oldugly
ArboristSite Operative
I recently read a flyer from a so-called compettitor. Usually I can read the competitions advertisements with either amusement, respect, or sometimes even learn something from them. This one got under my skin.
I know the future of tree trimming is leaning towards the ISA, and even though I am not presently certified, and probably too old to and too hard-headed to become certified, I am still all for a group of professionals (who know more than me, and have pooled knowledge and science together) setting the standards in an industry I have loved for years.
I grew up in old-school. Yet although I am not completely independent of my spikes, I have set them aside more and more as time has went on, in search of a better way to trim a tree, without doing damage. In doing so, I have talked to and persuaded some of my competitors to adopt better trimming methods. The frequency of topping trees has diminished drastically in this area in the last few years. The practice of putting larger trims back until the fall or winter months has grown, We have almost completely eliminated pollarding, or stubbing trees, and are increasingly talking to customers to try to save rather than slaughter their trees.
Recently however all the work I have done with the other tree trimmers in this area just went out the window, by a self-proclaimed, (and he says, certified) Arborist. He published a flyer, criticizing all the tree trimmers in the area, calling us hacks and butchers, calling on us to match his credentials, etc. Which for all his claims and challenges he has yet to answer my calls, or return them.
By his claims, our poor trimming methods have lead to the spread of dutch elm disease, oak wilt, and a couple of other diseases. Other trimmers in the area have gotten so miffed by this, it has turned the word arborist into a cuss word usually accompanied bya few other adjectives and nouns. All the progress I thought I was making is now just lumped in with this clown, and my competitors really don't want to hear it anymore.
Amazingly, I was reading this flyer in a customer's house. He had called me to look at a lightning struck redoak, about 120 years old. While looking at the damage I noticed that the bark had been removed from about two thirds of the circumference of the tree, in about a two foot strip.
The tree, although split by the strike would have been salvageble, (although a large lead would definitley have to be removed), if it was not for all practical purposes girdled. The same person who had left the lovely piece of literature before mentioned, had climbed a ladder and "inspected" the damage, by removing the bark completely from the strike and surrounding area. He left no hope of resealing the wound, or even cabling the split, as his knife had gone to work inside the wound as well.
I'll take criticism from my peers, and even rebukes from my betters, but this babbling idiot got under my skin. This is a small area, with limited clientelle, I am sure I will run into him eventually. I don't think he wants that to happen soon.
I know the future of tree trimming is leaning towards the ISA, and even though I am not presently certified, and probably too old to and too hard-headed to become certified, I am still all for a group of professionals (who know more than me, and have pooled knowledge and science together) setting the standards in an industry I have loved for years.
I grew up in old-school. Yet although I am not completely independent of my spikes, I have set them aside more and more as time has went on, in search of a better way to trim a tree, without doing damage. In doing so, I have talked to and persuaded some of my competitors to adopt better trimming methods. The frequency of topping trees has diminished drastically in this area in the last few years. The practice of putting larger trims back until the fall or winter months has grown, We have almost completely eliminated pollarding, or stubbing trees, and are increasingly talking to customers to try to save rather than slaughter their trees.
Recently however all the work I have done with the other tree trimmers in this area just went out the window, by a self-proclaimed, (and he says, certified) Arborist. He published a flyer, criticizing all the tree trimmers in the area, calling us hacks and butchers, calling on us to match his credentials, etc. Which for all his claims and challenges he has yet to answer my calls, or return them.
By his claims, our poor trimming methods have lead to the spread of dutch elm disease, oak wilt, and a couple of other diseases. Other trimmers in the area have gotten so miffed by this, it has turned the word arborist into a cuss word usually accompanied bya few other adjectives and nouns. All the progress I thought I was making is now just lumped in with this clown, and my competitors really don't want to hear it anymore.
Amazingly, I was reading this flyer in a customer's house. He had called me to look at a lightning struck redoak, about 120 years old. While looking at the damage I noticed that the bark had been removed from about two thirds of the circumference of the tree, in about a two foot strip.
The tree, although split by the strike would have been salvageble, (although a large lead would definitley have to be removed), if it was not for all practical purposes girdled. The same person who had left the lovely piece of literature before mentioned, had climbed a ladder and "inspected" the damage, by removing the bark completely from the strike and surrounding area. He left no hope of resealing the wound, or even cabling the split, as his knife had gone to work inside the wound as well.
I'll take criticism from my peers, and even rebukes from my betters, but this babbling idiot got under my skin. This is a small area, with limited clientelle, I am sure I will run into him eventually. I don't think he wants that to happen soon.
