LIFELINE

LIFELINE
W i n t e r 0 8
N E W S A N D I N F O R M A T I O N F R O M
Living the Nelson
SAFETY PROMISE
A Personal Commitment to Safety
Page 33
Spans of Service -
Employee Anniversaries
Page 21
Basics Bonanza Wrap
Up - the Grand Prizes
Page 34

I N T H I S I S S U E
Focus on Safety
Field Ambassador II ... Angry Property Owners . . 4
Avoiding Electrical Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Herbicide Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Nelson’s Unsung Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Alert Today ... Alive Tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Safety Performance Evaluation Process . . . . . . 13
News from the Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-17
Commendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
From Our Customers
Readership Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-20
Your chance to win a $100 gift card and help
us make the LifeLine more useful to you
Spans of Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-26
Nelson Employees Celebrate Anniversaries
Our General Foremen
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4
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LIFELINE
March 08 • Volume 8 • Issue 1
Editor
Contributing
Writers
Bev Emmons
Bill Carney
Jim Craner
Terry Jobson
Scott Palmer
Jeff Sachs
Ellie Schneider
LIFELINE staff encourages anyone with
suggestions for articles or features to
send them to us. We look forward to
hearing from you.
Please mail your contributions to:
LIFELINE
C/O Bev Emmons
Nelson Tree Service
1463B Simanton Road
Ashland, Ohio 44805
GF Wisdom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
GF Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29
GF Helpful Hints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Or call 419 281-0111
Or email bev@nelsontree.com
Safety Programs & Incentives
Basics Bonanza Program Wrap Up . . . . . . . . . 31
2008 Safety Recognition Program . . . . . . . . . 32
Safety Smart Questions Winners . . . . . . . . . 32
Nelson’s Voluntary Safety Promise Program . . 33
18
LIFELINE is produced and distributed
for employees and business partners
as a communication tool of Nelson Tree
Service, Inc.
Nelson Tree Service, Inc. is an
Equal Opportunity Employer.
NelsonWear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34-35
Great Prices on the Items You Need the Most!
2
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
It is the policy of Nelson Tree Service, Inc. and it’s management to work continually toward improving recruitment, employment, development and promotional opportunities for minority group members and women.
It is the Company’s intent to provide equal opportunity in all areas of its employment practices and to ensure that there be no discrimination against any applicant or employee on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex,
age, disability, national origin, veteran status, marital status or sexual orientation.
This policy extends to recruiting and hiring, to working conditions, training programs, use of company facilities, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. As a field employee, complaints may be made
to your immediate supervisor, (foreperson, general foreperson, supervisor) or Regional manager. As an employee, complaints may be made to your immediate supervisor, department manager or the Vice President of
Administration & MIS. If you cannot report to your supervisor or manager, or if a complaint you have made has not been promptly addressed, you should call the Vice President of Administration & MIS at 1-800-522-4311.
Management will continue to be guided and motivated by this policy, and with the cooperation of all employees, will actively pursue the related goals of equal and affirmative action throughout the Company.

F RO M T H E P R E S I D E N T
LOU NEKOLA, PRESIDENT
14843 Sprague Road, Suite E
Strongsville, Ohio 44136
TO MY FELLOW EMPLOYEES,
When was the last time you took out your “Back to Basics 2” and “Back to Basics
Equipment” cards from your Crew Leader’s Manual and went over them line by line with
your crew members? These programs were not designed to be read once and filed
away. We consider them to be how we live our Safety Program.
I strongly encourage all of you to make these programs part of your everyday work environment.
In the past months, our safety professionals and upper management have
noticed that our Company has begun to drift away from the policies that we have all
worked so hard to put into place.
It is up to each of you on every crew in this Company to actively enforce these programs!
You must insist that we all act safely! Stop a job if it cannot be done safely; stop a fellow
employee from performing an unsafe act. All crew members and management are
responsible for each other’s safety. In fact, it is the responsibility of all of us to make
sure that everyone goes home at the end of the workday.
Enforcement of these programs has proven to reduce accidents and injuries. We
strongly believe that effective safety awareness can eliminate accidents and injuries.
“Safety and Professionalism…..it’s the Basics” is what drives our Company and Safety
is the FIRST word in that vision.
Our goal and your goal must be that everyone everyday goes home to their families.
Stay Safe; live the B2B2 and B2BE!
Sincerely,
Lou Nekola,
President
Nelson Tree Service, Inc.
3

F O C U S O N S A F E T Y
4
Being a Field Ambassador II ...
Angry Property Owners
by Jim Craner, Safety Director
Any line clearance tree trimmer who
has been around for a while has most
likely dealt with an angry, upset property
owner. If you haven’t had the pleasure,
stick around, and read on for tips to
prepare you for dealing with the situation
professionally.
Generally, property owners become angry
and upset with us for a number of reasons.
Usually, it is a result of the property
owner misunderstanding the impact that overgrown
trees and brush have on the reliability of their electric
service. There are also times when, despite explaining
why you are doing what you’re doing, the property
owner still objects to the work being performed. And
finally, there are instances when property owners verbally
attack you for no apparent reason at all.
Misunderstandings
Misunderstandings can be very frustrating. One example
of a misunderstanding that occurs is when people
see you “standing around doing nothing.” It may not
cross their mind that you have a good reason. Instead,
they simply assume you are wasting time. They
may feel you are wasting their money as well, since a
portion of the utility bills they pay goes toward our
wages. This is the kind of logic you will be faced with
and how you react to it will make a difference. If you
handle it well, most people will come around to seeing
things “your way.” And the next time they see another
Nelson Tree employee who seems to be “loafing” they
may think twice before criticizing.
Handling Misunderstandings
People believe what they are saying is true; when a
property owner says, “You’re not trimming those trees
the right way,” they truly believe it. If you ignore them,
or make some “smart” remark, you will confirm what
they already believe and their opinion of our company
will be worse than ever.
Getting someone who has a negative
opinion of you or our company to listen
is a challenge. One of the best ways to accomplish
this is to let them know you are
listening to them and that you understand
their viewpoint. This is the strategy of
showing heightened concern as discussed in
the previous LifeLine issue.
Once they are listening, you can calmly
make your point and provide them with
the information they need to clear up the misunderstanding.
You may need to give a brief explanation of
what you’re doing and how long you expect it will take
to complete.
Objections
Another common issue we face is property owners or
the general public objecting to the work we are doing
or how we are doing it. Sometimes, people object to
things you are doing that they have no way of stopping.
Other times, people object and actually stop you
with physical threats.
When a person objects and has no legal right to
stop you, you may be tempted to ignore the objection.
(For example, they don’t like the fact that you have
two trucks on the road while you trim.) If you think
they can’t do anything about it so why worry, think
again. People can call upon a variety of resources that
can negatively impact the professional image you work
so hard to uphold, such as your utility representative,
a local newspaper, radio or television station, a federal,
state or local government agency. A call to any one of
these will cost more time than just dealing with the
objection.
People may make physical threats that will without
question stop you. Any time a person comes at you or
anyone on the crew with some sort of weapon, odds
are you will not complete the task you set out to do.
And you shouldn’t attempt to, there is never a good
reason to accept the risk.

F O C U S O N S A F E T Y
Regardless of the outcome, if we ignore a person’s
objection, their opinion of our company will be negative.
The ignored person may talk negatively to family,
neighbors and friends and create more resistance and
conflict. Any way you look at it, ignoring an objection
is a no-win situation.
It is important that we understand some of the
common reasons why people object:
• Fear that we will damage property
• A bad experience with a line clearance company or
utility in the past
• They may be uncomfortable with strangers on or
near their residence
• They simply do not like the ways trees look when
we are finished
Often people who show anger do so out of fear. If
you can identify with the fear instead of reacting to
the anger you will be more successful at reaching an
agreement.
Handling Objections
People make their objections known in many ways.
They may be angry, upset, sobbing, whiney or scared.
You can often identify their emotion by their tone of
voice or the words they use.
One of the best strategies for handling objections is:
• First, react to the emotion by showing heightened
concern.
• Then, get them to listen.
• And finally, give information that will lead them to
a different point of view.
This is the same strategy used for dealing with misunderstandings;
however, when dealing with objections,
people may be more concerned because you’re
likely to be on or near their property and may impact
the aesthetics of the environment. So, when you offer
a reason why the person go along with what you are
doing, it really has to reflect the person’s best interests
as much as possible.
For example, saying to a property owner, “That’s the
way we trim and that’s the way it’s going to be,” is not
likely to resolve any conflicts. However, saying, “The
trimming is necessary to provide reliable electric service
and we trim to arborist specifications, which are proven
to be the healthiest for the tree,” may influence the person
to stop objecting.
There are times when you may find yourself in a
situation where you are unable to think of a good reason
why it is in the property owner’s best interest to go
along with what you are doing. If so, do not give a reason.
People will not buy into anything
that sounds fabricated or half true. In
these cases, use the heightened concern
strategy and think about finding
another way to accomplish the task.
For example, if the property owner
says, “I don’t want the trees butchered
the way you did the ones down
the street,” you may respond with, “I
can understand you feeling that way.”
Then, ask yourself if the trees can be
trimmed any differently while still
meeting the required clearance. If you
can, then do so. If you can’t, you will
need to explain why the trimming is
necessary. If they won’t accept your
explanation, inform them that you
will need to put them in contact with
someone else and let them know when
to expect that correspondence.
continued on page 6
5

F O C U S O N S A F E T Y
6
Other responses you can give are:
I can see why it must look that way, however
we are really doing this because …
I can see why you’d object to that, however
the advantage of it is this …
Attacks
Attacks differ from misunderstandings and objections.
In an attack, the property owner is far angrier.
They are not criticizing so much as they are venting
anger. Extreme anger, yelling, rudeness, swearing and
“you” statements, such as, “You’re an idiot” or “Your
company is the worst in the world,” characterize attacks.
People generally attack when they feel powerless
or helpless. They may feel like they are “just one little
person” against a big organization and nobody cares
about what they want. Out of frustration, they lash
out at you.
Whatever the cause,
an attack invites an
argument and several
negative consequences
can occur. Unnecessary
stress can build
up, time is wasted
that could be used to
complete the job, the
property owner’s bad
opinion of our company
only gets worse and
we fail to accomplish
what we set out to do.
Attacks are not rational. While verbal attacks can be
dealt with, threats of physical harm call for immediately
leaving the area.
When faced with an attacking property owner, the
main goal is to avoid the argument. This takes willpower
to resist the temptation to argue. Focus your
energy on ways to try and calm the property owner
down. Roll with the attack and take control verbally
using the tips below.
• Start by listening carefully to what the attacker is
saying. Too often a person gets caught up in the
emotion and does not hear what is actually being
said. It is easier to avoid an argument if you listen
to the words and not the emotion.
• Find something in what the property owner is
saying to agree with. This is the strategy of selective
agreement as discussed in the previous LifeLine
issue, or more commonly, the “rolling with the
punches” theory. For example, a property owner
may say, “You’re incompetent.” While you would
never agree that you are incompetent, you could
respond with, “You have every right to believe that.”
This statement shows the attacker that you are
listening and that, to some extent, you agree with
them and are not the enemy. In a sense, you are
agreeing without agreeing. Here are some other
ways to accomplish this:
I can see your point.
It really must seem that way to you.
I understand how you could see it that way.
You have every right to believe that.
There is some truth to what you say.
That is a long time to have to wait for a reply.
Once you have slowed the attack and used the selective
agreement strategy, ask a leading question that
may help you determine the root of the anger. This
can help move the discussion away from the human,
or emotional, level to the business, or professional,
level. Some examples of leading questions are:
What options have you thought about?
Is there something I can help you with?
Learning some of these simple phrases and using
them at the right time can quickly defuse a situation.
But even the politest of responses will not work in
certain circumstances. The good field ambassador
recognizes a situation that is out of control and backs
off until further assistance is obtained. Never remain
in any situation where you feel physically threatened!

F O C U S O N S A F E T Y
Avoid Electrical Contacts with
Proper Tree Trimming Techniques
by Jeff Sachs, Safety Specialist, Region 466
Over the previous several months the
line clearance industry has experienced
several disturbing incidents regarding
electrical contact injuries and near
misses. Electrical contact, directly or indirectly,
is one of the worst types of injury a
line clearance tree trimmer could sustain.
As a Nelson Tree employee, you have
been involved in safety stand-downs and
received information on how to prevent these contact
incidents. This is an extremely serious subject and, as
part of Nelson Tree’s ongoing training, this article is
devoted to providing more information on this topic.
After investigating many of these electrical contacts,
it has been determined that properly pruning a limb
before cutting it, or placing a rope on the limb, could
have prevented these electrical contacts.
A proper job briefing is the best defense against
breaking minimum separation requirements.
The first and foremost factor in determining
the potential of any limb breaking minimum
separation is a thorough tree assessment
that determines which limbs pose a
risk before any work begins. Before
contacting any limbs, ensure
they are outside the minimum
separation.
PREVENT ELECTRICAL CONTACTS:
• Use pruners to shorten limbs when there is growth
inside minimum approach distance.
• Use pruners to pull limbs back away from the
conductors.
• Use ropes to pull overhanging branches, and on
branches leaning toward conductors that are too
big to handle safely.
• When roping, properly assess the weight of the limb
and use an appropriate rope size and anchor point
that is strong enough to support the limb.
Proper crew leader supervision is critical
in preventing limbs from contacting
conductors. In the job briefing, the crewleader
and the crew will determine the
limbs that pose a risk, and the crewleader
must provide direct supervision as these
limbs are trimmed.
Never slice cut limbs that have the potential to contact conductors! This
is not the correct type of cut. Trimmers have little or no control of a limb
once the slice cut is made. Slice cutting is only a safe technique when
limbs are below the conductors. Instead, remove limbs using a hinge cut
on the front side of the limb, then pull back with the pruner or a rope.
7

F O C U S O N S A F E T Y
SAFE HERBICIDE HANDLING
by Terry Jobson, Corporate Safety Specialist
8
Utility vegetation managers and
foresters use a variety of measures to
control undesirable brush, trees and other
plants along their right-of-ways. One
method is the use of herbicides. When
used correctly, herbicides can safely and
effectively add another weapon to the Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) arsenal.
IPM involves combining various control
tactics including mechanical, natural
and chemical control into a single plan to reduce pest
plants to an acceptable level.
Risk versus Rewards
While it’s true there are some risks associated with
herbicide use, it’s also true that there are risks in
many of the activities we undertake, such as driving
a car or simply walking down a street. On the other
hand, there are some serious risks associated with not
controlling undesirable plants, such as power outages
in utility line corridors. Also, most risks involved with
herbicides can be prevented by following label directions,
using proper PPE and handling directions.
Governmental Oversight
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
a department of the Federal Government and has
oversight of all herbicides used within the United
States. To receive EPA approval, the active
ingredients in herbicides undergo over 100
different studies. From the time an herbicide
is formulated in the laboratory to the time it
receives a Specimen Label from the EPA can
take between four and ten years. These herbicides
are then under constant evaluation. Additionally,
each state has to review the product for
use in their geographical regions. Individual states
can also put restrictive uses on products.
The enforcement “arm” of the EPA at the state
level is the Department of Agriculture. It is generally
the Department of Agriculture that issues licenses to
applicators and businesses within each
state. Procedures for training, testing and
licensures vary greatly from state to state.
Specimen Label & MSDS
The EPA approved Specimen Label
explains a product’s safe handling requirements
and is extremely important. It
should be read and completely understood
prior to using any herbicide product.
An herbicide Specimen Label is much more than a
label on a container. The actual Specimen Label for
an herbicide is typically a multi-paged document that
contains important directions for the use of the product.
It is a legal document, and failure to follow it can
result in serious legal consequences. Some of the items
included in the Specimen Label are: where the herbicide
can be used, the methods for mixing and applying
it, plants controlled by the herbicide, ingredients, precautionary
statements (hazards), first aid directions,
environmental concerns and PPE requirements.
The Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) is a document that
supplements the Specimen
Label.

F O C U S O N S A F E T Y
The MSDS expands on first aid guidelines, fire
fighting measures, handling and storage, exposure
guidelines, toxicology, conditions to avoid, ingredients,
environmental fate (how the product breaks
down and how long it will take), spill control and
disposal methods.
Transporting Herbicides
People transporting herbicides are required to
carry current copies of Specimen Labels and MSDS
sheets with them. Moving herbicides without these
documents can result in citations and fines especially
if there is an accident involving the herbicides or if
there’s an inspection by the Department of Agriculture
or OSHA.
The following precautions should be considered
whenever herbicides are being transported:
• Have a spill control plan in place, and make sure
everyone knows how to use it.
• Know your emergency contact numbers.
• Always have a spill kit on hand. The kit should
include a minimum of a large plastic bag, “kitty
litter” for absorption, a shovel and a broom.
• Before herbicides are loaded, inspect all containers
for leaks.
• Try to transport only enough herbicides for one
day of use. The less carried the less potential for a
serious problem in the event of an accident.
• Never transport herbicides inside a truck cab.
• Secure all containers during transport.
• Avoid driving across private property whenever possible
and never without the landowner’s permission.
• Never leave herbicides in an unattended vehicle that
cannot be fully secured especially in areas where
there may be children.
• Try to park transport vehicles and spray trucks
in the shade. Heat from the sun can cause volatile
herbicide gases to expand in their containers with
the potential to spew out when opened.
Nelson utilizes returnable/refillable barrels. Some of the benefits from this
system include much less exposure of products to employees and a reduced
risk of spills. Also, this system is very kind to the environment.
Storage
Herbicides should be stored in a secure, cool and
dry place with plenty of ventilation, and the floor
should be solid.
All containers must be labeled properly, and the
labels should be facing outward for easy identification.
NEVER store herbicides in containers designed
for other products such as used gas cans, bar/chain
oil containers, antifreeze containers, etc. Approved
temporary containers other than those provided by
the manufacturer are also required to have descriptive
labels on them. At a minimum, these labels should
include the common name of the product or products
in the container (i.e. Accord, Arsenal, Garlon 4).
Stored containers should be checked frequently for
leaking. Spill control items should be kept on hand,
and any spills or leaks should be absorbed with kitty
litter, saw dust or other absorbent material.
continued on page 10
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F O C U S O N S A F E T Y
SAFE HERBICIDE HANDLING
continued from page 9
1 0
The storage area must be able to be securely locked
when left unattended. Product should never be left
in an unsecured area where others can gain access.
Failure to secure and account for herbicide containers,
whether full or empty, can result in serious legal
problems.
Temporary container labels are available from
our Ashland facility to properly identify the
product in temporary containers.
Worker Exposure and First Aid
The herbicide Specimen
Label should always
be considered the
primary guide for proper
handling of herbicide
in regard to personal protective
equipment (PPE) and
exposure guidelines. However,
some very basic principles should
always be followed whenever workers
are handling herbicides.
While Nelson Tree applicators usually
handle herbicides in a diluted form, there
will still, always be, some minimum PPE
requirements. For most herbicide, these requirements
include all of Nelson’s standard PPE (hard
hat, work boots, long pants and safety glasses), plus
a long sleeved shirt. Depending on the type of herbicide,
gloves may be required.
The Specimen Label and MSDS provide the proper
first aid requirements in the event of exposure. There
are four types of acute exposure situations: dermal
(through the skin), oral (swallowing), inhalation and
through the eyes.
Environmental Concerns
Successful treatment of unwanted trees or brush has
the potential to introduce negative consequences. If
herbicides are used inappropriately, results such as off
target spray damage to surrounding vegetation and
trees, or contamination of groundwater could occur.
Drift onto nearby plants can be a problem when
using handheld equipment. Small quantities of spray,
which may not be readily visible, can injure off target
plants. Herbicides should not be sprayed when the
wind is blowing toward crops or when ornamental
plants are nearby. When treating trees and brush, a
low pressure, coarse spray should be used and all sides
of the target plant should be sprayed. Drift often occurs
when trying to spray an entire
plant from one side only.
Other concerns involve
run off, leaching and
volatization. Most
common is run
off damage
caused by
The Specimen
Label and MSDS
provide the proper first
aid requirements in the
event of exposure.
a hard rain just after application.
Most herbicide products utilized by our
company have been formulated to prevent
these situations. But again, using proper application
techniques is the key in preventing negative outcomes.
Herbicides are an effective and relatively safe tool
when used appropriately. The potential safety risks to
applicators are extremely minimal. However, it is the
applicator’s responsibility to make sure they are
completely aware of all handling requirements that
will keep them, their co-workers, and the general
public safe.

F O C U S O N S A F E T Y
Nelson’s Unsung Heroes
by Bill Carney, Corporate Compliance Specialist
During the October Safety Stand
Down, tremendous effort was put
into identifying individuals who have the
most direct influence over whether or not
injuries occur. It was determined that the
backbone of the company and those with the
most influence over less experienced employees
is the CREWLEADER.
Crewleaders are the unsung heroes of our company.
They are the ones in the field entrusted to shoulder
the responsibility of the day-to-day safety of everyone
they come into contact with, as well as their own personal
safety. When you stop to think about it, that is
an awesome responsibility to bear.
I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a number
of crewleaders who take their responsibilities very
seriously. Every day they put personal differences aside
and focus on the tasks at hand. The way they see it,
their number one priority is to keep everyone safe and
make sure that everyone goes home at the end of the
day. To accomplish this goal, these individuals begin
each and every day with a thorough and detailed
job briefing. For them, the job briefing is more than
paperwork; it is the most important tool they will use
during the day.
Professional crewleaders focus on everyone in their
circle of influence and the important issues that they’ll
face that day. This is the type of individual we all
deserve to work with; someone who conducts their self
in a professional manner and gives the best they have
to give everyday. They accept responsibility
for the safety of their crewmembers
and respect the process of doing everything
it takes to do the job right.
While it is the crewleader’s duty to prepare
crews to safely accomplish the job
at hand, crewmembers are also responsible
for addressing safety issues and
concerns. For example, crewmembers
need to identify when circumstances
have changed from what was originally discussed during
the job briefing. Sometimes it turns out that what
was discussed while on the ground doesn’t apply when
we’re actually in the tree (vines are in the way, wind,
lean or condition of the tree were not as expected). In
these situations, crewmembers must inform the crewleader
so that the job can be re-evaluated and a new
job briefing conducted. The professional crewleader
will always listen to his crewmembers’ concerns and
understands that this give-and-take communication
is crucial to preventing critical situations, which could
result in someone being seriously injured!
Our Safety Director, Jim Craner, writes, “When our
people learn and follow the most basic of safety rules,
they will, without question, reduce their risk of injury
and create an environment that promotes health and
wellbeing. This in turn promotes the professionalism that
each and every employee deserves.”
The last line of this quote states that professionalism
is something we all “deserve.” Employees who
adhere to the rules, create a safe and professional
atmosphere for others, those who do not follow the
rules, let everyone down. Fortunately, we all have the
opportunity to do better tomorrow. We can all be heroes.
It may sound corny, but in our business, it could
save a life.
To all the Nelson Tree crewleaders who uphold our
company vision: thank you! You truly are the unsung
heroes of this company and the ones who understand
that “Safety and professionalism … it’s the basics,” is a
reminder to us all that the foundation of our success
is built upon fundamental policies and procedures.
If you would like to see a crewleader or any other
employee recognized, please let me know. I would love
to see it in print!
1 1

Alert Today ... Alive Tomorrow
by Ellie Schneider, Claims Manager
Did you know that driver inattention
is the leading factor in most crashes?
Nearly 80% of crashes and 65% of nearcrashes
involve some form of driver inattention
within three seconds of the event.
This may seem like plain old common
sense to you, but the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration has spent
decades and dollars studying driver distraction.
Committing to driving distraction-free is not easy.
But, with statistics backing up the fact that distractions
increase the likelihood of an accident, many drivers
are making an effort. Many states have also taken
steps to minimize and/or eliminate behind-the-wheel
distractions. For instance, while New Hampshire
doesn’t require adult motorists to wear seat belts, it
does ticket drivers for eating, drinking, talking on
the cell phone or fussing with their makeup while
behind the wheel. Some states prohibit drivers from
watching television and others have laws about using
cell phones.
F O C U S O N S A F E T Y
• Checking out the new building
going up
• Looking for a parking place
• Looking at overhead power lines
• Watching road crews working
The first step to eliminating driver distraction
is to avoid multitasking behind
the wheel so you can give your undivided
attention to the task of driving. Human attention is
naturally limited and we can be conscious of only a
few bits of information at a time. Attempting to balance
your checkbook during the morning commute is
just asking for trouble!
1 2
There are many things inside a vehicle to distract
a driver. Some examples are:
• Climate controls to adjust
• CDs and tapes to insert or eject
• Radio dials to fiddle with
• Cell phones to answer
• Beverages to be gulped
• Email messages to respond to
• Maps to read
• Two-way radios to answer
• Navigation systems to consult
• Make up to apply and faces to be shaved!
Distractions outside of your vehicle include:
• Aggressive driving, such as tailgating, flashing
headlights, and honking
• Fatigue, which significantly decreases driver
attention
• Misjudging the dangers of a potential accident
• Gawking at a fender-bender
• Noting the “1/3 Off” sign in the shoe store window
If you have to eat and drive, a two-handed
burger with lots of toppings is probably not
a good choice.
Eating
If you have to eat on the go, prepare
simple finger foods. If you patronize
fast food restaurants, avoid
the drive-through. Instead, go in
and eat at a table. It’s not that
much slower and is less distracting.
Drinking
Drinks should be in closed,
spill-proof containers. Make sure
they fit your beverage holders and
use a straw.

F O C U S O N S A F E T Y
Cell Phones
A cell phone transforms your car into a mobile
phone booth. If you insist on making it a rolling
phone booth here are some thoughts:
• Use a hands-free device for the phone and keep
your hands on the wheel.
• Understand it is the conversation itself, not
the phone that is distracting. Keep it light and
short.
• Phone use of any kind slows your reaction time
thus lengthening braking time; so allow other
cars more space!
Aggressive Driving
If the route you travel is full of frustrations,
such as congestion, construction, etc., find an alternate
route. Pay attention to road message signs
providing information about upcoming driving
conditions to further lower frustrations.
In closing, I leave you with the simple but wise
words of the late Jim Morrison, “Keep your eyes on
the road, your hands upon the wheel!”
Safety Performance
Evaluation Process
by Scott Palmer, Safety Specialist, Region 472
he Safety Performance
T Evaluation is the process
that all Nelson Tree Service line
clearance tree trimmers must
complete to gain their LCTT
certification. LCTT certification
is awarded when an employee
completes and passes a
detailed written examination,
as well as proves themselves in
the field as having the necessary
skills and knowledge for the job classification for which
they are applying.
The evaluation process has six steps. The first step is the
Safety Orientation Program (SOP). The SOP begins the first
day of employment and is designed to acquaint the new
employee with the equipment, tools and PPE to be worn for
each task performed. This is also the time when the new
hire will be familiarized with all manuals and their locations
(i.e. MSDS, Forepersons Manual, RPM, etc.). The crewleader
leads this training each day for the first five days of the new
employee’s employment. As each task is completed, the
crewleader and the new employee will initial each box necessary
on a daily basis.
Immediately upon completion of the SOP, the general
foreperson will give the new employee their first written
examination. This procedure is the same, whether you are a
new hire with no LCTT experience or a 20-year LCTT veteran.
Each new hire starts with the grounds person test. If the
experienced LCTT is being hired on as a crewleader, all four
written examinations and one field evaluation must be completed.
The inexperienced employee will need to complete
the first examination and a field evaluation. As employees
gain experience and knowledge, they may progress through
the remaining examinations and field evaluations and be
eligible for other positions when they become available.
continued on page 14
1 3

F O C U S O N S A F E T Y
continued from page 13
The following information pertains to each classification
and the number of questions on each of the four exams:
SECTION I: WRITTEN EXAMINATION
There are tests for each of the following four classifications:
grounds person, tree trimmer trainee, top tree trimmer,
and crewleader. The tests have been developed to progress
from one level to the next, and require the employee to pass
not only their current classification, but also all lower
classifications.
Grounds Person Test
The grounds person test is the most comprehensive. It
consists of 123 questions and covers ten topics addressing
basic work practices, company policies and procedures,
job-related hazards, and personal protective equipment.
Trimmer Trainee Test
The trimmer trainee test consists of 102 questions and
covers nine topics, which include pruning techniques,
electrical identification, climbing and roping procedures,
and aerial rescue.
Top Trimmer Test
The top trimmer test consists of 74 questions covering
nine topics whose subject matter is similar to the trimmer
trainee test, but more technical in nature.
Crewleader Test
The crewleader test has 40 questions
and an exercise to identify
critical components of aerial devices.
The majority of this test focuses on
leadership and communication skills.
Over the next 90 days, the general foreperson will be
completing a Performance & Safety Evaluation form, which
consists of 16 categories. Employees will only be expected to
perform tasks that are applicable to their job classification.
The evaluation consists of two components, either satisfactory
or unsatisfactory. When the evaluation is complete,
all unsatisfactory categories will be discussed with the
employee. When the general foreperson is confident the
employee understands the correct answer, the employee
will then go back to work. In 30 days, the employee will be
re-evaluated to gain the satisfactory component needed to
successfully complete the evaluation.
When the employee achieves all satisfactory categories
in the field evaluation, the form is sent to the Dayton, Ohio,
office. Once the office receives the evaluation, they will enter
the information as needed, and the employee will gain their
LCTT Certification for their job classification and receive a
certification card.
All Nelson Tree LCTT employees are re-certified every
year. This re-certification includes a field evaluation
and completion of the Performance & Safety
Evaluation form. No additional exams
will be required if staying in
the same job classification.
1 4
After completing an exam, the general
foreperson will grade the test. A 70% is
considered a passing grade. All incorrect answers
will be addressed by the general foreperson
to ensure the employee understands the
information. Only when the general foreperson
is confident that the employee understands the
correct answer will the employee and general
foreperson sign off on the test.
The next step is the field evaluation. This is the
part of the process where the employee performs their
job functions. This is also a time that the employee
becomes a little nervous as he is being watched regularly
by the general foreperson and crewleader.

REGION 460 SAFETY COMMITTEE
In just a short time, the Region
460 safety committee has tucked
a significant number of accomplishments
under its belt.
Giving their committee a meaningful
and fitting name was one of
the first tasks this group accomplished
for itself. “SITE” was the
name chosen, which is an acronym
for Safety, Interaction, Training
and Education.
The SITE committee has already
worked on several important projects
and some of their work has
been utilized at the corporate level.
Recently, the committee developed
an extensive off-road training
program and has introduced new
policies on pruner pole safety and
outrigger usage.
The talent and experience of the
committee’s members are evident
every time the group gathers.
N E W S F RO M T H E F I E L D
Regional Safety Specialist, Bob Craner (center), addressing SITE committee members
Members include: Guy Daines,
Regional Manager; Bob Craner,
Regional Safety Specialist; John
Gibson, Supervisor; Grant Holder,
Supervisor; and the following
General Foremen; Dave Culbertson,
Ray Stagge, Mark Pohlabeln, Matt
Vandergrift and Gary Finnicum.
Vintage Nelson!
Jo Ann Swank, executive director
of administration, recently
received this old photo from a
woman who discovered it while
going through some of her father’s
belongings.
The daughter, Joan Prasek, believed
the photo was taken between
1928-29. It was during this time
that her father, George Coulso,
worked for Nelson and Kuemmerling
in the St. Louis area.
1 5

N E W S F RO M T H E F I E L D
1 6
Ameren Safety Fair
Region 466 took part in the 2007
Ameren Safety Fair event held in
St. Louis, Missouri. This was the first
year that Nelson Tree participated in
the Safety Fair, which is geared towards
Ameren personnel and their families.
Supervisor, Ralph Thurman, Don Cox,
regional manager, and Craig Hofmeister,
regional safety supervisor, were all on
hand to represent Nelson Tree during
the event.
“Mary Hetz, Transmission Forestry
Supervisor for Ameren, contacted me
and asked if we would be interested in
getting involved,” explains Ralph. “We
were definitely interested and further
discussions between Mary and myself
led to the idea for our display.”
Since the Fair is designed to educate
children about the hazards of electricity,
Mary and Ralph thought a display addressing
the dangers posed by electrical
wires near tree houses would be very
applicable.
“With the help of Paul Hughes from
Ameren’s Berkley District, we
were able to provide an awesome
display showing the kids
why they should never build or
play in tree houses around
electrical wires,” says Ralph.
Ralph built a small-scale tree
house, while Paul took care of the
surrounding display details. The
display was a big hit with the kids
and Ralph, Don and Craig were on
site to answer any questions.
“We talked to people as they
walked by,” shares Ralph. “And Bev
had bracelets made that said, ‘Look
up and live.’ We handed these out to
everyone who stopped by our booth,
along with ink pens.”
Don Cox, Nelson Tree Service Regional Manager (left), and Supervisor, Ralph Thurman
This was the first year that Nelson
Tree attended the Ameren Safety Fair
and we’re looking forward to being
To: Ralph Thurman, Supervisor, Nelson Tree Service
Dear Mr. Thurman:
involved in this event during the years
to come!
Unseasonably warm weather and sunny clear skies set the stage for the 2007 Ameren Safety
Fair held Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the General Office Building in St. Louis, MO. In just its
third year of operation, the fair boasted record-breaking numbers with over 8,700 employees
and their families in attendance. From the top of the bucket truck rides to the sound of
race cars speeding by, the excitement and passion for safety was abundant. Through safety
exhibits, skits, and even a personal protective equipment (PPE) fashion show, employees and
vendor’s corporation-wide sowed their support and dedication to the Target ZERO campaign.
The 2007 Ameren Safety Fair Committee would like to thank you for your participation and
support. Due largely in part to exhibitors and vendors like you, the 2007 fair was a huge success,
which continues to grow by leaps and bounds each fall. Please extend our gratitude and
appreciation to everyone at your location that helped in any way with your exhibit. Without
your continued enthusiasm and support our fair would not be the same.
Sincerely,
Jamie Dillon and Dave Zak
Exhibits Committee Co-Chairs

N E W S F RO M T H E F I E L D
National Grid Safety Walk Through
Submitted by Don McKillips, General Foreman, Region 461
Bruce Pope, general foreman for region 463, made
quite an impression on National Grid Superintendent
of Distribution Forestry, James Maloney.
Mr. Maloney recently observed a safety orientation
conducted by Bruce for employees who were new to
Nelson Tree Service, and to National Grid Central
Division property.
“Mr. Maloney was interested to see how we prepared
our new hires to work safely and professionally,”
explains Bruce. “So he decided to sit in on the process.”
“I had ten new guys, plus a new general foreman,
starting on the same day,” continues Bruce. “Rather
than go through the orientation process individually,
I decided to address the group all at once.”
Bruce noted several advantages to presenting the
safety information in a group setting as opposed to
the individual orientations of the past.
“Typically, when we met with a new employee, the
orientation took about an hour,” says Bruce. “When
we sat down as a group, one thing kept leading to another
and the orientation was still going strong after
two hours. It was much more thorough than what
we’d been achieving previously.”
Bruce attributed this thoroughness in part to the
fact that the group setting fostered more participation
among those attending the orientation.
“National Grid recognizes Nelson Tree Service as one
of the safest contractors on their property. As long as
I’m a general foreman, I plan to do everything I can to
maintain that level of safety and professionalism!”
– Bruce Pope, General Foreman
To: Kip Erickson, Regional Manager
Nelson Tree Service
Bruce Pope,
General Foreman
From: James P. Maloney, Superintendent, Distribution Forestry
National Grid, Central Division
A short time ago I had the opportunity to join your General Foreman, Bruce
Pope, as he walked a group of new employees through a company orientation.
I was impressed by the meeting that morning and I thought I’d pass along my
observations to you.
Rarely does a contractor take the hours required to properly orient a new
employee as to what is required of them. But this instance was different. Pope
walked his new people through each point, using paper documents and DVDs
shown on a laptop, noting areas of particular attention and Nelson’s required
courses of individual study and their due dates. He covered, along with other
topics, PPE, WZTS, MAD, and B2B - everything from the commonplace to the
rarely seen. The entire process lasting better than 2 hours. A very thorough job.
What I found most noteworthy about all this was that productivity expectations
were never mentioned.
Every company constructs a safety program that either excels or degrades depending
upon the person presenting it. Nelson provides its GFs and employees
with a timely, comprehensive and fluid safety program. Pope’s championing of
your corporate directives shows not only does he understand that safety must
come before production but he desires his people to know that too.
“Some people are uncomfortable asking
questions and they may hesitate to speak up,”
explains Bruce. “In a group, chances are
someone else may ask the question for them. Also,
sometimes one individual’s question prompts
another question from another participant and you
can go further with a topic.”
The experience was so positive, that Bruce plans to
stick with it in the future.
“As we continue to grow
and bring in new people, we’re going to continue with
the group orientation,” says Bruce. “We’re definitely
heading down the right road.”
1 7

Commendations
FROM OUR CUSTOMERS
1 8
“The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have
not been.”
– Henry Kissinger
A zero injury culture is possible. We proved it in January when our entire vegetation
management team succeeded in finishing the month without an accident.
Congratulations to you for leading this journey and developing safety into a culture
that is lived and breathed by your teams. As our folks believe in the possibility, the
reality of a zero injury culture will follow.
Thank you for your commitment.
Daltrum H. Poston, Vice President
Central Operations Power Delivery
Duke Energy
To:
John Whitney
Progress Energy
From: Mr. And Mrs. Louis Kluzinski
St. Petersburg, Florida
Dear Mr. Whitney,
We would like to commend you and
Progress Energy on a fine choice. Our
Oak tree was among those removed
by Hank Meredith of Nelson Tree
Service, Inc. for Progress Energy. Our
experience of Mr. Meredith and his
team proved them highly efficient,
reliable, courteous, patient, timely,
neat and thorough.
Mr. Meredith kept his word, seeing
to the safe removal of wildlife during
the process, and by notifying me the
day before each project: the tree
cutting and the stump grinding as I
requested.
It’s a rare pleasure these days to
be rendered services with this high
integrity and dedication to quality
customer service. We are very satisfied
and grateful for a job well done.
To:
Bud Carpenter and Tim Cale
Nelson Tree Service
From: Gerald W. Western, Forestry
The Illuminating Company
An Illuminating Company troubleman
contacted Virginia Bowman, Forestry
Specialist, to compliment your crew
for tree work involved in two recent
outage restorations. Virginia advised
me of your noteworthy assistance;
she joins me in acknowledging your
efforts and thanking you for a job
well done.
Our troubleman, Bob Golias, was impressed
with your efficiency and safe
work practices. The first call involved
the removal of trees for the repair
of a primary wire off its insulator. In
the second call, you identified a potentially
hazardous condition where
primary wires were then de-energized
for a safe tree removal. You were proficient
in your work, and impressed
Bob as a good group of workers.
Energy delivery relies on many to bring
all necessary resources to task in
providing a safe, reliable power supply
to our customers. Thank you for your
important contribution in this work.
To:
To:
Rick Schenk, Forestry
Department
Ameren Union Electric
From: Barry Williams
Brentwood, Missouri
Dear Mr. Schenk:
I enjoyed speaking with you. As we
discussed, I had called Ameren to
report several tree limbs that appeared
likely to fall onto Ameren’s
4-kV distribution circuit. A three-man
Nelson Tree crew arrived to remove
these branches. Being an arborist, I
watched them with interest and went
over to speak to them.
The crew – Alvin Benson, Josh
Meador, and Bill Scoggin – did a very
professional job, not only of trimming
the trees properly, but of managing
traffic flow, cleaning up the site,
and showing considerable courtesy
to residents of a nearby house who
asked the crew to move their bucket
truck on at least two occasions so
they could drive their automobiles in
and out of their driveway. The crew
was very cooperative and accommodating.
These gentlemen are a credit to
Ameren’s tree-trimming operation!
Bill Rowe, General Foreman
Nelson Tree Service
From: Rick Willis, Headmaster
Christian Community School
I want to thank you so much for
coming out to our school with your
equipment, which helped us get to
the top of our flagpole for repair.
It is good to have our flags flying
again, especially for the annual “See
you at the Pole” event in which students
gathered around the flagpole
to pray for our nation.
I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness.
May the Lord bless you for your
generosity.

Take our Readership Survey and win!
THE REWARDS :
?
Survey continued and instructions for submitting on reverse side of page
1
Help us improve the LifeLine through our readership survey and
be rewarded for your efforts!
The opinions and suggestions of our readers are critical in ensuring
the LifeLine effectively delivers relevant information. So, for this LifeLine
issue, we’re revamping our Quick Quiz into a readership survey!
When considering your answers to the following questions, keep
in mind previous issues of the LifeLine, as well as this current issue.
And please, be frank and honest. Your answers will help us improve
the LifeLine and make sure it is delivering the news and information
1. The Focus on Safety section features detailed stories and general
education about ways to keep us safe and improve our quality of
work. This section is devoted to our vision: Safety and Professionalism
… it’s the basics. The staff at the LifeLine feels this is the most
important section of the magazine. Your answers to the following
questions will assist our writers in providing you with clear and
meaningful articles.
Please circle Yes or No for each question below:
Do you read the Focus on Safety articles? Yes No
Topics are easy to understand Yes No
Sometimes I find these articles too long Yes No
The information in these articles usually Yes No
doesn’t apply to me
I have learned information I didn’t previously Yes No
know from these articles
Reading these articles has made me more Yes No
aware of safety on the job
Suggestions for improving our Focus on Safety section:
2. GF Helpful Hints is a new feature that we’ve
recently introduced to the LifeLine. Have you Yes No
used any of these hints after reading them?
Also, is there a GF Helpful Hint from a
previous LifeLine that you use regularly Yes No
since first reading about it?
If yes, please describe:
3. Do you feel the LifeLine places enough Yes No
attention on field employees?
you need. Also, your chances for winning are in no way influenced by
your responses and there are no correct or incorrect answers. However,
participants must be sure to answer all of the survey questions in order
for their submission to be considered eligible.
Over 100 winners will be randomly drawn from the submitted
surveys. We are cleaning out the prize vault and several Nelson Tree
camouflage jackets will be awarded, along with T-shirts and other
goodies! Three random winners will still be drawn and each will
receive a $100 Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club gift card.
4. Do you use the LifeLine as only a clothing Yes No
order form?
5. Would you be interested in submitting ideas Yes No
for future story topics?
6. Do you understand how to submit ideas for Yes No
future story topics?
7. Is the first time you have participated in the Yes No
Quick Quiz?
8. What suggestions would you give to the LifeLine staff for improving
the magazine?
9. What is your favorite section of the LifeLine, or something you
always look for?
10. In your past experience with the LifeLine, what was your favorite or
most memorable article?
11. From time to time, the LifeLine provides
articles that focus on your wellbeing away Yes No
from the job, for example, our heart health
series and hunting safety topics. Do you find
the information presented in these articles
interesting and applicable?
12. Would you like to see more articles that
address equipment and maintenance issues, Yes No
such as safe chipper hookup or truck
inspection, in the LifeLine?
9

Readership Survey Continued...
13. The LifeLine frequently features information on current Nelson
Tree Service safety programs. Recent contests, such as our Basics
Bonanza, reward employees with a variety of items. In your opinion,
please rank how interesting, exciting and rewarding the following
prize items would be to you. The opinions you provide will offer
valuable insight for future safety programs.
Consider this list of possible rewards and rank them in order of
preference with 1 being the most preferred and 10 the least:
Money (a check made out to you, from small
to large amounts)
Clothing items (Coats, Boots, Jeans, Caps,
Gloves, etc.)
Prizes (lunch boxes, thermos, coffee
mugs, etc.)
Restaurant gift cards (McDonalds,
Applebee’s, Olive Garden, etc.)
General retail store gift cards
(Wal-Mart, Target, etc.)
Home improvement gift cards
(Lowe’s, Home Depot, Best Buy, etc.)
Hunting/Fishing gift cards
(Cabela’s, Gander Mountain, etc.)
Vacation packages (cruise packages,
Disneyland, Dream Hunts, etc.)
Event tickets (professional sports teams,
concerts, Nascar races, etc.)
Time off with pay (from a few hours to
several days)
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
14. Any general comments or suggestions you would like to add regarding
Nelson Tree’s safety programs?
After completing the Quick Quiz, fill in the following information
and mail to:
Attn: LifeLine Editor
Nelson Tree Service
1463B Simanton Road
Ashland, Ohio 44805
Deadline for entry is April 15, 2008
Complete the following and please print neatly!
Your Name:
Street Address:
City, State, Zip:
General Foreman Name:
Clothing Size:
Last Issue’s Quick Quiz Results
2 0
Our previous Quick Quiz provided all participants
with an equal opportunity to win.
Instead of choosing our winners from the first
correct entries received, the LifeLine selected
our random winners from all the correct
entries that were submitted by the contest
deadline. Compensating for mailing times
ensured all of our regions had a chance to
participate and win!
Our 50 winners received Safety & Professionalism
ball caps and our three lucky random
winners were awarded $100 Wal-Mart gift cards.
Congratulations to last issue’s Quick Quiz
winners …
$100 gift card winners:
Jonathon Lee Taylor Region 466
Kevin Farrow Region 466
Miguel Marquez Region 468
Ball Cap Winners:
Region 460
Joe Alexander
Bob Daily
Richard Dumpert
Dusty Jenkins
Kenneth Robert
Region 461
Billy Adkins
Michael Ashe
Joseph Choura
Ed Fick
Joseph Finley
Marc Hawks
Dave Hundley
Eric Meyer
Tony Napoli
Robert Peterson
Casey Sewell
James Stewart
Scott Straubridge
Brock Yoder
Matt Young
Region 463
Jay Curry
Efrain Ocasio
Lloyd Trumble
Kevin Weber
Region 466
Joseph Barradas
Roger Fikel
Russell Kennedy
Jay Masesyal
Josh Meador
Brian Stokes
Fred White
Tim Zini
Region 468
Popiel Battin
Travis Binegar
Sean Blakeney
Ken Fortua
James Norvell
Dorian Stauffer
Anthony Tyler
Chris Williams
Brad Wright
Region 472
Allen Decheser
Howard Frame Jr.
Ed Jones
Andrew Ryals
John Sharpe Jr.
Andrew Simmons
William Smith
Mark Stillwell
James Stillwell

S PA N S O F S E R V I C E
Nelson would like to recognize the
following employees for their long-term
commitment to the company
5Y e a r s
Y e a r s
15Howard “Bud” Carpenter
Charles Anderson
James Barnes
Richard Berry
Allan Billman
Ryan Bonds
Ernest Brinker
Michael Bruce
Joseph Choura
Louis Chunko Jr.
Jill Crumley
Joseph Curtis
Allen Decheser
Artie Decheser
David Dershem
Colleen Donovan
Kristine Edwards
George Emery III
Douglas Fannin
James Allen Jr.
Devon Beachley
Earl Bradford
Jody Bradford
John Briceland
Dennis Campanalie
Stephen Cheza
Randall Ellis
Kyle Ezell
Dwayne Felton
Axel Garcia
Bruce Glosenger
Rickey Gound Jr.
Jay Graham
Darren Haddox
Zach Hall
Randy Holden
Richard Holden
Samuel Hott
James Huff
Christopher Huge
Kenneth Krupa
Michael Leslie
David Liberatore
Jerry Lucas
Joey Mackey
Jose Marrero
Samuel Martin
John McCarthy
Roy McKenzie
Thomas McQueary
Paul Mikkola Jr.
Jason Moffitt
John Neff
Bobby Nunn
Scott Palmer
Tom Parker
James Peck Jr.
Bruce Pope
Kimberly Preston
Brian Richards
Michael Richards
Thomas Riddle
Charles Rooker
Andrew Rouse
10 Y e a r s
Michael Franklin
Sandy Garvin
Angel Gonzalez
James Grapevine
Guadalupe Hernandez
Michael Highfield
Delmar Hites Jr.
David Hoover
Robert Joyner
Steve Kamps
Steve Lewis
Donald McKillips
Robert McKillips
William Mead
Duane Moreillon
Brian Morin
Michael Oney
Floyd Proctor
Joseph Sandage
Robert Dale Sandy
Esther Schneider
Casey Sewell
James Snyder
Jonathan Stephens
Curtis Sullivan
Brian Taggart
Wayne Taylor Jr.
David Thompson
Larry Townsend
Earl Trent
Eddyberto Vargas
Raymond Vishnesky III
Ronnie Wimberly
Douglas Wisby
Dennis Wright
Todd Wuertz
Jeffrey Shaerban
Dennis Shupe
Robert Simpson
Ricky Sizemore
Robert Smith
Laura Taylor
Larry Truxall Sr.
Ralph Wright Jr.
George Granter
Gary Higgins
John Kellar
20Gary Finnicum
John Gibson
Jeff Jones
Merlin Pritt
John Reis
Y e a r s
25 Y e a r s
Dave Emmons
Tim Sheppard
Matt Vandergrift
30 Y e a r s
Doug Briggs
Larry Cline
Bob Craner
Vicki Hoffman
Thomas Ryan
2 1

S PA N S O F S E R V I C E
Doug Briggs, Warehouse Manager
Ashland Garage Facility – 30 Years
Doug began his Nelson Tree career working as a trimmer on the “high line”
on Ohio Edison property in Mansfield, Ohio.
He transferred to the distribution side of operations and went to work on
a four-man climbing crew, then to a bucket crew. Doug was promoted to
crewleader and worked under supervisor, Frank “the raffle ticket” Proctor.
“We called him ‘the raffle ticket’ because he was always selling raffle tickets
for one organization or another,” recalls Doug.
After working as a crewleader for about eight years, Doug received a call
from Doug Shaffer about an opening at the Ashland Garage.
“Doug told me a position was coming available at the warehouse and wondered
if I was interested,” shares Doug. “It was winter when he called and
–10° outside, so the thought of working inside sounded good to me!”
Doug went through the interview process and was offered the position. He
quickly transferred to the warehouse and has been the “go to man” ever since!
As warehouse manager,
Doug’s responsibilities
include loading new
units for crew start-ups,
meeting the tool and
supply needs of all field
employees, and handling
all incoming and
outgoing shipments.
If that isn’t enough to
keep a man busy, at the
time of this interview,
Doug and his fiancé,
Lisa, were preparing for
their wedding, which
was slated to take
place the day after
Thanksgiving.
Doug and his wife, Lisa
Family is important to both Doug and Lisa. Doug enjoys spending time with
his daughters, Stephanie and Corrie, granddaughters, Taylor, Alexis and
Olivia, and his grandson, Ryan Douglas, and Lisa is anxiously awaiting the
birth of her first grandchild!
Doug also enjoys bowling, golfing, fishing and working in the yard.
“While I don’t miss the cold, I do miss being outdoors,” claims Doug. “So I
try to spend as much time as I can outside working around the yard.”
Larry Cline, General Foreman,
Region 461 – 30 Years
Larry has over 50 years of experience in the line clearance industry! His history
with Nelson Tree began in 1977 on First Energy Central property when
he hired on as a B trimmer for a bucket crew. His experience and ability
quickly moved him up the ranks to crewleader, and then to general foreman.
Larry is overseeing eight distribution crews for First Energy’s Central Region,
and is additionally helping to round out Nelson’s transmission operations.
During his years with Nelson Tree, Larry and his wife, Linda, raised three
children, two sons and a daughter, and now enjoy spending time with their
six grandchildren who range in age from thirteen to two.
M E M O R A B L E M O M E N T
We were working a high line along the railroad tracks back
in the 1970’s. One of the crew went to the Chevy 4-wheeldrive
spray truck we were driving to get a drink and left the
door open. Well, the truck was parked close to the tracks
and when we were leaving to go home, we discovered that
the train had passed by and destroyed the open door. Glass
was everywhere. We never even heard anything over the
sound of our saws.
The good thing was that the truck wasn’t dragged into the
train after being hit. We had to use rope to tie what was
left of the door shut and drive it back!
F U N N Y M O M E N T
S
Back in the day, I earned the nickname “fuzzy” for my
excessive hair, both on my head and on my face! Well, I “The kids all live within ten miles of Linda and I,” shares Larry. “It’s nice
because we can always be together during the holidays and I get to go hunting
and fishing with my boys.”
knocked on a homeowner’s door to obtain permission to
trim and didn’t get any response. I heard later that she was
Larry enjoys hunting wild turkey, and claims to have some pretty good spots
actually home, but was afraid to open the door after seeing picked out on his oldest son’s farm for this coming spring. He also bow
me outside. Apparently, there had been an escape from hunts for deer. “I don’t take a shot at everything I see,” states Larry. “I wait
for the big ones. So far, I’ve taken a couple of does.”
nearby Mansfield Reformatory and she thought I looked
2 2 suspicious with all that hair!”
Restoring old trucks is another favorite pastime of Larry’s. He has totally
restored a ‘82 Chevy and a ‘85 Chevy C-10 Stepside that only gets driven
when it’s really nice outside!

S PA N S O F S E R V I C E
Tom Ryan, General Foreman,
Region 461 – 30 Years
Tom came to work for Nelson Tree Service after being laid off from his
construction job.
“I had a friend who was working for Nelson Tree at the time and he asked if I
would be interested in coming to work for them,” shares Tom. “I thought, ‘Why
not?’ At first it was temporary but I was able to stay on and the rest is history.”
Tom started out on Ohio Edison property in Sandusky, Ohio. From there,
he transferred to Springfield, Ohio, then to Mansfield, Ohio, working as a
transmission crewleader in both locations.
Tom, with his wife
Jane, playing Santa
Clause at the Amvets
children’s Christmas
party and County
Home for the elderly
As Nelson Tree’s
presence in Mansfield
grew, Tom was promoted
to general foreman
and oversaw three
transmission crews,
and up to seven crews
during the spray season.
Currently, Tom runs six transmission crews on Ohio Edison property. He is
also overseeing three distribution crews in the Mansfield/Marion area.
Tom and his wife, Jane, recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
They have three children and three grandchildren all living in Pennsylvania.
“My wife and I enjoy spending as much time as possible with our family. The
kids are all great,” boasts Tom. “They turned out perfect!”
Tom also enjoys hunting “just about everything” and fishing.
Vicki Hoffman, Office Manager –
30 Years
Vicki began her Nelson Tree Service career in the summer of 1977 when
she was hired to handle payroll and billing. Today, Vicki is office manager
of the corporate office in Dayton, Ohio. She is responsible for managing
Nelson Tree’s fitness-for-duty policy, and resolves issues concerning past
due invoices for accounts receivable.
“I work with our customers and field management to help get our invoices
paid,” explains Vicki. “I monitor receivables daily so I always know where we
stand with things.”
Vicki also manages Nelson’s employee drug and alcohol testing program,
reviewing test reports for all pre-employment, post-accident and random
testing and entering them into the system.
Informally, Vicki functions as the office counselor and does what she can to
try to keep everyone happy.
“People feel like they can come and talk to me and I really don’t mind,”
claims Vicki. “It’s good for people to have a place where they can go and
just vent.”
Vicki and her husband, Jim, have been married for thirteen years. Their son,
Jaron, and daughter, Jenna, are both in college: Jaron is a senior at Ohio
State, and Jenna is a sophomore at Cedarville University.
Outside of the office, Vicki leads an active life. She is a personal trainer and
has her own clients that she enjoys whipping into shape.
“I’m really into physical fitness,” says Vicki. “I have several clients, some of
whom are up in their 80s, and even a few from the office. It’s good to see
people being active and getting healthy.”
Vicki and her husband love hiking and make time almost every day to hit
the trails.
“We live right next to Germantown Metro Park,” states Vicki. “Jim and I can
just walk out our door and into the park.”
I’d like to thank all the guys that I’ve
worked with over the years. They’ve all taught
me something (although in the early years
everything Bill Shook taught me got me into
trouble), and I like to think I’ve taught them
a few things! –Tom Ryan
pansFrom left: Jim, Vicki, Jenna and Jaron on vacation in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
2 3

S PA N S O F S E R V I C E
Tim Sheppard, General
Foreman, Region 460 – 25 Years
Tim started out on CG&E property (what is now Duke Energy) in 1982 as a
C trimmer. As opportunities presented themselves, Tim worked his way up
through the ranks.
“I wanted to advance with Nelson Tree,” says Tim, “and I was willing to do
whatever was needed when it was needed.”
In 1989, Tim was offered the opportunity to step into a general foreman position,
which he accepted. Since then, he has been overseeing Nelson Tree
transmission crews on Duke Energy property throughout northern Kentucky.
“It’s amazing the changes that have taken place over the years on this property,”
reflects Tim. “Initially the things that caused so much worry were actually
opportunities. I’ve worked in this industry for so long, that I can safely say
change is inevitable. And you learn to trust that everything will work out, which
it has! All thanks to the effort put forth by the guys running the crews and the
huge role that management plays!”
Tim and his wife, Beverly, live on a 104-acre farm in Felicity, Ohio. They have
three daughters, ages 31, 22 and 18. “Our two youngest daughters are in
college,” shares Tim. “And our oldest daughter is married. We have a granddaughter,
age 11, and a grandson, age 8.”
Tim enjoying the view on his farm with the help of
one of his Tennessee Walkers
Riding horses is a passion of Tim’s that he shares with his daughters.
“I have three Tennessee Walkers that I keep on the farm,” says Tim. “My
daughters and I ride every chance we get!”
Gary Finnicum, General Foreman,
Region 460 – 20 Years
2 4
John Reis, Regional Manager,
Region 468 – 20 Years
Over the years, John worked his way up from groundsman, to general foreman,
to assistant area manger. He also worked in the safety department out
of Dayton, Ohio, for a period of time.
Today, John is the regional manager for Region 468. He oversees Nelson
Tree operations on Ameren Illinois, Springfield City Water, Light & Power,
Louisville Gas and Electric, and Kansas City Power and Light properties.
John spends his free
time with his wife,
Janet, and their fiveyear-old
daughter,
Allie. John also enjoys
deer hunting with his
dad and is looking
forward to a successful
season!
Five-year-old Allie
Reis getting ready
for Christmas!
Gary has been with Nelson Tree Service for 18 years. Before coming to
Holmes-Wayne Electric Co-op property, Gary had spent his entire Nelson
Tree career on AEP property (Ohio Power), working both transmission and
distribution line clearance throughout Ohio.
“I started out as a top trimmer on
what is currently AEP property in
January of 1987. In March of that
same year, my crewleader broke
his leg and I was asked to fill his
position.”
Gary ran a bucket truck for several
months, then a spray crew, and
finally a manual crew before being
promoted to assistant general
foreman. In 1992, Gary was again
promoted to general foreman.
“With the promotion to general
foreman, I transferred to Newark,
Ohio, and oversaw crews there for
the next eight years. I was moved
to Zanesville and ran crews there
until 2002 when I shifted to the
transmission side of operations
and took the role of work planner.”
General foreman, Gary Finnicum,
celebrates 20 years with Nelson Tree!
In 2005, Gary returned to the role of general foreman and went to work
getting Nelson Tree’s operations up and running on Holmes-Wayne Electric
property. He started out with four crews, but that number has grown to eleven!
Gary and his wife, Janice, have three children and one grandson. In his free
time, Gary likes to hunt rabbit and deer at a nearby wildlife area, and fishes
for anything that will bite. He also raises chickens for their eggs and even
has a few regular customers who help support his small flock!
S

S PA N S O F S E R V I C E
John Gibson, Supervisor,
Region 460 – 20 Years
John has been a presence on Ameren Electric Power property for over 30 years.
“When I first started with Nelson Tree in 1987,” recounts John, “I was putting
crews together during the evenings to get Nelson’s distribution operations
up and running. That’s actually how I spent one of my wedding anniversaries!”
John hired on as an assistant general foreman then moved up to general
foreman. In 1995, he was promoted to supervisor. Presently, John supervises
48 transmission crews throughout Ohio and a portion of West Virginia.
Despite working on his anniversary, John and his wife, Marlene, have been
married for 30 years. They have a daughter, Angie, and a two-year-old
grandson, Connor.
“Our daughter recently
built a house on our
40-acre farm near
Zanesville, Ohio,” says
John. “And my wife and
I sold our home and
are building a home on
the property as well.”
John and Marlene are
bouncing between living
with their daughter
and Marlene’s parents
while waiting for their
new home to be
completed.
John and his grandson, Connor, spending a little
quality time together
“We must have been getting bored and needed to shake things up a bit,”
laughs John. “I’m 56-years-old and homeless!”
All kidding aside, John claims it will all be worth it when they are able to
be close to Angie and Connor, who John cites as his most special interest.
Along with spending time with Connor, John gets together with his brothers
and hunts for deer on his farm.
Jeff Jones, Executive Vice President
of Operations – 20 Years
Jeff began working for Nelson Tree in 1987 as our treasurer. In 2002, he
was promoted to Vice President of Operations. In this capacity, Jeff is
responsible for ensuring that employees are working safely. He also interacts
with
pans
customers and assists regional managers with obtaining and retaining
business, as well as maximizing profitability.
When he’s not on the Nelson Tree clock, Jeff enjoys outdoor activities, especially
hiking, running and biking. He and his wife, Debbie, have five children,
ranging in age from 20 to 28.
They recently welcomed a new addition to the family: their first grandchild,
Anthony James Brown, who was born just after Thanksgiving of last year!
John Kellar and his daughters, Taylor (seated with Dad), and Tiffany, and wife,
Patricia (far right)
John Kellar, Supervisor, Region
463 – 15 Years
John started with Nelson Tree Service working as a groundsman on First
Energy property, under the direction of area manager, Doug Shaffer.
“I was working in the lumber business purchasing timber when we began to
slow down and it looked as if I was going to be laid off. My brother-in-law,
John Bell, was working for Nelson (and still does) at the time,” recalls John.
“He told me that if I liked being outdoors and was into timber I should give
Nelson a try, so I did.”
John worked his way up to top trimmer and then to crewleader. After several
years, Greg Urick approached John and asked if he would be interested in
working as a job planner.
“I accepted Greg’s offer and worked as a job planner until I was promoted
to general foreman,” states John.
John oversaw crews working on First Energy property in Salem, Ohio, until 2002.
“In 2002, supervisor, Chris Potter, informed me that a supervisor position
was available in New Jersey and asked if I would be interested,” reflects
John. “I decided to go for it and went out to meet with area manager, Kip
Erickson, and regional manager, Bob Turner.”
John received the promotion and transferred to Jersey Central Power & Light
property where he currently supervises 45 crews.
John lives with his family in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. He and
his wife, Patricia, have been married for 17 years. They have a 15-year-old
daughter, Tiffany, and a three-year-old daughter, Taylor. In his free time, John
enjoys camping, hunting and riding his Harley-Davidson.
“The whole family loves to camp,” shares John. “Whenever there is an opportunity,
we hop in the camper and head out. Since we live right in the
mountains, we don’t have to travel too far from home to get away, usually
just two or three hours.”
John also takes time out for deer hunting and is often accompanied by his
oldest daughter, Tiffany.
“Tiffany got her first deer last year,” boasts John. “It was one of the biggest
excitements of the year for me! I field dressed this one for her, but she’ll do
the next one herself. I’m teaching her the same way my dad taught me.”
Both John and Patricia enjoy riding John’s Fat Boy Harley Davidson. In the
winter months, the whole family can be found snow skiing one of the many
ski resorts near their home.
2 5

S PA N S O F S E R V I C E
2 6
Howard “Bud” Carpenter,
Regional Safety Specialist,
Region 461 – 15 Years
Bud’s experience in the tree industry began long before coming to work for
Nelson Tree Service in 1992.
“Since 1978, I’ve been heavily involved in the tree work industry,” states
Bud. “And my grandfather was in the industry for 40 years … I guess you
could say it’s in my blood!”
Currently, Bud is utilizing his years of experience as a Regional Safety
Specialist for Nelson Tree operations on First Energy property throughout
Region 461, in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Bud is always looking for ways to improve. He is currently taking Dale
Carnegie courses, which focus on developing managerial skills.
Anthony, Karen and
Bud see Michael (second
from left) off from
Ft. Shelby, Mississippi,
before his deployment
to Afghanistan
“These courses have enabled me to develop myself. They are definitely one
of the most unique challenges I’ve ever undertaken,” claims Bud. “I’ve
almost completed the 12-week course, which I never could have done
without the support of my regional manager, Fred Dotson.”
When Bud is not attending his evening classes, he spends time with his
“beautiful” wife, Karen. They have two sons, ages 24 and 14.
“My youngest boy loves to fish and is big into football and other sports,”
shares Bud. “My oldest is serving in the National Guard. He’s completed
tours in Iraq and is presently on deployment in Afghanistan.”
Bud’s favorite pastime is fishing the bass tournaments. He claims, “It’s how I
relax when I’m not at work.”
Crewleader, George
Granter, pictured with
one of his RC trucks
Gary Higgins, General
Foreman, Region 468 – 15 Years
Gary began his Nelson Tree career right out of high school thanks to his
uncle, Dick Partridge, who was working for Nelson Tree at the time.
Like many others, Gary started out as a groundsman. He worked his way up
to crewleader, then to general foreman. Today, Gary oversees eight distribution
crews on AmerenIP property.
Gary and his wife, Ann, have a ten-year-old son, Alex, and a seven-year-old
daughter, Alina, both of whom were adopted from Siberia. Although they
were born in Russia,
Gary claims they are
completely Americanized
now!
In his free time, Gary
enjoys deer hunting
and fishing. He has a
passion for bow
hunting and has been
out scouting since the
season opened in
October.
Gary and Ann with their beautiful children,
Alex and Alina
George Granter, Crewleader,
Region 468 – 15 Years
George has been in the utility line clearance industry since 1978. In
1992, he came to work for Nelson Tree as a journeyman trimmer on ConEd
property. George was quickly promoted to crewleader and currently runs a
bucket crew on Ameren Southern Division property.
“In the past ten years or so, I’ve spent a lot of time moving around; from
Joliet to Crestwood, to University Park, then Champaign to Bloomington, and
finally where I’m at currently, in Northern Prairie,” explains George.
George and his wife, Barbara, have two sons: George Jr. and Joshua.
“Our oldest, George Jr., is in the Army and has been serving in Iraq for the
past couple of years now,” says George. “We miss him a lot and, Joshua, our
youngest boy (who just turned 18) really misses his big brother.”
“We’re all also very proud of him,” adds George. “We weren’t aware of it at
the time, but when soldiers were sent in to capture Saddam’s sons, George,
Jr. was the one in charge of the effort. We didn’t realize he was in command
until the reporters started calling!”
George and Barbara also have a two-year-old grandson living with their
daughter-in-law in Kentucky.
During his time away from Nelson Tree, George and Joshua mess around
with RC trucks.
“I started with planes, but that can get really expensive,” claims George. “So
I switched to the trucks. Joshua became interested and we used to race. We
don’t race anymore because, once again, the costs can really rack up, but
we still mess around with them.”
George also enjoys playing fantasy football, which he plays over the computer.

OUR GENERAL FOREMEN
GF Wisdom
Learning from the Experience of Nelson Tree’s
Successful and Seasoned Veterans
The Value of the
Performance Notice
One of the first things I considered
when asked to prepare an article on
the proactive performance notices was
the article Don Zola submitted in the
previous LifeLine regarding respect. I
agree with Don that respect between
the general foreman and his people is
crucial to being successful and safe.
The safety of my people is my number
one concern. This is one way I show my
respect for them. In return, I expect my
people to show their respect for me by
following the safety rules.
If I’m known for issuing a higher than
average number of proactive notices
(which many refer to as a write-up), it’s
only because I have so much respect
for the safety and well being of my men.
By demanding they never compromise
on safety, I can know that I’ve done
everything in my power to protect them.
When I show up on a crew, I’m always
aware of what our Back to Basics
programs require. I know that by correcting
an unsafe situation BEFORE
it causes an incident, I’ve drawn the
first line of defense. If I do see something
questionable, I take the employee
aside and ask, “Can you tell me what I
saw you doing incorrectly?” Usually, they
are aware of their mistake and apologize
for breaking a rule.
It’s important for employees to understand
that issuing performance
notices is not meant to be degrading or
nit-picky. No general foreman wants to
issue notices, but it is our job, and they
are effective. It is proven that the lower
the number of notices the higher the
number of incidents. On the flip side,
the higher the number of notices, the
lower the number of incidents.
Featuring Chris Koviak, General Foreman, Region 466
When you weigh the fear of an employee
being seriously injured or killed
against the unpleasantness of issuing
a notice, the notice is the only choice.
As general foremen, we are ultimately
responsible for the safety of our people,
and the surest way to securing that
safety is by aggressively correcting
negative behaviors. Personally, I only
issue notices because I care about
everyone going home at the end of the
day in the same condition they were
when they started!
As a general foreman, don’t be concerned
about hurting someone’s feelings
or making someone mad. And if you’re
on the receiving end of a notice, don’t
take it as a personal attack. See it for
what it is, someone who cares about your
safety is pushing you to do everything in
your power to stay out of harm’s way!
I’m fortunate to have one of the best
groups of people working for me that I
have ever had. These guys do an excellent
job and I give them all the credit
for making my job go so smoothly. We
are all very proud for going 2,065 days
without a lost-time incident!
Chris Koviak’s career with Nelson Tree began in January of
1993. Before coming to the line clearance industry, Chris’s
life experiences gained him the skills he would some day draw
upon to become a successful general foreman.
Beginning in high school, and throughout his early years, Chris
worked for a residential tree service operated by a family member.
After graduation, Chris joined the National Guard where he
gave eight years of service. While serving the National Guard,
Chris also worked construction and continued to help with the
tree business.
While serving in the Guard, Chris was promoted to Squad
Leader. One of his greatest achievements was attaining the
status of Honor Graduate in the Sapper Leadership Program. This is a challenging program and
many participants never graduate, let alone reach honor status.
As a Squad Leader, Chris learned quickly that he needed the respect of those that reported to him,
but also understood that he needed to provide firm discipline to correct negative actions. He knew
if his squad was deployed to the Middle East their lives depended on him keeping them safe as
they performed the duties they were assigned.
Understanding the
Performance Notice
Nelson Tree Service classifies performance
notices into three categories:
Superior Performance Notice –
Is issued when a crew or individual
is recognized for going above and
beyond in displaying any aspect of
safety or professionalism.
Proactive Performance Notice –
Is issued when a safety rule is observed
being broken. An example of
this would be “failure to wear safety
glasses” (no injury occurred).
Reactive Performance Notice –
This notice is given after an incident
or injury has occurred. A few examples
would be: “failure to wear leg chaps
resulting in a chain saw cut to the
leg,” or “failure to rope out limb resulting
in property owner’s broken fence.”
General foremen who immediately
address unsafe behaviors with a proactive
performance notice develop
safe and successful crews, and most
importantly, prevent the need to issue
a reactive performance notice.
2 7

OUR GENERAL FOREMEN
General Foreman Recognition
The Year of the
General Foreman
As we learned in the previous LifeLine,
Nelson Tree Service is placing special
emphasis on recognizing our general foremen
and thanking them for the difficult
job they do.
The 2007 program began by selecting
a General Foreman of the Week and then
rolled into choosing a General Foreman of
the Month. For 2008, the program has been
refined and will now focus solely on a General
Foreman of the Month and roll into the selection
of a General Foreman of the Year.
Each month, regional managers will
submit the name of one of their deserving
general foremen. A committee will
review each submission and arrive at a
score for each candidate. Criteria such
as payroll accuracy, tailgate sheet timeliness and
completion, pre-/post-trip paperwork compliance,
incident occurrences and equipment inspection
results are a few of the tangible items that will
be used to evaluate the candidates. The General
Foreman of the Year will be based upon a business
year structure that runs from October to
September (Nelson Tree’s business year ends
on September 31). Using this date structure
will assist the committee in determining the
most worthy General Foreman of the Year.
The evaluation committee is still
reviewing data on choosing Nelson
Tree’s General Foreman of the Year
for 2007. The next LifeLine will
feature this winner and continue
to highlight our general foremen
selected for the monthly award.
GF of the Week
The following list announces our General Foremen of the Week Winners for the months of August,
September, October and November. Each General Foreman of the Week was awarded a $250 Wal-Mart
shopping card.
Nelson Tree Service again thanks each and every one of our general foremen for their service. Theirs is
one of the most difficult and demanding jobs in the company. This program is our way of continuing to
highlight some of our most valued general foremen. Good luck to all of you!
August 2007
Jay Curry, Region 463
Paul Mikkola, Region 461
Kevin Bailey, Region 466
Matt Vandergrift, Region 460
Mike Meese, Region 461
September 2007
Stan Smith, Region 472
Joe Yost, Region 466
Gary Finnicum, Region 460
Tim Cale, Region 461
October 2007
Steve Gettinger, Region 466
Chuck Benton, Region 472
Gary Higgins, Region 468
Larry Cline, Region 461
November 2007
Yulandir Urritia, Region 472
Ritchey Tillett, Region 472
Randy Leeds, Region 472
Bob Jones, Region 461
Bruce Pope, Region 463
GF of the Month
Matt Vandergrift
GF of the Month
Gary Finnicum
GF of the Month
Gary Higgins
GF of the Month
Randy Leeds
2 8

OUR GENERAL FOREMEN
GF of the Month
July 2007
Region 472 was pleased to recognize their first General
Foreman of the Month, William “Bill” Larkey. A dinner meeting
was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to honor this July recipient.
Fellow general foremen from region 472’s New Jersey
area joined the festivities, along with Lou Nekola, Jeff Jones
and Jim Craner.
Bill was flattered to receive this prestigious designation
and his Performance Award trophy. A check for $1,000
capped off the evening.
Congratulations, Bill, on your accomplishment!
August and September 2007
Region 460 scored a big victory with two successive general
foremen receiving recognition for the months of August
and September.
Congratulations to Matt Vandergrift for being our August
2007 General Foreman of the Month, and Gary Finnicum
for achieving the September 2007 General Foreman of the
Month. Our two winners were recognized at a combined celebration
held at the Hyde Park Grill in Columbus, Ohio.
Vice president, Jeff Jones, led the evening’s festivities.
Regional manager, Guy Daines, and supervisor, John Gibson,
could not have been more proud when the time came to recognize
these gentlemen. Several other general foreman from
the region also attended the event to show their support of
their colleagues.
Both Matt and Gary received checks for $1,000 and a
Performance Award trophy. Congratulations Matt and Gary on
receiving this well-deserved honor!
From left, Bob Turner, Regional Manager, Bill Larkey, General Foreman, Scott
Palmer, Regional Safety Specialist, and Mike Turner, Supervisor
Submission offered by Bill Larkey
When I found out I’d been recognized as the GF of the Month, I
was very happy to hear that I’d won. I began to reflect on why I was
chosen and immediately started thinking of my men who always work
safely and efficiently; without them and their dedication to the job, I
simply couldn’t be successful at doing my job. They have a tremendous
work ethic and they allow me to focus on other important
aspects of my job.
I also have to thank many others at Nelson Tree Service who support
and help me. I really appreciate the folks in the Dayton office who
check my payroll and production reports to make sure they are
correct. The staff in Ashland is always helpful in providing technical
advice on equipment problems, and they are always prompt in getting
tools and supplies out.
A special thanks goes to my fellow general foremen in region 472.
These guys are always here to offer assistance whenever I need anything.
Finally, I want to give a special thanks to my regional manager,
Bob Turner Jr., and supervisor, Mike Turner. I just can’t say enough
about their knowledge and support.
I would also like to mention my family and thank them for their continued
support. I have a son who lives in Chicago and two daughters
who live nearby. They have provided me with one of the best rewards
in life, six wonderful grandchildren.
I have a terrific fiancé, Nancy, who has been with me for nine years.
Not only does she understand the long days I put in, she also helps
me with paperwork. She files and makes copies, which really helps
keep me organized.
As I consider this honor, I continue to reflect on my life and those
around me. The love of a good woman, twenty-two years in the military,
thirty years in this business, the opportunity to work with a group
of outstanding men, and everyone else at Nelson Tree who goes
above and beyond to help me … wow! That’s one heck of a recipe!
Thanks again to everyone for this honor.
From left: Regional Manager, Guy Daines, presenting Gary Finnicum, General
Foreman, with his Performance Award trophy. General Foreman, Matt Vandergrift,
receives his award from John Gibson, Supervisor.
2 9

OUR GENERAL FOREMEN
3 0
GF Helpful Hints
Submitted by Region 466
&
Thank you, Region 466 general
foremen, for your tremendous
response to our GF Helpful Hints
feature. For your efforts to share
your knowledge and experience
with your co-workers, each of you
will receive a $50 gift card!
1
Robert Slover
When crews get a bag of ice, don’t just
throw the ice bag away. Instead, use it
as the daily trash bag. This gives crews
a nice sized bag to neatly dispose of
drink containers and lunch trash. It can
then be simply tossed away in an
appropriate trash container at
the pull out or a gas station that
evening or the next morning. This
is a good habit to develop and
improves housekeeping on the truck.
2
Lee Brousseau
Here’s a tip for the winter months when
ice and snow build up on windshields
overnight. Cut a large, heavy-duty
garbage bag in half and spread it over
the windshield. Take the corners of the
bag inside the doors. When the doors
shut they will hold the bag in place and
prevent ice and snow from building up
on the windshield, which saves a lot
of time at the pull out in the morning.
More importantly, it prevents people
from standing on icy running boards
trying to clear a windshield. Anything we
can do to prevent a slip or trip is worth
the effort.
3
An inexpensive tote filled with extra clothes and gloves along
with a bag for wet or dirty items keeps your things neat and organized
TIPS
Dave Ennis
Two sets of eyes are better than one. If
you are a passenger, make sure you are
keeping your eyes on the road as well.
Many situations where accidents are
prevented were credited to the passenger
noticing something that the driver
didn’t see. After all, as the passenger,
your safety depends on avoiding an
accident.
4
Ben Tripp
With the unpredictable weather this
time of year, keep plenty of clothes
available for changing weather conditions.
To prevent a messy stack of cloths
piled in the truck, try getting an inexpensive
tote to store your stuff in. This
will keep it neat, organized and clean,
and can be taken home easily.
5
Jackie Hernandez
In the very cold winter months, do not
allow trucks to hold woodchips over the
weekend. They certainly will freeze to the
bed and hours will be wasted digging
and picking away chips at the dump.
6
Don St. Clair
Ask your supervisor about getting some
RainX and using it on your mirrors and
windows. This will help prevent ice build
up. This product also improves visibility
when driving in the rain.
7
Brian Crowder
Always be aware of where the tail end of
your rope is when climbing. Make sure it
is not laying in mud or water. During the
winter months, if your rope gets wet, it
will freeze causing your rope to expand
and then not hold knots. If your rope
does get wet, try to hang or lay it in a
place where it will dry out. Always make
sure your rope is stored properly. After
all, it is your LIFELINE.
8
Troy North
I would like to remind all CDL holders
how important it is to keep your driving
record clean, both on and off the job.
Speeding not only risks an accident,
but also puts you in danger of a ticket.
These violations add up quickly and you
can find your driving status in jeopardy.
It is also important to remember that if
you get any ticket, even in your personal
vehicle, you need to report it to your
supervisor within 24 hours.
9
Jackie Hernandez
When bucket crews are trimming, fold
your mirrors in to keep them from getting
hit by debris. These mirrors are very
expensive. At a cost of $428 for the
mirror and arm it is important to prevent
these mirrors from being damaged.

S A F E T Y P RO G R A M S
The Rewards for Safe Work Practices!
The Basics Bonanza Safety Program wrapped
up on December 1, 2007. On December 3, our
Grand Prize winners were selected from the hundreds
of “Grand Prize Entry” tickets that were turned in.
We are pleased to announce our five Grand Prize
winning employees who were drawn from the entries:
Nelson Announces
Basics Bonanza
Grand Prize Winners!
Matir Noel Carcamo Region 466 $3,000
Greg Collins Region 460 $1,000
Ryan Bondy Region 461 $1,000
Garry Vest Region 466 $1,000
Jim Syverson Region 468 $1,000
While these employees hit the jackpot prizes, there
were thousands of other prizes awarded. Congratulations
to all employees who received a Basics Bonanza
ticket for displaying safe work habits and following
the principles of the Back to Basics programs.
Matir Noel Carcamo (left) receives his check
from general foreman, Ramon Garza. Needless to
say, Matir was extremely surprised and pleased
to be the grand prize $3,000 winner. That Grand
Prize Entry ticket he received for following our
Back to Basics rules really paid off. When asked,
as his check was presented, if it seemed real yet,
Matir quickly replied, “It will when I cash it.”
Ryan Bondy (right) looks very happy as his
general foreman, Jerry Mason (left), presents him
a check for $1,000. Ryan commented that receiving
an unexpected one thousand dollars during
the holiday season was an awesome surprise. He
went on to say that safety now has more rewards
than just going home healthy everyday. “I want to
thank my general foreman and Nelson Tree for enforcing
the safety rules that are keeping us safe.”
Jim Syverson (left) receives his $1,000 winnings
from his general foreman, Gary Higgins. Jim
thanks Gary and Anthony Herrera, his regional
safety specialist, for spending so much time
working with crews and educating them about
safety. Jim states, “Anthony does an excellent
job.” When asked how he was going to spend his
windfall, he replied that he would save it for a
rainy day. Wow, now that’s discipline!
Garry Vest just wants everyone to know how
fortunate he felt for the $1,000 prize. It could
not have come at a better time. Garry has several
little ones at home and the extra money made for
a very nice Christmas for the kids. He also used
some of the money to catch up bills. Nelson Tree
is glad to know those winnings went to such a
good cause.
Greg Collins says there aren’t words to express
how happy and surprised he was when he heard
he had won a $1,000 in the Basics Bonanza contest!
He took a lot of good-natured ribbing from
his co-workers on how he was going to spend the
money. His general foreman, Dave Kennedy, was
just as happy as Greg when he heard the news.
According to Dave, “Greg is really a good guy who
deserved to win.”
3 1

S A F E T Y P RO G R A M S
2008 Safety Recognition Program
This year, Nelson Tree is launching a simplified
safety program that recognizes employees who
value safety and professionalism.
How it works …
On the last working day of each month, a random
list of names will be pulled from the human resource
database. The selected employees’ general foremen will
then be contacted to validate eligibility.
Eligibility criteria:
To be eligible for recognition, the employee must
have worked without incident* and not received a
negative performance notice for that calendar month.
* Incident is defined as:
• Has not been injured or caused the injury of
another person
• Did not directly or indirectly cause any property
damage
• No at-fault vehicle accidents
• Has not directly or indirectly caused any interruption
of electrical service
Once eligibility is confirmed, the employee will
receive a $250 Wal-Mart gift card. There will be eight
winners selected for every calendar month.
This safety program will provide an equal opportunity
for employees to be recognized for their commitment
to safety. Previously, our safety recognition
program was dependent upon direct observation by
a member of management. Now, regardless of the
geographical area, or how often a member of management
visits your area, employees can be recognized.
Everyone has a chance to win—simply perform your
job safely and professionally and remain incident free!
SAFETY SMART
QUESTION WINNERS
W E E K L Y W I N N E R S :
8-06-07
Thomas Ertel Rgn. 461 $100
John Johnson Rgn. 460 $100
10-22-07
Raymond Dale Rgn. 461 $200
Patrick Fraley Rgn. 1140 $200
3 2
The Safety Smart Question is still in full swing, giving employees the chance
to win big money each week by simply knowing the answer to the Safety
Smart Question.
When reviewing the weekly Tailgate Safety Meeting with your crew, look extra
closely at the information. The underlined section provides key information
for the answer to the Safety Smart Question. Make sure you jot this information
down and remember it. This is the key to winning!
Each week, a list containing 15 employee names and phone numbers is
produced. This information is randomly selected from the human resource
database. Make sure your employee files are up-to-date with contact information
so we can contact you.
In the evening, usually on Monday’s between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., a
member of management will begin calling employees to find individuals
who can answer the safety smart question. A maximum of two weekly winners
can be chosen. Unfortunately, there are many weeks when the prizes go
uncollected. This money is then added to the prize pot for the next week.
In the past, the winner’s names were printed weekly on the back of the
Tailgate Safety Meeting. Since we are now using the back of the Tailgate to
document the daily job briefings, space for the winners is no longer available.
Therefore, in each issue of the LifeLine the winners’ names will be
printed so they can be recognized and congratulated.
Remember … be creative! In the past, employees have recorded the answer
to the Safety Smart Question on their answering machine or cell phone
voice mail. Some have even posted the answer to the question by the
phone and instructed family members to provide the answer if someone
from Nelson Tree calls. Now that is clever!
8-13-07
Preston Cherry Rgn. 472 $100
Richard Johnson Rgn. 466 $100
8-20-07
Walter Dickerson Rgn. 472 $100
8-27-07
Roger Finch Rgn. 466 $150
Robert Benton Rgn. 466 $150
9-4-07
Juan Diaz Rgn. 472 $100
Armando Lopez Rgn. 466 $100
9-11-07
No Winners
9-17-07
Tim Ashley Rgn. 463 $200
Billy Farmer Rgn. 460 $200
9-24-07
Jessie Heredia Rgn. 466 $100
Aaron Stagge Rgn. 460 $100
10-01-07
No Winners
10-07-07
K. Pahkankangus Rgn. 461 $200
E. Manrrique Rgn. 466 $200
10-15-07
No Winners
10-29-07
No Winners
11-05-07
Josh Lyndaker Rgn. 463 $200
Brian Trimmer Rgn. 472 $200
11-12-07
Joshua Conway Rgn. 463 $100
11-19-07
No Winners
11-26-07
Jason Smith Rgn. 461 $250
12-03-07
Mark Cool Rgn. 460 $225
Joshua Stewart Rgn. 461 $225
12-10-07
Denny Davis Rgn. 468 $100
12-17-07
Jason Smith Rgn. 461 $150
Mark T. Parker Rgn. 466 $150
12-24-07
No Winners
12-31-07
No Winners

S A F E T Y P RO G R A M S
Voluntary Safety Promise Program
As a company, Nelson Tree Service’s management
and safety staff constantly strives to develop
programs and incentives to reward employees who understand
and practice safe work habits. It is the goal
of our organization for every employee to recognize
that Nelson Tree Service values nothing more than
your safety.
In November, each employee received an impassioned
letter from our president, Lou Nekola. In his
letter, Lou discussed some very serious recent incidents
that have occurred in the line clearance industry.
Along with the letter, each employee received a
Voluntary Safety Promise document. Employees were
asked to consider the safety promise, and,
if they could embrace the commitment,
to sign the form. Employees
who sign the form, then turn it in to
management. Everyone in management
then signs the form to show
that, as a company, we promise to do
everything possible to ensure you go
home that evening in the same
condition you were that morning.
A hardhat decal is given to
the individuals who make the
promise. Wearing this decal is
a constant reminder of your
promise and an inspiration to
co-workers about making the correct
choices.
Basically, when you really think about
safety, it comes down to the choices you make
when no one is looking over your shoulder. As a company,
we can create policies and rules, design incentive
programs to promote safe behavior, and hand down
discipline for violations, but ultimately the choice is
yours.
In many incident investigations, the facts usually
demonstrate the hazard was identified and the injured
party knew he was taking a risk, but still chose the unsafe
behavior. When asked, “Why?” the answer usually
is, “I never thought this would happen to me.” This
thought process is a cultural problem in our industry
and it is Nelson Tree’s hope that the Voluntary Safety
Promise will be instrumental in changing this culture.
The Voluntary Safety Promise is not a contract, not
an incentive, and is not a threat. Employees will not be
disciplined or rewarded if they sign or don’t sign, and
the document won’t even be kept in a personnel file.
Instead, the Voluntary Safety Promise is a way of
thinking, a reminder, a new focus that’s only goal is to
avoid injuries.
If you have not yet taken the opportunity to make
the Voluntary Safety Promise, it is Nelson Tree’s hope
that you reconsider your personal safety. If you decide
you want to make the promise, you can request the
paperwork from your general foreman. But please remember,
this is a
voluntary program
and you should
only participate
if you
can fulfill the
promise.
After you sign the
Nelson Voluntary
Safety Promise,
you will receive a
laminated copy of your
signed promise and a
decal to place on the
back of your hardhat.
The Nelson Voluntary Safety Promise:
AS MY PROMISE, I WILL SPECIFICALLY:
Believe that all injuries are preventable
Learn and understand the meaning of “No job or
activity is worth risking an injury”
Learn and understand the meaning of
“Working safely is a condition of employment”
Follow the Back to Basics 2 and Back to Basics
Equipment rules
Always stay 100% tied in when climbing or aloft
in an aerial lift
Never break minimum separation distance
Never stand in the danger zone during any trimming
or removal operation
Never operate a company vehicle unless qualified
and authorized
Always wear a seat belt
3 3

N E L S O N W E A R
GEAR-UP
NelsonWear
Winter ’08 Featured Item
Available until April 15, 2008
03
ITEM 03
HIGH VISIBILITY WINTER JACKET
This Hi-Vis jacket offers all the Class 2 safety protection
required on the job site!
Adjustable wrist Velcro provides a perfect sleeve fit. Several
zippered interior and exterior pockets. Front zipper and snaps
to block the wind. PLUS, the sleeves zip off for lighter protection
on warmer days! Nelson Tree logo silkscreen across the back.
At this price, they won’t last long. So place your order soon!
Sizes available: M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL
Price: $40.00
A
Standard Items ...
Now available year round!
Item A Short Sleeve High Visibility T-Shirt (M – 3X). . . $8.00
Item B Long Sleeve High Visibility T-Shirt (M – 3X) . . . $9.00
Item C Short Sleeve Dark Green T-Shirt (M – 4X) . . . . $9.00
Item D Leather Gloves (L– XL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6.00
D
B
C
3 4

N E L S O N W E A R
NelsonWear
O R D E R F O R M
Fill out the order form neatly and completely. Remove the form from the LifeLine and give it to your manager.
You may turn in a photocopy of this form.
PLEASE BE SURE TO SPECIFY SIZE ON YOUR ORDER
ITEM QTY. DESCRIPTION SIZE COLOR PRICE EACH TOTAL PRICE
Grand Total ___________________
Date
Social Security No.
Name (please print)
Job No.
I allow Nelson Tree
Service, Inc. to deduct
this amount from my
paycheck.
Signature
Number of weeks to
deduct (check choice)
1 week 4 weeks
3 5

Nelson Tree Participates in
American Red Cross Holiday Event
The Ashland Equipment Center
recently participated in the
American Red Cross Holiday Extravaganza
event. The event, which is
arranged by the Ashland chapter of
the Red Cross, is one of the chapter’s
largest local fund raising events.
Traditionally, the event features
holiday home decorations, craft
items and baked goods, which
are auctioned off. However, since
Nelson Tree first began supporting
this fund raiser in 2006, we’ve
chosen a less traditional approach
for our donation.
That first year, we utilized a
wheelbarrow and several items
from the supply warehouse, such
as a broom, scoop shovel and other
odds and ends. Our donation generated a lot of interest
from the gentlemen in the crowd!
With the support of our vendors, Nelson Tree
Service provided this custom lawn & garden tool
filled wheelbarrow to the American Red Cross as
an auction item.
For 2007, we again agreed to
support this important event and
provide an item for the auction.
With support from vendors such
a Bryan Equipment Sales, a leaf
blower was added to the bounty,
and Ahlborn Equipment provided
a variety of items tailored for the
home gardener.
Our collection of items was
impressive and our donation was
featured in a local newspaper article
promoting the event. When the
auction took place on December 1,
our item received a $700 bid!
Participating in this Holiday
Extravaganza event was a wonderful
way to support our local Red
Cross chapter in providing needed
services to those in our community. The Ashland staff
is looking forward to contributing to this unique fund
raising opportunity again in 2008!
Nelson Tree Service, Inc.
3300 Office Park Drive
Dayton, Ohio 45439