectators. During the next
seven days the cyclists dedicated 23 new trees during events at local libraries, parks, the State Capitol,
the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Green Bay’s 9/11 Memorial and the Wisconsin State Fair,
each ‘blessed’ with the Tour’s signature rallying cry of “Grow, tree, grow!!”
WAA, supported by Wisconsin’s Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR),
showcased the TREE Fund, its sponsors and professional tree care
with 20-foot banners suspended from local tree care trucks. Media
coverage was plentiful, with more than 90 local and national outlets
covering the event and its participants. Highlights of the week included
a tree dedication honoring Dr. Robert Miller (professor emeritus at UWStevens Point and an architect of its renowned arboriculture program),
a solemn dedication of an offspring of NYC’s 9/11 Survivor Tree at
Green Bay’s 9/11 Memorial, and a pig roast and polka party in Door County hosted by the family of 15year Tour veteran Thom Kraak.
TREE Fund Crown Sponsors Bartlett Tree Experts and The Davey Tree
Expert Company also hosted dinners for the Tour, as did Title Sponsor
STIHL and WAA. All told, more than 100 volunteers joined forces with
local sponsors, mayors, city foresters, scouts, librarians and tree lovers of
all ages to welcome the cyclists to Wisconsin’s hometowns. Seymour, WI,
population 3444, stole the show with handmade welcome signs, Subway
sandwiches, ice cream and enthusiasm to spare, and Wisconsin radio
and TV personality Melinda Myers teamed up with the Tour’s own Professor Elwood Pricklethorn to
promote planting the right tree in the right place to a group of attentive day campers in New London.
The Professor (aka Toronto Tour cyclist and arborist Warren Hoselton)
headlined seven children’s education events during the week, delivering a kidfriendly version of Arboriculture 101 to more than 250 children. Each child also
took home a set of books about trees, and 500 additional books were mailed to
Wisconsin libraries in advance of the Tour, a gift from the TREE Fund, the
Tour, Bartlett and Wisconsin’s DNR.
Record-breaking sponsor support and strong fundraising boosted Tour revenues past
$607,000. Fundraising powerhouse Team Ohio raised more than $36,000, but Team Wisconsin used its
home-court advantage to raise $44,044, earning the top Team honors and the right to present the
ceremonial check to TREE Fund Chairman Jim Zwack at the closing ceremonies.
Top individual fundraising honors go to:
1. Mike Neal: $8445
2. Randy Miller: $7640
3. Paul Sellers: $7302
4. Steve Geist: $7030
5. Frazer Pehmoeller: $6825
The campaign remains active until 12/30/2013. Learn more, view the photo gallery or donate to the 2014
campaign at www.stihltourdestrees.org
Raise Your Hand for Research Auctions
The room was packed, the beer was flowing, friends were catching up (while eyeing
the vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycle gleaming in the corner of the room) and
Emcee Ken Ottman was working the crowd. The TREE Fund Raise Your Hand for
Research Live Auction in Milwaukee on August 4, 2014 had everything you would
expect at not-to-be-missed Wisconsin event, and more!
Hundreds enjoyed a lively evening with spirited bidding and games of chance, all in support of the TREE
Fund. Returning auctioneer Graham Crow started the night by dumping Golden Tickets over Ken’s head
and having him grab the winning ticket mid-air. Cindy Weidner of Ohio was the exuberant winner,
choosing a Holland America cruise for two to Mexico or the Caribbean as her prize. Bidders competed
for trips to places like Italy, Whistler ski/golf resort in Canada, Yosemite/Kings Canyon national parks,
and New Orleans. Attendees also vied for a gorgeous handcrafted canoe and a hand carved snowy
egret sculpted by Dr. Robert Miller, beloved professor emeritus and founder of the of UW-Stevens Point
Urban Forestry program.
Beyond the bidding, Live Auction guests took the opportunity to mingle with
TREE Fund researchers at the Researcher Reception and compete against
colleagues to win wine, specialty beer or spirits in the Ring Toss Game. TREE
Fund Chairman Jim Zwack of MN bought a bandana for $20 to play Heads or
Tails and won the $500 prize!
The Silent Auction on the trade show floor kicked off with Patricia Skiera cutting a
cake to celebrate Wisconsin Arborist Association exceeding their goal of raising
$250,000 for the Bob Skiera Memorial Fund. Between bites, shoppers gave us
their “best bid” on everything from artisan wood items to arborist equipment to a
signed photograph of Brett Favre. Joe Aiken of Michigan was particularly delighted
to nab the rare 1902 edition of John Davey’s The Tree Doctor that he’d been
seeking for some time. Sonny Gober (MO), David Boone (IL) and Shawn Bernick
(WI) each won $1,266 in the Split the Pot Raffle. In our Mystery Box game
sponsored by Jarraff Industries, Inc., Josh Zarling (WI) took home a Yeti cooler and Jason Diehl (KY)
unlocked two Mystery Box prizes, winning a “date night” package and a rolling backpack.
2014’s Raise Your Hand for Research auctions took in an all-time high of nearly $144,000. Thank you to
all who participated – donors, bidders, sponsors and volunteers. We couldn’t have been successful
without your support. We look forward to seeing and working with all of you next year in Orlando!
Asplundh Golf Outing to Benefit the TREE Fund
Wisconsin rolled out a classic summer day for Asplundh’s annual golf outing to
benefit the TREE Fund on August 3. 68 golfers teed up to benefit tree research and
education, and a record number of sponsors pitched in to keep the fun factor high.
Held at the Bog in Wisconsin, the event raised more than $16,000 for the TREE
Fund. Many thanks to Asplundh, Terex and Altec for their perennial support of this
event, and to the golfers and hole sponsors who supported it!