72 | Turning waste into a valuable resource Short Back and Sides, led by Brett Soutar and Carolyn Treblico, has spent nearly 30 years working across the Waikato and Coromandel. Kelly Deeks Arboriculture is often seen as a job of removal, but for Short Back and Sides it is just as much about recovery, reuse, and long term value. Based in the Waipa district, Short Back and Sides, led by Brett Soutar and Carolyn Treblico, has spent nearly 30 years working across the Waikato and Coromandel, building a reputation for turning what many consider waste into a resource. Recent extreme weather events have reinforced that approach. Brett says damage along the Hauraki Rail Trail created both challenges and opportunity for contractors and landowners. “There was about a million dollars of funding wiped out in two days,” Brett says. “We ended up with around 50 tonnes of logs that had to be cleared, and now they are sitting in our yard ready to be reused.” Rather than disposing of timber, the focus is on adding value. Logs are milled, repurposed, or processed into firewood, with clients encouraged to think differently about what their trees can become. “We talk to people about how the tree they are removing could be used in their renovation, outdoor furniture, or something unique to their property,” he says. That philosophy is backed by deep knowledge of timber. While many associate usable wood with pine or macrocarpa, Brett says Short Back and Sides works with around 30 species, each with its own characteristics and end use. “We have spent years understanding what each timber can do and how it performs,” Brett says. “Once people see it milled, it changes how they think about it.” Architects, builders, and hobbyists are increasingly seeking these materials for bespoke projects, from stair treads and benchtops to feature slabs and statement pieces. Brett says demand remains strong for distinctive, locally sourced timber, particularly for one-off builds. From an arborist’s perspective, every tree tells a story. Brett describes milling as an “autopsy”, revealing years of growth, stress, and environmental conditions within the grain. “You can see the good years and the bad years RURAL SERVICES » Short Back and Sides in the timber. It is all there when you open it up,” he says. Before any tree is removed, alternatives are considered. Brett’s background includes work with the New Zealand Notable Trees Trust, and that influence remains central. “The first question is always why does the tree need to come down,” he says. “Is there another way to solve the problem, whether it is light, views, or land use.” In rural settings, that often means balancing farm productivity with environmental needs such as shade, shelter, and water retention for livestock. At its core, Short Back and Sides focuses on practical, informed solutions, helping clients manage trees while unlocking their value. “We solve tree problems,” Brett says. “But more importantly, we show people what they have got.” FACTORY DEMONSTRATION DAY JUNE 12, 2026 Versatile | Durable | Efficient | Affordable FLAGSHIP MODELS & ACCESSORIES DEMONSTRATED LIVE Kiwi Owned & Operated Kiwi Back up + Support Leading Sawmill Innovation for 30 Years Kiwi Designed Kiwi Manufactured 0800 747 583 www.petersonwsawmills.com 15C Hyland Crescent, Rotorua CERTIFIED ARBORISTS We are the certified specialists for any tree problems you may have including tree removal, whole tree chipping and stump grinding services. M: 0274 390 367 E: sbnstreework@gmail.com W: shortbacknsides.co.nz 216 Wiltons Road, Carterton | www.mcfadzeancattlecompany.co.nz Johnie McFadzean 0274295777 Andrew Jennings PGG Wrightsons 0275946820 48 Years of Proven Performance • Top Quality Yearling Bulls MCFADZEAN CRUIZY CALVE MCFADZEAN SUPER ANGUS MCFADZEAN MEAT MAKER Superior weaning weight % Instant impact on calf size, growth & muscling Higher carcass yields High EMA scores Strong milking & maternal traits At least 7/8's Angus Moderate framed hill country cattle Excellent growth rates and superior muscling Positive fats & high IMF % Strong milking & maternal traits 100% Registered Angus Positive for calving ease Short gestation Positive fats & good growth Suited for heifer mating HILL COUNTRY CATTLE BRED TO LIFT YOUR CATTLE PERFORMANCE AND YOUR BOTTOM LINE ATAHUA 17-303 ALL BULLS HAVE PASSED SEMEN TESTING OPEN DAY 27TH AUGUST “WE WEIGHED OUR SPRING WEANERS IN FEBRUARY AND THE STEERS AVERAGED 329KG AND HEIFERS 308KG AND WE’VE BASICALLY JUMPED 100KG PER ANIMAL SINCE USING MCFADZEAN GENETICS”. WENDY & DEAN LUPTON Ninth Annual Yearling Bull Sale Friday 11th September 2026 at 1pm McFadzean Cruizy Calve 5005 Sire - Te Mania 18-457 CED +7.8 |CEM +5.3 |GEST -6.2|BW +2.6 | 600W +105 Looking ahead to retirement, Brett and Carolyn are set to continue working with wood. “It is what we know, and what we love. The sawdust gets into your veins! I’ll be on my lathe, doing art works, and building one-off furniture pieces. If we can keep creating something useful, give a little back to the planet by making the most of natural materials, and pass on a few skills to the next generation, that would be a pretty good way to spend retirement.”
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