5 Minutes with… Stephen Conn of Armagh Tree Surgery
Not many enjoy the thrill of climbing trees day-to-day and roaring rally cars at the weekend but Stephen Conn, owner of Armagh Tree Surgery lives for the adrenaline rush of both!
Armagh I sat down with Stephen to hear about how the business has grown to involve all the family and how he is a dab hand in the kitchen with his legendary meal!
Why did you choose being a Tree Surgeon as a career?
Growing up on a farm, I was cutting down trees from I was no age. Before Covid, I was working on rally cars and noticed a team cutting trees beside the track and went over to help them and it all started from there.
We’re opened five years now and the business continues to grow.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
My daughter Letisha up at the top of a tree. She helps me out during the summer and has really taken a love for the business which inspires me to keep growing it for her and my son Bobby who helps out the odd time too. Her work ethic is inspirational.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
Working outdoors – even in the rain it’s still much better than sitting at a desk all day. It keeps your brain active and it has a thrill element, but it is dangerous.
What has been the biggest challenge in your job?
Keeping surroundings and people safe. It’s a dangerous job we’re dropping tonnes of timber from height. We’re working over houses, businesses, roads, wires. There is no room for errors or mistakes, everything has to be done precisely because lives can be put at risk.
What is the most helpful advice that you have been given?
Look twice, cut once. We climb to high tree heights in pairs and we will both look and check the surrounding area to ensure safety.
If you could choose anything else to do, what would it be?
Professional rally driver – my daughter has taken after me and is rally driving too. I would nearly say, she is better than me at driving.
What do you think your best quality is?
I think I am very approachable, I could talk to anyone.
Name three things that you like doing outside of work…
Rallying, motorbikes and walking
I have two golden retrievers, Cindy and Olaf, and love getting out to walk them when I’m not working.
Tell us about a secret skill that we don’t know you have.
I’m a very good problem solver – I never see a problem, I see a solution.
What is your most prized possession?
My BMW rally car or a heart-shaped stone that my partner Karina gave to me one day, it sits at the side of my bed and it’s very precious to me.
What is your favourite food?
My roast beef dinner is legendary. I even went out and bought a Le Creuset pot to cook my beef in and all the family loves it.
What is your favourite book?
Game of Thrones book series was amazing – I would recommend reading the books before watching the show as the show was a let down.
What are you currently watching?
Brassic. I have just started the latest season on Sky. Boardwalk Empire is a great drama watch too.
If you were to watch a band/singer live, who would it be?
I listen to all music genres and have seen a lot of people live but Two Door Cinema Club – I have seen them before but they where unreal so I would like to go back to see them.
Dead or alive, who would you most want to meet and why?
I’m lucky, I have got to meet a lot of my heroes but I met Colin McRae briefly a few years back but I would love the opportunity to have a proper sit down conversation with him. He’s a rally driver but seems real down to earth and isn’t a ‘manufactured’ driver like a lot of drivers in recent years.
Ideally, we would go to some Scottish pub and Colin would have a pint and I would have a Baileys.