Im new to the business, but never climbed before. Any advice?

[Jorgon1022]

I think im probably going to get hammered for this, but I figured I would post here since I need advice. I started my own business this year and have a few jobs lined up starting in June. The bad thing about this? I have never climbed before.

In fact, I majored in Business, got a job in IT and make roughly 75k a year.

I worked as a groundsmen when I was 18 for 2 years for a contractor Arborist. I am 30 now so I dont know if those 2 years count for anything.

However, the good news is that I am getting trained by the best people in the USA. I have a climbing course that is offered by WesSpur that I am taking next week in Snowhomish Washington. This year, I also plan to take a rigging course.

My biggest fear however is delivering on the jobs that I have lined up in June. Safety is my top priority. Am I way in over my head with getting into this industry without experience?

I know people that outright started their business with no experience and they did just fine but I am scared and nervous.

Do you guys have any advice? I wish I didnt have to climb, but its incredibly hard finding arborists here in my area (Boise Idaho). Looks like I am going to have to bite the bullet, get some climbing training and get thrown into the water.

 

[Jan_]

I am a purely rec climber, but I started that without any training and slowly progressed over a year to a point where I feel just about comfortable getting around a tree, but I would never think about using anything bigger and more dangerous than a handsaw at this point.
You can learn the normal climbing from ressources available on the web, so you should be safe in that regard if you take an actual course, but It would probably be better to wait with more dangerous stuff until you get good at climbing.

 

[Cereal_Killer]

Are you proficient with a chainsaw?! Do you have [tree care] business insurance?

Even if your answers are yes to both I still wouldn't do it. Let the potential clients know the scheduled dates conflict with some training you're doing and you need to push it back. If Arborists are so rare around there I'd think that'd be fine with them. I mean you're planning on climbing these trees so they can't be that bad off that their in immediate danger of falling... right?

 

[B_Strange]

Welcome to the Buzz! I’m New the industry as well and can’t stress enough the need for training, patience, and time on rope at height before firing up a chain saw in the tree. I am a long time rock climber so some aspects of tree climbing were familiar but others such as getting the branches to go exactly where you want them to, getting the tops to go exactly where they need to, knowing where your rope, friction saver, rigging is in relation to your saw, etc. . .that was new to me. People get seriously injured or die in our industry every week. Respect the work, be patient and know when to walk away (and when to run)

 

[climbstihl]

Maybe you should start by taking light pruning jobs, or easy removals with no rigging. If you can get comfortable moving around the canopy and using a handsaw, adding the chainsaw is not that big of a step. Also, climb in your free time as much as you can to get more experience. Once you are comfortable using a chainsaw in the tree, you can get more into rigging and more complicated removals.

 

[Scheffa]

It hurts me to say it but it kinda sounds like your in over your head, climbing a tree is one skill, using a saw on the ground is a skill, using a saw in the air a skill, pruning/dismantling a tree is a skill, certainly takes time and training to be able to combine all of them to be able to complete a job safely and competently

 

[DSMc]

... My biggest fear however is delivering on the jobs that I have lined up in June. Safety is my top priority. Am I way in over my head with getting into this industry without experience?...

Wow! Well if this doesn't work out for you, you can always start an air taxi service and then think about how you will actually fly the plane after you have booked some flights.

You already know the answer here. What kind of jobs have you committed to and have you been honest with those people? "Safety is my top priority" sounds like a slogan more than a personal belief.

 

[Serf Life]

In fact, I majored in Business, got a job in IT and make roughly 75k a year.

First off, welcome and good luck on your endeavor. You're prob right about getting hammered on this question, for good reason, and gotta ask why do it this way? 75k is probably a long way off for you in treecare unless you want to be an owner and use your business background to build a larger scale profitably company, even then...

Sounds super foolhardy to me and perhaps a dis-service for your future clients as you have next to no experience. However, this forum has taught me a ton over the years I've read it and others, namely that there are so many ways folks get into the industry and climbing and develop; your way is not what most would do but can still work. There's a lot of advice on this basic subject here already, mine is get a work partner/employee that is already good so you don't make a lethal mistake as you are learning while starting a business.

Edit:
After taking the dog and baby for a walk.... No man, you don't know when a tree should or should not be cut down or pruned or what disease it has. Climbing is one part of a mess of facets to this field. Background in business include forest ecology, hazard assesment, young tree training, proper felling, or line clearance safety? I doubt it. Trees have us as advocates and killers, gotta know which and when because they can't be put back up and took human lifetimes to mature.

 

[colb]

You'll need to be lucky for 3-6 months. This is just what it is, for us all, but more for some than others.

Learn the top 10 ways to injure/kill yourself and staff. Lanyard circle of death, hit by falling ____ while under tree, climbing over SRT tie-in point, butt touching ground or another limb and coming back, chainsaw kickback when cutting near other branches, etc

Take picks that you can manhandle, or be right the first time. Learn how to make Humboldt cuts with no dutchman most of the time, most limbs/trunks. Use at least 10:1 overwhelming force if there is any question of which way the wood will go.

Read treebuzz and view youtube nonstop between now and then.

Buy the best material handlers (arbor trolley, skid steer, dump trailer, chip truck, etc.) you can get. Saves your back.

Learn how to do a proper ANSI A300 reduction prune, and why. Try to sell it, to keep you from doing as many removals where your safety is less certain.

Stay within your limits by backing off or increasing your capacity.

Don't do anything questionable after 3pm. That's when all the mistakes happen.

Wish you success.

 

[RyTheTreeGuy]

Not sure what your quotes were for your jobs, but it might not be a bad idea to hire a quality contract climber. Not only will you be able to deliver on your promises to clients, but more importantly it will be a great learning experience for you. Make it known to the potential climber what your intentions are and then watch, listen and ask questions. It will also give you a chance to run the ropes again and get back in the right mindset. Even if you don't make money on your first couple of jobs you are gaining valuable experience and training basically to no cost and a good climber will provide a good service so your word of mouth advertising will be well underway.

 

[Jehinten]

Not sure what your quotes were for your jobs, but it might not be a bad idea to hire a quality contract climber. Not only will you be able to deliver on your promises to clients, but more importantly it will be a great learning experience for you. Make it known to the potential climber what your intentions are and then watch, listen and ask questions. It will also give you a chance to run the ropes again and get back in the right mindset. Even if you don't make money on your first couple of jobs you are gaining valuable experience and training basically to no cost and a good climber will provide a good service so your word of mouth advertising will be well underway.

This is good advice but I'd go as far as saying to do this regardless of what your quotes were. If you didn't quote it high enough to hire a climber, then it isn't quoted high enough for a new climber to get completed in their timeframe. New climbers are slow, lol. If your comfortable with chainsaw use you could always rent a lift as well, until you learn and get comfortable climbing. Major downfall of a lift is it always reduces the size of your drop zone which can lead to smaller pieces or more rigging.

 

[JontreeHI]

@TreeVB is a solid climber in your area, I know he was subcontracting a while ago, but he might be a good call.

My advice, if this is a side gig for you (not primary income), then hire a good climber and his trusted ground guy, and you be the facilitator on site. Watching and learning. I wouldn’t attempt what you’re proposing.

 

[treeracket]

The common wisdom is "go low and slow" until you learn how to climb, so I do not see how you are going to do that if you are bidding large trees near hazards. I was away from this biz for years so I climbed some trees in my mother in-laws yard for a few months until I felt competent. Even then the cycle goes on as you learn limb walking, sophisticated rigging techniques, and a bevy of tricks and skills and gear items that you can only know by doing. There's no shame in saying hey customer, I need to retract my quote on your job because I underestimated it. Here's a referral. Do smaller jobs for a season and you'll feel or know it when you are ready for some bigger jobs. I still refer large trees to larger firms and feel no shame about that- in fact, it's on my website that I only do smaller trees. At 52 I'm too slow to haul ass in the canopy. Believe me there's work for everybody in this business no matter what your skill level within reason. Don't overextend yourself now.

 

[evo]

Well this took off fast. Never sell any work that you are not capable of completing. You need much more than a weekend course. Sounds like you are somewhat close by. Feel free to contact me if you’d like to chat

 

[Jonny]

You'd learn so much if you could go work with a busy tree service. Start on the ground and become familiar and comfortable with various chainsaws and learn how wood behaves and reacts when cut and pulled and pushed.

If Evo can put you to work and teach you, you'd benefit greatly. You can learn alot about rigging by working the ground.

Not easy with a full time job already, I know, but it's the best advice I can offer, besides taking up recreational climbing as a hobby.

 

[southsoundtree]

Get @RyanCafferky in as a contract climber from Hood River, OR for a week. You'll be light years ahead.

 

[rico]

I think im probably going to get hammered for this, but I figured I would post here since I need advice. I started my own business this year and have a few jobs lined up starting in June. The bad thing about this? I have never climbed before.

In fact, I majored in Business, got a job in IT and make roughly 75k a year.

I worked as a groundsmen when I was 18 for 2 years for a contractor Arborist. I am 30 now so I dont know if those 2 years count for anything.

However, the good news is that I am getting trained by the best people in the USA. I have a climbing course that is offered by WesSpur that I am taking next week in Snowhomish Washington. This year, I also plan to take a rigging course.

My biggest fear however is delivering on the jobs that I have lined up in June. Safety is my top priority. Am I way in over my head with getting into this industry without experience?

I know people that outright started their business with no experience and they did just fine but I am scared and nervous.

Do you guys have any advice? I wish I didnt have to climb, but its incredibly hard finding arborists here in my area (Boise Idaho). Looks like I am going to have to bite the bullet, get some climbing training and get thrown into the water.

I hate to be an asshole but you are telling us you have started a tree company and are selling yourself as a treeman/arborist but you have never actually climbed. Hell I always wanted to start a small personal airline service, but have never flown a plane. That shouldn't stop me from pursuing my dreams, should it?
I'm gonna make this real simple. Go get a job working with some true pros in your area for a few years, then and only then should you think about starting your own business. That is how it is properly done son!

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Hi..nice to have you on Treebuzz!

Being humble and admitting you don't know takes courage.

Listen to what is being said here, lots of good, caring advice.

Going to classes will help. That's an excellent time to network. YOu might find someone willing to work for a few days off and on. Keep you on the ground while you learn

In the mean time take on small jobs with no climbing. Extendable pole saws...away from ANY power lines...are good tools to learn with. Watch how branches hinge..or tear...how the fall. Use handsaws to get skilled with your hands.

Take time to look in the archives here. Search the users you might find someone nearby

Make sure that you have all of the insurance necessary. Will your health insurance cover you if you're injured? There might be exceptions. Be frank with the insurance company...let them know that you're doing some for-hire work...they don't need to know the scope of the work.

$75k income won't be equaled in the tree sbiz for a while...be realistic

 

[Jorgon1022]

I hate to be an asshole but you are telling us you have started a tree company and are selling yourself as a treeman/arborist but you have never actually climbed. Hell I always wanted to start a small personal airline service, but have never flown a plane. That shouldn't stop me from pursuing my dreams, should it?
I'm gonna make this real simple. Go get a job working with some true pros in your area for a few years, then and only then should you think about starting your own business. That is how it is properly done son!

That's the thing. I can't get a job because my circumstances are different. If I could work for a company that pays me 60k plus to cover my current lifestyle then yes I would do it. But unfortunately that's not possible.

In regards to climbing, I don't want to climb. I want to work on my business instead of working in it. But for that I have to find climbers which has been my biggest hurdle which is why I'm paying hundreds of dollars to get myself trained m

 

[rico]

That's the thing. I can't get a job because my circumstances are different. If I could work for a company that pays me 60k plus to cover my current lifestyle then yes I would do it. But unfortunately that's not possible.

In regards to climbing, I don't want to climb. I want to work on my business instead of working in it. But for that I have to find climbers which has been my biggest hurdle which is why I'm paying hundreds of dollars to get myself trained m

Taking some climbing classes would be a good thing for you, but are not miraculously going to become a remotely competent climber from a few classes at Wesspur. Not going to happen.

If you don't want to climb yet want to own and run a tree company you really have no other option than hiring a real pro and paying him well. A good experienced climber doesn't come cheap, and when it comes to climbers you get what you payed for.