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Transcript: Tree Doctors
A child says, WHEE!
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, T.V.O. kids presents.
Fall leaves sway in a gentle breeze.
[Serene music plays]
Taviss narrates, TREES ARE LIVING THINGS LIKE YOU AND ME.
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, kicks fallen leaves in a forest. Her dark brown hair is in two braids. She wears a red vest, a white shirt, and blue jeans. Taviss looks at a yellow leaf on a branch.
Taviss narrates, THEY DRINK, EAT, BREATHE AND EVEN SLEEP. AND, JUST LIKE US, THEY CAN GET SICK AND INJURED.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, I WONDER WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A TREE GETS SICK.
In the forest, Taviss asks, WANT TO GO FIND OUT?
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
[Upbeat music plays, chiming]
Taviss narrates, OUR SECRET BRINGS US TO THE LAND OF THE HAUDENOSAUNEE PEOPLE.
Taviss throws leaves over her head.
[Leaves rustling]
Taviss narrates, NOW THIS AREA IS KNOWN AS PARIS, ONTARIO.
Trees surround a house.
Taviss narrates, ON THIS PROPERTY LIVES... ARE YOU READY FOR THIS ONE? A TREE DOCTOR. SAY WHAT!? TREES HAVE DOCTORS? MEET KYLE MCLOUGHLIN.
Kyle has short brown hair and a bushy brown moustache. He wears a dark blue jacket with an Ironwood logo over a taupe shirt.
[Tinkling]
Taviss narrates, KYLE IS A CERTIFIED MASTER ARBORIST. AN ARBORIST IS A TREE DOCTOR.
Kyle stands on branches and prods another branch with a pole.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss and Kyle walk on fallen leaves.
[Leaves rustling]
Taviss says, YOU MUST KNOW A LOT ABOUT TREES.
Kyle says, I DO. WHEN I BECAME AN ARBORIST, I HAD TO LEARN A LOT. I HAD TO LEARN ABOUT HOW
THEY CLEAN OUR WATER. I HAD TO LEARN ABOUT HOW THEY CLEAN OUR AIR.
Taviss says, WELL, THEY ARE AMAZING.
Kyle says, THEY ARE.
IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK
TO TAKE CARE OF THEM
BOTH FROM THE ROOTS ALL THE WAY
TO THE TIPTOP SHOOTS.
BUT THAT'S WHY
I BECAME AN ARBORIST.
[Whooshing]
An animated tree sneezes.
The tree says, AH, AH, AH-CHOO! OH, I THINK I NEED A DOCTOR.
[Whooshing]
Kyle looks at Taviss as they walk beside an evergreen on a residential property.
Taviss asks, SO, ARBORISTS WORK IN URBAN FORESTS? WHAT'S THAT?
Kyle replies, URBAN FORESTS ARE WHERE YOU GET TREES AND PEOPLE.
SO, LIKE PARKS AND RAVINES,
OR PROPERTIES LIKE THIS ONE,
WHERE YOU HAVE A HOUSE AND TREES
RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER.
Taviss says, SO, URBAN FORESTS ARE THE FORESTS WHERE PEOPLE ARE.
Kyle says, EXACTLY.
Aerial footage shows a thick forest with skyscrapers in the distance.
Taviss asks, SO YOU'RE THE DOCTOR FOR THE WHOLE URBAN FOREST?
Kyle says, NOT EXACTLY.
JUST LIKE A HUMAN DOCTOR
WOULD ONLY WORK ON
ONE PATIENT AT A TIME,
AN ARBORIST ONLY TREATS
ONE TREE AT A TIME.
AND SO WE NEED TO
FIND A PATIENT.
DO YOU WANT TO FIND A PATIENT
RIGHT NOW?
Taviss says, YEPPERS. LET'S GET TO WORK.
Kyle says, OKAY.
[Whooshing]
On the property, Taviss and Kyle stand beside a large tree.
Taviss asks, SO WHAT'S THE FIRST STEP IN THE TREE CHECKUP, DOC?
Kyle explains, WELL, JUST LIKE
WHEN YOU GO TO A HUMAN DOCTOR,
THEY NEED TO LOOK AND LISTEN
SO THAT YOU GET
A GOOD DIAGNOSIS,
WE NEED TO LOOK AND LISTEN
TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE TREE.
[Bell dinging]
Taviss narrates, LISTEN? FOR WHAT? A HEARTBEAT?
Kyle taps on the tree trunk with a mallet.
[Mallet tapping]
Kyle says, I'M TRYING TO LISTEN FOR HOLLOW NOISES.
THINGS THAT WILL SHOW ME THAT
THE TREE HAS A CAVITY IN IT.
LIKE YOU HAVE A CAVITY
IN YOUR TEETH.
DO YOU WANT TO TRY?
Taviss says, YEAH.
Kyle gives Taviss the mallet.
Kyle says, HERE YOU GO, TAVISS.
Taviss taps the tree trunk.
[Mallet tapping]
Taviss says, SOUNDS LIKE IT'S NOT HOLLOW AT ALL.
[Whooshing]
The animated tree smiles and dances.
[Ascending glockenspiel, tapping, squeaking]
[Whooshing]
Kyle stands beside the tree and asks, DO YOU KNOW WHAT ROOTS DO, TAVISS?
Taviss replies, THEY BRING UP WATER AND NUTRIENTS.
Kyle says, EXACTLY. THEY BRING
NUTRIENTS AND WATER,
AND THEY DO THIS OTHER
REALLY IMPORTANT THING FOR TREES
WHICH IS KEEP THEM STABLE.
SO, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO NOW
IS TO DIAGNOSE THE TREE.
AND WHAT I'M LOOKING AT HERE--
YOU SEE HOW IT GOES FLAT
IN THE GROUND, KIND OF LIKE
A CARDBOARD TUBE?
Taviss says, YEP.
Text reads, girdling root.
[Chiming, gentle music plays]
Kyle says, THAT ACTUALLY IS A SIGN OF A GIRDLING ROOT.
SO A GIRDLING ROOT
IS WHEN YOU HAVE TWO ROOTS
THAT EVENTUALLY START TO GROW,
ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER,
AND THE ONE THAT GROWS ON TOP
ACTUALLY STARTS TO SUFFOCATE
THE LOWER ROOTS.
[Dinging]
Kyle says, IF THE ROOTS AREN'T HEALTHY,
THEY'RE NOT STABLE,
AND IF THEY'RE NOT STABLE,
THEN IT CAN BE HARD FOR THE TREE
TO REALLY GROW BIG AND TALL.
Taviss asks, SO HOW ARE WE GOING TO HELP IT?
Kyle explains, IF WE FIND A GIRDLING ROOT
GENERALLY, WHAT WE'LL DO
IS WE'LL DO SURGERY.
[Bell clanks]
Taviss narrates, SURGERY ON A TREE?
Kyle explains, SO WE'RE GOING TO GET A TOOL
CALLED AN AIR SPADE
THAT'S REALLY, REALLY LOUD
AND IT BLASTS ALL THE SOIL AWAY.
BUT BEFORE WE DO THAT,
WE NEED SOME SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
Taviss puts on a green uniform, safety glasses, and yellow protective earmuffs.
Taviss narrates, LOOK AT THIS TRENDY GEAR.
OKAY, FINE, IT'S ALL FOR SAFETY,
BUT I THINK IT LOOKS
PRETTY COOL. DON'T YOU THINK?
[Whooshing]
Standing by trees, Kyle also wears safety gear.
Kyle says, LOOKING GOOD, TAVI. LET'S GET READY TO MAKE SOME NOISE.
Taviss cheers, YAY!
Kyle says, ALL RIGHT, MASK UP.
Taviss and Kyle pull up masks and cover their noses and mouths.
Kyle turns on a large machine.
[Upbeat music continues, Engine rumbles loudly]
Kyle points the air spade at the tree roots and blows dirt away from the roots. Dirt rises and fills the air around the tree. Taviss waves her arms in front of her.
[Two short hisses, continuous hissing]
Kyle says, CHISEL. HAMMER.
Taviss gives Kyle the chisel and hammer.
Kyle says, PERFECT. OKAY, DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.
Taviss says, WE ARE GOING TO
CUT THE LITTLE ROOTS
SO THE BIG ROOTS
CAN OPEN UP AND BREATHE AGAIN.
Kyle says, EXACTLY. THIS ROOT RIGHT HERE,
THIS REALLY BIG ONE,
IS TAKING A TON OF NUTRIENTS
AND IS REALLY IMPORTANT
FOR THE STRUCTURE.
Kyle points to a thick root and a thinner root on top of the first one.
Kyle says, THIS ONE RIGHT HERE
IS BRINGING A LOT OF NUTRIENTS,
BUT IT'S ACTUALLY
HURTING THIS ROOT.
SO WE'RE GOING TO
TAKE IT OFF.
Kyle hits the chisel with the hammer and breaks the thinner root.
[Tapping, snapping]
Kyle says, OOH, LOOK AT THAT.
Kyle breaks the other side of the root.
[Tapping]
Taviss says, WHOA!
Kyle breaks smaller roots.
[Tapping, snapping]
Kyle says, THERE WE GO. YOU WANT TO TRY?
Taviss says, YEAH.
Kyle says, TAKE ONLY THE ROOTS THAT ARE GIRDLING.
Taviss taps on the chisel with the mallet.
[Tapping]
Taviss says, THAT'S A BIG ONE.
Kyle agrees, THAT'S A BIG ONE.
[Snapping]
Kyle says, YOU DID IT. GOOD JOB. NICE.
Taviss narrates, OKAY, THIS ARBORIST THING IS FUN. NEXT PATIENT, PLEASE.
On the property, Taviss and Kyle stand beside a birch tree with white bark.
Kyle says, OUR NEXT PATIENT IS THIS BIRCH RIGHT HERE.
Taviss asks, SO, WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT?
Kyle replies, SO, IT HAS WHAT WE CALL A CO-DOMINANT LEADER.
Text beside the trunk reads, Co-Dominant Leader.
[Whooshing]
Kyle explains, SO, THOSE ARE TWO
OR THREE OR FOUR TRUNKS
THAT HAVE GROWN REALLY CLOSE
TOGETHER AT THE BASE.
[Ding]
Taviss narrates, TWO TRUNKS? NOW, I'VE HEARD IT ALL.
[Upbeat music continues]
Kyle says, AND IT CAN CAUSE INSTABILITY.
THOSE CO-DOMINANT LEADERS
CAN LEAD TO ONE OF THE
PIECES OF THE TREE
FALLING ON THE HOUSE,
WHICH ISN'T GOOD.
AND SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO
IS WE'RE GOING TO GO UP
AND WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO
CABLE THEM TOGETHER,
AND THAT CABLE IS ACTUALLY
GOING TO HELP MAKE THE TREE
A LITTLE BIT MORE STABLE AND
HOPEFULLY SURVIVE MORE STORMS.
Taviss says, SO YOU HAVE TO CLIMB UP THE TREE TO DO THIS.
Kyle says, I DO, AND IT'S MY FAVOURITE PART OF THE JOB.
Kyle puts on a harness and, using an ascender, climbs a rope hanging over a tree branch.
[Rustling, upbeat music plays]
[Equipment rattling, clanking
Taviss asks, IS IT FUN?
Kyle says, VERY. THERE WE GO.
Kyle stands on tree branches.
[Leaves rustling]
Taviss says, YOU'RE REALLY HIGH UP. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET DOWN?
[Rustling]
Kyle jokes, VERY CAREFULLY.
Kyle uses the rope to descend to the ground.
[Thump, upbeat music continues]
Taviss says, THAT LOOKED AWESOME. COULD I TRY NOW?
Kyle says, SURE. I'LL GIVE YOU A QUICK LESSON.
Taviss and Kyle high-five.
[Hands slap]
On the property, further away from the house, Kyle throws the rope over the branch of a smaller tree.
[Whooshing, soft ambient music]
Taviss narrates, NO BIG DEAL. I'M GONNA CLIMB THIS TREE.
Kyle waits beside the tree. Taviss arrives wearing a harness and helmet.
Taviss says, CASUAL.
Kyle attaches Taviss’s harness to the rope.
[Click]
Kyle says, BEFORE YOU HEAD UP IN THE TREE, LET'S PRACTISE A LITTLE BIT. TAKE A COUPLE OF STEPS OFF THE GROUND. JUST LEAN BACK. MAKE SURE I GOT YOU.
Taviss climbs up a step ladder and leans back.
Kyle says, GOOD JOB.
Taviss swings in the air beside the ladder.
Both say, WHOO!
[Clinking]
Kyle says, OKAY.
Taviss says, SO FUN.
Kyle says, TAKE YOU ALL THE WAY DOWN. EXCELLENT. YOU READY TO GO? START WALKING UP THE LADDER.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a rock wearing a helmet rolls to a stop in front of a tree carrying a rope.
The rock says, JUST OFF TREE CLIMBING.
[Animated tree gasps, slide whistles]
The tree says, I'M HEADED ROCK CLIMBING.
[Both laughing, whooshing]
[Upbeat music plays, rope rustles, ladder clatters]
Taviss climbs up the ladder.
Kyle says, OKAY, I GOT YOU. AS YOU MOVE, I'M TAKING IN SOME SLACK SO THAT I'M KEEPING YOU SAFE.
Taviss says, WHOA.
Taviss leaves the top of the ladder and climbs up onto a tree branch.
Kyle says, YEAH, NOW YOU'RE IN THE TREE. EXCELLENT.
[Exciting music plays]
Kyle says, GREAT JOB. YEAH, BIG STEP.
Taviss says, IT'S A LITTLE BIT SCARY. MOSTLY FUN.
Kyle says, MOSTLY FUN. I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR TEN YEARS, AND IT'S STILL SCARY FOR ME SOMETIMES.
[Exciting music plays]
Taviss says, WHOA, I FEEL SO TALL.
[Kyle laughing]
Kyle says, YOU ARE. YEAH, YOU'RE PROBABLY ABOUT 20 FEET UP THERE RIGHT NOW. GREAT JOB.
Taviss asks, WELL, HOW DO I GET DOWN?
Kyle says, OKAY, SO, LEAN BACK.
YEAH, PUT YOUR WEIGHT IN,
USE YOUR FEET AND YOUR HANDS
TO KIND OF CONTROL YOURSELF
AS YOU COME DOWN.
Taviss holds parts of the tree as Kyle lowers her on the rope.
Taviss says, WHOA! THIS IS FUN.
Kyle says, OH, YEAH. SEE IF YOU CAN SPIN YOURSELF AROUND.
Taviss pushes off the tree trunk and spins.
Kyle cheers, WHOO!
Taviss cheers, WHOO-HOO!
Taviss reaches the ground beside Kyle.
Kyle says, GOOD JOB.
Taviss says, THAT WAS FUN.
Taviss and Kyle high-five.
[Hands slapping]
In live-action, a montage shows rocks in a desert, a giraffe, mist rising off a river, mountains, and blue water splashing against a shore. Text reads: Where in the World?
[Exciting percussive music plays]
Taviss narrates, ALL AROUND THE GLOBE, YOU WILL FIND THE WORLD'S BEST TREE CLIMBERS: ANIMALS! OBVIOUSLY.
A koala walks on a tree branch. On a savannah, a leopard leaps from a tree branch to a higher branch.
Taviss narrates,
THERE ARE CUTIE KOALAS
IN AUSTRALIA,
LEAPING LEOPARDS IN ZAMBIA,
REMARKABLE RED SQUIRRELS
IN FRANCE,
RED-EYED TREE FROGS
IN COSTA RICA,
ORANGUTANS IN BORNEO.
A red squirrel climbs a tree trunk. A red-eyed tree frog sits on a branch. An orangutan hangs off a leafy tree branch.
Taviss narrates, I COULD KEEP GOING,
BUT I THINK YOU GET THE PICTURE.
NATURE HAS THE ULTIMATE
TREE CLIMBERS.
A leopard climbs a tree.
[Whooshing]
Text reads, "Ebb and Flow Forest School." Text on the side of a yellow pickup truck reads, "Ironwood Arboricultural Solutions."
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, OUR LAST PATIENT
IS ON THE PROPERTY
OF EBB AND FLOW FOREST SCHOOL.
THEY CALLED THE DOCTORS
AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP.
Kyle holds a truck door open, and Taviss hops out. She wears her green safety uniform.
[Rustling, soft instrumental music plays]
Taviss asks, WHOA! WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS TREE?
Kyle says, REMEMBER HOW WE TALKED ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THE ROOTS ARE FOR GETTING NUTRIENTS TO THE TOP?
Taviss says, YEP.
Kyle says, BECAUSE SOME OF THE ROOTS
WERE DAMAGED ON THIS TREE,
IT'S HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING
ALL OF THE NUTRIENTS TO THE TOP
AND SO SOME OF THE BRANCHES
HAVE DIED.
An arborist wearing a safety vest is near the top of the tree. At the base of the tree, a second person holds a safety rope.
Kyle explains, OUR TEAM IS GOING TO TAKE
THOSE DEAD BRANCHES OUT SAFELY,
SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT
THEM FALLING ON ANYBODY'S HEAD.
In the tree, the arborist saws a branch.
[Sawing]
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a branch falls off the tree.
[Twanging, tree gasping]
A voice shouts, MY NOSE!
[Whining]
[Whooshing]
Kyle says, THIS JOB REQUIRES
A WHOLE SURGICAL TEAM TO DO IT.
WE NEED SOMEBODY ON THE GROUND
TO HELP CONTROL THE ROPE.
WE NEED SOMEBODY IN THE AIR—
Taviss looks up at the arborist.
[Record scratching]
Taviss narrates, HOLD UP.
THEY'RE NOT EVEN USING BRANCHES.
THAT'S SOME NEXT LEVEL
TREE CLIMBING.
The arborist dangles beneath a branch.
On the ground, Kyle says,
OFTENTIMES, YOU NEED SOMEONE
LIKE MYSELF WHO RUNS AROUND
AND TRIES TO HELP EVERYBODY
GET THEIR JOB DONE PROPERLY.
WHAT MY TEAM IS DOING RIGHT NOW
IS THEY'RE ACTUALLY CUTTING OUT
SOME OF THOSE DEAD PIECES
SO WE DON'T HAVE TO
WORRY ABOUT THEM FALLING OUT.
The arborist drops a branch. The person on the ground picks up the branch and moves it.
[Rustling]
Kyle says, AND WHEN YOU HAVE
A LOT OF DEAD PIECES,
SOMETIMES IT'S OKAY
TO CUT IT AND THROW IT,
AND OTHER TIMES YOU TAKE IT DOWN
ON A ROPE. WE CALL IT RIGGING.
WE'RE GOING TO RIG A PIECE DOWN
ON ROPE SO THAT IT COMES DOWN
REALLY CONTROLLED
AND REALLY SAFELY.
A branch is lowered on a rope.
[Rattling]
[Drumsticks beating time, Rock music plays]
Text reads, The Fun Factor.
In a forest with leaves scattered on the ground, Taviss stands on a fallen tree. A group of children stand on the ground behind her.
Taviss narrates, A FOREST
AND A BUNCH OF KIDS?
THERE'S ONLY ONE THING
TO DO HERE.
Taviss holds a video camera.
She says, WE'RE PLAYING A GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK TAG AND I'M IT. RUN, GUYS, RUN!
The children run into the forest. One crouches behind a tree stump, and a small child and an adult hide behind a wide tree.
[Excited chatter]
Taviss shouts, READY OR NOT, HERE I COME! I'M GONNA FIND YOU! I SEE SOMEONE. FOUND YOU.
Beside a fallen tree, Taviss tags a blond-haired boy wearing a bright red jacket. Taviss finds a boy behind a tree.
Taviss says, FOUND YOU.
Taviss whispers I FOUND SOMEONE ELSE.
Taviss tags the child behind the tree stump.
Taviss says, GOT YA.
[Whooshing]
Beside the tree, Taviss stands with Kyle.
[Soft calm music plays]
Taviss says, SEEMS LIKE BEING AN ARBORIST IS A REALLY COOL JOB.
Kyle says, IT'S GREAT.
I GET TO DEAL WITH BIOLOGY,
I GET TO DEAL WITH NATURE.
I USE SOME REALLY COOL TOOLS.
I LOVE IT. THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT
IS REALLY HARD FOR TREES.
BEING AN ARBORIST
GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY
TO REALLY KEEP THINGS BEAUTIFUL.
SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR COMING OUT TODAY, TAVISS.
I HAD A GREAT TIME.
Taviss says, ME TOO.
Tavis high-fives Kyle.
[Hands slapping]
[Whooshing]
[Inspiring music plays]
A flashback shows the girdling root. A second flashback shows the arborist at the top of the tall tree. In another flashback, Taviss holds the mallet. She watches Kyle blow dirt away from the roots.
Taviss narrates, ARBORISTS TREAT TREES
FROM THEIR ROOTS
RIGHT UP TO THEIR LEAVES.
THEY HAVE ALL SORTS OF
DIFFERENT WAYS TO TELL
IF A TREE IS SICK AND HAVE
MANY DIFFERENT TREATMENTS
FOR THE DIFFERENT ILLNESSES.
In a flashback, Taviss uses the mallet and chisel to break a girdling root.
[Hissing, tapping]
Taviss narrates, THEY ALSO DO A LOT OF CLIMBING. I STILL NEED A BIT OF PRACTICE.
In a flashback, Kyle holds the rope and lowers Taviss from the tree.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates,
LUCKY FOR TREES,
ARBORISTS ARE THERE
TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEM.
Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT.
ARBORISTS ARE
AWESOME TREE DOCTORS.
[Inspiring music plays]
Text reads, Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.
End credits: Directed by Melissa Chang. Created by Melissa Peter, Raj Panikkar, and Christopher Szarka. Written by Celest Koon. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Kyle McLoughlin. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, T.V.O. kids presents.
Fall leaves sway in a gentle breeze.
[Serene music plays]
Taviss narrates, TREES ARE LIVING THINGS LIKE YOU AND ME.
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, kicks fallen leaves in a forest. Her dark brown hair is in two braids. She wears a red vest, a white shirt, and blue jeans. Taviss looks at a yellow leaf on a branch.
Taviss narrates, THEY DRINK, EAT, BREATHE AND EVEN SLEEP. AND, JUST LIKE US, THEY CAN GET SICK AND INJURED.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, I WONDER WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A TREE GETS SICK.
In the forest, Taviss asks, WANT TO GO FIND OUT?
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
[Upbeat music plays, chiming]
Taviss narrates, OUR SECRET BRINGS US TO THE LAND OF THE HAUDENOSAUNEE PEOPLE.
Taviss throws leaves over her head.
[Leaves rustling]
Taviss narrates, NOW THIS AREA IS KNOWN AS PARIS, ONTARIO.
Trees surround a house.
Taviss narrates, ON THIS PROPERTY LIVES... ARE YOU READY FOR THIS ONE? A TREE DOCTOR. SAY WHAT!? TREES HAVE DOCTORS? MEET KYLE MCLOUGHLIN.
Kyle has short brown hair and a bushy brown moustache. He wears a dark blue jacket with an Ironwood logo over a taupe shirt.
[Tinkling]
Taviss narrates, KYLE IS A CERTIFIED MASTER ARBORIST. AN ARBORIST IS A TREE DOCTOR.
Kyle stands on branches and prods another branch with a pole.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss and Kyle walk on fallen leaves.
[Leaves rustling]
Taviss says, YOU MUST KNOW A LOT ABOUT TREES.
Kyle says, I DO. WHEN I BECAME AN ARBORIST, I HAD TO LEARN A LOT. I HAD TO LEARN ABOUT HOW
THEY CLEAN OUR WATER. I HAD TO LEARN ABOUT HOW THEY CLEAN OUR AIR.
Taviss says, WELL, THEY ARE AMAZING.
Kyle says, THEY ARE.
IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK
TO TAKE CARE OF THEM
BOTH FROM THE ROOTS ALL THE WAY
TO THE TIPTOP SHOOTS.
BUT THAT'S WHY
I BECAME AN ARBORIST.
[Whooshing]
An animated tree sneezes.
The tree says, AH, AH, AH-CHOO! OH, I THINK I NEED A DOCTOR.
[Whooshing]
Kyle looks at Taviss as they walk beside an evergreen on a residential property.
Taviss asks, SO, ARBORISTS WORK IN URBAN FORESTS? WHAT'S THAT?
Kyle replies, URBAN FORESTS ARE WHERE YOU GET TREES AND PEOPLE.
SO, LIKE PARKS AND RAVINES,
OR PROPERTIES LIKE THIS ONE,
WHERE YOU HAVE A HOUSE AND TREES
RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER.
Taviss says, SO, URBAN FORESTS ARE THE FORESTS WHERE PEOPLE ARE.
Kyle says, EXACTLY.
Aerial footage shows a thick forest with skyscrapers in the distance.
Taviss asks, SO YOU'RE THE DOCTOR FOR THE WHOLE URBAN FOREST?
Kyle says, NOT EXACTLY.
JUST LIKE A HUMAN DOCTOR
WOULD ONLY WORK ON
ONE PATIENT AT A TIME,
AN ARBORIST ONLY TREATS
ONE TREE AT A TIME.
AND SO WE NEED TO
FIND A PATIENT.
DO YOU WANT TO FIND A PATIENT
RIGHT NOW?
Taviss says, YEPPERS. LET'S GET TO WORK.
Kyle says, OKAY.
[Whooshing]
On the property, Taviss and Kyle stand beside a large tree.
Taviss asks, SO WHAT'S THE FIRST STEP IN THE TREE CHECKUP, DOC?
Kyle explains, WELL, JUST LIKE
WHEN YOU GO TO A HUMAN DOCTOR,
THEY NEED TO LOOK AND LISTEN
SO THAT YOU GET
A GOOD DIAGNOSIS,
WE NEED TO LOOK AND LISTEN
TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE TREE.
[Bell dinging]
Taviss narrates, LISTEN? FOR WHAT? A HEARTBEAT?
Kyle taps on the tree trunk with a mallet.
[Mallet tapping]
Kyle says, I'M TRYING TO LISTEN FOR HOLLOW NOISES.
THINGS THAT WILL SHOW ME THAT
THE TREE HAS A CAVITY IN IT.
LIKE YOU HAVE A CAVITY
IN YOUR TEETH.
DO YOU WANT TO TRY?
Taviss says, YEAH.
Kyle gives Taviss the mallet.
Kyle says, HERE YOU GO, TAVISS.
Taviss taps the tree trunk.
[Mallet tapping]
Taviss says, SOUNDS LIKE IT'S NOT HOLLOW AT ALL.
[Whooshing]
The animated tree smiles and dances.
[Ascending glockenspiel, tapping, squeaking]
[Whooshing]
Kyle stands beside the tree and asks, DO YOU KNOW WHAT ROOTS DO, TAVISS?
Taviss replies, THEY BRING UP WATER AND NUTRIENTS.
Kyle says, EXACTLY. THEY BRING
NUTRIENTS AND WATER,
AND THEY DO THIS OTHER
REALLY IMPORTANT THING FOR TREES
WHICH IS KEEP THEM STABLE.
SO, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO NOW
IS TO DIAGNOSE THE TREE.
AND WHAT I'M LOOKING AT HERE--
YOU SEE HOW IT GOES FLAT
IN THE GROUND, KIND OF LIKE
A CARDBOARD TUBE?
Taviss says, YEP.
Text reads, girdling root.
[Chiming, gentle music plays]
Kyle says, THAT ACTUALLY IS A SIGN OF A GIRDLING ROOT.
SO A GIRDLING ROOT
IS WHEN YOU HAVE TWO ROOTS
THAT EVENTUALLY START TO GROW,
ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER,
AND THE ONE THAT GROWS ON TOP
ACTUALLY STARTS TO SUFFOCATE
THE LOWER ROOTS.
[Dinging]
Kyle says, IF THE ROOTS AREN'T HEALTHY,
THEY'RE NOT STABLE,
AND IF THEY'RE NOT STABLE,
THEN IT CAN BE HARD FOR THE TREE
TO REALLY GROW BIG AND TALL.
Taviss asks, SO HOW ARE WE GOING TO HELP IT?
Kyle explains, IF WE FIND A GIRDLING ROOT
GENERALLY, WHAT WE'LL DO
IS WE'LL DO SURGERY.
[Bell clanks]
Taviss narrates, SURGERY ON A TREE?
Kyle explains, SO WE'RE GOING TO GET A TOOL
CALLED AN AIR SPADE
THAT'S REALLY, REALLY LOUD
AND IT BLASTS ALL THE SOIL AWAY.
BUT BEFORE WE DO THAT,
WE NEED SOME SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
Taviss puts on a green uniform, safety glasses, and yellow protective earmuffs.
Taviss narrates, LOOK AT THIS TRENDY GEAR.
OKAY, FINE, IT'S ALL FOR SAFETY,
BUT I THINK IT LOOKS
PRETTY COOL. DON'T YOU THINK?
[Whooshing]
Standing by trees, Kyle also wears safety gear.
Kyle says, LOOKING GOOD, TAVI. LET'S GET READY TO MAKE SOME NOISE.
Taviss cheers, YAY!
Kyle says, ALL RIGHT, MASK UP.
Taviss and Kyle pull up masks and cover their noses and mouths.
Kyle turns on a large machine.
[Upbeat music continues, Engine rumbles loudly]
Kyle points the air spade at the tree roots and blows dirt away from the roots. Dirt rises and fills the air around the tree. Taviss waves her arms in front of her.
[Two short hisses, continuous hissing]
Kyle says, CHISEL. HAMMER.
Taviss gives Kyle the chisel and hammer.
Kyle says, PERFECT. OKAY, DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.
Taviss says, WE ARE GOING TO
CUT THE LITTLE ROOTS
SO THE BIG ROOTS
CAN OPEN UP AND BREATHE AGAIN.
Kyle says, EXACTLY. THIS ROOT RIGHT HERE,
THIS REALLY BIG ONE,
IS TAKING A TON OF NUTRIENTS
AND IS REALLY IMPORTANT
FOR THE STRUCTURE.
Kyle points to a thick root and a thinner root on top of the first one.
Kyle says, THIS ONE RIGHT HERE
IS BRINGING A LOT OF NUTRIENTS,
BUT IT'S ACTUALLY
HURTING THIS ROOT.
SO WE'RE GOING TO
TAKE IT OFF.
Kyle hits the chisel with the hammer and breaks the thinner root.
[Tapping, snapping]
Kyle says, OOH, LOOK AT THAT.
Kyle breaks the other side of the root.
[Tapping]
Taviss says, WHOA!
Kyle breaks smaller roots.
[Tapping, snapping]
Kyle says, THERE WE GO. YOU WANT TO TRY?
Taviss says, YEAH.
Kyle says, TAKE ONLY THE ROOTS THAT ARE GIRDLING.
Taviss taps on the chisel with the mallet.
[Tapping]
Taviss says, THAT'S A BIG ONE.
Kyle agrees, THAT'S A BIG ONE.
[Snapping]
Kyle says, YOU DID IT. GOOD JOB. NICE.
Taviss narrates, OKAY, THIS ARBORIST THING IS FUN. NEXT PATIENT, PLEASE.
On the property, Taviss and Kyle stand beside a birch tree with white bark.
Kyle says, OUR NEXT PATIENT IS THIS BIRCH RIGHT HERE.
Taviss asks, SO, WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT?
Kyle replies, SO, IT HAS WHAT WE CALL A CO-DOMINANT LEADER.
Text beside the trunk reads, Co-Dominant Leader.
[Whooshing]
Kyle explains, SO, THOSE ARE TWO
OR THREE OR FOUR TRUNKS
THAT HAVE GROWN REALLY CLOSE
TOGETHER AT THE BASE.
[Ding]
Taviss narrates, TWO TRUNKS? NOW, I'VE HEARD IT ALL.
[Upbeat music continues]
Kyle says, AND IT CAN CAUSE INSTABILITY.
THOSE CO-DOMINANT LEADERS
CAN LEAD TO ONE OF THE
PIECES OF THE TREE
FALLING ON THE HOUSE,
WHICH ISN'T GOOD.
AND SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO
IS WE'RE GOING TO GO UP
AND WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO
CABLE THEM TOGETHER,
AND THAT CABLE IS ACTUALLY
GOING TO HELP MAKE THE TREE
A LITTLE BIT MORE STABLE AND
HOPEFULLY SURVIVE MORE STORMS.
Taviss says, SO YOU HAVE TO CLIMB UP THE TREE TO DO THIS.
Kyle says, I DO, AND IT'S MY FAVOURITE PART OF THE JOB.
Kyle puts on a harness and, using an ascender, climbs a rope hanging over a tree branch.
[Rustling, upbeat music plays]
[Equipment rattling, clanking
Taviss asks, IS IT FUN?
Kyle says, VERY. THERE WE GO.
Kyle stands on tree branches.
[Leaves rustling]
Taviss says, YOU'RE REALLY HIGH UP. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET DOWN?
[Rustling]
Kyle jokes, VERY CAREFULLY.
Kyle uses the rope to descend to the ground.
[Thump, upbeat music continues]
Taviss says, THAT LOOKED AWESOME. COULD I TRY NOW?
Kyle says, SURE. I'LL GIVE YOU A QUICK LESSON.
Taviss and Kyle high-five.
[Hands slap]
On the property, further away from the house, Kyle throws the rope over the branch of a smaller tree.
[Whooshing, soft ambient music]
Taviss narrates, NO BIG DEAL. I'M GONNA CLIMB THIS TREE.
Kyle waits beside the tree. Taviss arrives wearing a harness and helmet.
Taviss says, CASUAL.
Kyle attaches Taviss’s harness to the rope.
[Click]
Kyle says, BEFORE YOU HEAD UP IN THE TREE, LET'S PRACTISE A LITTLE BIT. TAKE A COUPLE OF STEPS OFF THE GROUND. JUST LEAN BACK. MAKE SURE I GOT YOU.
Taviss climbs up a step ladder and leans back.
Kyle says, GOOD JOB.
Taviss swings in the air beside the ladder.
Both say, WHOO!
[Clinking]
Kyle says, OKAY.
Taviss says, SO FUN.
Kyle says, TAKE YOU ALL THE WAY DOWN. EXCELLENT. YOU READY TO GO? START WALKING UP THE LADDER.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a rock wearing a helmet rolls to a stop in front of a tree carrying a rope.
The rock says, JUST OFF TREE CLIMBING.
[Animated tree gasps, slide whistles]
The tree says, I'M HEADED ROCK CLIMBING.
[Both laughing, whooshing]
[Upbeat music plays, rope rustles, ladder clatters]
Taviss climbs up the ladder.
Kyle says, OKAY, I GOT YOU. AS YOU MOVE, I'M TAKING IN SOME SLACK SO THAT I'M KEEPING YOU SAFE.
Taviss says, WHOA.
Taviss leaves the top of the ladder and climbs up onto a tree branch.
Kyle says, YEAH, NOW YOU'RE IN THE TREE. EXCELLENT.
[Exciting music plays]
Kyle says, GREAT JOB. YEAH, BIG STEP.
Taviss says, IT'S A LITTLE BIT SCARY. MOSTLY FUN.
Kyle says, MOSTLY FUN. I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR TEN YEARS, AND IT'S STILL SCARY FOR ME SOMETIMES.
[Exciting music plays]
Taviss says, WHOA, I FEEL SO TALL.
[Kyle laughing]
Kyle says, YOU ARE. YEAH, YOU'RE PROBABLY ABOUT 20 FEET UP THERE RIGHT NOW. GREAT JOB.
Taviss asks, WELL, HOW DO I GET DOWN?
Kyle says, OKAY, SO, LEAN BACK.
YEAH, PUT YOUR WEIGHT IN,
USE YOUR FEET AND YOUR HANDS
TO KIND OF CONTROL YOURSELF
AS YOU COME DOWN.
Taviss holds parts of the tree as Kyle lowers her on the rope.
Taviss says, WHOA! THIS IS FUN.
Kyle says, OH, YEAH. SEE IF YOU CAN SPIN YOURSELF AROUND.
Taviss pushes off the tree trunk and spins.
Kyle cheers, WHOO!
Taviss cheers, WHOO-HOO!
Taviss reaches the ground beside Kyle.
Kyle says, GOOD JOB.
Taviss says, THAT WAS FUN.
Taviss and Kyle high-five.
[Hands slapping]
In live-action, a montage shows rocks in a desert, a giraffe, mist rising off a river, mountains, and blue water splashing against a shore. Text reads: Where in the World?
[Exciting percussive music plays]
Taviss narrates, ALL AROUND THE GLOBE, YOU WILL FIND THE WORLD'S BEST TREE CLIMBERS: ANIMALS! OBVIOUSLY.
A koala walks on a tree branch. On a savannah, a leopard leaps from a tree branch to a higher branch.
Taviss narrates,
THERE ARE CUTIE KOALAS
IN AUSTRALIA,
LEAPING LEOPARDS IN ZAMBIA,
REMARKABLE RED SQUIRRELS
IN FRANCE,
RED-EYED TREE FROGS
IN COSTA RICA,
ORANGUTANS IN BORNEO.
A red squirrel climbs a tree trunk. A red-eyed tree frog sits on a branch. An orangutan hangs off a leafy tree branch.
Taviss narrates, I COULD KEEP GOING,
BUT I THINK YOU GET THE PICTURE.
NATURE HAS THE ULTIMATE
TREE CLIMBERS.
A leopard climbs a tree.
[Whooshing]
Text reads, "Ebb and Flow Forest School." Text on the side of a yellow pickup truck reads, "Ironwood Arboricultural Solutions."
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, OUR LAST PATIENT
IS ON THE PROPERTY
OF EBB AND FLOW FOREST SCHOOL.
THEY CALLED THE DOCTORS
AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP.
Kyle holds a truck door open, and Taviss hops out. She wears her green safety uniform.
[Rustling, soft instrumental music plays]
Taviss asks, WHOA! WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS TREE?
Kyle says, REMEMBER HOW WE TALKED ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THE ROOTS ARE FOR GETTING NUTRIENTS TO THE TOP?
Taviss says, YEP.
Kyle says, BECAUSE SOME OF THE ROOTS
WERE DAMAGED ON THIS TREE,
IT'S HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING
ALL OF THE NUTRIENTS TO THE TOP
AND SO SOME OF THE BRANCHES
HAVE DIED.
An arborist wearing a safety vest is near the top of the tree. At the base of the tree, a second person holds a safety rope.
Kyle explains, OUR TEAM IS GOING TO TAKE
THOSE DEAD BRANCHES OUT SAFELY,
SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT
THEM FALLING ON ANYBODY'S HEAD.
In the tree, the arborist saws a branch.
[Sawing]
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a branch falls off the tree.
[Twanging, tree gasping]
A voice shouts, MY NOSE!
[Whining]
[Whooshing]
Kyle says, THIS JOB REQUIRES
A WHOLE SURGICAL TEAM TO DO IT.
WE NEED SOMEBODY ON THE GROUND
TO HELP CONTROL THE ROPE.
WE NEED SOMEBODY IN THE AIR—
Taviss looks up at the arborist.
[Record scratching]
Taviss narrates, HOLD UP.
THEY'RE NOT EVEN USING BRANCHES.
THAT'S SOME NEXT LEVEL
TREE CLIMBING.
The arborist dangles beneath a branch.
On the ground, Kyle says,
OFTENTIMES, YOU NEED SOMEONE
LIKE MYSELF WHO RUNS AROUND
AND TRIES TO HELP EVERYBODY
GET THEIR JOB DONE PROPERLY.
WHAT MY TEAM IS DOING RIGHT NOW
IS THEY'RE ACTUALLY CUTTING OUT
SOME OF THOSE DEAD PIECES
SO WE DON'T HAVE TO
WORRY ABOUT THEM FALLING OUT.
The arborist drops a branch. The person on the ground picks up the branch and moves it.
[Rustling]
Kyle says, AND WHEN YOU HAVE
A LOT OF DEAD PIECES,
SOMETIMES IT'S OKAY
TO CUT IT AND THROW IT,
AND OTHER TIMES YOU TAKE IT DOWN
ON A ROPE. WE CALL IT RIGGING.
WE'RE GOING TO RIG A PIECE DOWN
ON ROPE SO THAT IT COMES DOWN
REALLY CONTROLLED
AND REALLY SAFELY.
A branch is lowered on a rope.
[Rattling]
[Drumsticks beating time, Rock music plays]
Text reads, The Fun Factor.
In a forest with leaves scattered on the ground, Taviss stands on a fallen tree. A group of children stand on the ground behind her.
Taviss narrates, A FOREST
AND A BUNCH OF KIDS?
THERE'S ONLY ONE THING
TO DO HERE.
Taviss holds a video camera.
She says, WE'RE PLAYING A GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK TAG AND I'M IT. RUN, GUYS, RUN!
The children run into the forest. One crouches behind a tree stump, and a small child and an adult hide behind a wide tree.
[Excited chatter]
Taviss shouts, READY OR NOT, HERE I COME! I'M GONNA FIND YOU! I SEE SOMEONE. FOUND YOU.
Beside a fallen tree, Taviss tags a blond-haired boy wearing a bright red jacket. Taviss finds a boy behind a tree.
Taviss says, FOUND YOU.
Taviss whispers I FOUND SOMEONE ELSE.
Taviss tags the child behind the tree stump.
Taviss says, GOT YA.
[Whooshing]
Beside the tree, Taviss stands with Kyle.
[Soft calm music plays]
Taviss says, SEEMS LIKE BEING AN ARBORIST IS A REALLY COOL JOB.
Kyle says, IT'S GREAT.
I GET TO DEAL WITH BIOLOGY,
I GET TO DEAL WITH NATURE.
I USE SOME REALLY COOL TOOLS.
I LOVE IT. THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT
IS REALLY HARD FOR TREES.
BEING AN ARBORIST
GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY
TO REALLY KEEP THINGS BEAUTIFUL.
SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR COMING OUT TODAY, TAVISS.
I HAD A GREAT TIME.
Taviss says, ME TOO.
Tavis high-fives Kyle.
[Hands slapping]
[Whooshing]
[Inspiring music plays]
A flashback shows the girdling root. A second flashback shows the arborist at the top of the tall tree. In another flashback, Taviss holds the mallet. She watches Kyle blow dirt away from the roots.
Taviss narrates, ARBORISTS TREAT TREES
FROM THEIR ROOTS
RIGHT UP TO THEIR LEAVES.
THEY HAVE ALL SORTS OF
DIFFERENT WAYS TO TELL
IF A TREE IS SICK AND HAVE
MANY DIFFERENT TREATMENTS
FOR THE DIFFERENT ILLNESSES.
In a flashback, Taviss uses the mallet and chisel to break a girdling root.
[Hissing, tapping]
Taviss narrates, THEY ALSO DO A LOT OF CLIMBING. I STILL NEED A BIT OF PRACTICE.
In a flashback, Kyle holds the rope and lowers Taviss from the tree.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates,
LUCKY FOR TREES,
ARBORISTS ARE THERE
TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEM.
Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT.
ARBORISTS ARE
AWESOME TREE DOCTORS.
[Inspiring music plays]
Text reads, Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.
End credits: Directed by Melissa Chang. Created by Melissa Peter, Raj Panikkar, and Christopher Szarka. Written by Celest Koon. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Kyle McLoughlin. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
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