Arborist Ron Johnstone has done his time, and now he wants to share his experience with his home region.
He’s cleaned up after bushfires, advised governments, and travelled the state to do complicated and sometimes dangerous tree lopping jobs.
Now, he wants to bring Brisbane Stump Grinding and Tree Lopping closer to home, concentrating more on Beenleigh and surrounding areas. The area’s growth and demand for pruning, trimming, deadwooding, total tree removal and stump grinding allows him to do that.
“The company now consists of personnel including qualified arborists/climbers truck and chipper operators and ground crew,” Mr Johnstone said.
“In times of high demand such as storm season, other qualified contractors who are compliant and competent are readily available.”
He started his business in Beenleigh in 1988 and has seen plenty of changes – the main one being recognised training and qualifications for arborists.
“Locally-based and highly-regarded private training centres such as ‘Training for Trees’ cater for all levels of industry-related training requirements,” he says.
That means people know when they’re dealing with qualified people to ensure safety.
It also adds value to his business, being able to provide professional advice and pay attention to customer needs. Having worked as a key government contractor, he’s acutely familiar with council by-laws and state government laws and regulations.
The industry has improved the quality of its machinery and safety equipment, including climbing gear. But Mr Johnstone says safety is critical.
“I have learned that safety training, planning, environmental logistics and customer relations are paramount and extremely important to success, in such a high risk industry,” he says.
