Mark's Blog
May 2009
May 9: Mayer Power Equipment Annual Open House
May turned out to be a great month with three main events to focus on. First up was the Mayer Power Equipment annual open house (May 9).
Mayer, an independent STIHL retailer located in the Boston area, put together the open house mainly as a social event to bring the tree care community together for food, music, fun and a little education.
I helped out with the education part of the open house by demonstrating a few common felling techniques in a cozy, interactive setting. What made it enjoyable for me was the interaction and discussions that
developed as we progressed.
May 13: Northeastern Associates Open House
Next, was another open house event on May 13, but this time in my home state of New Jersey. This event was very similar to the Mayer open house, only Northeastern Associates decided to focus their educational component on electrical hazards.
To do this, they brought in the local power company and its mobile display trailer.
Seeing a demonstration like this can be life saving. They walked through the different types of lines, insulators, voltage amounts and more. It is always an eye opener to get such top-rate speakers delivering a powerful presentation to those who need it the most.
May 25-31: Norway
 Chisholm demonstrating trunk removal procedures.
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The last event of the month was a biggie – Norway. Svein Ringheim organized a terrific event in Voss, Norway where twenty climbers converged to
learn how to work with cranes to perform tree removals. Next was a one-day climbing event in the port city of Bergen.
In Voss, we started indoors the evening before the outdoor workshop, to give an overview of how we would progress and also to discuss theory.
The site was perfect–picturesque and logistically sound. We had a row of ten trees in a lakeside park that
needed to be removed without damaging the newly planted trees that were to take their place. The size of the trees was ideal, as well,
because they were mature but not huge. They allowed us to have each student perform the rigging and cutting of both brush and wood.
And since we had the ability to utilize
two cranes over a two-day period, we could spend a lot of quality time in the air with each student.
STIHL Norway was a contributing sponsor. Without their assistance, the event might not have happened at all.
The view from our cabin in Norway.
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It was a wonderful experience! My colleague, Brian Noyes; my brother, Steve; and I stayed in a ski lodge cabin three thousand feet up
the side of a mountain. To describe the setting as tranquil and beautiful would be a huge understatement. There were more than a dozen
waterfalls within view, including one that roared just behind the tree line beside the lodge.
On the flight home, the three of us discussed the past five days and agreed that it was one of the best events we had participated in.
What made it so rewarding for us was the professional attitudes displayed by the students. They were involved, curious, courteous and selflessly allowed each other opportunities to participate in the learning.
I think I speak for all of us when I say, “Svein, we are ready to come back for another event!”
More pictures from Norway
Bryan Noyes and Stephen Chisholm at the worksite in Voss, Norway.
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Chisholm and a Student suspend from a tree as a section is removed with the crane.
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