Talking to high school kids about arboriculture

[Ax-man]

Next Friday I have been asked to give a careers day type talk or presentation to some junior and senior high school kids on what it means to be an arborist.

I've got my basic outline done, what I need to do is fill in the gaps a little from a different point of view than my own or some different wording than what I have.

What I'm looking for basically is a good definition of arboriculture, exactly what an arborist is, the skills he or she may need to do to be a good arborist, who would use an arborist skills, ect, ect,

So if anyone can toss a few one liners or a few short paragraphs on this I would appreciate it.

In addition to the talk, I was asked to give a quickie tree climbing demo, if weather allows it, if we have to be indoors the teacher said it would be helpful to bring in "props " to keep the kids interest. Any thoughts on this would also be helpful.

Thanks

Larry

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

W-W-w-w-w-won liners?

Arbor i culture

Caretakers of the giants

Trees are thee majestic giants of our world; they are the largest living organisms to ever wander our earth! They shade, shelter and beautify as they grow proud and strong. But when their strengths and mass are compromised - these cordial giants can devastate People, Property and Pets (need a fascination or reason to listen more than usual to lead)

Quite simply and honestly … We have long viewed our finished product and the route we take to its achievement to be an art form

How science corrects views: no spiking, painting, smooshing roots, covering roots, topping

Branch collar etc pix i made in Quality Identifiers Thread was made to show amazing biology, ease of doing things correctly etc.

Tree as biggest life form is like biology, physics etc. blown up under a microscope etc.

i always liked knots, MA is cool, small girl on 5x1 lifts biggest football player or teacher in saddle?

The 2/1 in DdRT versus being pulled up seems to be quite a brain twister

 

[MasterBlaster]

Show them this...



http://movies.pr0n.biz/ULTIMATECHAINSAW.ASF

 

[jamie]

interpretation

at college while studying interpretation we talked about Tilden (some American guy) who told us that when talking to an Audience we need to

Provoke, Relate, Reveale...

and

Tell them what you are gonna tell them, Tell them and Tell them what you have told them.

make it interesting, informative and relate it too them, try to fill their heads with too detailed information on CODIT (or other in depth topics) and you will loose them.

Arboriculture is to maintenance of individual trees, Silviculture is the maintenance of groups of trees....

a lecturer once asked where we find trees....ask them that, places like streets, gardens, woods, motorway embankments, orchards.....tehy will soon realise that trees are everywhere and have more importance in our lives than they previously thought.

relate trees to them, shade in the summer, habitat (including deadwood habitat, for us 'bug loving druids').

if you are going to give a climbing demo id say have someone on the ground to answer questions / chat to the kids....a class of kids aint gonna appreciate watching someone climb, their attention will wane....no interaction, that sort of thing....

jamie

 

[Dadatwins]

I would add in part about opportunity for steady career. As more and more jobs are sent overseas and automated the arborist field is still one that does require a lot of hands - on to be successful. Granted most will not become rich doing it but if your are good at it demand and opportunity does exist. <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_4_17.gif' border=0></a>

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Must be May--I get 3 ea. 30-kid group of 7th graders next monday morning for 20 min. each. I always bring my crate of books and after a brief climbing demo tell them they can make $10-20/hr. climbing for someone else. Then I point to the books and say, "or 4 times that by keeping your brain in gear and applying knowledge. X2000 hours, that's either $20,000 or over $100,000. Which do you want to do?"

Then more numbers--how many gallons of water recycled and cleaned, How many pounds of pollution/year absorbed.

I'll have a new tree planted showing flare and rootspread, prune showing branch collar, probe soil and show the test form (staying awake in chemistry class will PAY!). 20 minutes will go fast. Then each one gets a brochure on PHC to goand the pitch that regular care of trees is worth the investment because they will grow in value.

Cost: $18.00. 1 hr prep, 1 hour deliver. Benefit: Company name on good information and conversations started in in 90 households. It's nerve-wracking but fun. Gotta it!

 

[MasterBlaster]

That sounds like a good investment for you, Guy.

A couple a weeks back I threw a big pine at an elementary school. It was recess, but they were all in the clear. The teacher had them all in a line to go in when I was making the undercut. She kept them there until the tree hit the ground, and then they all started yelling and applauding. HA!

I felt like a Rock Star!

 

[Stumper]

I felt like a Rock Star!

Butch, Tired, jaded and stoned? Shame on you!

 

[Lumberjack]

I remember back when I was a high schooler .

I would make it known that you can get in the buisness and make great money, while in high school (I know someone who did that).

Let them know that there is pride in your work, and that if you are the best, there is a huge demand for you.

An arborist is a doctor for trees. He/she diagnosis and fixes the problems, and then mails the bill.

Is this a public school, and if so do they HAVE to be there, or is it optional?

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

When my niece wasn't going to college, sitting there all pretty; i said that she still needed to learn in life etc. She agreed(bad move). So i said i could help, and punched her pretty well in the shoulder she popped up and so did my brother(dad). She sadi all in a tizzy "What did you do that for?". i said "to help you"; "if you're gonna be dumb, ya gotta be tough"

My brother left room smirking.


If you present a logical arguement for not ripping cuts, perhaps less homeowners doing all but small work by self, and not hiring people that do rip collars,stob etc..

If you present logical arguement and show of skill non spiking and are one of 3 of the 30 tree biz in town that don't...

Conversations now, teenagers showing what they know, why old ways are stupid(hot topic); and in 3 years calling someone for doing tree work possibly themselves.

You tie in 2x for fail safe operation that takes 2 or more systems monitoring against disaster, like 2 drivers both paying attention; not one cutting loose and depending on the other being awake to catch slack. Or any buddy system at work etc, they get into. Just as 2 eyes etc. You are at war witht he forces and plan to be victorius, so like barked byu the driil seargeant in "G.I. Jane" "You're going to war, always have a backup.........2 is 1 and 1 is none"

Some quick math on the leverages, to show that there is use for such things as math class, and how you watch the numbers


Breed new respect for what it takes to care for trees in the local. Don't do it fer the greedy stuff, but just do your best, realizing that , that is some of the payoff.

Locally i would bring in mistletoe, prolly go over good at any high school! And what it is and does, it is a local communicable problem. Also pine boreres locally. Very easy to see low on trunk 30 fresh resin blots oozing, sawdust on the ground

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by Lumberjack

An arborist is a doctor for trees. He/she diagnosis and fixes the problems, and then mails the bill.
And that beats being an undertaker any day.

Is this a public school, and if so do they HAVE to be there, or is it optional?

Public,not sure if it's optional, everyone participates in Career Day. Even if it's forced, I try to make it fun and memorable.

 

[Lumberjack]

I was gonna say if they have to be there, then you should crack jokes and such to keep them interested. Perhaps use some of them for a demonstration or something.

Being an undertaker is a dying buisness.

 

[rborist1]

:Eye:

 

[OutOnaLimb]

What do you mean back when you were a highschooler, Carl? Heck it was just last week.

Kenn

 

[Ax-man]

This is my goal to make it fun, entertaining and most of all informative.

I feel if I can get one person to enter the field and the rest walk away with some informative knowledge on tree care for the future. I feel I have made a worthwhile contribution to our industry.

Larry

 

[Lumberjack]

Originally posted by OutOnaLimb
What do you mean back when you were a highschooler, Carl? Heck it was just last week.

Kenn

Haha, last week!!


It was under 48 hours ago!!

 

[rumination]

Congratulations, Carl!

You're way ahead of the rest of the pack already. Keep it up!

 

[Lumberjack]

Originally posted by rumination
Congratulations, Carl!

You're way ahead of the rest of the pack already. Keep it up!

Thanks!


Better to leave than follow. If you aint the lead dog, the view never changes!!

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Change the imagery

Take the half dead woody giant that we take lumber, fuel and paper etc. from without thought or credit; and turn it into a marvelous, wondorous, amazing, benevolent, friendly beast. One that cares for; and should be cared for. Nothing else can assemble itself so large, and is still to support itself; yielding massive strength that we harvest etc.

 

[a_lopa]

take a 18'' mulcher there that will get them interested