What is an Arborist?

I'm sure you could easily Google 'arborist' and find a wealth of information and definitions on what an arborist is, or what an arborist does. There are so many disciplines within the profession that it can be baffling. Consulting arborists, sales arborists, climbing arborists, municipal arborists, utility arborists and the list goes on and on and on.

As a contract climber, arboriculture for me has always been about the exploration involved with climbing trees. Setting a line and ascending up into the unknown holds quite a mystique. You never quite know what awaits in the crown of a tree, whether it be a structural imperfection, insect activity, animal presence or a view that you never could have anticipated. Climbing and pruning and inspecting in order to preserve a living organism that very well may outlive your own life is quite an experience. There is a feeling of satisfaction in that, knowing that your work and purpose will outlive you.

Tree preservation is what motivates me as an arborist. Pruning trees for health and vigor and aesthetics all while keeping the health of the tree in balance with the lives of the people that own it. I've said this plenty of times before too, that arboriculture is just as much about people as it is about trees. Well, to a certain extent that's true, but I truly like to forget about the people sometimes and really just make it about the tree. I feel like as arborists we have different understandings of the trees we care for, interpretations that unless you've dedicated your professional career to preserving trees, you could never have. As arborists, we have to translate those interpretations for people. We give trees a voice.

Also, I think that it's crucial for us as arborists to make the right decision all the time. We need to define a danger if one exists, but not create the idea of danger when there is none. Arborists have a duty to protect trees, and by way of that protect people around trees. Sometimes I think this balance gets abused when more of the business creeps in and some of the science leaks out. It's not always about what's easy of economic or efficient; it absolutely needs to be about what's right. But I think that there's so much we don't know. Information changes so rapidly in the world today that sometimes it's hard to define what's right. And ultimately, I believe that knowing what's right is really what a great arborist does. Making the right decisions for trees and people. Decisions that may be around of centuries.

Competition.

June was a busy month for us with work and also on the competition scene. From JAMBO to the New York competition, we were able to catch up with old friends and really test our skills as production climbers under the clock and the watchful eyes of the judges.

It always amazes me how critical style and control are in making great scores at the tree climbing competitions. The old saying "slow is smooth and smooth is fast" constantly echoes in my mind while I work through the stations, but my heart rate and anxiety always seems to get the best of me and somehow erode my score.

It's the little things that go such a long way. Smooth entry and exit of the station, effortless lanyard installation and storage, calculated swings, confident handsaw control and overall site awareness are only a few of the details that can help beef up a climber's score.

Time is of course an issue, but in my opinion it's an overated detail of the day. Of course, in events like the footlock and belayed speed climb, time is of the essence. But in the work climb I'm sure I have lost valuable discretionary points trying to rush through certain aspects of the climb worrying about my time. Unfortunately, it's a necessary evil and usually separates the great from the average.

The points are everywhere around us. And even when you're not having the best day skill wise, it's so important to not forget that every point you can scrape together is critical. 3 points here, 1 point there and before you know it the momentum is growing. A bad throw, maybe a fumble of the handsaw, these things happen. And that's what I love about the competitions. Trying to piece together that perfect climb in front of the judges, that climb that I know all great arborists are capable of.