Recent Updates

67 riders accepted the STIHL Tour des Trees challenge this year, cycling as many as 500 miles each and raising a record $479,000 to date for the TREE Fund. It was a week of steep hills and long days in the saddle, and “personal bests” were commonplace by week’s end. The competition for the top 3 fundraising spots remained heated until the November 20 deadline. The TREE Fund offers its thanks and congratulations to our top fundraisers for the 2011 STIHL Tour des Trees campaign:

Phil Graham (Team Canada): $9,439.70 (combined US/CAN)

Dick Rideout (Team Wisconsin): $7,645

Frazer Pehmoeller (New York): $7,510

Phil, Dick and Frazer will receive STIHL merchandise certificates in the amount of $500, $250 and $100, respectively.

The 2011 Tour des Trees is closing in on its goal to raise $500,000 by December 30. Thank you to all who supported this record-breaking campaign! Donations are still being accepted at http://www.active.com/donate/STIHLTourdesTrees11

Planning is already underway for next year’s Tour, scheduled for August 5-11^th in Portland OR. For more information visit www.stihltourdestrees.com

Return to Table of Contents – Fall 2011 TREE Fund Report

The Tour des Trees celebrates its 20^th Anniversary in 2012 with the ride of a lifetime in Oregon. The 2012 STIHL Tour des Trees launches from Portland on August 5 on a looping route through Oregon, promising an exciting week of cycling, fellowship, trees, educational programs and fun! Registration for the 2012 Tour closes May 28.  Donate now to support a 2012 Tour rider!

Click here for a map of the 2012 STIHL Tour des Trees route >>

Click here for more information about the 2012 STIHL Tour des Trees >>

Congratulations to the winning bidders at Bandit’s chipper auction held during the TCI Expo in Hartford, Larry and Terri Torpy of Torpy Tree Care in Omaha, NE.

Thank you, Bandit Industries, for your continued support of tree research and education by generously donating $18,560 from the proceeds of the auction!

(photo L-R:TCIA President Scott Jamieson, TREE Fund Exec. Dir. Janet Bornancin, Bandit Industries President Jerry Morey, Terri and Larry Torpy of Torpy Tree Care)

In the market for a new chipper? Place the winning bid on the new Bandit model 1390HD chipper at TCI Expo in Hartford, CT., and your purchase will support tree research and education!  Check out the chipper at the TREE Fund booth at TCI Expo; place your bid at the Bandit booth until 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4th.

Suggested Retail Value: $46,850

Opening Bid: $37,480

Proxy bids accepted via email to mary.dicarlo@treefund.org

• 114 – hp Perkins Engine
• 15″ chipper capacity
• 15.25″ x 19.5″ opening
• 37″ diameter drum
• 5′ 11″ width
• 8′ 4″ height
• 6,700 lbs

The TREE Fund gratefully acknowledges Bandit Industries Inc. for its support of tree research and education through the donation of the proceeds of this sale.

Did you receive a seedling during the 2011 STIHL Tour des Trees? Download our Seedling Planting Instructions. We encourage you to plant your seedling with your children, family and friends.  It is a wonderful way to reinforce the importance of trees to our environment, and to demonstrate how each of us can make a difference.

TREE Fund would like to thank Dominion for helping us bring Project Plant It to this year’s event.

Introducing a new way to support the TREE Fund! Text “treefund” to 85944, then reply “yes” to charge a $10 donation for tree research to your cell phone bill. Help us continue our good work by making a text donation today.

Text2Give Terms & Conditions

A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Message and Data Rates May Apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. By participating you certify that you are 18 yrs or older and/or have parental permission. Donations are collected for the benefit of The TREE Fund by Innogive Foundation and subject to the terms found at igfn.org/t. Privacy policy: igfn.org/p. Text STOP to 85944 to stop; Text HELP to 85944 for help.

Stay updated on all the action during the 2011 STIHL Tour des Trees. Whether you’re volunteering, on a bike, or watching from the sidelines, these mobile text updates will keep you informed. You can even make a text donation to one of our riders.

Save the Date! – August 13, 2012

The TREE Fund’s annual auction is a social highlight of the International Society of Arboriculture’s annual conference. (Read More >)

Join us in Virginia Beach, VA on Sunday, October 2, for the 1-day Ride for Research to benefit the TREE Fund.This recreational ride traces a 30-mile loop from the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center that includes tree plantings at First Landing State Park , STIHL Inc., and Owl Creek Boat Launch, followed by lunch and a post-race celebration at the Aquarium.

Register now at www.stihltourdestrees.org. Your $75 registration fee includes a T-shirt, lunch, and a tax-deductible donation to the TREE Fund.

Helmets are required for all cyclists. Riders under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Rider check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Virginia Aquarium; ride departs at 9 a.m.

The TREE Fund is seeking Trustee candidates with expertise in corporate or non-profit finance, fundraising and/or organizational development. Experience in arboriculture or related fields is preferred, but not required.

Our Board members share a passion for healthy trees in our communities and healthy growth in our industry. The Board of Trustees meets 3 times per year, and its members typically serve renewable 3-year terms.

Complete our online Candidate Nomination Form to nominate yourself or recommend a colleague for consideration as a TREE Fund Trustee. Nominations are due by November 1, 2011.