TreeActions

In this episode, Dwayne Nuestaeter and Tony Tresselt interview Toby Sherrill, the founder of Sherrill Arbor Supply and inventor of the Big Shot. Toby shares his first connection to trees, growing up in the tree care industry, and his journey into the business. He discusses the creation of the company's catalog, which became an educational resource for the industry. Toby also talks about the development of throw line equipment and the invention of the Big Shot, a pioneering product in the industry. This part of the conversation explores the evolution of slingshots and the challenges of building them. It also delves into the growth of the tree care industry and the impact of recessions on the business. The importance of focus and specialization is highlighted, along with the need for help and delegation. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the significance of catalogs and visuals in the industry. In this conversation, Toby Sherrill discusses the impact of the digital age on the tree care industry and the evolution of Sherrill Tree. He shares the origins of the company and the pride he feels in its growth. The conversation also touches on the significance of the Big Shot tool and the importance of trade shows in inspiring tree workers. 

00:00
Introduction and Background

02:54
First Connection to Trees

05:56
Entering the Tree Care Industry

10:14
Family Business and Catalog Creation

25:05
Throw Line Innovation

29:55
Invention of the Big Shot

32:23
The Evolution of Slingshots and Team Building

33:40
Trial and Error in Building Slingshots

34:37
Experimenting with Tubing Lengths

35:06
Improving the Height and Distance of Shots

36:15
Climbing and Crossbow Shots

37:10
The Fishing Rod Technique

37:35
The Growth of the Tree Care Industry

39:16
The Increase in Tree Care Companies

40:42
The Human Forest: The Arborist Community

41:40
The Impact of Mail Orders and Catalogs

43:30
Identifying Tree Care Companies

44:12
Using Equipment Orders to Identify Tree Care Practitioners

45:23
The Impact of Recessions on the Tree Care Industry

46:44
The Importance of Focus and Specialization

49:06
Recognizing the Need for Help and Delegating

52:59
Expanding into Manufacturing and Splicing Rope

56:37
Transitioning Away from Heavy Equipment

59:12
The Importance of the Catalog and Visuals

01:02:52
The Impact of the Digital Age

01:04:08
The Evolution of Sherrill Tree

01:05:04
The Legacy of the Company

01:06:26
The Origins of Sherrill Tree

01:07:15
The Importance of Safety

01:08:17
The Big Shot

01:10:08
The Influence of Trade Shows

01:11:05
The Inspiration of Trade Events

01:12:02
Unveiling the Big Shot

01:13:19
The Value of the Big Shot

01:14:12
The Fun of the Big Shot

01:15:15
The Legacy of Sherrill Tree

01:16:13
The Importance of Information in the Catalog

01:17:27
The Evolution of Climbing Techniques

01:18:25
The Founding of Sherrill Tree

01:19:43
The Impact of the First Computer

01:22:12
The Importance of the Sherrill Tree Catalog

01:23:12
The Evolution of Climbing Techniques

01:25:01
The Legacy of Sherrill Tree