NEWS & VIEWS • MARCH 2025 19 middle of mixed stands, and who have competed with the best to rise high above the canopy and be seen and duly recognised as performers and plus-trees. Having penetrated the canopy, they have defied the rules of forest ecology and rather than dominating those around them, have instead nurtured and sustained their peers, thereby contributing to overall stand health and vitality. Such is their reach that they have positively influenced individuals in neighbouring and everfurther-flung stands. Fortunately, retirement does not equate to terminal harvesting in this analogy! All three individuals remain positioned as plus trees although their roles now change. Whilst they continue to contribute towards sustaining forestindustry health by way of formal or informal consulting, they now have the added challenge of navigating themselves through the unchartered waters of retirement and the positives, and no doubt some negatives, that this journey entails. So, what are the attributes of plus tree foresters and what makes them stand out from the rest? What are the take home lessons to those younger individuals that will follow up and fill the places of those plus-trees, now retired? From my observations of the outgoing trio, humility tops the list of attributes. Each member of the trio has immense knowledge of forestry and industry but still has the ability to temper outputs humbly, rather than ostentatiously. By doing so they are able to gain the meaningful attention of those they interact with, rather than forced and pretentious focus. Community association is the next attribute that I perceive to be a major part of the genetics of these three plus-tree foresters. By community, I mean full engagement and investment with the organisations that they worked for, the members and clients they served, associations such as SAIF that they subscribed to, outside associations in sporting and other disciplines that they contributed to, and general ability to interact with people from all walks of life, family included. As plus trees, they have an inherent ability to reach out to all other stand individuals and make a positive and significant difference to their lives and careers. Positive attitude is a top attribute which, in my experience, is not too common. Fewer and fewer people appear to be demonstrating the presence of this attribute. Conversely, our retirees have a positive attitude in bucketfuls, and this has stood them in good stead throughout careers in very turbulent industry waters. I will never forget a senior and very astute fellow forester who had an immense influence on my career say to me that a good attitude trumps a person’s qualification. A golden piece of advice in my opinion. A plus tree is one with genetic makeup to be a success. It has an inherent drive to push through boundaries and challenge opposing forces. It follows a determined course with failure not being an option. It grows in the presence of fellows but does not restrict itself to their achievements. Plus-trees are simply “called” to be plus-trees. I often worry about the industry in terms of the “missing middle”. Who will replace the wave of retirees, and will they have the capacity to fill big boots? Will these up-and-coming foresters have a true calling for forestry or does the profession remain just a job to them? Perhaps the observations of attributes made in this article will spur up and coming individuals in the mixed stand, to emulate the visible plustrees and take on the required attributes to grow beyond the canopy. Fortunately, in human terms, we are not limited to a genetic programme. We have the ability to take decisions and make meaningful changes to our attitude and life trajectory. My challenge to all the inhabitants of our mixed stand is to project yourselves forward to the time of your retirement and determine if you too will likely receive the accolades such as those being proffered to the three individuals discussed here. If not, then now is the time to take some farreaching decisions. It’s yours for the taking. Do yourselves and us proud! ment lessons Member Services Manager –
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