Climber looking for work in Asheville, NC area

Mauigoku

Mauigoku

Location
Asheville
Just moved to Asheville from Maui, where I was a full time climber. Have experience pruning, removals, felling, little crane work, operating equipment (Ditchwitch, chippers, stump grinders, manlifts..etc.) I have over 5 years of experience. No CDL yet, and I'm going to take the ISA exam here soon. Dont drink or do drugs. I splice my own ropes, and take great care of gear. I am also a mechanic and love to tinker on broken machines.
Was making $65hr as a 1099 contractor. Looking for at least $30-35hr to start with a great crew (thats if im a full time employee.) $500 minimum day rate if I accept a contracting position. The companies I've spoken with so far are offering me $28hr to start... Seems incredibly low for what I have to offer.
Dm me on here, or check out my insta @Above_the_underground
 
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Mauigoku said:
Just moved to Asheville from Maui, where I was a full time climber. Have experience pruning, removals, felling, little crane work, operating equipment (Ditchwitch, chippers, stump grinders, manlifts..etc.) I have over 5 years of experience. No CDL yet, and I'm going to take the ISA exam here soon. Dont drink or do drugs. I splice my own ropes, and take great care of gear. I am also a mechanic and love to tinker on broken machines.
Was making $65hr as a 1099 contractor. Looking for at least $30-35hr to start with a great crew (thats if im a full time employee.) $500 minimum day rate if I accept a contracting position. The companies I've spoken with so far are offering me $28hr to start... Seems incredibly low for what I have to offer.
Dm me on here, or check out my insta @Above_the_underground
Click to expand...
Hey! Welcome!

Asheville pays much lower than it should.
It’s not the company owners fault, it’s the rich boomers in their giant second mansions who are too cheap to pay what it takes to pay someone what they should get paid. $500 is something you could hope to earn with a company whose trust you have earned, if you have ISA cert, your own insurance, and ability to climb any tree. Super Saiyan style

I sincerely wish you the best of luck! So many really awesome people in the Asheville tree community… like, the best people. The list of companies I think are great is quite long.
 
Stumpsprouts said:
Hey! Welcome!

Asheville pays much lower than it should.
It’s not the company owners fault, it’s the rich boomers in their giant second mansions who are too cheap to pay what it takes to pay someone what they should get paid. $500 is something you could hope to earn with a company whose trust you have earned, if you have ISA cert, your own insurance, and ability to climb any tree. Super Saiyan style

I sincerely wish you the best of luck! So many really awesome people in the Asheville tree community… like, the best people. The list of companies I think are great is quite long.
Click to expand...
Right on, I figured as much. Maui is filled with those rich boomers, but luckily they are willing to pay. I understand having to build trust. Maybe I'll suck it up and start at a low wage and see where it takes me..
Haha super saiyan mode is always on when I'm at work. I love this industry!

Thank you! Everyone in the tree world that I've met here seems really nice and humble. Something I enjoy seeing in people. If you can, I'd love to see the list you have of good tree companies around here. So far I have checked out Heartwood, and Catawba Tree. Asheville Arborists keeps coming up in conversation. Haven't had a chance to meet Nich yet. Working on setting up a meeting with him if possible.
 
Mauigoku said:
Right on, I figured as much. Maui is filled with those rich boomers, but luckily they are willing to pay. I understand having to build trust. Maybe I'll suck it up and start at a low wage and see where it takes me..
Haha super saiyan mode is always on when I'm at work. I love this industry!

Thank you! Everyone in the tree world that I've met here seems really nice and humble. Something I enjoy seeing in people. If you can, I'd love to see the list you have of good tree companies around here. So far I have checked out Heartwood, and Catawba Tree. Asheville Arborists keeps coming up in conversation. Haven't had a chance to meet Nich yet. Working on setting up a meeting with him if possible.
Click to expand...
Those! Plus Arbpros (who I climb for) Smart Feller (who I estimate for) Grizzly Bear (who I’ve contracted for), Royce, Tarzan.. I’d share a beer with any of em.

Coincidentally I did tree work in Maui back in 2016 for a few months. Time of my life in some ways!
 
Stumpsprouts said:
Those! Plus Arbpros (who I climb for) Smart Feller (who I estimate for) Grizzly Bear (who I’ve contracted for), Royce, Tarzan.. I’d share a beer with any of em.

Coincidentally I did tree work in Maui back in 2016 for a few months. Time of my life in some ways!
Click to expand...
Awesome thank you! Do you know if Arbpros or any of those other guys are looking for another skilled climber? I'll reach out to them regardless.
 
Beast Coast Tree Climbers just South of Asheville and Craig’s Tree Service in Hendersonville are two stand-up outfits in the area.
 
Welcome.


Post pics here.




So many people talk the talk.

Many fewer walk the walk.

Climbers are hard to find who do both.

Rather than start at a lower rate, see if you can watch their crew for a couple hours on a day previous to a challenging job where you can audition, knowing some of that companies equipment and flow.

Easier to command a top wage after showing them you can do it.



Also, a top Asheville climber won't be a top Maui climber or PNW climber out of the gate.


An agreement of a lowering starting wage with the steps to a higher wage built-in might be a good way.


Tree and disease ID will be important.

ISA CA is a qualification that the company can market to their customers, increasing value to customers.


A detailed resume will help, on top of instagram.

Anyone can say they turn a wrench, however a list of specific diagnosed problems and fixes is important. If you have changed filters and blades/ anvils, a manual transmission, swapped engines, diagnosed diesel fuel problems, etc, it gives better info to employers.

I would love to find someone who I can have climbing/ grounding and maintain equipment. Heavy rain days becoming predictable maintenance days would be win- win for me.


A top climber can be hard to utilize 40 hours a week. Some jobs are just easy.
I wonder if a solid climber at a top rate could be a Monday/ Tuesday at one company, and a Th/F at another, possibly working at either on a flexible W.

Just thinking.
 
southsoundtree said:
Welcome.


Post pics here.




So many people talk the talk.

Many fewer walk the walk.

Climbers are hard to find who do both.

Rather than start at a lower rate, see if you can watch their crew for a couple hours on a day previous to a challenging job where you can audition, knowing some of that companies equipment and flow.

Easier to command a top wage after showing them you can do it.



Also, a top Asheville climber won't be a top Maui climber or PNW climber out of the gate.


An agreement of a lowering starting wage with the steps to a higher wage built-in might be a good way.


Tree and disease ID will be important.

ISA CA is a qualification that the company can market to their customers, increasing value to customers.


A detailed resume will help, on top of instagram.

Anyone can say they turn a wrench, however a list of specific diagnosed problems and fixes is important. If you have changed filters and blades/ anvils, a manual transmission, swapped engines, diagnosed diesel fuel problems, etc, it gives better info to employers.

I would love to find someone who I can have climbing/ grounding and maintain equipment. Heavy rain days becoming predictable maintenance days would be win- win for me.


A top climber can be hard to utilize 40 hours a week. Some jobs are just easy.
I wonder if a solid climber at a top rate could be a Monday/ Tuesday at one company, and a Th/F at another, possibly working at either on a flexible W.

Just thinking.
Click to expand...
I've definitely noticed how so many guys will claim they are experienced, but are from from even being a tree guy.

Thank you for the great advice! I'll have to make some changes to my resume, and include specific tasks that I'm experienced in. Such as swapping knives, anvil clearance, ditch witch tracks, filters, diagnosing issues..etc.

I would always tell my old boss, if you don't schedule maintenance days, they will schedule themselves.

That may be doable, just have to line things up with the different companies.
 
Your IG page rocks!!

Good luck with your search. With your great attitude you'll find a good spot.

Why'd ya leave HI?
 
cory said:
Your IG page rocks!!

Good luck with your search. With your great attitude you'll find a good spot.

Why'd ya leave HI?
Click to expand...
Thanks!

Highest cost of living in the country, no seasons, hard to get stuff shipped, no good Stihl techs, no good automotive shops, lack of work ethic... many reasons why I left. Also so many reasons why I love Hawaii. I already miss freediving in the ocean. Who knows, I may find myself living there again in the future. It's been hard to stay away from Hawaii since I started living there 10 years ago.

Right now, it's time for me to get to know the mainland trees, and explore these ancient Appalachian mountains! Whitewater rafting and powered paragliding are 2 big reasons why I chose NC. Cant really do that in Hawaii.
 
I have considered Asheville at various points in my life, and may have to try it for more than a few weeks someday, but you might really dig the big trees out west if you wanna get into some dragon slaying/taming.
 
Matias said:
I have considered Asheville at various points in my life, and may have to try it for more than a few weeks someday, but you might really dig the big trees out west if you wanna get into some dragon slaying/taming.
Click to expand...
I've wanted to work in the trees out west, but didn't want to move to Cali, or a super rainy state. Oregon and Washington are so insanely gorgeous and I've spent a lot of time over there. Though, the weather being so rainy in the winter, and the fires smoking up the place in the summer, plus higher cost of living over there has deterred me from moving there. Maybe in the future.

I've done my fair share of dragon slaying in Hawaii. Giant Eucalyptus, Albizias, Earpods, Monkeypods, Mangos, Norfolk pines... I'm gonna miss climbing high and cutting grass (palms.) Haha
 
Mauigoku said:
Monkeypods
Click to expand...
Love those trees. My favorite Maui climbs. Unbelievable structure. Kind of like a honeylocust in growth habit but way cooler.

The southern Appalachains are some of the most diverse in tree species on the planet. So many teachers in these woods. Unbelievable beauty, as in Maui- but a very different flavor of course. The steep slopes won’t be new for you- that throws a lot of folks off at first and sure adds to the considerations with tree work.
 
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