arborist?

“What does a part-time arborist do? I thought arborists did tree trimming/pruning/grafting etc. I know some people climb trees for fun but I imagine there is another name for that.
I'm curious because I've started a small orchard on my lot and also added about 100 pine and spruce trees in the last 15 years, it's become a hobby for me. I have a dream of owning a tree farm up north and retiring there cutting a little firewood and a little good project wood.”

“arborist is also as title given to a person that is a general caretaker of an arboretum...tree maintenence, grafting, planting, along with teaching others about trees and so forth. It is one of those titles that can have lots of meanings and jobs attatched to it. Sounds like you have a good start going...what kind of trees do you have planted in your orchard? If you are interested in odd varieties, antique varieties and such I can let you know of a great source. And just incase you wanted my two cents on the topic...go organic!!!”

“Hey Trailartist, no Seed Savers for you, eh? :-) (That was YOU, right?) I'll have to take back all those nice things I told the Whealys about you. hehehehee ... just kidding. Congrats on your marriage! (Or I think it might be "best wishes" for the bride)”

“LS, I guess we'll have to ask Mutt. On the Ashcroft thread, he stated that he was a part time arborist.

Ok, spill the beans, what kind of trees are growing in your orchard? I started with a plum tree, an apple tree, a nectarine tree, an orange tree, a lemon tree, an apricot tree and a peach tree. Since then, I have been grafting different varieties onto each one. For example, on my plum tree, I now grow Beauty, Elephant heart, Laroda and Nubiana varieties. This way, instead of having a whole tree of the same fruit at once, I can have fresh fruit for the whole summer since I chose the ripening times of each variey to be in succession.

Trailartist, do you have any good source for scion wood for grafting?”

“thanks Lizs... I would love to go there...they have the head management position open now...I just barely miss the qualifications...but I suppose it does not matter...for now I will be happy and married! I hope to get out there for one of the member weekend things they have in the summer...this year though I will be in the Sierras with Mel about that time... so hopefully next year...I just got my new seed listing book from them...I do not know why I am sitting at the computer! I was looking for change... but gee di things change !! I wil be sureto look you up when I do get out that way though!”

“yes BaSO4... I can recomend a very good source...
There is an organization called the Seed Saver's Exchange. They put out a large book of seed sources and scion wood fo many unusual varieties. It is really a specatacular book and a great organization.. they are set on keeping the diversity of edible plants at tops. If you want more info on how to become a member, let me know via e-mail.. I will send you the info...
markskirschner@home.com”

“Le subtil, I've called myself a part-time arborist for a while. Technically I'm not, though, because I'm not certified. I do trimming, pruning, and the occasional take-down. I think I'm pretty good at what I do, but I'm not the person you'd want to turn to for advice on growing, treating diseases, etc. You'd want to find a certified, full-time arborist, who's concentrated on that area of the trade.

Climbing for fun is just called recreational treeclimbing. Or technical treeclimbing. It's a sport, too, with national competitions. BTW, good for you for planting trees. Every little bit helps.”

“So, you do this (trimming, pruning, etc) as a part time job? I guess I'm curious 'cause you mentioned something about hiking out to "groves", which I thought might be some sort of research or documentation of trees not cultivated, and it's something I do (very) casually myself.

I grow apples and a lot of cane fruit. I'm primarily interested in "heirloom" and/or non-hybrid varieties, and non-chemical pest and disease control.”

“Yeah, it's something I do on the weekends. It's usually to help out family or friends, or some of the older adults around town, who couldn't otherwise afford it. I don't make much money, I just enjoy rigging, ropes, and climbing.

You really have to search out the good climbing trees. Sort of like cavers walk ridges in search of new caves. I look at topo maps and walk floodplains in search of the big trees. I've had some success at this. Plus climbers regularly share their prize climbing tree locations with each other. If I had the time, I think doing the research and learning more about trees would be a fascinating endeavor.”

“where are you from, LS?
If you are interested in heirloom varieties then you should also check out the seed savers orgaization...i wanted to get some rather hard to find grapes through one of the members but I found out that I can not have grapes come into WA that are not from a certified grower doue to quaranteens.. now I have to find an organic source here in WA or possibly OR... my Uncle has been slowly but surely planting an Orchard and he is the one that taught me how to do grafting... it is really satisfying to see those trees and grafts grow and then get to eat off them!”

“Le Subtil, check out www.gardensalive.com for non-chemical disease and pest control.”

“Wow I got more response than I'd hoped for here.

Trailartist - I'm in Michigan. I've heard of seed savers but haven't used them yet.

BaSO4 - you're way more advanced than I, and your grafting sounds interesting. If I had more time I'd like to get into that. I'll check out your link later at home, thanks.

My favorite tree is a Gravenstein apple. You just can't buy apples like that in the market. Same with the yellow raspberries. They deteriorate so fast that they'd never make it to the store, but they're fantastic right off the cane.

Good Stuff!”

“Wow I got more response than I'd hoped for here.

Trailartist - I'm in Michigan. I've heard of seed savers but haven't used them yet.

BaSO4 - you're way more advanced than I, and your grafting sounds interesting. If I had more time I'd like to get into that. I'll check out your link later at home, thanks.

My favorite tree is a Gravenstein apple. You just can't buy apples like that in the market. Same with the yellow raspberries. They deteriorate so fast that they'd never make it to the store, but they're fantastic right off the cane.

Good Stuff!”

“Anyone have a source for Indian Tezpur hot pepper seeds? Supposed to be 1/2 again as hot as a Habanero.
Peppers are another hobby of mine, I grow 6 or 7 varieties most year.

Phil - how were the peppers I sent you?”

“The Tezpur pepper seeds can be purchase at www.reimerseeds.com under the name "Indian PC-1".
Hope this helps... let me know if you can get them to germinate...and grow and if so what the flavor is like.”

“excellent! thanx a bunch trailartist!”

“Trailartist, I've found Seed Saver's Exchange online at WWW.SEEDSAVERS.ORG. Thanks for the input.”