The biggest threat by far is the perceived idea that"growth is good". By growth I mean growth in trade, population, industry, tourism..etc, etc. This is particularly apparent in Australia, where (unfortunately, 'cause I love this place) it seems that no lessons have been learned from the other (so called) "first World" countries like the UK and US. Unchecked development threatens all parts of this continent, and the trees just keep falling. How is a small arb operation able to help? give your clients options to removal/lopping. Take time to talk to them about why they want their trees lopped/removed. Try to educate as well as just quoting. Good tree management is both ecologically and environmentally sustainable, it will also sustain your business. We, as arborists, are in the front line and, if we can't pass on the message, who will? Al Gor is doing a great job bringing this info to the masses, but all of the issues raised in his movie/book have been around for at least 20 years. We all need to wake up. |