The Arborist

The Arborist.

This is a word I've never heard before.

I immediately looked it up and discovered that an Arborist is an individual that looks after the Trees. Think a Tree Doctor in every sense of the word.

Thinking in terms of someone who is committed to the health and safety of Trees. This covers a wide range of activities from pruning to monitoring the well being of Trees.

This word comes Arboriculturist; a professional who focuses on cultivation, Tree management and study of individual Trees, shrubs and vines.

My friend Graham Swallow, is the last line of defence for all Trees.

Graham is a master-craftsman - A Cabinet Maker.

I have become friends with Graham whilst here in Johannesburg as his house guest. We have enjoyed some really great conversations. It was during one of our chats I discovered his passion for for Wood and Cabinet Making.

Graham was inspired by his father who encouraged him to make a tool box. The images above show his very first creation as a boy.

I was given a tour around Graham's workshop; it was exactly as I expected. It was a wonderland of Wood, projects nearing completion and Tools, lots of Tools.

"You can never have enough clamps"

This device is critical to the creative process - it holds Wood together and having enough ensures the job can be completed without delay.

I consider Graham the last stage of hope for Trees. In his hands, no Tree ever dies. A Tree simply transforms into something beautiful that can be used for far longer than its earthly life rooted to the soil.

I am gratefull to Graham for sharing this special part of his life with me. It revealed to me a man very much in touch with nature, the natural source of life. His connection with the source material of Wood from Trees makes him a creative Arborist who breaths new life into Wood through his creative expression.

Graham S Swallow - The Creative Arborist

"No Tree ever dies in his hands"

Michael Vincent