One of the reasons I was willing to quote it is because the tree has already somewhat been trained for this. I think the lack of maintenance recently might’ve been due to physical limitations or it just becoming too much. The clients are older…
So it’s a little different of a situation than...
When I started getting interested in working out as a kid and being a hockey player, I had a family member who was very knowledgeable about fitness who taught me a lot. One of the exercises he had me do at times was the one-leg squat. Also a lot of yoga.
As an adult, I’ve focused more on...
Thanks for the input.
I ended up bidding it because there’s also some other work included, but I wrote in the estimate that performing this type of pruning on maple isn’t common and that there are potential risks to doing so to cover myself. And also that if we were to do it, it would require...
Looked at these trees this morning.
Client wants to cut the growth back about to where the bigger main branches end. You might be able to tell it has been done before.
Instinctively my first thought is “topping”but I also know that aggressively pruning like this is a technique some people use...
This.
I usually wear one of those neck gators that TreeStuff sometimes sends out with an order when on a job and will pull it up over my mouth / nose when doing things that might generate minimal or moderate amounts of dust like cutting, blowing, etc. I also carry a respirator and dust masks in...
I’m the owner of a company in the Western, MA area but also do some contract climbing on the side.
Able and willing to travel out of state depending on the project, how far, etc.
Primarily I specialize in pruning, shrub maintenance, and hedge trimming but also have experience with...
Had that experience yesterday doing an estimate.
Turn into the client’s driveway and start going down the hill and immediately think “oh sh*t” because it’s nothing but solid ice. After doing the estimate, try getting up and guess what, ended up sliding back down the hill even in 4 wheel drive...
Staying moving can help keep you warm. Being stationary for too long is when the cold can start to get to you.
Snow could definitely be a potential hazard when climbing if it’s sticking to the bark or iced over. And even if only on certain parts of the tree, once your boots are wet or have snow...
I recall one job where I think I spent nearly an hour or so trying to get that darn thing in what should’ve been a fairly easy throw. But I was getting frustrated, swear words we’re probably uttered, etc. Being in that negative mindset can trickle over into your work, regardless of how much...
I’ve never really had to fully train anyone starting from scratch to the point of actually sending them in the tree on their own because I’ve done all my own climbing or have had an already experienced climber up there. However, what I have done before and what I would probably do going forward...
How would you go about “collaborating” or developing “relations” if the opportunity hasn’t really presented itself to interact with that individual or company though. I mean you could wait years hoping for the opportunity to maybe establish a connection, but couldn’t it be more productive to get...
A lot of good points here. I have definitely aired on the side of caution when it comes to referring someone else out. There’s pretty much only 2-3 companies in the area I will ever refer out. One or two for certain removal projects or anything that I might decide I don’t want to get into for...
I like the idea of being able to work / help each other out at times. I have a friend who has his own operation in the area (though he only does it part-time alongside a regular job) and we do a lot of work together.
Do you think sending a competitor an email introducing yourself and your...
Maybe slightly off topic from the initial post as I was talking more about an individual as opposed to a company (although sometimes they are one in the same), but I’ve wondered before about developing relations with some of the “competition”. Like if there’s someone I feel confident in...
Wondering if anyone here has any experience bringing on a plant health care specialist / certified arborist for a consulting or as needed basis to perform tree assessments and maybe some actual field work (pruning, health care, etc).
If so, generally how do you pay them for instances where...
Have kind of noticed something similar at times. Work from past clients keeping me busy, not as many new ones at times.
I have a friend who also operates in the area and he said he’s noticed it seems slower than usual, or has had people tell him they can’t afford to do the work right now, etc.