Dr. Alex Shigo Biography - Arboriculture

Dr. Alex Shigo (May 8, 1930-October 6, 2006) was a university-trained tree pathologist who was widely considered the father of modern arboriculture. Dr. Shigos study of tree biology led to a broadened understanding of the compartmentalization of decay in trees. His ideas eventually led to many changes and additions to commercial tree care practices, such as the currently accepted tree pruning method. Fast Facts: Alex Shigo Known For: Pioneering tree-friendly pruningBorn: May 8, 1930 in  Duquesne, PennsylvaniaDied: October 6, 2006 in Barrington, New HampshireEducation: Waynesburg University, West Virginia UniversityPublished Works:  Tree Pithy Points, Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees, A Tree Hurts, Too, A New Tree Biology and Dictionary, Tree Anatomy, Tree Pruning Basics, Modern Arboriculture: A Systems Approach to the Care of Trees and Their Associates, and moreAwards and Honors:  Chief Scientist for the U.S. Forest ServiceSpouse: Marilyn ShigoChildren: Judy  Shigo  SmithNotable Quote: Many people spend time on what goes wrong with a tree; I wanted to study what goes right. Education Shigo received a bachelors of science degree from Waynesburg College near Duquesne, Pennsylvania. After serving in the Air Force, He continued to study botany, biology, and genetics under his former biology professor, Dr. Charles Bryner. Shigo moved from Duquesne and continued his education at the University of West Virginia, where he received a combination Masters and Ph.D. in pathology in 1959. Forest Service Career Dr. Shigo started a career with the U.S. Forest Service in 1958. In time, he became Chief Scientist for the Forest Service and retired in 1985. His earliest assignment, however, was to learn more about tree decay. Shigo used a newly invented one-man chainsaw to open trees in a way no one else had, by making longitudinal cuts along the stem rather than transverse cuts across the stem. His tree autopsy technique led to many important discoveries, some of which were and are controversial. Shigo believed that trees are not made up of mostly dead wood but rather can contain disease by creating compartments. CODIT Shigo found that trees respond to injuries by sealing the wounded area through the process of compartmentalization. This theory of compartmentalization of decay in trees, or CODIT, was Shigos biological brainstorm, leading to many changes and adaptations in the tree care industry. Instead of healing like our skin, an injury to a tree trunk results in surrounding cells changing themselves chemically and physically to prevent the spread of decay. New cells are produced by cells lining the cut area to cover and seal the injured area. Instead of trees healing, trees actually seal. The Controversy Dr. Shigos biological findings are not always popular with arborists. His findings disputed the validity of many old techniques that the arboricultural industry has used for over a century and taken for granted as undeniably true. His work showed that the traditional methods were unnecessary or, even worse, harmful. In Shigos defense, his conclusions have been confirmed by other researchers and are now a part of current ANSI standards for tree pruning. The bad news is that many commercial arborists continue to perform flush cuts, toppings, and other practices that Dr. Shigos research showed to be harmful. In many cases, arborists perform these practices knowing they are harmful, but believing their business cannot survive by practicing their craft under Shigo guidelines. Circumstance Surrounding Death According to the Shigo and Trees, Associates website, Alex Shigo died on Friday, October 6. He was at his summer cottage at the lake, going to his office after dinner when he fell going down the steps, landing on the patio, and died from a broken neck.

Theme Of Integrity In To Kill A Mockingbird - 969 Words

Integrity is a necessity for the development of human and societal structures. Each and every member of society must possess the value of integrity in order to have a properly functioning community. In both the historical fictions called, To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee and The Power of One directed by John G.Avildsen, there are two dynamic characters, who, instead of following social norms blindly, critically think virtuously. In To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus does not bend towards the will of society, but rather challenges it for the sake of justice. As does P.K. from The Power of One, who faces oppression and death on a daily basis to fight for his own set of beliefs. Between the two of them, integrity is seen within the†¦show more content†¦But remember this, no matter how bitter things get, they’re still our friends and this is still our home,† ( Lee, 76 ). By stating that he can not be selective about his cases and that he must uphold the law a t all times, Atticus shows Scout that he will not compromise his integrity for the sake of his community; furthermore, Atticus will not bend his moral code even for those closest to him. This shows the magnitude of how far Atticus is willing to go to not stray from his morals and emphasizes how necessary he finds it to stay true to himself . This also alludes to the abstract idea that he is willing to sacrifice himself in order to follow his sense of integrity and avoid undermining it. When the town’s men gather at the jail Tom is residing in, they come armed with weapons for their â€Å"snipe hunt† (Lee 151), to ensure that Tom does not make it to his trial. Atticus, who is standing there as Tom’s shield, does not waver in front of the mob of angry white men. Instead, he is ready to fight for his beliefs. Scout describes the scene unfolding before her as: â€Å"somebody’s man would get jumped† (Lee 152), that man being Atticus. This illustrates the image as to how far their society is ideologically split. The town’s men blindly direct their anger towards the black sheep of the herd, while Atticus stands beside the black sheep proudly. Although Atticus recognizes the relationship he has with his town, because of hisShow MoreRelatedTheme Of Symbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird791 Words   |  4 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a multi-faceted novel which explores the principles and morals of people in the South during the 1930s. Mockingbirds are symbolic of the people that society abuse. Lee narrates the events of the novel using Scout’s voice and uses this technique to add emotional context and develop themes. Themes of racial and classist prejudice are developed by Lee to challenge the reader. These techniques are all powerful ways to alter the views of the reader. MockingbirdsRead MoreMoral Values And Life Lessons On The Eyes Of Scout, By Harper Lee1305 Words   |  6 Pageswhen the novel was written. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee the iconic novel exposes timeless themes and issues which are just as relevant today as they were when the novel was written. The novel follows the eyes of Scout, a young girl. She observes many timeless issues and begins to comprehend the value of her morals. It is through the townspeople of Maycomb that timeless themes are exposed. To Kill A Mockingbird is a timeless novel because of the universal themes, moral values and life lessonsRead MoreKill A Mockingbird : A Historical Fiction Book Written By Harper Lee1650 Words   |  7 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird is a historical fiction book written by Harper Lee. Scout Finch and her brother Jem Finch live in sleepy Maycomb County Alabama around the 1930s. The pair soon meet Dill, the nephew of Aunt Rachel, who becomes their summer friend. They soon become obsessed with their mysterious neighbor who seldom is seen in public, named Boo Radley. Their father, Atticus, is one of the town lawyers who takes on case that changes the children’s lives. This culminatesRead MoreTo Kill A Mockingbird Trial Analysis1076 Words   |  5 PagesSignificant incidents in a text are deliberately chosen to highlight a flaw in society or to express the composer’s concerns. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) ignites this notion as she purposefully chooses Tom Robinson’s trial to be the climax of the text where the flaws in society become highlighted. The trial and what happens during the trial does have some parallels to Lee’s purpose of exposing the race relations in the Southern states of America to her audience of the 1960s in theRead MoreEssay On Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird955 Words   |  4 Pagesbecause they aren’t â€Å"normal†. Society can fight back, they don’t have to accept this hatred that prevails throughout the world. Everybody just needs to have courage, integrity and tolerance, the necessary traits to help end the discrimination that is in the world, which Harper Lee shows perfectly in To Kill a Mockingbird. One of the main themes in this book is courage. It is repeatedly mentioned and emphasized throughout the book. In this book Atticus, a white man, defends a black man in the 1930’s, whereRead More To Kill a Mocking Bird - Maturation Essay1068 Words   |  5 Pagesimpact on how an individual matures. Additionally, family members greatly help each other develop into moral adults by instilling in each other values that will ultimately determine an individual’s character. In Harper Lee’s timeless classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, the constant reiteration of Atticus Finch’s values, in conjunction with the exposure to significant events, assist in Jem and Scout’s maturation into virtuous adolescents. Throughout the novel, Atticus’ assistance to Jem and Scout’s developmentRead MoreEvaluation of to Kill a Mockingbird Essay1549 Words   |  7 Pagesdespicable and disposable. Atticus, however, whose integrity and character is rare, wholeheartedly attended to the case despite the wide spread racism of that time. Incorporating a sentimental and thought provoking plot, combined with exceptional cinematography and award winning performances, To Kill A Mockingbird, is a timeless story of character, prejudice, and a coming of age. Based on the classic novel, by Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird, is set in a small Alabama town in the 1930s. ThisRead MoreTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee- an essay on how justice and injustice is represented in the novel.1482 Words   |  6 Pageslevellers, and in our courts all men are created equal. Describe and explain how justice and injustice are represented through events and characters in To Kill a Mockingbird. Justice, what is right and fair by all of societys standards and morals, is represented, along with injustice, through events and characters in To Kill a Mockingbird. ...in this country our courts are the great levellers, and in our courts all men are created equal. (Atticus, pg227). One type of justice is the legal kindRead MoreCourage in To Kill a Mockingbird898 Words   |  4 Pages An idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art of literature can be referred to as a â€Å"Theme†. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and may be implied rather than stated explicitly. Theme is an important part of fictional stories. Several themes are presented in the novel to kill a mocking bird. One of the reoccurring themes in to kill a mockingbird is courage. Courage is when you know you’re beaten. The character Atticus, for instance, who was a seasoned lawyerRead MoreHow The World Has Changed Through The Eyes Of The People1195 Words   |  5 Pagesthey are written now. â€Å"An author s purpose is the reason an author decides to write about a specific topic. The author must decide whether his purpose for writing is to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain his ideas to the reader. In To Kill a Mockingbird it takes place in Alabama during the Depression, and is narrated by the main character, a little girl named Jean Louise Scout Finch. The story shows how a small town lawyer can make a big difference in a racist community. The Help takes place

Schoolhouse or Home School Free Essays

What do George Washington and the Hanson brothers have in common? Do you give up? Well, the answer is that both of them were educated in their homes. Queen Elizabeth, Thomas Edison, and Theodore Roosevelt were also educated at home. According to the Home Education Research Institute, 1. We will write a custom essay sample on Schoolhouse or Home School or any similar topic only for you Order Now 5 million students are staying home for class today. This number is five times more than ten years ago (Kantrow and Wingert 66). This trend leads to many questions. Does home school education work? Do students receive a proper education? How does a home school student†s education compare to that of public school student? Does home schooling isolate a child socially? These questions are concerns of parents, educators, and politicians alike. The future of America rests on the academic and social education of our youth, and home school education should be considered as an effective alternative to public school education. In the past, parents mainly chose to educate their children at home because of religious preference. These parents viewed the public school system as a source of negative influence on children. Violence, sex, drugs, and peer pressure were influences these parents sought to avoid. However, today parents have other reasons for home school education, which primarily all point to a lackluster public school system. Other reasons include a desire to build a strong family closeness, safety, and a handful of parents chose home school for their children because of special needs such as disabilities or special talents. However, no matter how good the reasons, the home school education system must prove to be an acceptable alternative to public schools. There are many advantages to giving a student a home school education. First, parents can make direct decisions concerning what their children are taught. According to the Home School Statistics and Reports in 1997, written by founder and President Dr. Brian D. Ray, seventy-one percent of the parents who educate their children hand pick the curriculum from a variety of books, videos, and educational manuals. Another twenty-three percent order entire cirriculum packages (Ray 14). With the technology of today, parents have an unlimited source for information via the Internet, which can be easily integrated in home school education. The study also shows the education level of the parent supervising and administering the curriculum has little or no effect on the quality of education received by a student. Home-educated students whose parents did not have college degrees scored equally high on tests compared to students whose parents had college degrees(Ray 56). In addition to students† own parents teaching them, groups are formed among home school families. These groups allow students to be taught a variety of subjects by different parents that have a better understanding of subjects such as algebra, chemistry, and biology. These groups also take field trips, participate in sports, and do volunteer projects together. Another advantage of home schooling is the quality of education received by the student. How do home school students compare with public school students? This is a very important question to answer, but the answer can never be a concrete one. However all of the research I did shows that students educated in their homes have an equal or higher level of academic skills compared to the public school students. In the 1997 and 1998 ACT test scores, home school students averaged a score of 23; meanwhile the public school students averaged a score of 21(Farris 8). Also, on nationally standardized achievement exams home students again outscored public school students by at least thirty percentile points(Ray 7). While these numbers can†t truly reflect the comparison, an equal percentage of students from both groups seek college education(Ray 9). The government on all levels faces problems concerning the public school system. Funding for schools tops the problem list; local school boards and city governments are continuously fighting for tax proposals, meanwhile students in the schools suffer because of poor facilities and low salaries for teachers. The cost for taxpayers to send one student to a public school for one year is approximately $5325, while a home school student costs a parent $546 per year (Ray 11). Could an increase in home schools cut taxes? Could the money allotted for education now be used more effectively if there were fewer students? Maybe or maybe not, but if fewer students were in public schools, the chances of giving the public school student a better educational environment would increase. Many people who oppose home school programs claim interactions with other children at school are vital to their education. However, this argument usually does not work because parents who home school do not want to release their children into the negative influences that infect the public school system. After an interview with Beverly Decateau, a mother who taught her children at home for over seven years; I found that home school students participate in equally as many or more activities than public school students do. Her children and many others she knew of were active in church groups, Four-H groups, sports teams, and dance squads. All of these activities can be considered social interactions. I don†t believe the public school system has a responsibility to socialize students; that job belongs to parents. In a public school system, some students can be pinpointed and teased, and these images can damage children for life. Despite the several advantages of the home school system, many people still oppose home schooling. Home school students may not miss interactions with other students, but they will miss the experience. Certain experiences at school are considered an important part of the American way of life. Public school students will never forget experiencing homeroom parties, pep rallies, and finding classes on the first day of high school. Can a home school student†s experience compare? Probably not, but to what importance these experiences play in the education and socialization skills of a student depends on each individual student. Home school education can cause problems among children and parents. Children who have parents constantly looking over their shoulders may have difficulty breaking away from home to attend college or enter the workplace. Children might also have trouble respecting their own parent as an educator, and this lack of respect may have a negative effect on the student†s education. In order for home school education to work, the parents must be willing to sacrifice time and patience above and beyond the average parents. The parents must also be willing to give up their own careers for the future of their children. Furthermore, not all children can be successful home school students. The children must be able to make friends in informal settings, and see home school education as a way of exploring different avenues of learning. Not everyone can educate their children at home, but the more students who can receive a solid education at home would improve the education given to students at public schools. Fewer students would lead to smaller classrooms where higher paid teachers could give more attention to public school students. Funds and taxes could be used more effectively because there would be fewer students to accommodate. In the future we should support home school programs and public school education to interact with each other for the benefit of all students. Regardless of where the education of America†s youth takes place, it is vital that parents have a major role in the education of their children in order to build strong families and a strong America. How to cite Schoolhouse or Home School, Papers