Tree Salvage Kicks Off New York-Style Las Vegas Strip Park

 

MGM Resorts International broke ground on an open-air entertainment promenade and New York-style park linking two of its Las Vegas Strip properties: New York-New York and Monte Carlo.  Integral to the project’s commencement was the removal of existing trees.  First Choice Tree Service was asked to remove approximately 200 trees, including Pines, Oaks, Texas Mountain Laurels, Crape Myrtles, Lace Bark Elms and Japanese Blueberry trees.   Each specimen was carefully removed and placed into boxes ranging from 24” to 120”.

“Most of these trees are expected to go back into the park,” says Gene Cimorelli. Executive Vice President and General Manager of First Choice Tree Service. “We’ve created a salvage yard at a neighboring resort property where they will receive the care and maintenance that they need.”

Removal of these trees requires the expertise of a professional tree crew, a certified arborist and the proper equipment. 

Spread across 63 acres, the project will create park-like retail and dining spaces between the resorts for greater pedestrian interaction and interstitial visitor synergy. The neighboring hotel-casinos will be connected by a tree-dotted plaza lined with benches, food trucks and shops.

First Choice Tree Service owner Tony Valenti.

“Everyone appreciates the natural beauty that trees bring to the city,” says Cimorelli.  “Our job is to make sure that these specimens survive until they are transplanted into their new destination at the park.”

How Tree Professionals Work Safely During Summer Heat Conditions

While the Las Vegas summer heat may bring risk to outdoor tree professionals, First Choice Tree Service has been providing safety training for its crew members to be prepared for heat exhaustion.  Owner of First Choice Tree Service is a Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) who empowers and encourages a culture of safety within his organization.

Tony Valenti, who has owned First Choice Tree Service for over 20 years, is one of a handful certified in tree safety professionals in Nevada.  “We all know that working in the desert heat is taxing to the body,” says Valenti.  “But, tree climbers are in greater danger because they are usually working high up in the trees.”

Heat exhaustion can occur in a very short period of time and can cause dehydration, dizziness and blackouts.  “Our crew is trained to handle the situation safely in the small chance that one of our crew members have incurred a work-related injury or have succumb to fainting while they are up high up in the tree,” say Valenti.  The crew works with the resident “mascot” named Woody, a 150-lb  dummy constructed out of tree stumps and branches.  His sheer weight is a clear reminder of how important it is to be prepared and practice tree safety at all times.

Maintaining a Certified Treecare Safety Professional like Valenti on staff means that First Choice Tree Service is committed to safe practices in arboricultural operations.  He implements the latest technological advances and regulatory activities affecting the industry through the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) safety network, and must commit to ongoing education in the safety field in order to maintain their certification.  
 
Because safety regulations and industry standards are continually evolving, the ongoing education requirement is vital to maintaining a legitimate safety program within a given company. Las Vegas residential and commercial customers can have greater peace of mind with the knowledge that hiring a tree care company with a CTSP on staff helps to ensure safe and professional arboricultural work on their property.