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www.arborage.com Arbor Age / July 2014 23 our hands. For at least three generations now, one-handed chain saw operation has not only been tolerated, it has been taught. Most efforts to change this all too common practice are struggling at best. In the early days of the top-handled chain saw, tree workers realized that because both handles are positioned over the center of mass it is far easier to run it with one hand compared to a rear handle chain saw. So the epidemic began, hold and cut, cut and chuck. No doubt this is easy, but all too often over used and relied upon as a standard operating procedure. It may be easy, but it can be one of the most dangerous ways of cutting a tree, lead- ing to countless chain saw and struck-by injuries. The easy way is not necessarily the safest or most productive way. Skilled, knowledgeable professionals know that wisdom prevails. However unskilled workers with little knowledge may have little choice in the matter, not being taught in the proper way. 2. It's important to understand that in any profession, knowledge, safety and skill are the keys to productivity and the very essence of professionalism. Therefore, a person with a low degree of knowledge and skill should not consider themselves or be considered a skilled professional. 3. Knowledge, safety and skill are the keys to produc- tivity, and vital to arboricultural best practice. Knowledge can be acquired; however, wisdom, insight and the ability to exercise critical thinking and critical decision making must be learned and earned. Each day every day is a great day to learn and grow. ArborMaster students learn through hands-on training modules, focus on both how to safely and productively carry out tree care and removal operations, and, very importantly, why, when and where to use and master the techniques and methods taught. It's both an honor and a pleasure to teach and train safety, skill and productivity throughout the world of mod- ern arboriculture. Ken Palmer is president of ArborMaster, Inc. Since 1995, ArborMaster has been delivering safety, skill and productivity train- ing for people and organizations who work with, in, and around trees. ArborMaster specializes in education, training, and consultation with a focus on workforce development, safety systems, fi eld operational excellence and the bottom line. Arbor Japan, a company of skilled arborists, is taking care of trees in sacred areas such as temples and shrines in Japan. Jin Kobayashi, the founder of Arbor Japan has helped many international guests from abroad not only to organize study tours to botanical gardens for seed- collecting activities and beautiful Japanese gardens in Japan but also to teach them the traditional Japanese ways of trimming trees. Visit Arbor Japan's website at www.ArborJapan.com