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Press Inquiries:
Kate Lewis
757.340.7425
kate@themeridiangroup.com


Riders Cycled their Way to a XXX Donation to Urban Forests
Cyclists from across the World Pedaled a Week-long Journey to Help Support Urban Forestry

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. Surpassing fundraising goals and breaking an event record, the STIHL
Tour des Trees proved to be a successful event with more than XXX raised to support tree
research and education. During the 585-mile ride, participants stopped at various communities
throughout New York and Canada to showcase the importance of trees with tree plantings and
educational programs. Since the rides conception, the Tour des Trees has raised more than $6
million for the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), making it
Americas largest fundraiser for tree research.

The ride kicked off from Niagara Falls, N.Y. on July 28 and came to a close on Aug. 3 in
Toronto, while exploring urban centers and local favorites including places like Dinosaur Bar-B-
Que in Syracuse and Sandbanks Provincial Park in Ontario. The team also took time to visit
historic trees in the breathtaking landscapes throughout the route. During the event, veteran
tour cyclist Warren Hoselton, better known as Professor Pricklethorn, engaged local children
with fun, interactive educational programs that got kids on their feet, learning about the benefits
of planting and providing trees with proper care. Additional stops along the way included a tree
dedication at Locust Grove, Niagara, ON, a First Responders Tree Dedication in Webster, N.Y.
and an American Chestnut Tree Dedication in Rochester, N.Y.

We were blown away with the unparalleled dedication and effort that these 100 riders exhibited.
The XXX that they raised will have the opportunity to do what most money never doesgo to
something that is truly going to make an impact on each and every one of us, said Janet
Bornancin, the president and CEO of the TREE Fund. The TREE Fund is not only keeping our
communities safe, but it is also educating people on how were doing it.

The TREE Fund is dedicated to sustaining the worlds urban forests by providing funding for
scientific research, education programs and scholarships related to arboriculture and urban
forestry. The STIHL Tour des Trees directly supports, funding research from around the world,
mobilizing local tree programs and advancing the science that aids arborists techniques every
day. This includes their recent funding of an international team of scientists working with NASA
engineers to discover the weakest areas in trees and how to more accurately predict breakage
and failure from stress. They also cultivate public awareness, teaching people about the many
irreplaceable services that trees provide for our society on a constant basis.

The tree care industry is especially important to STIHL and for the second year in a row weve
had a Team STIHL ride in support, said Anita Gambill, a public relations professional of STIHL
Inc. Every tree dedication and educational pit stop is an important piece of future growth and
awareness of urban forestry and its surrounding industry. Its a great feeling to know we are
helping communities across the country and world by planting seeds for future generations.

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The STIHL Tour des Trees ends this year knowing that next year will bring an even more
exciting ride, with new and familiar faces, exciting goals and amazing memories. Visit
http://stihltourdestrees.org/photos-videos/ to see pictures of this years event.

To donate to the TREE Fund or learn how to get involved in the 2014 STIHL Tour des Trees, go
to the STIHL Tour des Trees website, http://stihltourdestrees.org/.

Sponsors of the STIHL Tour des Trees include STIHL Inc.; TREE Fund Crown Sponsor Bartlett
Tree Experts; TREE Fund Partners Arborjet; Asplundh Tree Expert Co.; International Society of
Arboriculture; KASK Helmets; Tree Care Industry Association; The Davey Tree ExpertCompan
y; Tree Services Magazine; Arbor Age; Lewis Tree Service; National Grid; Arizona Public
Service; PacifiCorp; Unitil; Arborwell; New York State Arborists; Ontario Chapter ISA,
Trees, Inc.; SavATree; Utility Arborist Association; West Coast Arborists Inc.; Andersons Tree
Care; Eco-Bond; Ford Motor Company; Forestry Equipment of Virginia; Gamma Tree Experts
LLC; Lakefront Utilities/GRCA; Morrisville State College; Tamarack Tree Care; Vermeer; Wright
Tree Service, Inc.; and Workshop Creative Group.

About the TREE Fund
The TREE Funds mission is to support sustainable communities and environmental
stewardship by funding research, scholarships and education programs essential to the
discovery and dissemination of new knowledge in the fields of arboriculture and urban forestry.

The TREE Fund has supported research that has led to important developments in:
Understanding air pollution reduction and carbon sequestration by trees
Determining the costs and benefits of urban trees
Improving conditions for tree growth in difficult sites
Strategies to manage diseases and pests that affect urban trees

For more information, visit www.treefund.org.

About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the number one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor
power equipment in America,* as well as the number one selling brand of chain saws in the
world. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast
not mass merchants. Located in Virginia Beach, Va., STIHL Inc., the headquarters for U.S.
operations for the worldwide STIHL Group, exports to over 90 countries around the world; and
the majority of STIHL products sold in America are also built in America.* STIHL products sold
through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information
or for the name of a local STIHL retailer, call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445), visit
stihlusa.com or text your zip code to 78445.

*A majority of STIHL products are built in the United States from domestic and foreign parts and
components. "Number one selling brand" is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research as well
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as independent consumer research of 2009-2012 U.S. sales and market share data for the
gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers
and commercial landscapers.

STIHL is pleased to support the work of Independent We Stand, the Tree Research and
Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree
Care Industry Association (TCIA), National FFA, Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the
American Tree Farm System (ATFS), and the National Association of State Park Directors.

For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL
is an EEO and drug-free work environment.

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