TCIA WTF?

[Phil]

There is another side to this:

How was the AI article received by those who read TCIA and are not aware of, or participate in these style of online forums? The target audience is not us after all. Was it a success? Did they also get the ick from the AI generated reporting format? Wonder if there TCIA actually has a way to test that metric.

 

[Tree Care Industry Assoc.]

Hey all,

First of all, we’d like to apologize. Period.

Our intent was never to exploit, monetize or take ownership of the conversations happening in these forums. The goal was to represent the voices, experience and real-world challenges of tree care professionals in a respectful way, and to bring those conversations to a wider industry audience through TCI Magazine.

As part of TCIA’s partnership with TreeBuzz, we saw an opportunity to highlight the knowledge being shared here by turning selected forum discussions into educational articles. The articles were developed with care by our editorial team, and no posts were intentionally changed, misrepresented or taken out of context. The intention was to respect the discussion, preserve its meaning and reflect on the challenges and expertise being shared here.

We included usernames because we wanted to acknowledge that these were real conversations among real professionals, not abstract topics or anonymous commentary. That said, we understand now that we used those conversations in a way that you all did not expect or agree to. We take that seriously.

We know AI is everywhere (trust us, it can be the bane of our existence at times in such a nuanced industry), but this content was reviewed, shaped and edited by our editorial team, not generated by AI.

We’ve also halted any plans for articles featuring your comments.

If you have questions or comments, feel free to drop them here or message us, and thank you all for the feedback.

The Tree Care Industry Association

 

[Reach]

Hey all,

First of all, we’d like to apologize. Period.

Our intent was never to exploit, monetize or take ownership of the conversations happening in these forums. The goal was to represent the voices, experience and real-world challenges of tree care professionals in a respectful way, and to bring those conversations to a wider industry audience through TCI Magazine.

As part of TCIA’s partnership with TreeBuzz, we saw an opportunity to highlight the knowledge being shared here by turning selected forum discussions into educational articles. The articles were developed with care by our editorial team, and no posts were intentionally changed, misrepresented or taken out of context. The intention was to respect the discussion, preserve its meaning and reflect on the challenges and expertise being shared here.

We included usernames because we wanted to acknowledge that these were real conversations among real professionals, not abstract topics or anonymous commentary. That said, we understand now that we used those conversations in a way that you all did not expect or agree to. We take that seriously.

We know AI is everywhere (trust us, it can be the bane of our existence at times in such a nuanced industry), but this content was reviewed, shaped and edited by our editorial team, not generated by AI.

We’ve also halted any plans for articles featuring your comments.

If you have questions or comments, feel free to drop them here or message us, and thank you all for the feedback.

The Tree Care Industry Association

Thank you for the post, and the apology.

I speak for myself, but probably capture the general sentiment, when I say that as a group we don't mind our posts being quoted in your articles. Many of us would be proud to be quoted, but would like to know ahead of time, would rather have the opportunity to consent to being quoted, and would like to have the quotes used in an article that reads like an article in an industry leading trade publication should read.

These articles we've been referencing read like poorly generated AI junk, and if they were written by real people and were not AI generated, to me that makes it all the worse. I am not a professional writer, however I am a college educated professional, and feel that the true professionals TCIA should be striving to attract deserve college level or higher content, not writing that appears to be written to middle school kids.

Please write more articles using TreeBuzz threads and comments, but give us the courtesy of telling us you're going to do it first. There are some real top-level professionals here, and if you stick around and read some of these threads, you'll find that while some of us are nuttier than others, most here are happy to share the tremendous knowledge they have. That's why we're here. Please use our knowledge and share it, but ask first, and make these articles worthwhile.

I agree that AI can be the bane of our existence, but it can also be a useful tool. My company uses it for some things, and those things it does well. We don't use it for anything directly involving the care of trees, but we do use it in customer relations and some parts of our marketing. In the limited ways we use it, it serves us well, but we will always give our customers the true human contact they deserve, and desire. We hope you will do the same.

 

[davidwyby]

Perhaps create a thread asking for input on a subject knowing it’s going to be quoted

 

[Matias]

They did once, but it just didn't take off. It was kind of a rehashing of a subject that already had an old thread; something about 'what gear do you keep on your saddle' or something like that.

Someone over there should invest a few hours cruising the old threads going back a 3-4 years. They might find whole articles worth of content there, and it would be as simple as posting in that thread to ask if anyone prefers to be left out of that article.

 

[Evo]

They did once, but it just didn't take off. It was kind of a rehashing of a subject that already had an old thread; something about 'what gear do you keep on your saddle' or something like that.

Someone over there should invest a few hours cruising the old threads going back a 3-4 years. They might find whole articles worth of content there, and it would be as simple as posting in that thread to ask if anyone prefers to be left out of that article.

That certainly is a viable option. Personally I prefer lateral communication but could wrap my noodle around that.

 

[Bart_]

IMO I don't see the need to stop articles. I just think the buzz content can form the kernel or stepping off point for a normally researched article. Meeting of the two worlds. Of course take into account permissions (courtesy) and reasonable description of sourcing ie somewhere short of quoting/citing each post like a summary. A particular post in a thread can serve as a subtopic starter in an article related to the thread topic.

 

[Crimsonking]

A good start could be finding the topics that are most duplicated/repeated. Or longest active.

As I think of some of my favorite discussions here, they mostly center around individual innovation, and a flavor of sort that I am concerned doesn't entirely mesh well with TCIA's brand. I think there is overlap, but in the ways treebuzz has meant the most to me, not so much. We get excited about cheap tool bags that become great throw line storage, homemade climbing devices that rise to the top slot for many climbers, and other fringe decisions (hand stitched splices just came to mind). There's an understanding that exploration must be met with sobriety and competence, and we have done a decent job at shooing off the people who would only hurt themselves with the discussions had here. We reach beyond compliance, not in a spirit of rebellion, but in a spirit of excellence raging against complacency.

I think they will figure something out that works for them and doesn't hurt us, but I'm not sure they will ever be able to represent the best of what we share here. Who knows, maybe their articles will lure some new blood to the forums who will reignite some of what most of us have felt is lacking recently.

There's your mission, TCIA. Bring us some new folks who are excited to push the limits, but who are humble enough to hear from grayer heads so they can stay alive while doing it.

 

[Rooted.Tree.Solutions]

Hey all,

First of all, we’d like to apologize. Period.

Our intent was never to exploit, monetize or take ownership of the conversations happening in these forums. The goal was to represent the voices, experience and real-world challenges of tree care professionals in a respectful way, and to bring those conversations to a wider industry audience through TCI Magazine.

As part of TCIA’s partnership with TreeBuzz, we saw an opportunity to highlight the knowledge being shared here by turning selected forum discussions into educational articles. The articles were developed with care by our editorial team, and no posts were intentionally changed, misrepresented or taken out of context. The intention was to respect the discussion, preserve its meaning and reflect on the challenges and expertise being shared here.

We included usernames because we wanted to acknowledge that these were real conversations among real professionals, not abstract topics or anonymous commentary. That said, we understand now that we used those conversations in a way that you all did not expect or agree to. We take that seriously.

We know AI is everywhere (trust us, it can be the bane of our existence at times in such a nuanced industry), but this content was reviewed, shaped and edited by our editorial team, not generated by AI.

We’ve also halted any plans for articles featuring your comments.

If you have questions or comments, feel free to drop them here or message us, and thank you all for the feedback.

The Tree Care Industry Association

As a quiet participant on TreeBuzz I was mostly disappointed that there was no longer any valuable content in the TCI Magazine because you had republished content that I’d already read here. It was like taking a good book and republishing it under a new title. I think it’s a great idea for TCIA to point its readers to TreeBuzz, but certainly don’t find any value in TCIA republishing content that is already here.

 

[Steve Connally]

Times they are a changing. I noticed a shift some years ago. I have nothing but gratitude to so many people on here. Unfortunately most have left because of the shift of tone and conversation. Granted some of that might be generational but things have changed some. I cut my teeth on here. People scolded me for doing shitty work but always to help me improve. There was no virtue signaling. No politics on almost every thread. No snarky life opinions on how somebody wanted to live their lives or conduct things on a personal level. Many the old timers who gave advice started to see nothing but arguments back and decided the effort wasn't worth it. As someone so accurately stated, the design of social media and people interactions have had a major effect on society and I feel like it has carried over to this fantastic place that made the single biggest impact on my career and life. I'll still come and check in. I'll skip a lot, read some and probably not say much anymore. I love this place and am forever grateful but I agree with Muggs. the future is offline until people go back to being able to communicate as humans again. In 20 years of being on here I have never been spoken to or treated the way I was and several others on the Conspiracy Theory thread. I've not picked fights on here in all my years. Have always treated people with respect and accepted people for who they are and how they feel. That was not the case on there and it is a symptom of how society has changed to have little to no respect for anyone with differing viewpoints. I've not called about out disrespectfully and did not in that thread. Unfortunately some people on here who I respected very much showed their colors. Things changed for me after that thread. I just wanna come here and have light hearted conversations about trees, learn stuff from people who know more than me and share what I have managed to learn. It's probably pointless to write this but as people are commenting on the state of things maybe this is my opportunity to say something thats bothered me for a few years. This place has changed. I miss how it was. This place is mine as much as it is all of yours. Many of us have been here for 20 years or longer and it hurts to read peoples frustration. I hope this gets cleared up and people find some peace in the outcome. Maybe during future discourse remember people can believe or feel any way they want about anything including the TCIA articles. Everyone is entitled to that and shouting them down or acting like they're ignorant or beneath you because you feel differently isn't how this place is supposed to be. I spent 20 years sharing my life on here. This is my home and I'm sad to see it changing. I'm not debating this. It's how I feel and doesn't require an opinion of my opinion. It's mine and I'm entitled to it. I love ya'll and thank you for being part of my life during great times and some of the worst. The buzz was always there. I'll be lurking for a while until it's just time to go. When it is I'll go quietly and you wont even notice. Probably typos but I'm tired. Sorry

 

[davidwyby]

Politics and religion are bad juju and this is why .

 

[Brando CalPankian]

Thank you for sharing @Steve Connally. You're feelings are valid. I'm glad you're still here. I've learned some things from you over the years. My kids love watching the eagle video.

This account is my second, after I lost Internet access as a homeless tree climbing youth. It wasn't until I stabilized in my mid twenties and got a smart phone again that I figured I'd see what the buzz was up to.

When I started in the trade I knew nothing. I grew up doing some logging and was homeless/on my own pretty young. Got scooped up by a tree crew and started free climbing. Hated every minute of it, but the next year a friend's dad took me on his landscape crew and at least had ropes. That friend later took his life, but his dad's impact lasted.

I don't remember how I found the buzz. I know I found it before I graduated high school. I lurked, there was so much knowledge here. Same thing, I had no idea there were other "arborists", let alone what that meant or that there was better ways to do this work. I didn't know of TCIA or ISA, I saw dudes talking about the work I was doing in ways that kept me safe without belittling me and that helped me think instead of spoon feed crap into me.

In fact, it armed me to the point that I homeless vagabonded around the country through my late teens and early twenties as a travelling climber. Looking back, scary. I knew nothing. But I did! And it worked! And I kept learning!

When I ended up back on here at the tale end of the last decade, I was elated. A lot of folks had left, but many were still here. And I finally had wrapped my head around the industry enough that I'd felt like my opinion could be helpful.

Since then, I've come to consider y'all my friends. This is also my safe place to come think on ideas that non tree folks don't relate to.

I love the spirit of innovation, ability to communicate complex or off taste topics, and folks literally disagreeing in one thread and cheering each other on in the next.

I know some of that has changed, and some rotten apples over the years have tainted some conversations, but by and large this has been one of the formative career decisions I'd made, in finding and sticking with the buzz.

I'm happy to see that this topic diffused a bit. I hope that there's a silver lining moving forward where we can participate and help build and connect the good in buzz to tcia's reach. Maybe this is what helps put the "care" into TCIA, instead of the C being "corporate".

 

[Steve Connally]

Thank you. Very excellent points and great to see the chronology of your journey.

 

[Daniel]

The truth is TCIA magazine is struggling to find its place in a rapidly digitizing world. They held out from the push to go online, thinking they had the authority and a lock on the print market. They were content to ride that high horse into the ground.

I just checked TCIA has 6K youtube subs. TCIA magazine has less than a thousand. I have 16,000, and haven't done any serious editing in years...

When someone wants to learn how to do tree work, they go to Youtube and search "tree climbing techniques" or "how to fall a tree"... No one is reading the magazine to learn anything. August was very direct and pretty matter of fact in his anti-establishment perspective.. something like "you're crazy if you think some bureaucrat is thinks he can tell me how to cut trees". As Buskminiser Fuller taught, "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."

That's what August did... He didn't fight the old.. He just created a new that was so far superior to the old that he made the old obsolete.

TCIA mag is trying to unmake themselves obsolete... they could change with a push to move out of their ultra-conservative viewpoint. It's an uphill battle though... They have a new staff arborist starting June 2, so we'll see how that plays out.

Don Staruk retired as the editor after 35 years, per the following. So things could change for the better at TCIA mag...

TCI Magazine celebrated 35 years of publication in 2025. For 427 issues, since June 1990 – through recessions, global pandemics and spikes in printing and postage costs – TCI Magazine has hit the industry’s mailboxes every single month.

JON GERSTENBERGER
During those 427 issues, it’s been through a handful of redesigns and a few editors, undergone a major digital expansion – the list goes on. What I’m writing to share with you is one of the most momentous changes in recent history.

After two decades of exceptional leadership, our longtime editor, Don Staruk, will be retiring at the end of 2025 (see Don’s farewell article in the November 2025 issue of TCI). Don’s contributions have shaped the voice and quality of TCI Magazine, and his example will continue to inspire our work moving forward. We are deeply grateful for his commitment and vision over the years, as well as his unwavering dedication to the editorial integrity that has built the magazine to what it is today – the pinnacle of educational and essential content for the tree care industry.

As we turn the page to a new chapter, we’re pleased to share that Peter Gerstenberger, who has more than 40 years of experience at TCIA and was one of the founders of TCI Magazine, will remain its publisher. Peter’s deep industry knowledge and editorial insight will ensure our content continues to meet the lofty standards our readers expect and deserve.


Dennis Schaefer and Susan DiPietro will remain with the TCI Magazine team in their respective roles of art director and managing editor, providing additional stability and insight during the transition.

I will be taking on oversight of the magazine as part of a broader “media house” initiative at TCIA. This new structure is designed to enhance collaboration across our communications platforms, amplify member voices and expand the reach and impact of our storytelling. We want to engage even more of the industry in the development of the content we produce and widen the range of media we offer to provide a deeper, more complete educational experience. We remain committed to producing thoughtful, relevant and engaging content – and we’re confident these changes will strengthen our ability to do so.

We’d like to thank all our subscribers, writers and advertisers for creating the community that allows TCI Magazine to continue to thrive. None of this would be possible without your contributions and/or participation.

If you have questions about the transition or want to learn more about our media-house initiative, feel free to contact me any time. I will be sure to introduce our new editor, Esther de Hollander, soon! We’re excited for what the future holds!

Jon Gerstenberger is vice president, communications & technology, for the Tree Care Industry Association

 

[Steve Connally]

Daniel. I'm out of the loop. Can you expound on what August did or is doing referenced above? What I hear largely is that many feel TCIA is not providing a product commensurate to the cost of participation. The training cost is high and the recertification fee is also fairly steep. Many obstacles to jump through to be a trainer and struggles in the admin aspect of the recertification/CEU process. Lots of changes have taken place so hopefully the kinks will work out. I personally had to cancel my membership. It was not a luxury I could afford.

 

[Daniel]

Daniel. I'm out of the loop. Can you expound on what August did or is doing referenced above?

August just kept putting out video after video of one handing the chainsaw and he as well as many others put on many exhibitions of mastery in tree work. While the ultra-conservative teachings of the major institutions stayed stuck in their rookie trainign level materials. He didn't debate or explain the problems with the old regime. He just put out information that was so unquestionably superior to the info put out by TCIA, that everyone who waanted to learn how to cut trees turned to Youtube and forgot all about the big institutions.

 

[The Green One]

I for one hope that the paper TCI Magazine continues to stay in print!

I still like reading my Journals, Growers Talks, ect on a paper format. Far less distractions from all the ads/noise on the PC.

And I DO like the "Outliers" that actually put out great info on YouTube, BUT strongly dislike the high percentage of misinformation and ads that come with you tube by so called experts that clearly are NOT.

 

[Bart_]

On the web you have to develop tunnel vision and on youtube you have to avoid bolded clickbait titles like they don't want you to know, secret, the real ..., hates ..., etc. It does take some of the fun out of it but spares you exposure and time wasted

A rule of thumb I developed about 20 years ago was approx 1 in 10 sites you visit will turn out to be worth while. I still think its about right.