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Transcript: Arborist
A child says, WEE!
T.V.O. Kids and Riverbank Pictures Original.
[Child giggles, upbeat music plays, pop]
Text reads, “T.V.O. Kids presents.”
[Energetic music plays]
Akeylah and Brody stand in front of a screen showing a sparking blowtorch. Akeylah wears a dark grey tunic, and her short black hair is tightly braided. Brody’s dark brown hair is short, and he wears a light brown shirt and grey pants.
Akeylah and Brody say, WELCOME TO TRADING SKILLS!
Akeylah says, THE SHOW WHERE WE TAKE TURNS TRYING A SKILLED TRADE. I'M AKEYLAH.
Brody says, AND I'M BRODY.
Video footage shows a welder and a mechanic.
Akeylah says, A SKILLED TRADE IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES A SPECIAL SKILL.
Akeylah and Brody say, THERE ARE LOTS OF SKILL TRADES.
Brody says, AND YOU MIGHT FIND THE PERFECT TRADE FOR YOU.
Akeylah says, MAYBE THERE'S A TRADE THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
[Whooshing]
Brody says, SO COME WITH US INTO THE TRADES ON TRADING SKILLS.
Title: Trading Skills.
[Soothing music plays]
In the Skill Space, Akeylah and Brody stare at an evergreen branch dangling in front of their workbench.
Akeylah says, OH, HEY FRIENDS. BRODY AND I HAVE A TREE-RELATED PROBLEM.
Brody says, OUR FAVOURITE TREE OVER HERE HAS REALLY BEEN BRANCHING OUT LATELY.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah says, BUT IT'S NOT JUST BRANCHING OUT, IT'S BRANCHING IN. INSIDE THE SKILL SPACE THAT IS.
[Boinging]
Brody says, I'M HAPPY FOR THE TREE'S PROGRESS, BUT IT'S INTERFERING WITH OUR PROGRESS. IN A WORD, WE'RE STUMPED.
Anna says, I THINK YOU SHOULD SEE AN ARBORIST.
Brody says, HI ANNA. WHAT IS THIS ARBORIST YOU SPEAK OF?
Anna says, AN ARBORIST IS A TRADESPERSON WHO KNOWS ABOUT AND CARES FOR TREES. MY FRIEND JAMES IS AN ARBORIST. IF YOU GO SEE HIM, I BET HE COULD TEACH YOU HOW TO DEAL WITH TREE PARTS, LIKE THIS BIG OLD BRANCH THAT'S BOGGING YOU DOWN.
[Popping, upbeat music continues]
In video footage, James Houghton, the arborist, turns off his chainsaw and lifts his safety visor.
Akeylah says, A TRADE FOR TREES? THIS ONE'S FOR ME. BE BACK SOON.
Anna says, SEE YA.
Akeylah leaves.
Brody says, I GUESS YOU'RE GONNA MAKE LIKE A TREE AND LEAF...OH, YOUR GONE.
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Birds chirping, upbeat music plays]
Outside, Akeylah walks on a path surrounded by grass and trees. She holds up a hand-drawn map. The map features the red letter X beneath a big willow tree. Text reads, “Meet Here.”
Akeylah narrates, I SET OUT TO LOOK FOR JAMES THE ARBORIST AT HIS OFFICE, AND BY OFFICE, I MEAN THE COLLINGWOOD ARBORETUM. LUCKILY, I WAS PREPARED AND HAD HIS COORDINATES HANDY.
Akeylah says, JAMES? JAMES! HE'S SAID TO MEET HIM RIGHT...
[Slide whistle, rattling]
James, wearing a harness, drops from the tree on a rope. He wears an orange helmet with a visor, orange pants and a T-shirt.
Akeylah continues, HERE!
James says, HEY AKEYLAH!
Akeylah says, WAY TO LAND THE ENTRANCE JAMES!
They fist-bump.
James says, WELL, AS AN ARBORIST, I COULDN'T RESIST.
Akeylah says, ABOUT THAT. DO ARBORISTS CLIMB TREES FOR A LIVING?
Video footage shows James and Akeylah pruning a tree, and later, James cuts a branch off another tree.
[Chainsaw buzzing]
James says, WE DO CLIMB TREES FOR A LIVING, WHICH CAN BRING YOU TO GREAT HEIGHTS. WE PRUNE TREES TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE HEALTHY. WE IMPROVE THE SOIL HEALTH BY ADDING MULCH. AND SOMETIMES, WHEN NECESSARY, WE HAVE TO REMOVE TREES.
Akeylah says, GOT IT. SO HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
James says, WELL, LET ME SHOW YOU.
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Upbeat music plays]
James and Akeylah walk to a table with a helmet, gloves, a harness, a bright orange and yellow safety vest, and safety glasses.
James says, SO AKEYLAH, THIS IS ALL OF THE SAFETY GEAR WE NEED TO BE AN ARBORIST SO THAT YOU DON'T HURT YOURSELF, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE YOU WHEN YOU'RE WORKING, AND TO LOOK REALLY COOL.
Akeylah says, WELL, I WANT TO LOOK REALLY COOL. WHAT'S FIRST?
James says, FIRST THINGS FIRST A HIGH-VIS SAFETY VEST.
[Fast forwarding whirr]
Akeylah puts on the safety vest.
Akeylah says, YOU CAN'T MISS ME NOW.
James says, SURE CAN'T. YOU AREN'T READY FOR ANY JOB SITE WITHOUT A HELMET.
Akeylah says, OKAY.
[Creaking, popping]
Akeylah puts on the helmet. James helps her put on the body harness. Text reads, “Body Harness.”
Akeylah narrates, NEXT UP IN THE COOL COLLECTION WAS THE HARNESS.
James says, SO, ALL THAT'S LEFT IS GLOVES FOR YOUR HANDS AND GLASSES TO PROTECT YOUR EYES.
Akeylah puts on the gloves and safety glasses.
Akeylah says, ALL RIGHT JAMES. I'M FEELING READY, BUT I HAVE TO ASK WHO ARE THEY?
[Whooshing]
Akeylah points at three arborists dressed in bright orange shirts, helmets, and grey pants. One stands on a ladder.
James says, WELL, THOSE ARE MY FELLOW ARBORISTS. YOU SHOULD NEVER WORK IN THIS TRADE ALONE, AND IT'S GREAT BEING PART OF A TEAM.
Akeylah waves and says, WELL, I'M DEFINITELY A TEAM PLAYER. HEY ARBORISTS.
[Whooshing]
The three arborists say, HEY AKEYLAH.
[Whooshing]
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Upbeat music plays]
James and Akeylah walk to a tree.
James says, WELL, TIME FOR A PRUNING LESSON.
Akeylah asks, WHAT IS PRUNING?
James says, WELL, PRUNING IS WHEN YOU TAKE PARTS OF THE TREE OFF WITHOUT REMOVING THE WHOLE TREE. SO, IT'S LIKE TAKING LITTLE BITS OF IT. THERE'S TONNES OF REASONS WHY YOU PRUNE A TREE. THERE CAN BE BROKEN BRANCHES AND AERIAL HAZARDS THAT NEED TO BE REMOVED. THERE'S INSECT AND ANIMAL DAMAGE. THERE'S FUNGAL DAMAGE. I COULD GO ON AND ON.
Akeylah says, SO, SHOULD WE SPRUCE THIS ONE UP?
James says, GOOD ONE. BUT THIS IS A HONEY LOCUST.
[Drum rimshot plays]
Akeylah says, OH.
James says, SO, BEFORE WE CAN PRUNE THE TREE, WE GOTTA GET INTO IT FIRST. THIS IS A THROW LINE.
James holds a string with a bean bag on the end.
James says, WE TAKE THIS BEAN BAG AND THIS STRING, THROW IT ALL THE WAY UP INTO THE CANOPY, AND THAT'S HOW WE SET THE CLIMBING ROPE SO THAT THE CLIMBERS CAN GET IN. THINK YOU CAN HANDLE THAT?
Akeylah says, THAT'S A CINCH. STEP ASIDE, PARTNER.
[Western music plays, whooshing]
Akeylah puts a cowboy hat on her helmet. She swings the throw line over her head and throws it. The beanbag bounces at the bottom of the trunk.
Akeylah says, HUH. I REALLY THOUGHT THAT WOULD WORK.
[Upbeat music plays]
James picks up a pole as tall as Akeylah with a sling shot on the end.
James says, IT'S HARDER THAN IT LOOKS. FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE A TOOL FOR THAT. THIS IS THE BIG SHOT.
Akeylah says, SO BASICALLY A BIG SLING SHOT?
James says, YOU GOT IT. SO PUT THE BEAN BAG IN HERE.
Akeylah says, BEAN BAG SECURED.
James says, NOW WE CROUCH DOWN AND THEN WE SEE WHERE WE WANT TO SHOOT INTO.
James and Akeylah crouch behind the Big shot.
Akeylah says, HMM. THERE.
James says, LET'S PULL IT DOWN TOGETHER. AND FIRE.
[Rustling, chiming]
Akeylah and James shoot the throw line into the tree canopy, and it hangs over a branch.
Akeylah says, YES! WE'RE IN!
[Hands slapping]
Akeylah and James high-five.
Akeylah narrates, JAMES BROUGHT HIS TEAMMATE MAX IN TO HELP SET THE LINE, USING THE BEAN BAG TO PULL THE CLIMBING ROPES UP INTO THE TREE.
[Beeping, upbeat music plays]
Max threads a rope through a metal ring and uses the throw line to pull the climbing ropes into the tree.
James says, WOW! NICE JOB SETTING THE LINE. MAX IS GONNA CLIMB IT NOW.
[Clicking]
Max waves and climbs the rope.
James explains, WHAT HE'S DOING RIGHT NOW IS HEAVING HIMSELF UP, SO WHEN YOU PULL ONE END OF THE ROPE, IT PULLS THE OTHER END THROUGH, HOISTING YOU UP.
Akeylah asks, HOW HIGH UP IS HE GONNA GO?
James says, HE'LL GO AS HIGH AS HE NEEDS TO, TO MAKE THE RIGHT PRUNING CUT. ONCE HE GETS UP TO A CERTAIN SPOT, HE CAN START CLIMBING THE BRANCHES TOO. NOW, MAX IS USING A ROPE TO POSITION HIMSELF TO MAKE A CUT.
[Saw scraping, branch cracking]
Max saws off a branch.
Akeylah shouts, LOOK OUT BELOW!
[Rustling, harness clinking]
The branch falls on the grass, and Akeylah and James walk to it.
Akeylah says, YES! LOOKS LIKE WE GOT OURSELVES A BIG ONE.
James says, WELL, WE CAN'T LEAVE THIS HERE, WHICH MEANS IT'S THE NEXT STEP, PROCESSING THE WOOD. WANT TO GIVE ME A HAND?
Akeylah says, YES.
[Rustling, upbeat music plays]
Akeylah and James pick up the branch.
James asks, ALL CLEAR, MAX?
Akeylah says, YEAH, QUIT HANGING AROUND.
[Jangling, squeaking, banging, upbeat music plays]
James puts the branch down by a woodchipper and lowers a panel in the feed tray. Text reads, “Wood Chipper.”
James says, THIS, AKEYLAH, IS A WOODCHIPPER. THE BRANCHES GO IN THROUGH HERE, AND THESE WHEELS WILL PULL THE BRANCHES IN, AND THEY'LL FIRE RIGHT INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK.
Akeylah asks, SO, WHY ARE WE CHIPPING THIS BRANCH?
James says, WE'VE CHIPPED THIS BRANCH TO GET RID OF THE WASTE, FIRST AND FOREMOST, BUT ALSO IT RECYCLES BITS OF THE TREE INTO THINGS WE CAN PUT INTO PEOPLE'S GARDENS AND PLANT AROUND OTHER TREES TO ENRICH THE SOIL. COVER YOUR EARS AND STAND BACK!
Akeylah says, GOT IT!
James says, HIT IT, MAX!
[Whirring, grinding]
Max pushes a button, and the branch slides into the woodchipper. Small pieces fly out of the discharge spout and land in a truck.
Akeylah and James cover their ears. Akeylah gives a thumbs-up.
[Whooshing]
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Upbeat music plays, James sighing, banging]
Akeylah and James sit on a park bench and take off their helmets.
Akeylah narrates, IT WAS TIME TO TAKE A LOAD OFF AND BRANCH OUT INTO SOME NEW TOPICS.
Akeylah says, JAMES, THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE. BUT WHAT I'M WONDERING IS, HOW DID YOUR ARBORIST JOURNEY BEGIN?
James replies, FUNNY ENOUGH, TEN YEARS AGO I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT AN ARBORIST WAS. MY HAIRDRESSER OF ALL PEOPLE TOLD ME ABOUT A JOB WHERE YOU COULD GET PAID TO CLIMB TREES ALL DAY. I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE BEST IDEA EVER. PLUS, I'VE ALWAYS LOVED BEING OUTSIDE AND BEING IN NATURE. AND IF I CAN HELP OUT THE ENVIRONMENT, WELL, IT'S ALL THE BETTER.
Akeylah asks, DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?
James replies, WELL, LIKE MOST OTHER TRADES, YOU GET SPONSORED TO GO TO SCHOOL. SO, IT'S PART OF AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. YOU WORK FOR THE COMPANY FOR A LITTLE WHILE, AND THEY SPONSOR YOU TO GO TO SCHOOL SO YOU CAN LEARN THE TRADE FROM PROFESSIONALS. AND YOU BECOME A TRADESPERSON, IN MY CASE, AN ARBORIST.
Akeylah asks, WHAT CAN A YOUNG PERSON DO TO BECOME AN ARBORIST?
James replies, VISIT YOUR LOCAL ARBORETUM. YOU MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING. IN FACT, ALL OF THE TREES HERE ARE MARKED WITH BOTH THE COMMON AND LATIN NAMES.
Akeylah asks, WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING AN ARBORIST?
James replies, WELL, I CAN'T LIE. THE CLIMBING IS A LOT OF FUN. BUT FOR ME, IT'S ALSO ABOUT CARING FOR THE TREES. THEY GIVE A LOT BACK TO US, SO IT'S NICE THAT I CAN GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THEM.
Akeylah says, I COULD DEFINITELY GET USED TO WORKING OUTSIDE.
[Both inhaling deeply, whooshing]
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah stands in front of a small tree, holding large and small pruning shears. Text reads, “Pruning shears.”
Akeylah narrates, I WAS READY FOR SOME PRECISE PRUNING, AND WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH A MONSTER TREE, YOU NEED THE RIGHT CUTTER.
Akeylah says, HEY, YOU GOTTA START SMALL. AND LITTLE TREES NEED PRUNING TOO.
Akeylah gives James the smaller pruning shears.
James says, YOU BETCHA. LET'S GET PRUNING.
[Branches rustling]
Akeylah cuts a small branch off the tree.
James says, SQUEEZE! YOU GOT IT! THIS PART?
[Fast forwarding whirr]
Akeylah and James prune the tree. They gather the fallen branches, put them to one side, and then look at the tree.
James says, AND SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA LOOK BACK. GREAT JOB, AKEYLAH.
[Hands slapping]
They high-five.
Akeylah says, THANKS, JAMES.
Akeylah asks, WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?
The three arborists cheer, WHOO! AKEYLAH! IT'S AMAZING!
Akeylah says, THANKS, ARBORISTS.
[Whooshing]
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah sits beside a tree stump and counts the rings.
Akeylah says, 77, 78, 79...HEY! DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN TELL HOW OLD THE TREE IS BY HOW MANY RINGS IT HAS IN ITS TRUNK? IT MAKES YOU WONDER HOW LONG ARBORISTS HAVE BEEN AROUND TAKING CARE OF TREES. LET'S COUNT THROUGH THE RINGS OF ARBOURA CULTURE TOGETHER AND FIND OUT. I LOST MY SPOT. ONE...
[Mellow music plays]
A black-and-white video shows Brody watering a plant. He wears a circle of laurel leaves around his head and a sash.
Akeylah narrates, ARBOURA CULTURE IS AN ANCIENT ART. FROM WATERING SYSTEMS IN EGYPT, PRUNING TECHNIQUES IN ROME, AND NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GROUPS, WHO PROTECTED FORESTS AND USED THEM FOR RESOURCES.
A black-and-white video shows Brody wafting away a bad smell. He sets a small leafy tree down.
Akeylah narrates, WITH THE EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE NEED FOR GREEN SPACES, LIKE PARKS, GREW IN URBAN SPACES.
[Upbeat music plays]
Video footage shows Brody giving out pictures of trees. He puts on a hard hat and hugs a tree.
Akeylah narrates, IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, ARBORISTS BECAME A PROFESSION AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE ONTARIO FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, FOUNDED IN 1907, PROMOTED THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANTING TREES ACROSS THE PROVINCE. IN OUR MODERN AGE, ARBORISTS ARE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO CARE FOR TREES, BUT ALSO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN FOREST CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES.
[Upbeat music plays]
James and Akeylah walk to a tall ash tree.
Akeylah narrates, TO FINISH OUR DAY, JAMES AND I DID A HOUSE CALL.
James says, AKEYLAH, IT'S TIME TO FELL THIS TREE, WHICH MEANS REMOVING IT.
Akeylah asks, WHY DO WE HAVE TO FELL THIS TREE?
James replies, UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ASH WAS INFECTED WITH AN INVASIVE SPECIES. SO, THE BEETLES BORE INTO THE TRUNK AND EAT ALL OF THE LIVE TISSUE, AND THEN THE TREE DIES.
Akeylah asks, HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO IT?
James replies, WE USE THE CHAINSAW, AND WE CUT A NOTCH IN THE FRONT, AND THAT'S GOING TO HELP WITH THE DIRECTION. AND THEN WE USE THE CHAINSAW TO CUT THROUGH THE BACK, AND IT ACTS AS A HINGE, MAKING SURE THAT THE TREE FALLS, BUT IT'S GOING TO NEED SOME HELP. THE ROPE GOES ALL THE WAY UP AND OUT, AND SOMEONE HAS TO PULL IT OVER. I THINK IT SHOULD BE YOU.
Akeylah says, ALL RIGHT!
James gives Akeylah a rope, and she walks away from the tree.
James says, HERE'S YOUR ROPE. NOW, START WALKING. BACK UP FURTHER AND FURTHER AND FURTHER AND STOP!
[Chainsaw buzzing]
James cuts the notch in the front of the tree and then cuts the back. He points to Akeylah, and she pulls the rope.
Akeylah shouts, TIMBER!
[Rustling, thumping, cheering]
The tree falls to the ground.
Akeylah says, THAT WAS AMAZING!
James says, THANKS AKEYLAH! COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.
Akeylah says, OH, IT WAS NOTHING.
[Hands slapping]
They high-five.
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Upbeat music plays]
In the Skill Space, Akeylah and Brody wear helmets and safety glasses. Akeylah stands on the second floor and Brody stands on the first floor. Both hold ropes attached to the evergreen branch.
Akeylah says, OKAY, DOWN SHE COMES.
Brody says, ALL RIGHT, A BIT LOWER. COME ON. LOWER, LOWER. A BIT TO THE RIGHT. BIT TO THE RIGHT. AND WE...
[Thumping]
The branch lands, and the end hits the side of a shelving unit.
Brody says, WE HAVE LANDED!
Akeylah says, YES. THANKS TO JAMES THE ARBORIST. WE FOUND A SOLUTION THAT WORKS FOR BOTH US AND THE TREE.
Brody says, TUNE IN NEXT TIME TO SEE IF YOU CAN FIND THE TRADE THAT TAKES YOU TO THE TOP.
Akeylah and Brody wave.
Akeylah says, TREE YOU LATER.
Brody says, SEE YOU LATER. ALL RIGHT. NOW LET'S TURN THIS INTO MULCH.
[Upbeat music plays]
End credits. Hosts: Akeylah James, Brody Agmon. Co-host: Anna Paul. Tradesperson: James Houghton. Written and directed by Emma Fox. Produced by Francis Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell, David Mitchell. Co-producers: Emma Fox, Anthony Gullace. Executive producers: Richard Bergmann, Thomas Kritsch. Music by: Joseph Shabason, Christine Bougie. Special thanks to Max Stiefeling, Arboreal Tree Care, Tobias Effinger, Collingwood Arboretum, Barb Collison. Produced in association with T.V.O. Kids. Executive producer, T.V.O.: Kirsten Hurd. Production executive, T.V.O.: Austin Guervara Mastretta. Riverbank Pictures. Copyright 2024 Riverbank Pictures.
T.V.O. Kids and Riverbank Pictures Original.
[Child giggles, upbeat music plays, pop]
Text reads, “T.V.O. Kids presents.”
[Energetic music plays]
Akeylah and Brody stand in front of a screen showing a sparking blowtorch. Akeylah wears a dark grey tunic, and her short black hair is tightly braided. Brody’s dark brown hair is short, and he wears a light brown shirt and grey pants.
Akeylah and Brody say, WELCOME TO TRADING SKILLS!
Akeylah says, THE SHOW WHERE WE TAKE TURNS TRYING A SKILLED TRADE. I'M AKEYLAH.
Brody says, AND I'M BRODY.
Video footage shows a welder and a mechanic.
Akeylah says, A SKILLED TRADE IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES A SPECIAL SKILL.
Akeylah and Brody say, THERE ARE LOTS OF SKILL TRADES.
Brody says, AND YOU MIGHT FIND THE PERFECT TRADE FOR YOU.
Akeylah says, MAYBE THERE'S A TRADE THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
[Whooshing]
Brody says, SO COME WITH US INTO THE TRADES ON TRADING SKILLS.
Title: Trading Skills.
[Soothing music plays]
In the Skill Space, Akeylah and Brody stare at an evergreen branch dangling in front of their workbench.
Akeylah says, OH, HEY FRIENDS. BRODY AND I HAVE A TREE-RELATED PROBLEM.
Brody says, OUR FAVOURITE TREE OVER HERE HAS REALLY BEEN BRANCHING OUT LATELY.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah says, BUT IT'S NOT JUST BRANCHING OUT, IT'S BRANCHING IN. INSIDE THE SKILL SPACE THAT IS.
[Boinging]
Brody says, I'M HAPPY FOR THE TREE'S PROGRESS, BUT IT'S INTERFERING WITH OUR PROGRESS. IN A WORD, WE'RE STUMPED.
Anna says, I THINK YOU SHOULD SEE AN ARBORIST.
Brody says, HI ANNA. WHAT IS THIS ARBORIST YOU SPEAK OF?
Anna says, AN ARBORIST IS A TRADESPERSON WHO KNOWS ABOUT AND CARES FOR TREES. MY FRIEND JAMES IS AN ARBORIST. IF YOU GO SEE HIM, I BET HE COULD TEACH YOU HOW TO DEAL WITH TREE PARTS, LIKE THIS BIG OLD BRANCH THAT'S BOGGING YOU DOWN.
[Popping, upbeat music continues]
In video footage, James Houghton, the arborist, turns off his chainsaw and lifts his safety visor.
Akeylah says, A TRADE FOR TREES? THIS ONE'S FOR ME. BE BACK SOON.
Anna says, SEE YA.
Akeylah leaves.
Brody says, I GUESS YOU'RE GONNA MAKE LIKE A TREE AND LEAF...OH, YOUR GONE.
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Birds chirping, upbeat music plays]
Outside, Akeylah walks on a path surrounded by grass and trees. She holds up a hand-drawn map. The map features the red letter X beneath a big willow tree. Text reads, “Meet Here.”
Akeylah narrates, I SET OUT TO LOOK FOR JAMES THE ARBORIST AT HIS OFFICE, AND BY OFFICE, I MEAN THE COLLINGWOOD ARBORETUM. LUCKILY, I WAS PREPARED AND HAD HIS COORDINATES HANDY.
Akeylah says, JAMES? JAMES! HE'S SAID TO MEET HIM RIGHT...
[Slide whistle, rattling]
James, wearing a harness, drops from the tree on a rope. He wears an orange helmet with a visor, orange pants and a T-shirt.
Akeylah continues, HERE!
James says, HEY AKEYLAH!
Akeylah says, WAY TO LAND THE ENTRANCE JAMES!
They fist-bump.
James says, WELL, AS AN ARBORIST, I COULDN'T RESIST.
Akeylah says, ABOUT THAT. DO ARBORISTS CLIMB TREES FOR A LIVING?
Video footage shows James and Akeylah pruning a tree, and later, James cuts a branch off another tree.
[Chainsaw buzzing]
James says, WE DO CLIMB TREES FOR A LIVING, WHICH CAN BRING YOU TO GREAT HEIGHTS. WE PRUNE TREES TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE HEALTHY. WE IMPROVE THE SOIL HEALTH BY ADDING MULCH. AND SOMETIMES, WHEN NECESSARY, WE HAVE TO REMOVE TREES.
Akeylah says, GOT IT. SO HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
James says, WELL, LET ME SHOW YOU.
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Upbeat music plays]
James and Akeylah walk to a table with a helmet, gloves, a harness, a bright orange and yellow safety vest, and safety glasses.
James says, SO AKEYLAH, THIS IS ALL OF THE SAFETY GEAR WE NEED TO BE AN ARBORIST SO THAT YOU DON'T HURT YOURSELF, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE YOU WHEN YOU'RE WORKING, AND TO LOOK REALLY COOL.
Akeylah says, WELL, I WANT TO LOOK REALLY COOL. WHAT'S FIRST?
James says, FIRST THINGS FIRST A HIGH-VIS SAFETY VEST.
[Fast forwarding whirr]
Akeylah puts on the safety vest.
Akeylah says, YOU CAN'T MISS ME NOW.
James says, SURE CAN'T. YOU AREN'T READY FOR ANY JOB SITE WITHOUT A HELMET.
Akeylah says, OKAY.
[Creaking, popping]
Akeylah puts on the helmet. James helps her put on the body harness. Text reads, “Body Harness.”
Akeylah narrates, NEXT UP IN THE COOL COLLECTION WAS THE HARNESS.
James says, SO, ALL THAT'S LEFT IS GLOVES FOR YOUR HANDS AND GLASSES TO PROTECT YOUR EYES.
Akeylah puts on the gloves and safety glasses.
Akeylah says, ALL RIGHT JAMES. I'M FEELING READY, BUT I HAVE TO ASK WHO ARE THEY?
[Whooshing]
Akeylah points at three arborists dressed in bright orange shirts, helmets, and grey pants. One stands on a ladder.
James says, WELL, THOSE ARE MY FELLOW ARBORISTS. YOU SHOULD NEVER WORK IN THIS TRADE ALONE, AND IT'S GREAT BEING PART OF A TEAM.
Akeylah waves and says, WELL, I'M DEFINITELY A TEAM PLAYER. HEY ARBORISTS.
[Whooshing]
The three arborists say, HEY AKEYLAH.
[Whooshing]
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Upbeat music plays]
James and Akeylah walk to a tree.
James says, WELL, TIME FOR A PRUNING LESSON.
Akeylah asks, WHAT IS PRUNING?
James says, WELL, PRUNING IS WHEN YOU TAKE PARTS OF THE TREE OFF WITHOUT REMOVING THE WHOLE TREE. SO, IT'S LIKE TAKING LITTLE BITS OF IT. THERE'S TONNES OF REASONS WHY YOU PRUNE A TREE. THERE CAN BE BROKEN BRANCHES AND AERIAL HAZARDS THAT NEED TO BE REMOVED. THERE'S INSECT AND ANIMAL DAMAGE. THERE'S FUNGAL DAMAGE. I COULD GO ON AND ON.
Akeylah says, SO, SHOULD WE SPRUCE THIS ONE UP?
James says, GOOD ONE. BUT THIS IS A HONEY LOCUST.
[Drum rimshot plays]
Akeylah says, OH.
James says, SO, BEFORE WE CAN PRUNE THE TREE, WE GOTTA GET INTO IT FIRST. THIS IS A THROW LINE.
James holds a string with a bean bag on the end.
James says, WE TAKE THIS BEAN BAG AND THIS STRING, THROW IT ALL THE WAY UP INTO THE CANOPY, AND THAT'S HOW WE SET THE CLIMBING ROPE SO THAT THE CLIMBERS CAN GET IN. THINK YOU CAN HANDLE THAT?
Akeylah says, THAT'S A CINCH. STEP ASIDE, PARTNER.
[Western music plays, whooshing]
Akeylah puts a cowboy hat on her helmet. She swings the throw line over her head and throws it. The beanbag bounces at the bottom of the trunk.
Akeylah says, HUH. I REALLY THOUGHT THAT WOULD WORK.
[Upbeat music plays]
James picks up a pole as tall as Akeylah with a sling shot on the end.
James says, IT'S HARDER THAN IT LOOKS. FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE A TOOL FOR THAT. THIS IS THE BIG SHOT.
Akeylah says, SO BASICALLY A BIG SLING SHOT?
James says, YOU GOT IT. SO PUT THE BEAN BAG IN HERE.
Akeylah says, BEAN BAG SECURED.
James says, NOW WE CROUCH DOWN AND THEN WE SEE WHERE WE WANT TO SHOOT INTO.
James and Akeylah crouch behind the Big shot.
Akeylah says, HMM. THERE.
James says, LET'S PULL IT DOWN TOGETHER. AND FIRE.
[Rustling, chiming]
Akeylah and James shoot the throw line into the tree canopy, and it hangs over a branch.
Akeylah says, YES! WE'RE IN!
[Hands slapping]
Akeylah and James high-five.
Akeylah narrates, JAMES BROUGHT HIS TEAMMATE MAX IN TO HELP SET THE LINE, USING THE BEAN BAG TO PULL THE CLIMBING ROPES UP INTO THE TREE.
[Beeping, upbeat music plays]
Max threads a rope through a metal ring and uses the throw line to pull the climbing ropes into the tree.
James says, WOW! NICE JOB SETTING THE LINE. MAX IS GONNA CLIMB IT NOW.
[Clicking]
Max waves and climbs the rope.
James explains, WHAT HE'S DOING RIGHT NOW IS HEAVING HIMSELF UP, SO WHEN YOU PULL ONE END OF THE ROPE, IT PULLS THE OTHER END THROUGH, HOISTING YOU UP.
Akeylah asks, HOW HIGH UP IS HE GONNA GO?
James says, HE'LL GO AS HIGH AS HE NEEDS TO, TO MAKE THE RIGHT PRUNING CUT. ONCE HE GETS UP TO A CERTAIN SPOT, HE CAN START CLIMBING THE BRANCHES TOO. NOW, MAX IS USING A ROPE TO POSITION HIMSELF TO MAKE A CUT.
[Saw scraping, branch cracking]
Max saws off a branch.
Akeylah shouts, LOOK OUT BELOW!
[Rustling, harness clinking]
The branch falls on the grass, and Akeylah and James walk to it.
Akeylah says, YES! LOOKS LIKE WE GOT OURSELVES A BIG ONE.
James says, WELL, WE CAN'T LEAVE THIS HERE, WHICH MEANS IT'S THE NEXT STEP, PROCESSING THE WOOD. WANT TO GIVE ME A HAND?
Akeylah says, YES.
[Rustling, upbeat music plays]
Akeylah and James pick up the branch.
James asks, ALL CLEAR, MAX?
Akeylah says, YEAH, QUIT HANGING AROUND.
[Jangling, squeaking, banging, upbeat music plays]
James puts the branch down by a woodchipper and lowers a panel in the feed tray. Text reads, “Wood Chipper.”
James says, THIS, AKEYLAH, IS A WOODCHIPPER. THE BRANCHES GO IN THROUGH HERE, AND THESE WHEELS WILL PULL THE BRANCHES IN, AND THEY'LL FIRE RIGHT INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK.
Akeylah asks, SO, WHY ARE WE CHIPPING THIS BRANCH?
James says, WE'VE CHIPPED THIS BRANCH TO GET RID OF THE WASTE, FIRST AND FOREMOST, BUT ALSO IT RECYCLES BITS OF THE TREE INTO THINGS WE CAN PUT INTO PEOPLE'S GARDENS AND PLANT AROUND OTHER TREES TO ENRICH THE SOIL. COVER YOUR EARS AND STAND BACK!
Akeylah says, GOT IT!
James says, HIT IT, MAX!
[Whirring, grinding]
Max pushes a button, and the branch slides into the woodchipper. Small pieces fly out of the discharge spout and land in a truck.
Akeylah and James cover their ears. Akeylah gives a thumbs-up.
[Whooshing]
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Upbeat music plays, James sighing, banging]
Akeylah and James sit on a park bench and take off their helmets.
Akeylah narrates, IT WAS TIME TO TAKE A LOAD OFF AND BRANCH OUT INTO SOME NEW TOPICS.
Akeylah says, JAMES, THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE. BUT WHAT I'M WONDERING IS, HOW DID YOUR ARBORIST JOURNEY BEGIN?
James replies, FUNNY ENOUGH, TEN YEARS AGO I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT AN ARBORIST WAS. MY HAIRDRESSER OF ALL PEOPLE TOLD ME ABOUT A JOB WHERE YOU COULD GET PAID TO CLIMB TREES ALL DAY. I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE BEST IDEA EVER. PLUS, I'VE ALWAYS LOVED BEING OUTSIDE AND BEING IN NATURE. AND IF I CAN HELP OUT THE ENVIRONMENT, WELL, IT'S ALL THE BETTER.
Akeylah asks, DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?
James replies, WELL, LIKE MOST OTHER TRADES, YOU GET SPONSORED TO GO TO SCHOOL. SO, IT'S PART OF AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. YOU WORK FOR THE COMPANY FOR A LITTLE WHILE, AND THEY SPONSOR YOU TO GO TO SCHOOL SO YOU CAN LEARN THE TRADE FROM PROFESSIONALS. AND YOU BECOME A TRADESPERSON, IN MY CASE, AN ARBORIST.
Akeylah asks, WHAT CAN A YOUNG PERSON DO TO BECOME AN ARBORIST?
James replies, VISIT YOUR LOCAL ARBORETUM. YOU MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING. IN FACT, ALL OF THE TREES HERE ARE MARKED WITH BOTH THE COMMON AND LATIN NAMES.
Akeylah asks, WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING AN ARBORIST?
James replies, WELL, I CAN'T LIE. THE CLIMBING IS A LOT OF FUN. BUT FOR ME, IT'S ALSO ABOUT CARING FOR THE TREES. THEY GIVE A LOT BACK TO US, SO IT'S NICE THAT I CAN GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THEM.
Akeylah says, I COULD DEFINITELY GET USED TO WORKING OUTSIDE.
[Both inhaling deeply, whooshing]
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah stands in front of a small tree, holding large and small pruning shears. Text reads, “Pruning shears.”
Akeylah narrates, I WAS READY FOR SOME PRECISE PRUNING, AND WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH A MONSTER TREE, YOU NEED THE RIGHT CUTTER.
Akeylah says, HEY, YOU GOTTA START SMALL. AND LITTLE TREES NEED PRUNING TOO.
Akeylah gives James the smaller pruning shears.
James says, YOU BETCHA. LET'S GET PRUNING.
[Branches rustling]
Akeylah cuts a small branch off the tree.
James says, SQUEEZE! YOU GOT IT! THIS PART?
[Fast forwarding whirr]
Akeylah and James prune the tree. They gather the fallen branches, put them to one side, and then look at the tree.
James says, AND SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA LOOK BACK. GREAT JOB, AKEYLAH.
[Hands slapping]
They high-five.
Akeylah says, THANKS, JAMES.
Akeylah asks, WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?
The three arborists cheer, WHOO! AKEYLAH! IT'S AMAZING!
Akeylah says, THANKS, ARBORISTS.
[Whooshing]
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah sits beside a tree stump and counts the rings.
Akeylah says, 77, 78, 79...HEY! DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN TELL HOW OLD THE TREE IS BY HOW MANY RINGS IT HAS IN ITS TRUNK? IT MAKES YOU WONDER HOW LONG ARBORISTS HAVE BEEN AROUND TAKING CARE OF TREES. LET'S COUNT THROUGH THE RINGS OF ARBOURA CULTURE TOGETHER AND FIND OUT. I LOST MY SPOT. ONE...
[Mellow music plays]
A black-and-white video shows Brody watering a plant. He wears a circle of laurel leaves around his head and a sash.
Akeylah narrates, ARBOURA CULTURE IS AN ANCIENT ART. FROM WATERING SYSTEMS IN EGYPT, PRUNING TECHNIQUES IN ROME, AND NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GROUPS, WHO PROTECTED FORESTS AND USED THEM FOR RESOURCES.
A black-and-white video shows Brody wafting away a bad smell. He sets a small leafy tree down.
Akeylah narrates, WITH THE EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE NEED FOR GREEN SPACES, LIKE PARKS, GREW IN URBAN SPACES.
[Upbeat music plays]
Video footage shows Brody giving out pictures of trees. He puts on a hard hat and hugs a tree.
Akeylah narrates, IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, ARBORISTS BECAME A PROFESSION AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE ONTARIO FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, FOUNDED IN 1907, PROMOTED THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANTING TREES ACROSS THE PROVINCE. IN OUR MODERN AGE, ARBORISTS ARE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO CARE FOR TREES, BUT ALSO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN FOREST CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES.
[Upbeat music plays]
James and Akeylah walk to a tall ash tree.
Akeylah narrates, TO FINISH OUR DAY, JAMES AND I DID A HOUSE CALL.
James says, AKEYLAH, IT'S TIME TO FELL THIS TREE, WHICH MEANS REMOVING IT.
Akeylah asks, WHY DO WE HAVE TO FELL THIS TREE?
James replies, UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ASH WAS INFECTED WITH AN INVASIVE SPECIES. SO, THE BEETLES BORE INTO THE TRUNK AND EAT ALL OF THE LIVE TISSUE, AND THEN THE TREE DIES.
Akeylah asks, HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO IT?
James replies, WE USE THE CHAINSAW, AND WE CUT A NOTCH IN THE FRONT, AND THAT'S GOING TO HELP WITH THE DIRECTION. AND THEN WE USE THE CHAINSAW TO CUT THROUGH THE BACK, AND IT ACTS AS A HINGE, MAKING SURE THAT THE TREE FALLS, BUT IT'S GOING TO NEED SOME HELP. THE ROPE GOES ALL THE WAY UP AND OUT, AND SOMEONE HAS TO PULL IT OVER. I THINK IT SHOULD BE YOU.
Akeylah says, ALL RIGHT!
James gives Akeylah a rope, and she walks away from the tree.
James says, HERE'S YOUR ROPE. NOW, START WALKING. BACK UP FURTHER AND FURTHER AND FURTHER AND STOP!
[Chainsaw buzzing]
James cuts the notch in the front of the tree and then cuts the back. He points to Akeylah, and she pulls the rope.
Akeylah shouts, TIMBER!
[Rustling, thumping, cheering]
The tree falls to the ground.
Akeylah says, THAT WAS AMAZING!
James says, THANKS AKEYLAH! COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.
Akeylah says, OH, IT WAS NOTHING.
[Hands slapping]
They high-five.
Text reads, “Trading Skills.”
[Upbeat music plays]
In the Skill Space, Akeylah and Brody wear helmets and safety glasses. Akeylah stands on the second floor and Brody stands on the first floor. Both hold ropes attached to the evergreen branch.
Akeylah says, OKAY, DOWN SHE COMES.
Brody says, ALL RIGHT, A BIT LOWER. COME ON. LOWER, LOWER. A BIT TO THE RIGHT. BIT TO THE RIGHT. AND WE...
[Thumping]
The branch lands, and the end hits the side of a shelving unit.
Brody says, WE HAVE LANDED!
Akeylah says, YES. THANKS TO JAMES THE ARBORIST. WE FOUND A SOLUTION THAT WORKS FOR BOTH US AND THE TREE.
Brody says, TUNE IN NEXT TIME TO SEE IF YOU CAN FIND THE TRADE THAT TAKES YOU TO THE TOP.
Akeylah and Brody wave.
Akeylah says, TREE YOU LATER.
Brody says, SEE YOU LATER. ALL RIGHT. NOW LET'S TURN THIS INTO MULCH.
[Upbeat music plays]
End credits. Hosts: Akeylah James, Brody Agmon. Co-host: Anna Paul. Tradesperson: James Houghton. Written and directed by Emma Fox. Produced by Francis Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell, David Mitchell. Co-producers: Emma Fox, Anthony Gullace. Executive producers: Richard Bergmann, Thomas Kritsch. Music by: Joseph Shabason, Christine Bougie. Special thanks to Max Stiefeling, Arboreal Tree Care, Tobias Effinger, Collingwood Arboretum, Barb Collison. Produced in association with T.V.O. Kids. Executive producer, T.V.O.: Kirsten Hurd. Production executive, T.V.O.: Austin Guervara Mastretta. Riverbank Pictures. Copyright 2024 Riverbank Pictures.
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