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History of ISA: 1930s
In the early years, the people who practiced
arboriculture were typically called tree experts or tree surgeons. The term
tree surgeon actually reflected some of the prominent practices of the time:
cavity cleaning and filling, bark tracing, and pruning. The first use of the
word arboriculture in the proceedings of the NSTC was by Charles Irish in 1932,
in his paper “Highlights in the Early History of Arboriculture.” Irish noted
that the term had been used in England for more than 300 years. The use of
arborist and arboriculture became popular in America in the 1930s to
differentiate tree care from forestry.
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The Great Depression years in the 1930s saw unemployment reach unprecedented
levels, and the largest tree companies, Davey and Bartlett, were forced to lay
off hundreds of workers. Many small companies were founded as laid-off workers
struggled to make a living. The Depression also precipitated U.S. government
programs such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC). These programs often focused on such activities as
reforestation, tree clearing, and landscaping, providing a future work force
with tree-related skills. NSTC continued to meet and grow throughout the 1930s
with conference attendance reaching 412 in Boston in 1936.
During the same period, utility wires were being strung all across North
America. A new niche in arboriculture was born as Davey, Bartlett, and the
newly founded Asplundh Tree Expert Company all took on line-clearing contracts.
Though Davey and Bartlett both resisted this aspect of tree work at first, line
clearance would become a major division of both companies, and the Asplundh
Company would later become the largest arboricultural firm in the world. The
NSTC, however, was slow to recognize line clearing as an integral
arboricultural practice.
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Before the advent of small, one-man chain
saws and aerial lifts, all tree work was performed manually. Fortunately, the
climbing gear and saws have evolved to make tree climbing safer and more
efficient.
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The first NSTC monthly periodical was entitled Arborist’s News, which began
publication November 1, 1935. The issues were organized and produced by Dr.
Richard White in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Dr. Ephraim P. Felt of New York was
the editor during the first two years of publication. The early issues of
Arborist’s News were composed primarily of abstracts of newly published papers
on shade tree care, announcements from the leadership of the NSTC, and book
reviews.
Techniques for moving large trees were a major emphasis of arboriculture in the
1930s and 1940s.
L.C. "Chad" Chadwick
Secretary/Treasurer -- 1937-1963
Executive Director -- 1963-1969
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Lewis C. (Chad) Chadwick was elected NSTC editor in 1936, beginning his long
tenure as an officer in the organization. After serving as editor for two
years, he became executive secretary in 1937, secretary-treasurer in 1939,
executive director in 1963, and executive director emeritus in 1969 until his
death in 1994. More than any other individual, Chadwick influenced the growth
and direction of the Conference in its transition from the NSTC to the ISTC and
ultimately to the ISA.
At its 1936 annual meeting, the NSTC approved a research project pertaining to
lightning injury. At the time, no other organization or institution was in a
position to gather data over a period of years from such wide geographical
sources. This project was a milestone in the history of the organization in
that it was the first sponsored research project.
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Delegates of the Fourteenth Annual Shade Tree Conference gather for a photo at
St. Louis in 1938. |