Removing a technically challenging tree safely can be its own reward — no injuries, no damage, just skill and precision.
Q : When training new crew members, what are the top principles you insist upon, regardless of their prior ex- perience? A : The top principle that I insist on is safety first. We try to instill safety in the new employees. You’re going to make mistakes, and you’re going to have little failures and bumps on the road along the way, but let’s make it a teaching experience. We teach using the meth- od of tell, show, do. So, we first tell the employee about it, then we show them how to do it, then we get them to repeat to us and do it them-
A : Safety and account- ability would be first. When you get out of the truck to visit a job site, your per- sonal protective equipment goes with you. You’re not immune because you have a different color shirt on, or you ride around in a dif- ferent vehicle. You have to be prepared. Q : You’ve led a success- ful business for many years. How did your early expe- riences on the crew shape your philosophy on leading others? A : I actually learned leadership pretty early on in the tree care industry. I
Maintaing safety and employee well being is critical. Mead Tree and Turf Care provides CPR and first aid training to its crew members.
Q : What do you see as the most critical qualities of a strong leader in the tree care industry, especially when it comes to safety and accountability?
watched some of the old school tree crew leaders, and they basically taught me how not to do it. I think they forgot about what it was like to be on the other side. You have to put yourself in your employ- ees’ or your subordinates’ shoes. And a lot of those guys just couldn’t.
selves. You can correct them along the way, but you don’t have to correct them in a manner that’s demeaning to them. Treat them like you want to be treated.
66 | Fall 2025 ArborTIMES ™
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