Robin is a professional arborist, of which there are only about 1,000 certified in Ontario.  He grew up on a farm south of Sherbrooke and went to elementary school in Lennoxville, with Ralph's wife, coincidentally.  A lot of people moved out of that Province and his family followed some friends to Barrie.  He met his wife in 1976 and they married in 1980 and have two sons and a daughter.  He and a partner started a company in 1992 and he went on his own in 2004.
Robin is currently studying for a Master's Arborist, a test with a 50% failure rate and a rank that's held by only 6 in Ontario.  His company does pruning, tree removal, valuations and reports on risk assessment.  They have a tool that shows the tree's rings and internal damage with affecting the tree.  It's the only one north of the GTA.
They will work with contractors to establish tree protection zones and to establish which trees to protect - hint - it's not always the biggest; it more likely will be the trees just coming to maturity that will have a longer life span and a smaller root area which is easier to protect.  This service is popular in the GTA but it should be done everywhere.
Robin's is the only company with an Air Spade north of the GTA.  This is a high pressure air hose that dislodges the soil around roots to disturb compacted soil or to allow the laying of cable or services without disturbing the roots.
Robin will also work on insect control - the Emeral Ash Borer is moving into our area.  The tree can be treated with an injection but if it isn't, the affected tree will die.  People are cutting their trees in the GTA and bringing the wood up to cottages for fires but bringing the borer with it.
They can to lightning protection of trees, though it's expensive.  Basically a copper wire is installed on the high points and grounded but it needs to be redone every year as the tree grows past the tip of the rod.
And they will install holiday lights, take them down and even store them.  This is more likely for larger scale displays but it does give the bucket trucks something to do in the off season.
Robin's company has always given to charity and at it's latest Board meeting it was agreed that 10% of profits would be dedicated to Rotary.
In answer to a question, Robin said the value of certification is growing as people recognize what the training contributes, though for many people, lowest cost is the only priority.  Toronto has a canopy protection program and it's material recommends a certified arborist so the word is spreading there.