TreeActions

A Conversation with Don Blair

Show Notes

DONALD F. BLAIR

Donald F. Blair’s family roots in arboriculture date back to 1911. Don’s father, Millard F. Blair was one of the pioneers in the first generation of 20th Century arborists who dedicated their lives to developing “tree skinning” into a respected multi-disciplined profession. Although Don’s career in arboriculture dates back over 60 years to “forced child labor”, he has been fully engaged in tree care as an adult since 1971. 

With a solid background in residential/commercial arboriculture, Don Blair has been a pioneer in his own right in the advancement of the profession through his efforts in the design of improved tools, ropes, rigging devices, safety equipment and climbing gear. He is internationally renowned for his innovations in Arborist Skills such as climbing, rigging for removal, aerial rescue, safe work practices, and effective methods for training arborists. 

An accomplished author, and photographer, Blair has published many articles on topics related arboriculture. Don Blair is the author of the landmark text and reference book: Arborist Equipment, ISA, 1995.

For 50 years, Blair has been a featured presenter at arborist association conferences, seminars and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia on the same topics that he has written about.

Employment

  • 2015-present: Founder and President of Blair’s Arborist Equipment LLC. Having retired after 40 years with Sierra Moreno Mercantile Company, Inc., Blair was persuaded to do something productive with his time. Blair’s A. E. carries on the legacy of Sierra Moreno and the Blair family’s contributions to arboriculture since 1911. 
  • 1975-2014- Founder and President, Sierra Moreno Mercantile Company, Inc. Design, distribution research and development of arborist tools, rigging and safety equipment.
  • 1988-Present: Founder/Director of the M.F. Blair Institute of Arboriculture. Founded upon cessation of services provided through the M.F. Blair Tree Experts. Services provided include full-range of consulting and training in skills and disciplines related to tree care.
  • 1971-1988 M. F. Blair Tree Experts                                                                Positions held: arborist trainee (1967-1972), arborist/climber (1972-1975), foreman (1975-1978), general manager (1978-1984), owner (1984-1988).                                                                                    
  • Arborist Skills Qualified In: Rope and saddle climbing, aerial rescue, work   methods management, large scale tree pruning, rigging and felling, cabling, bracing and guying, fertilization, soil manipulation methods, root collar excavation and inspection, cavity repair, bark tracing, grafting, pest control, transplanting, landscape installation, stump removal, and specialized equipment operation and maintenance, safe driving and operation of all manner two-axle vehicles for on and off-road operation.                                                                    
  • Arboricultural Consultations                                                                                                            Donald F. Blair has worked full-time in the profession of arboriculture since 1971 as a commercial arborist and consulting arborist. Projects have included but are not limited to:                                                                                                           a. Diagnosis of tree and landscape problems, insect and disease identification, tree and plant identification, and cultural practices.
b. Tree Health Management issues including diagnosis of insects, disease and cultural practices such as irrigation, compaction, and tree maintenance malpractice. Specifications for standard maintenance practices such as pruning, soil manipulation, support, and removal. Tree and plant identification.                    

c. Tree Protection in pre-planning, planning, construction, and post-construction phases. Design and/or on-site supervision of the installation of tree protection systems including fencing, location of staging areas, trailers, material storage, etc.                                                                                                                          d. Hazardous Tree and Risk Assessment. For privately or publicly owned trees. Historic trees are a specialty. Served Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Foundation as consulting arborist for 11 years.

  • Expert Witness – Qualified as an expert witness in courts in California, Florida, Louisiana and West Virginia. 
  • Consulting Expert – Retained as expert on cases in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C. and West Virginia.
Scope of Expertise: Product liability issues involving tree equipment: personal protective equipment, climbing gear, chainsaws, pruning tools and cordage. Specialty equipment including but not limited to: aerial lifts, brush chippers, cranes and stump grinders. 

Personal injury and fatalities related to tree failures and tree maintenance practices and violations of safe work standards including but not limited to ANSI Z133, CFR 1910.269 and CFR 1910.266.

Appraisal of tree losses due to weather events, improper work practices, trespass, vandalism, arson, vehicular including damage due to airplane crashes.

Registrations and Certifications

  • American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA)                           1982 - present                 ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #245
  • International Society of Arboriculture                                                1984 - present                Certified Arborist # WE-0433A
  • Tree Care Industry Association                                                          2013 – 1-31-2022            Certified Tree Safety Professional #01254
Professional Affiliations

  • American Society of Consulting Arborists                                        1982 - present        
  • California Arborists Association                                                         1971- present
  • International Society of Arboriculture                                                1971 - present 
  • Tree Care Industry Association                                                          1982 - present
  • Mid-Atlantic Chapter, International Society of Arboriculture           1989 – present
  • Western Chapter, ISA                                                                          1971 – present
Other Association Affiliations

  • Marine Corps League – Antietam Detachment, Hagerstown, MD    2004 –present       
    • (Life Associate Member)                                                                2014 -  present
  • NRA Benefactor Life Member                                                              2014 -  present 
  • 27th Regimental Historical Society “Wolfhounds” US Army              2004 – present        Life Associate Member
  • Single Action Shooting Society                                                            2000-  present         Life Member 
  • Maryland Defense Force    (MDDF)                                                      1994 - 2004                           
The MDDF is an auxiliary to the 29th Division, Maryland National Guard.
 Served as an E-6. Rappel Master. Frederick, Maryland

Awards and Other Honors

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ARBORICULTURE

Excellence in Practical Arboriculture Award                                                 2007*
Author’s Citation                                                                                             2001
Distinguished Chapter Award                                                                       2001
Honorary Life Membership                                                                           2000
Distinguished Chapter President’s Award                                                    1990
Special Tree Trimmers Jamboree Award presented by competitors         1982                                                                                                                                                                                                          

*Inaugural Recipient of ISA’s newest award. Later changed to M.F. Blair Excellence in Practical Arboriculture Award. (in honor of father)

MID-ATLANTIC CHAPTER, ISA                                                                                           

Award of Commendation                                                                        1995         
Award of Appreciation                                                                             2002                 
President’s Award                                                                                     2009                                   

WESTERN CHAPTER, ISA

Honorary Life Membership 2014
Award of Merit                                                                                               1990
President’s Award                                                                                          1987
Gold Leaf Award                                                                                            1984
President’s Award                                                                                          1984
Award of Achievement                                                                                   1983
Knight of the Garter                                                                                       1983
All around Champion. Tree Climbing Competition Second Place                1978


Pacific Northwest Chapter, ISA
Charter Founding Member                                                                              1979
NATIONAL ARBORIST ASSOCIATION**
Award of Merit*                                                                                                2002 
Safety Award Commendation                                                                         1987
* The Award of Merit is the NAA’s highest award for achievement and service to the profession
** NAA changed name to Tree Care Industry Association in 2003


COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
Community Service Awards
Marine Corps League “Marine of the Year”                                                       2015
Honorary Member, 27th Regt. “Wolfhounds”                                                    2004
State of Maryland Award of Appreciation                                                         1995
Boy Scouts of America Award of Appreciation                                                 1988
Evergreen Park Award of Appreciation                                                              1980

Training Videos

National Arborist Association
Donald F. Blair, Ken Johnson, Robert Phillips. 
RIGGING April, 1991
56 Minutes. This 2-part video training program addresses Basic and Technical rigging methods, equipment and safety. Hazard Tree Evaluation is also discussed. In addition to the video there is a detailed study guide. My duties in this video included: on-screen host, site selection, equipment selection, hazard tree evaluation, script consultation and review of the study guide. I also wrote the introduction. 
AERIAL RESCUE VIDEO                              
National Arborist Association April, 1989
Assisted in production, appeared in video and demonstrated several rescue techniques.

Standards Committee Work

American National Standards Institute                                                       Washington, D.C.
Z133.1 Accredited Standards Committee                                              
Vice-Chairman 2001 to 2017
This is my third five-year term in this capacity.
Member of Committee 1989 to 2017
ANSI standards are consensus standards because they are developed by industry spokespersons representing a broad constituency within that industry. On August 20, 2001, I was appointed vice-chairman of the committee. From 1989 until 2008, I represented the California Arborist Association. In 2008 a structural change in the committee changed my affiliation to the Supplier Category.

American National Standards Institute                                                       Washington, D.C.
A300 Accredited Standards Committee                                                      1991 to 1996
The A300 standards are concerned with the proper execution of tree maintenance operations such as pruning, cabling, and fertilization. A charter member of the committee, I represented the American Society of Consulting Arborists from 1991 until 1996. In the years since formal membership, I have served as a consultant on call to answer questions and to review standards drafts to the sub-committee on Cabling/Bracing.


CAL-OSHA ARTICLE 12 COMMITTEE                                                     
Sacramento, California
California Arborists Association Representative                                              1979-1984
Chaired by Richard G. Alvarez, the Article 12 committee used the same concept of broad industry representation and consensus to review and bring the State of California’s tree worker safety standards up to that of the Z133.1 standards which had gone into affect at that time. The standards were reviewed and up-dated in 1984.

Other Association Offices Held and Committees Served.

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CONSULTING ARBORISTS                            member since 1982 member status: Active                                                                                                      Committees served: ANSI A300 representative                                                         1991-1996


CALIFORNIA ARBORISTS ASSOCIATION                                               
member since 1971 current status: Honorary Life member
Offices held: Vice-president, president-elect, president (1975-1979).                                   
Committees served: Safety, Jamboree, and Program.                                                                    
                                     Represented CAA on ANSI Z133 Committee  1990-2008


International Society of Arboriculture. 
Board Member Representing MAC-ISA                                                                        2003-2009
General Chairman, 2000 Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD                             1996-2000
Committees served: Arbor Day, Tree Trimmers Jamboree, Certification, Safety, Best Management Practices, Governance Task Force, International Tree Climbers Competition, ISA Safety Committee, Chair Ad Hoc Annual Conference Audit Committee.                                                                                Years active: 1976-present 

MID-ATLANTIC CHAPTER, ISA
 member since 1989       
Current Status: Regular member                                                                                                                   
Offices held: Board member, Vice-president, President-elect, and President 2000-2001
Committees served: Tree Worker Certification, Long Range Planning. General Chairman, 1997 and 2002 Chapter Meeting, General Chairman: ISA Annual Meeting Baltimore 2000.  2001 Chapter Annual Meeting Committee. Elected to Board in 2020.


WESTERN CHAPTER, ISA                                                                       
member since 1971               
 Current Status: Honorary Life Member                                                                                                                         
Offices held: President (1989-1990), Immediate past president, president-elect, vice-president, and Board member.                                            Committees served: Commercial Arborist, Commercial Exhibits (Annual Meeting), President’s Task Force, Annual Meeting Chairman (1987), Annual Meeting Chairman (1984), Charter member of the Certification Committee, Membership, Jamboree, Historian, Safety, and Arbor Day.

NATIONAL ARBORIST ASSOCIATION  Changed name in 2003 to: Tree Care Industry                                 
Association (TCIA)      member 1982-present
Committees served: Safety, Education, Insurance, 10-foot Rule, and Hearing Conservation Amendment. Entered into agreement in 1997 to develop Arborist Skills Training Programs and Videos.
2013 (January to November)  Worked on 75th Anniversary Project culminating in Museum of Arboriculture Display at TCI Expo, Charlotte, North Carolina,
PUBLICATIONS (partial list)
Arborist Equipment., International Society of Arboriculture,                                                 1995                         291 pages, hard back.  Reference addresses for the first time the selection, care and maintenance of arborist equipment. Illustrated by Robert Shetterly.                                                                          Mentioned in the Author’s Citation Award,                                                                              2001 

Handbook of Arborist Supplies, Sierra Moreno Mercantile Company,                                1986   

Western Chapter Newsletter
Frequent contributor.                                       1975 - 1990
                            
Tree Care Industry Magazine 1991-Present
Published by Tree Care Industry Association
Since 1991, I have authored many articles on topics related to arboriculture on topics as diverse as: arboriculture history and future challenges, business opportunities, employee relations, rigging, blocks, ropes, extreme technical rigging challenges, climbing belts, safety.                                                                                                                      
Series of Articles on History of Arboriculture                                                                           2013
Chipper Safety: Ball and Blair                                                                                                  2009 
Moonlighting at Monticello                                                                                                       2008


Arbor Age Magazine                                                                                                     1980-1984
Authored and photo illustrated numerous feature articles covering such topics as rope, rigging and pesticide application. I also provided photography for at least 12 cover illustrations.

ISA Journal of Arboriculture
Rigging For Removal                                                                                                           1989
Aerial Rescue Avoidance                                                                                                     1989

ISA Today
Most recent contributions: A Life in Trees                                                                            2009         Big Brother Really Is Watching   2019 
 
EDUCATION

Portsmouth, New Hampshire 2002
Short laboratory course by Dr. Alex Shigo on tree biology

University of New Hampshire                                                                                  1983
Short course by Dr. Alex Shigo on decay processes in trees.

University of California, Berkeley Campus                                                              1975
Short course entitled: Urban Tree Systems, Their Design, Planning and Management.
Instructor: Russell Beatty

San Mateo College                                                                                                  1973
Semester course entitled: Arboriculture. Instructed by Richard Marling, Sr.

Foothill College                                                                                                        1972
Two semesters entitled: Ornamental Horticulture. Instructed by Mr. Patterson

Mountain View High School                                                                                    1971
Graduate

Articles Written by Donald F. Blair and Published in TCI Magazine 

July 1991
Rigging
By Donald F. Blair

September 1993
Tree Saddles
By Donald F. Blair

June 1994
Arborist Blocks
By Donald F. Blair

July 1995
Arboriculture Goes To War
By Donald F. Blair

August 1995
It’s Jamboree Season (History of the Tree Trimmer’s Jamboree)
By Donald F. Blair

October 1995
A Look Back: Don Blair Reflects On His 25 Years in Arboriculture
By Donald F. Blair

September, 1996
Arborist Self-Preservation: A Guide to Personal Protective Equipment
By Donald F. Blair

July 1999
Arboriculture in the Rearview Mirror
By Donald F. Blair

November 2001
Overcoming Rigging Challenges
By Donald F. Blair

November 2004
Climber Ed Hobbs’ Contributions to the Arborist Profession
By Donald F. Blair

DECEMBER 2006
Remembering Alex ShigoBy Donald F. Blair
NOVEMBER 2008Moonlighting at MonticelloBy Donald F. Blair



MARCH 2009*
Chipper Accidents Are More Common Than ReportedBy John Ball, CTSP, and Donald F. Blair

NOVEMBER 2013
Reflections on 75 years of NAA/TCIA and the industry
By Donald F. Blair CTSP


AUGUST 2013
The ’70s: A Time of Change For the Science of Tree Care, the Equipment, the Country and the NAA
By Donald F. Blair CTSP

APRIL 2013
75th Anniversary: Tree Care Prior to the 1938 Founding of NAA/TCIA
By Donald F. Blair CTSP

NOVEMBER 2014
Bartlett to Establish Museum of Arboriculture
By Donald F. Blair CTSP

JANUARY 2017
Lessons from My Son: What a 2-Year-Old Has Taught Me about Managing a 
Business (This article first appeared in the November 1992 issue of TCI Magazine.)
By Donald F. Blair CTSP

APRIL 2017*
Ropes: Looking at Tree Climbing from Another Angle
By Dr. John Ball CTSP and Donald F. Blair CTSP
*Co-written with Dr. John Ball South Dakota State University (SDSU)

December 2022

 |        Nonfatal Incidents Involving Aerial Lifts and Ladders: Us versus Them        By John Ball, Ph.D., BCMA, CTSP and Donald F. Blair 
 
 
 
 

CONTACT:

Donald F. Blair

ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #245

ISA Certified Arborist WE-0433A

16800 Blake Road

Hagerstown, Maryland 21740

quercusman@aol.com*

don.blair@blairsae.com**

301 991-4341 cell

301 582-1303 landline/office

*Personal/business

** Professional/business

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What is TreeActions?

Arborists talk about their experience, strength, and hope gained from being part of the human forest.