Originally from the UK, Drew emigrated to New Zealand and stayed for 16 years before deciding he needed an even smaller Island, namely Fiji. A co-founder of www.exploretrees.com, a South African based exploration company that specialises in canopy habitat for endangered Parrots, Drew keeps himself very busy running an eco resort but still finds time for some climbing and rope operations.
Continue reading “A talk in the trees with Drew Bristow”
A Nice Guy to talk to
Many of you would likely have come across some of the excellent informational videos from ‘Nice Guy Dave’ at WesSpur. We’ve used them ourselves to learn about products and techniques. Then, a few months back, we were fortunate enough to be put in contact with Dave. We wanted to know more. So we’ve asked a few question and have some answers. And in case you’re wandering…yeah, he does seem nice. Continue reading “A Nice Guy to talk to”
A Talk in the Trees with Megan Stoll
Head up the Pacific Northwest to the Kitsap Peninsula and you’ll find the amazing Megan Stoll. Kept very busy with her company, Timberline Tree Care, we were grateful to get a few minutes with the hugely talented Megan.
Continue reading “A Talk in the Trees with Megan Stoll”
A Talk in the Trees with Derrick Martin
A Talk in the Trees is back and we have the excellent Derrick Martin with us. We were fortunate enough to meet Derrick at the World Climbing Championships in San Antonio earlier in the year. An impressive, talented climber and arborist, Derrick is an all-round great guy and we’re lucky to be able to call him a friend.
Continue reading “A Talk in the Trees with Derrick Martin”
Talking with Treetools
The Arborist Industry is pretty unique. It’s characterised by some great businesses that do more than simply sell a product. They provide advice and guidance, thoughts and ideas, laughs and friendship. There’s a real sense of community, some great businesses and some great characters. One of those businesses is Treetools and one of those characters is Richard Tregoweth. We sat down with Richard to talk and learn more about Treetools and how it all began. Continue reading “Talking with Treetools”
A Talk in the Trees with…Jamilee Kempton
We’re very lucky to talk with Jamilee Kempton this week. Jamilee runs her own company (Jamilee’s Trees LLC) and studies business full time at the University of Hawaii. Somehow, there’s still time to be a champion climber (2015 ITCC Champion) and be nice enough to let us ask the ‘tree talk’ questions. Thank-you Jamilee.
A talk in the trees with Angus McMahon
Up this week is Angus McMahon. Hailing from the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, Angus is a second generation Arborist with Sherbrooke Tree Services. Oh…and he has a coffee problem.
Continue reading “A talk in the trees with Angus McMahon”
A Talk in the Trees with…Joe Harris
It’s time to put Joe Harris in the hot seat. We were lucky enough to spend some time with Joe recently and were mightily impressed by his passion and knowledge. His training was detailed, clear and delivered with a great sense of humour. We highly recommend attending a training session with Joe if you ever get the opportunity. Over to Joe…
Continue reading “A Talk in the Trees with…Joe Harris”
A Talk in the Trees with…Josephine Hedger
In the hot-seat this week is UK based Arborist, Josephine Hedger. A 3 x World Tree Climbing Champion, Jo is kept very busy with Arbor Venture Tree Care and Arbor Venture Training, based in Hampshire. Over to Jo…
Continue reading “A Talk in the Trees with…Josephine Hedger”
A Talk in the Trees with…Stef White
Up this week is the very talented Stef White. Stef is one of the nicest people you’ll meet and one of a only few female arborists in NZ. Originally from Hamilton, Stef is based in Queenstown as a Foreperson for Asplundh. Surfer, Soccer Player, Tree Climber and lover of laughs and silly things…we give you Stef White.
1. I became an Arborist because…
My arms are longer than my legs. Or maybe that’s a result of being an arborist!
2. My favourite tree is…
Never ask a person over 18 to have a favourite because it always depends…but big trees. ‘Quercus rubra’ (Red Oak) are pretty cool, strong and have amazing Autumnal colours. Next small favourite is a ‘Michelia doltsopa’ (Magnolia) – real cool fluffy buds and deep green leaves.
3. I won’t leave home without…
My glasses – you only get one set of eyes! Clogger Zero’s, Pulley Saver, water and food. No-one likes a ‘hangry’ worker!
4. The perfect day at work would include…
Suns out, loads of laughs, crown reducing a medium to large Oak tree…and when you get down all the brush is tidied up. Then off to the beach for a surf and a BBQ.
5. The worst part of my job is...
Working in the rain, getting wet underwear and then standing in dog poo.
6. The best slice of wisdom I can pass on is...
Enthusiasm. Even when the job sucks it makes it go faster.
7. If I could hang out in a tree with one person (past/present/living/dead), it would be…
That’s a tricky one. So many cool tree friends to share a laugh and a swing but it would have to be my tree hero, Chrissy Spence: 4 x World Champion and better than most of the boys, fellow Clogger pant wearer and all-round awesome chick. Why? Because it’s always a laugh and she always challenges me and I always learn something new. Gangbusters!
8. The one tree I’d like to climb is…
The first Copper Beach I climbed when first started working in Cambridge, NZ. It had a steel brace running through the middle of it, standing 20 metres high and just as wide. Graves underneath and not to drop anything on them, new rope, new prussic…I’m sure it would be much more enjoyable if I went back.
9. If I wasn’t an arborist I’d be a…
Builder
10. True Tale or Tall Tale? Once upon a time I…
…was working in a remote part of the Waikato and was busting for a pee. So I found what I thought was a nice quite part of the site. When I was done, I turned around to a whole herd of cows just by the fence!