TreeActions

DONALD F. BLAIR

Donald F. Blair’s family roots in arboriculture date back to 1911. Don’s father, Millard F. Blair was one of the pioneers in the first generation of 20th Century arborists who dedicated their lives to developing “tree skinning” into a respected multi-disciplined profession. Although Don’s career in arboriculture dates back over 60 years to “forced child labor”, he has been fully engaged in tree care as an adult since 1971. 

With a solid background in residential/commercial arboriculture, Don Blair has been a pioneer in his own right in the advancement of the profession through his efforts in the design of improved tools, ropes, rigging devices, safety equipment and climbing gear. He is internationally renowned for his innovations in Arborist Skills such as climbing, rigging for removal, aerial rescue, safe work practices, and effective methods for training arborists. 

An accomplished author, and photographer, Blair has published many articles on topics related arboriculture. Don Blair is the author of the landmark text and reference book: Arborist Equipment, ISA, 1995.

For 50 years, Blair has been a featured presenter at arborist association conferences, seminars and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia on the same topics that he has written about.

Employment

• 2015-present: Founder and President of Blair’s Arborist Equipment LLC. Having retired after 40 years with Sierra Moreno Mercantile Company, Inc., Blair was persuaded to do something productive with his time. Blair’s A. E. carries on the legacy of Sierra Moreno and the Blair family’s contributions to arboriculture since 1911. 
• 1975-2014- Founder and President, Sierra Moreno Mercantile Company, Inc. Design, distribution research and development of arborist tools, rigging and safety equipment.
• 1988-Present: Founder/Director of the M.F. Blair Institute of Arboriculture. Founded upon cessation of services provided through the M.F. Blair Tree Experts. Services provided include full-range of consulting and training in skills and disciplines related to tree care.
• 1971-1988 M. F. Blair Tree Experts                                                                Positions held: arborist trainee (1967-1972), arborist/climber (1972-1975), foreman (1975-1978), general manager (1978-1984), owner (1984-1988).                                                                                    
• Arborist Skills Qualified In: Rope and saddle climbing, aerial rescue, work   methods management, large scale tree pruning, rigging and felling, cabling, bracing and guying, fertilization, soil manipulation methods, root collar excavation and inspection, cavity repair, bark tracing, grafting, pest control, transplanting, landscape installation, stump removal, and specialized equipment operation and maintenance, safe driving and operation of all manner two-axle vehicles for on and off-road operation.                                                                    
• Arboricultural Consultations                                                                                                            Donald F. Blair has worked full-time in the profession of arboriculture since 1971 as a commercial arborist and consulting arborist. Projects have included but are not limited to:                                                                                                           a. Diagnosis of tree and landscape problems, insect and disease identification, tree and plant identification, and cultural practices.

b. Tree Health Management issues including diagnosis of insects, disease and cultural practices such as irrigation, compaction, and tree maintenance malpractice. Specifications for standard maintenance practices such as pruning, soil manipulation, support, and removal. Tree and plant identification.                    

c. Tree Protection in pre-planning, planning, construction, and post-construction phases. Design and/or on-site supervision of the installation of tree protection systems including fencing, location of staging areas, trailers, material storage, etc.                                                                                                                          d. Hazardous Tree and Risk Assessment. For privately or publicly owned trees. Historic trees are a specialty. Served Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Foundation as consulting arborist for 11 years.

• Expert Witness – Qualified as an expert witness in courts in California, Florida, Louisiana and West Virginia. 
• Consulting Expert – Retained as expert on cases in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C. and West Virginia.

Scope of Expertise: Product liability issues involving tree equipment: personal protective equipment, climbing gear, chainsaws, pruning tools and cordage. Specialty equipment including but not limited to: aerial lifts, brush chippers, cranes and stump grinders. 

Personal injury and fatalities related to tree failures and tree maintenance practices and violations of safe work standards including but not limited to ANSI Z133, CFR 1910.269 and CFR 1910.266.

Appraisal of tree losses due to weather events, improper work practices, trespass, vandalism, arson, vehicular including damage due to airplane crashes.

Registrations and Certifications

• American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA)                           1982 - present                 ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #245
• International Society of Arboriculture                  &nb...

Due to technical issues, the original episode with Thor was less quality than I like.  For those of you that listen and gave feedback, thank you!  Dwayne and I decided to give it another go.  While we discussed some of the same things, this episode is by no means a repeat.  

Recently Dwayne and I attended the Ontario Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture 2023 Annual Conference In London Ontario.  While on the trade show floor, we corralled various attendees to have some short conversations about a variety of topics and their individual journeys through the human forest.

Recently Dwayne and I attended the Ontario Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture 2023 Annual Conference In London Ontario.  While on the trade show floor, we corralled various attendees to have some short conversations about a variety of topics and their individual journeys through the human forest.

Norm Hall is a second-generation arborist. Norm spent his career in the Chicago area working for The Care of Trees and then Davey Tree. Care of Trees company founder John Hendrickson was an industry innovator and pioneer and when John and Norm's father merged, Norm was thrust into a dynamic and progressive arboriculture dynamic in which he flourished

Norm worked with Scott Prophet for many years.  Together they invented the most common lowering device for trees by which all others are measured...The Port-a-Wrap. Norm was spicing rope before splicing was a thing and continues splicing as a hobby and passion to this day. 

Norm was involved in using cranes for removal starting in the late 80's and this extensive experience played a major role in inventing another arborist now considered a 'basic' tool for rigging known as; The Balancer and Spider Leg Balancer.

Norm has been a serial volunteer for the Illinois Chapter of ISA and the ITCC. Norm truly has the heart of a teacher and is considered old growth by those who know him and are connected to his human forest. 

Thor Clausen is a consummate arborist with a full career not only in arboriculture but had a successful start in landscaping. Thor possesses an excellent knowledge of trees but also perennials annuals and various other landscaping or gardening crafts like retaining walls, irrigation, and deck construction.

Thor's arborist career vaulted when his private tree company called ArborTech was purchased by Bartlett. Thor has since excelled and thrived as A Bartlett manager and has grown his home district into a thriving division.

Thor has a heart of a  teacher.  This is evident when he proudly boasts that he has spawned over a half dozen small independent companies through former employees.  He maintains a helpful and supportive professional relationship with them all.  Thor believes in the human forest and his canopy and roots connect and support many. 

Norm St.Jean has been an arborist since the eighties when he began his career with Big Axe, the inventor of the hydro axe.  Shortly after starting work with Big Axe, the company sold to Asplundh, and Norm started working on utility line clearance. After a year of running a hydro-axe with multiple mishaps, he was banished to hand slashing with a chainsaw, and Norm's love of the saw was sealed.

Disenchanted with utility tree work Norm started his own private residential tree care company.  After being introduced to the ISA became enamored and empowered to be not only ISA certified but developed the first real  "Oak Man" style tree service in EdmontonAs an "Oak Man" with "Euc Man" tendencies Norm's career has been colorful.

To this day he still dabbles in tree care and sells cars on Vancouver Island where Norm spends time living on board his sailboat, an activity he loves. Norm is a master saw-hand and an arborist dedicated to professionalism. Norm was the first trainer to be involved with ArborCanada and we look first to him sharing his experiences of what it was like in the beginning.  

This is the explanation of why Dwane suggested we start the podcast.  We discuss our hopes and expectations as we develop and move forward.  we look at the value of history to the culture of Arborcanada and tree workers in general.  We discuss human forestry and the many analogies and metaphors we can use to learn about trees, tree work, training, and ultimately ourselves.