Alex L. Shigo (May 8, 1930 – October 6, 2006) was a biologist, plant pathologist with the United States Forest Service whose studies of tree decay resulted in many improvements to standard arboricultural practices. He travelled and lectured widely to promote understanding of tree biology among arborists and foresters. His large body of primary research serves as a broad foundation for further research in tree biology.[1]
Dr. Alex Shigo (far right) explaining markings on an Oak section during one of his last symposia.
Shigo was born in Duquesne, Pennsylvania. He served as a clarinetist with the United States Air Force Band in Washington DC for four years during the Korean War. After his service, he earned a Bachelor of Biological Science degree at Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania, then a PhD in Plant Pathology at West Virginia University in 1960. [2][3] He joined the U.S. Forest Service as a tree pathologist. He served there as Chief Scientist for 25 years and retired in 1985. Shigo was known for his digressive and philosophical style when writing and speaking, and for his trademarked phrase, “touch trees,” with which he autographed his books.
Researchedit
Early in his career, the first one-man chainsaws became available. These enabled him to prepare longitudinal sections of trees, which allowed him to study the longitudinal spread of decay organisms within them. A major discovery from this work was that trees have ways of walling off decaying tissues, which he named Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees (CODIT). This led to reassessment of arboricultural practices such as pruning techniques and cavity treatments, which showed that many then current practices (such as coating cuts with tar) actually promoted decay or were ineffective. The ANSI A-300 Pruning Standard reflects his recommendations.
Publicationsedit
Shigo produced over 270 publications,[4] including many research papers, books, pamphlets, CDs, and DVDs. In retirement, he and his wife Marilyn published these as Shigo and Trees, Associates. He traveled the world doing presentations, workshops, seminars and demonstrations, sharing his passion for trees. The Shigo and Trees, Associates business was transferred to their daughter in 2005.
Major worksedit
A New Tree Biology and Dictionary
Modern Arboriculture - Touch Trees
Tree Anatomy
Referencesedit
^Urban and Community Forestry in the Northeast, John E. Kuser, Springer, 2006, ISBN1-4020-4288-4 p 14
^"Alex L. Shigo". Legacy.com. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
^. Close-up Profiles. Irrigation & Green Industry. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
^"Publications by Alex L. Shigo and Colleagues" (PDF). shigoandtrees.com.
Article: , 2012
External linksedit
Shigo and Trees, Associates LLC
US Forest Service - Northeastern Area June 16, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
January 01, 1970
alex, shigo, this, article, rely, excessively, sources, closely, associated, with, subject, potentially, preventing, article, from, being, verifiable, neutral, please, help, improve, replacing, them, with, more, appropriate, citations, reliable, independent, t. This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral Please help improve it by replacing them with more appropriate citations to reliable independent third party sources April 2020 Learn how and when to remove this message Alex L Shigo May 8 1930 October 6 2006 was a biologist plant pathologist with the United States Forest Service whose studies of tree decay resulted in many improvements to standard arboricultural practices He travelled and lectured widely to promote understanding of tree biology among arborists and foresters His large body of primary research serves as a broad foundation for further research in tree biology 1 Dr Alex Shigo far right explaining markings on an Oak section during one of his last symposia Contents 1 Biography 2 Research 3 Publications 4 Major works 5 References 6 External linksBiography editShigo was born in Duquesne Pennsylvania He served as a clarinetist with the United States Air Force Band in Washington DC for four years during the Korean War After his service he earned a Bachelor of Biological Science degree at Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania then a PhD in Plant Pathology at West Virginia University in 1960 2 3 He joined the U S Forest Service as a tree pathologist He served there as Chief Scientist for 25 years and retired in 1985 Shigo was known for his digressive and philosophical style when writing and speaking and for his trademarked phrase touch trees with which he autographed his books Research editEarly in his career the first one man chainsaws became available These enabled him to prepare longitudinal sections of trees which allowed him to study the longitudinal spread of decay organisms within them A major discovery from this work was that trees have ways of walling off decaying tissues which he named Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees CODIT This led to reassessment of arboricultural practices such as pruning techniques and cavity treatments which showed that many then current practices such as coating cuts with tar actually promoted decay or were ineffective The ANSI A 300 Pruning Standard reflects his recommendations Publications editShigo produced over 270 publications 4 including many research papers books pamphlets CDs and DVDs In retirement he and his wife Marilyn published these as Shigo and Trees Associates He traveled the world doing presentations workshops seminars and demonstrations sharing his passion for trees The Shigo and Trees Associates business was transferred to their daughter in 2005 Major works editA New Tree Biology and Dictionary Modern Arboriculture Touch Trees Tree AnatomyReferences edit Urban and Community Forestry in the Northeast John E Kuser Springer 2006 ISBN 1 4020 4288 4 p 14 Alex L Shigo Legacy com Retrieved December 12 2010 Alex Shigo Close up Profiles Irrigation amp Green Industry Archived from the original on October 23 2014 Retrieved August 26 2010 Publications by Alex L Shigo and Colleagues PDF shigoandtrees com Article Local man revolutionized tree care Shigo s influence on arboriculture felt worldwide 2012External links editShigo and Trees Associates LLC US Forest Service Northeastern Area Archived June 16 2022 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alex Shigo amp oldid 1173988345, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
