Arborist Profile
John Duffy
ISA-Certified Arborist
SavATree Middleton, MA
A typical day for SavATree Arborist John Duffy starts with coffee. Lots of coffee. “I’m a six cup-a-day kind of guy,” John explains. By the time he reaches his base of operations at the Middleton, MA branch, he’s well-caffeinated and ready to go.
The day begins with the entire branch circling up for a meeting where they will discuss the day ahead and conduct a safety briefing. For John and the rest of the team, safety is paramount. “It’s part of the everyday culture at SavATree. Everyone in the branch truly cares about one another and wants to ensure that we all go home safely when the day is over.”
After a quick review of his schedule with the office staff and a fresh cup of coffee, John is on the road to the first job site. “I like to arrive early to make sure that nothing has changed on the customer’s landscape and that there are no obstructions in the way when the crew arrives.”
Once on site, John conducts a walkthrough with the crew leader to review the job briefing and ensure that every team member knows their role. John is quick to point out that his team has extensive knowledge and experience in the field which makes his job that much easier. “As a Sales Arborist I’m responsible for diagnosing issues on site and putting together a plan but it’s up to our specialists and field crews to carry out the work. Luckily for us, our climbers, ground crews and specialists are the best in the business.”
With his crew set up and work underway, John hits the road to meet with current and potential customers. When walking a customer’s property for the first time, John will identify any existing or potential problems and begin to build a plan to keep the landscape healthy and aesthetically beautiful.
For our arborists, it’s not just about doing the work on your property – it really is about caring for what you love. John feels a shared responsibility and ownership to protect, care for and beautify his clients’ outdoor sanctuaries where kids can play, and homeowners can relax and enjoy.
For an arborist, staying on top of the latest industry information is crucial. From pruning techniques and lawncare protocols to diagnostic tools, equipment, diseases and invasive pests there is always information to be consumed. For this, John relies heavily on SavATree’s resident experts and other industry publications. “I enjoy learning as much as possible about the ins and outs of arboriculture and horticulture. I’m actually kind of a nerd about it.”
About John
After graduating from Trinity College with a degree in history, John had originally planned on a career as a teacher. While looking for a teaching job John was convinced by his brother-in-law (already a SavATree employee) to give tree work a try. He began working on a ground crew and instantly connected with the work. “I always appreciated the tangible result of a beautifully pruned tree. Eight years later I am a full time Sales Arborist and I have never looked back.”
