Decision Point Approaches

Daniel said:
Wishing you well with it Steve...
Tough situation...
I've been expecting a huge collapse in demand for some time. It's been getting slow around here too, mostly because most of the dead ash trees are gone. I've been thinking about alternative enterprises, because I think things are only going to get worse, and maybe much worse.

In 2020 and 2021 demand was off the charts. No one had ever seen anything like it. We had a triple perfect storm: the ash tree haulocaust was peaking and that's 11% of trees in PA, everybody was home and doing home projects from the pandemic, and the spotted lantern fly had just come to town and was wreaking havoc.
I was getting 15-20 phone calls a day. I couldn't even go look at them all, much less do them. My hip was about shot and I wasn't comfortable taking big tree jobs so stuck mostly to stump grinding. As such I lost a lot of clients that I had spent 35 years developing.

IN the meantime a lot of new guys started in the tree businesses and ended up with millions of dollars in equipment. Prices were through the roof and the work just kept coming.

Now the ash trees are about all gone which was a huge part of the demand, while supply is through the roof. The economy is questionable, but not as bad as it's likely to be soon. When the economy tanks, it's going to rock everyone. All these new companies will be all dresssed up and no where to go. Prices will fall like water as they just try to keep their guys employed. I've seen it a few times over the years, with 2008 being the worst. That could look like a cake walk if this economy really takes a dump.

The more I write here, the more it occurs that the time for you to get out is now. Unless you can think of a new way to get clients which is doable. Maybe get on the phone to all the local tree guys and landscapers to offer a new client special. You know your market. Other than that there is nothing less than a hurricane that's going to improve the situation much. From what you've said, the writing is on the wall, especially if you've lost your passion for the work, which it sounds like you have. Only you can say for sure though. Trust your intuition. Take some quiet time alone and pray and meditate on it.
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Very astute observations. Much along my lines of thinking TBH. Thank you
 
Thanks again everyone. Not much time for a long reply. Maybe later. As far as the court thing. I have been told if you don’t sing a contract with “for” related to the business you can be personally liable. That came from a lawyer. Not sure all the laws but I should be able to recoup everything with a slam dunk as he signed the contract and I have a huge paper trail.
 
Steve Connally said:
Yes I remember you scoring but as long as we've interacted on here, I really would have loved to know who you were. I feel like I got robbed of the opportunity to meet someone who I've held in high esteem for a long time. I woulda loved to have had your company for dinner one night. I ended up doing my own thing so it woulda been cool to hang out with you.

That was a strange weekend. Day 1, in the morning, the hotel valet obliterated the entire drivers side of my truck in the parking garage. I'm not exaggerating. It was proper fucked. I had to struggle to set that aside and focus on the comp. Not easy for me. That may have been some of what you were picking up. Things are at a low but I've been low before. If it comes to the point where I need some help, I'm not too proud. Rite now I just need friends and people who understand. A friendly smile does wonders. Your assessment is true. There is always more to it. Maybe just not as dire of a situation as you thought. Or maybe it is, IDK. I'm ok and not offended. I appreciate the concern and the insight.

I would say, though I understand keeping to yourself (I do also) there are people who want to know you in person. I kind feel like I missed a chance to connect to somebody. Hope I get another chance.

I appreciate your communications with me.
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I remember us talking about your truck. That was a ridiculous situation that I hope went in your favor.

I wasn't fully intentionally avoiding anyone. My partner came with me for that trip and I just wanted to hang out with her in the evenings after the comp.

Next time we cross paths I'll be sure to introduce myself a little better. And dinner is on me.
 
So, how does liability for that work? On him? On rental company?

Does the crane have a record of the weight of the pick??? If they can show it was over estimate does that shift liability???
 
Its hard to tell. I dont know if it records or just shows real time. I'm thinking he might be on the hook for this unless it can be proven to be no fault of the tree company. If its overloaded is probably on him. If its wind load its on them both but who knows who will determine that. IDK if it was a blind pick. Either way I think there will be some fighting over liability and if it way my contract, it would be on him unless the insurance proved it was me or structural at no fault of him. I personally think he's screwed and I'll never get paid after this.
 
Steve Connally said:
Its hard to tell. I dont know if it records or just shows real time. I'm thinking he might be on the hook for this unless it can be proven to be no fault of the tree company. If its overloaded is probably on him. If its wind load its on them both but who knows who will determine that. IDK if it was a blind pick. Either way I think there will be some fighting over liability and if it way my contract, it would be on him unless the insurance proved it was me or structural at no fault of him. I personally think he's screwed and I'll never get paid after this.
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Shity you might not get paid but Fook him and it might have help you swallowing that one.
 
Hey guys. Thanks for checking in. I've just kinda been keeping to myself generally. Its been up and down. May was normal. April worked itself out. I went a couple weeks with no work but ended up with a couple days of storm work so that saved me. Last month had a a high paying industry lift and some more emergency work. I worked 2.5 days this week and have 4 days next week. I've started putting myself out there to do some training for companies. I have 2 days of AR training for 2 different companies this month. I spent a few days in Green Bay last month training Selner Tree with some Knuckleboom stuff. That was fun. I really enjoyed myself and it was great to meet Casey and his team in person after talking on here for so many years. I had a bunch of days doing eagles this year and that pays well. For some reason I'm getting the call to do a lot of chapter trainings. Odd happenstance out of nowhere really. This year was Arbfest, this coming EXPO, Mid-Atlantic, then 2025 is Pendel and Michigan. I think I might get the invite for Wisconsin but I'm not sure. I can't really figure out why the sudden interest but I'll take it. I put myself out there to start climbing again but haven't gotten any interest. Hope thats temporary. I'd like to climb more. Its seems like things have picked up to the point each month works out by the end of the month. We'll see. I still realize the time may come where I have to pack it in and sell. Somebody called me for a tree on a hour tomorrow but needed up letting me know I charge too much. Kinda pissed me off but I don't wanna work tomorrow anyway.
I appreciate you guys checking in. It's not been a good year for my spirit. Feeling pretty broken but making personal changes with diet. I started gardening, and fermenting. My garden is amazing and I have a 2 batches of Kombucha and pickles working rite now. Doing a food elimination diet that will last until October. Mostly I'm just holed up at my house when I'm not working. Have more solitude than I had ever anticipated. Figuring out it isn't the best thing. Anywho.......
 

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Steve Connally said:
Hey guys. Thanks for checking in. I've just kinda been keeping to myself generally. Its been up and down. May was normal. April worked itself out. I went a couple weeks with no work but ended up with a couple days of storm work so that saved me. Last month had a a high paying industry lift and some more emergency work. I worked 2.5 days this week and have 4 days next week. I've started putting myself out there to do some training for companies. I have 2 days of AR training for 2 different companies this month. I spent a few days in Green Bay last month training Selner Tree with some Knuckleboom stuff. That was fun. I really enjoyed myself and it was great to meet Casey and his team in person after talking on here for so many years. I had a bunch of days doing eagles this year and that pays well. For some reason I'm getting the call to do a lot of chapter trainings. Odd happenstance out of nowhere really. This year was Arbfest, this coming EXPO, Mid-Atlantic, then 2025 is Pendel and Michigan. I think I might get the invite for Wisconsin but I'm not sure. I can't really figure out why the sudden interest but I'll take it. I put myself out there to start climbing again but haven't gotten any interest. Hope thats temporary. I'd like to climb more. Its seems like things have picked up to the point each month works out by the end of the month. We'll see. I still realize the time may come where I have to pack it in and sell. Somebody called me for a tree on a hour tomorrow but needed up letting me know I charge too much. Kinda pissed me off but I don't wanna work tomorrow anyway.
I appreciate you guys checking in. It's not been a good year for my spirit. Feeling pretty broken but making personal changes with diet. I started gardening, and fermenting. My garden is amazing and I have a 2 batches of Kombucha and pickles working rite now. Doing a food elimination diet that will last until October. Mostly I'm just holed up at my house when I'm not working. Have more solitude than I had ever anticipated. Figuring out it isn't the best thing. Anywho.......
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Sorry about the bullshit- I have been going through a new circle of it myself. Glad to hear about the gardening and fermenting. That will do wonders for your head space and your heart.
 
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