Don Blair’s New Adventure!

chris_girard

Branched out member
Location
Gilmanton, N.H.
Almost everyone knows the name Don Blair when it comes to arboriculture. Don’s father Millard F. Blair began his 73-year career as an arborist in 1911. Don started his business (Sierra Moreno Mercantile Company 40 years ago in his barn on Latham St., Mountain View CA.

When Don decided to shut down Sierra Moreno Mercantile Company recently in anticipation of retirement, he became aware of how much of a demand there still is for the products that he is known for. That is when he decided to move the business from California to Maryland and open it under the name “Blair’s Arborist Equipment.” He is going to concentrate on the products that have been his mainstays through all of these years: Blair saddles, Blair’s Bry-Dan (new design for 2015) The Hobbs Lowering Device, Fanno saws, Marvin pruners, Blair socket heads, chainsaw straps and lanyards and a select number of products that are uniquely theirs or constantly in demand. He will have some excess inventory to liquidate, so there will be many special “one-time only” bargains until it’s all gone.

The business will be in Hagerstown, Maryland in his own barn: one built of stone and hand-hewn timber in 1847. The setting will be beyond ideal for tree equipment (including the multitude of historic arborist equipment that Don has accumulated) and for hosting arborist skills workshops. In one place, he’ll have the store, the tree equipment on display, the 1958 Dodge Power Wagon and the military vehicles.

It is going to take a few months for Don to complete the move from CA to MD, but they are answering the phone and emails so they can continue to serve your needs as always with as little disruption as possible.

In the months to come “Blair’s” will also establish an entirely new website with a shopping cart. Don will be interested in arborist’s needs and will help out wherever he can.

I wish him nothing but the best in his new venture and his contact info is listed below.
Phone 301 582-1303
Email: BlairsAE@gmail.com
 
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I also wish Don well. His book: "Arborist Equipment" is awesome, and should be in every arborist's library.
A number of years ago, after a TCI Expo in Baltimore, we stopped in at his former place in Big Pool, MD, and it was really nice. Am still climbing on a Sierra Moreno saddle that I think was quality built to last several generations.
 
We're going to miss Sierra Moreno in Silicon Valley, but good luck to Don and his continuing contributions to the industry and profession. I have special gratitude to express; I was there in 1975-76 when he started Sierra Moreno, working as a climber for MF Blair Tree Experts, Millard and Don, and I learned a lot from them. They sponsored me for the NAA Home Study Course, hooked me up with the California Arborist Association and got me on the right track for professionalism in arboriculture. Their good reputation and contribution is a legend in northern California and they have had a positive influence on many arborists. A great legacy! And Don's first bumper sticker "Thank God For Trees" is a permanent fixture on my trucks, and in my heart. Come to think about it, Don if you're reading, have Lincoln save me a couple of those before you pull out from Latham St. I've got a new '83 Chevy 4x4 pickup that needs one.
 
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Wow, that's awesome! I'm sure that you have some great memories of working with them.

Personally, I CAN'T wait to go visit Don down in MD, when “Blair’s Arborist Equipment" opens up. I have a true passion for the history of Arboriculture and seeing Don's collection is always great. His store will be unique in the industry.
 

Hey, Chris! I know this is a somewhat old thread. I just tried using the link you gave, and on my handheld computer I got a message that said "Failed to connect to server." I don't know if it is my handheld's software that is the problem, or if Mr. Blair has shut the business down. Do you have any insights? Thanks in advance for any answers you choose to provide. I did try to get to his website by using a search engine & clicking on the links there, but I keep getting the same message on my handheld. I haven't tried to access it yet using a laptop computer.

Tim
 
Hey, Chris! I know this is a somewhat old thread. I just tried using the link you gave, and on my handheld computer I got a message that said "Failed to connect to server." I don't know if it is my handheld's software that is the problem, or if Mr. Blair has shut the business down. Do you have any insights? Thanks in advance for any answers you choose to provide. I did try to get to his website by using a search engine & clicking on the links there, but I keep getting the same message on my handheld. I haven't tried to access it yet using a laptop computer.

Tim
The site redirects to https://blairsae.com/
 

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