What does it take to be a good tree surgeon?
Only to love trees. It’s not limited to men or women or people from a specific educational background. You simply have to develop that personal interest and learn how to communicate with the trees. You have to be able to feel and understand what they need. It’s no more complicated than learning a new language. All you have to do is be patient and observe keenly.
How would you like to see Bangkok’s urban landscaping develop?
A water compound is made from two hydrogen molecules andone oxygen. Urban green space should be built to the same ratio. It shouldn’t be there to offset urban development but rather be a part of it. I don’t hope for Bangkok to become a jungle like Khao Yai, but I wish that we had more greenery suitable for an urban lifestyle. Separating trees from the rest of the city is missing the point. Urban forestry is totally new for Bangkok, so our tree surgeons are like elementary children compared to those in Australia or the United States.
Do people complain when they see you cutting down trees or branches?
Yes. One time a guy stopped his car and shouted curse-words at me. I’m kind of happy in a way that they show concern, even if it is misdirected—trees need to be cut in order to grow. You know the old saying; spare the rod, spoil the child. We cut the trees so that they can thrive.
You only became a tree surgeon at the age of 50. How did you make that transition?
I did my own research at the library and, mostly, on the internet. But I learned a lot from just going out and doing it. I started by cutting small trees causing problems for townhouses around Sukhumvit. It’s a very physically demanding profession to take up at such an age. I have assistants who do the climbing, but I do occasionally have to climb the tree myself to demonstrate and reassure them that there is nothing to be scared of; that the branches can hold my weight and theirs.
How would you like to see the profession of urban tree surgery develop in Bangkok?
In the 18 years I’ve been doing this job, I haven’t seen any obvious change. But even so, Bangkok is actually ahead of many cities in Southeast Asia—surgeons in other capitals don’t even know which branches should be cut. They misread the signs that the tree is sending. I’m not a businessman and don’t want to expand my business. Instead I train people—we need more people to spread our ideas of urban tree management.
