Disrespected, Abused and Humiliated

Unnecessary Destruction of Trees Needs to Stop

It frustrates me but I see this kind of thing all the time. It really is everywhere and I cannot understand it. 

• Why do people destroy trees?
• How could they possibly benefit from it?
• Should people be penalized for damaging the environment?
• What penalty should they receive?

Most importantly

• How do we stop it?

When a puppy pees on the carpet we smack it and rub its nose in it. Do we need to do the same with the corporate world? 

Do we need to shame them into being good neighbours?

Was the presence of these trees driving away business? 

Could the owner not come up with a more creative solution to solve the perceived problem?

It actually took planning and effort to make this happen.

Does the direction come from head office? Is it company policy to not care about the environment?

Hey A&W  You Should Fix This

Trees are more important than you seem to realize. 

They clean the air, water and the soil. They provide shelter for animals including humans. They are important for our sense of place and shape the way we feel about our community. 

Caring for trees means caring for your neighbours. 

It means caring for your customers.

We are all in this together and we all need to do our part.

 You just dropped the ball. 

Pick it up.

How to go from dragging branches...

To becoming a highly successful arborist.

1. First step is to love stuffing branches in the back of the chipper

• This is more than a lesson about moving up in the arboriculture world. This is a life lesson. Whatever stage you are at today, love it, do it as well as you can and ask lots of questions.
• Though I must admit... watching a chipper chew through a 12 inch diameter log and spit it into the back of the truck is pretty cool.
• Learn how to do it as safely as possible.
• Understand that your role on the team is just as important as everybody else.

2. Learn how to fix the chipper

• Loving your job is about living in the moment. I'm not saying you need to become a chipper mechanic. What you need to do is become an expert in the basics. Show the next newest guy what you know. Show him how to do it safely. Show him where the wrenches go. Make yourself as useful as you can be. Help the mechanic fix the machine and do maintenance. Learn how and when to grease the machine. 

3. Become one with your chainsaw

• It takes a lot of practise to become good with a saw. Be that guy.
•  You never cut dirt and you never get pinched.
•  Your chain is always adjusted to just the right tension, your teeth are sharp and you know exactly where you want your rakers.
• You are balanced and comfortable, your back is relaxed and your elbows are straight.
•  You are one with the chainsaw like Jimmy Hendrix with his guitar.

4. Love rope and learn knots

• Buy a book on knots.
• Take a piece of rope home at night and practise. Do it night after night.
• Do it because you love rope.
• You do it because you want to get off the ground and up the trees.
• Ask lots of questions.
• Remember that the climbers in the tree today did the same thing to get where they are.

5. Take your time and climb safely

• Now that you're in the trees you realize how important those guys on the ground are.
• You realize that your success as a climber depends on how easy it is for the team on the ground.
• Move with purpose.
• Keep balanced.
• Think before you cut. Think about the size, the quality, the target.
• Work with one goal in mind. Control.

6. Responsibility

• You've become a good climber. Now you are leading crews and planning jobs.
• Remember everything that got you this far.
• Your work is done to the highest standard.
• The ropes are in order.
• You are one with your chainsaw.
• Keep asking and answering questions.
• Continue to love stuffing branches in the back of the chipper.
• Teach the new guy how to keep his saw sharp.

7. The "Big Picture"

•  You've done this over and over many times. Patterns are emerging.
• Clients are asking the same questions. They see only the tree in front of them.
• You now see more than the tree, you see the urban forest as a whole.
• The forest is declining.
• You are becoming wiser.
• Your work and your influence are affecting an ever greater sphere.

8. The Next Step in Your Career

• You've risen quickly but haven't yet reached your plateau.
• What is the next step up? You need to weigh the options.
• Do you continue with the same company? Or perhaps start your own?
• Or do you look for greater stability? Maybe get a job with the City.

9. You've Reached the Crossroads

•  You have achieved what you set out to do. The problem now is that you still aren't satisfied. How do you keep the momentum that got you here so quickly? How do you take the next step? And what is the next step?

10. Repeat Steps 1 to 9 but take it up a notch

1. Love what you are doing, you are an important part of a team.
2. Be the one to help fix it when the system is broken.
3. Become a master of the tools at your disposal.
4. Learn the ropes, keep asking questions, ask for the harder roles.
5. Proceed with clarity, purpose and care. Especially for the benefit of those who are working under you.
6. Acknowledge your responsibility.
7. Always be focussed on the big picture.
8. Figure out your next move up the tree.
9. Take it with confidence.

The Customer Is Not Always Right

The Problem

Mrs. Johnstone wants it gone. She has made up her mind. That tree is just too much of a nuisance. It's causing too many problems. The idea is in her head eating away like a wood boring beetle. It must go.

So she calls the trusty local arborist to ask for a quote.

"What seems to be the problem Mrs. Johnstone? It's a nice old tree. Well structured, situated a reasonable distance from the house, no signs of decay."

She looks up at the proud veteran Beech. "Well, it's obviously got to go." And then starts to list of the problems the tree is causing.

• It's too big.
• Causing too much shade.
• The lawn is full of moss.
• Can't get tomatoes to grow.
• It's lifting the brick paved patio.
• Roots could get into the storm drain.
• They might get into the foundation.
• It's a constant mess, all year round.
• The flowers clog the gutters.
• The nuts are inedible.
• The leaves are not spectacular in autumn at all, they just go brown.

"Will you give me a quote please dear?. I need to get rid of this pain in the rear once and for all."

The Dilemma

What is a well meaning arborist to do? You've got a truck and chipper to pay for, not to mention a crew to keep busy. But you are in this for the long haul, you want a good reputation.

You know the tree doesn't need to come out. You would never recommend that it should, but this client is convinced. And she is well connected. This job could lead to more recommendations. It could be good for business.

How do you say no?. Especially when you know that if you don't do it someone else will snatch up the job.

Start With Why

"Mrs Johnstone, I am going to have to refuse to take on this job. And I think you are making a big mistake if you carry through with it. Let me tell you Why.".
 
Because-Because-Because

• As an arborist I get to see things from a "big picture" perspective.
• Trees are under so much pressure to be removed due to causes like land development and sprawl.
• This is compounded by misunderstanding and mistreatment of trees that is leading to an epidemic of premature tree loss.
• Trees are so important, more important than most people realize.
• If I cut this tree it should mean I cut a hundred more like it. I need to draw the line

"I won't offer a quote to take it down but I will offer solutions to some of the issues and problems that you are dealing with."

"I can't solve every nuisance you have but I think if I can get you to understand it from a broader perspective you might realize that removal is not the best option."

 

Then Go On To How

• Lets look at improving the soil conditions in your garden.
• Getting some more shade tolerant plants to grow.
• Fix up the displaced paving stones.
• Look into getting some gutter guards.
• Installing some root barriers.
• Give the tree a good structure prune

"We can do all that I've mentioned here and the cost will be about the same, or less than the cost of removing that tree."

Easier Said Than Done

Admittedly the situation laid out above may work sometimes, but it's not easy.

The reality most often is that the customer will take their business elsewhere and have her troubles cut down in thirty noisy, but exciting minutes.

 

We Need City Hall On Our Side

Private Property tree bylaws fall under the jurisdiction of municipalities. There are an increasing number of  cities out there doing more to make private property tree protection a priority.

In providing stricter guidelines and a permit process for tree removals municipal arborists take the pressure off the independent contactor. This in turn allows the good contractors to practise good arboriculture. The bad ones cause their clients nothing but headaches and penalty fees.

Have a look at what is happening in the City of Surrey, British Columbia with regards to private property tree protection.

Find out what your local council is doing. Are they dealing with trees from a big picture perspective?

Remember-- Trees are more important than most people think.