Grooming a Climber

[Ent]

There are also lots of tree guys who do this full time that really aren't very good at all. I know plenty (yet they are still honest, good people) It all depends on your mindset and intention. Depends if you really desire to flourish or only looking to take home the check. There is a difference in my eyes. And I don't shame anyone who just wants the check either. Different strokes for different folks...all good.

Of course people are not good at tree work, just as in anything. Still, all this can be figured out in a normal work week, not consuming other areas of your life. Seems obvious that it's not for everyone. No shame in that is my point basically. Tree guys take tree work and themselves too seriously. Find balance in life and you'll succeed at lots of things.

 

[Treetopflyer]

All Great climbers have one thing in common. It’s a way of lifetime to them, and they live and breath this shit. It’s their identity. It is who they are. Sure they put in their 40 hours a week, but they also work on their craft away from the job. These are the type of individuals that are worth taking the time to raise up right, and the only ones I bother fucking with these days.

Me too , so they w ont cut my base tie.

 

[JD3000]

My hero

Smart ass.

 

[Jem4417]

Smart ass.

I blame your bad example

 

[Mowerr]

Thug life

 

[JD3000]

I would add that no work should be considered beneath oneself when starting out. Everyone chips in and keeps busy.

 

[Serf Life]

Observation and discernment.
Coordination - become ambidextrous
Intelligence
Desire
Team player / optimist


These are some qualities to have and develop.

...in the bedroom

 

[Jonny]

I would add that no work should be considered beneath oneself when starting out. Everyone chips in and keeps busy.

Very true. I imagine it's different for a contract climber, but for a climber employed by a tree service, I'd come down when done climbing, maybe get some water and rest my feet for 5 minutes then grab a saw or some brush or a rake and get the rest of the job finished.

 

[rico]

Bahh, I think you're over glamorizing tree work here. It's not as complicated as tree guys would like to make people think. You don't need more than full time gig to get really fucking good at this shit. Tree guys thinking they are doing god's work are a dime a dozen.

Bahh my ass. I haven’t got a clue what your work environment looks like, but I do know that the woods that I have spent my life working in can chew you up and spit you out if you aren’t on your game. Many around here proudly consider it a way of life, and the men that rise above the riff raff do so because they are willing to put the extra time and effort into being more than just good. A little time working on rolling a flipline up a spar. A little time working on your rope walking technique. Taking the time to sit down and chat with an old-time timber faller and learn some amazing shit. It might all add up to and hour or 2 a week, but it pays huge dividends down the road. Simply stuff really

Come on down here a wreak a 225 ft back leaning Fir. Gods work. Nope. Glamorous? Fuck no. What it is is dangerous, honorable hard work. Something that not just any asshole is capable of doing. Ain’t no shame in taking pride in that!

 

[CanadianStan]

Bahh my ass. I haven’t got a clue what your work environment looks like, but I do know that the woods that I have spent my life working in can chew you up and spit you out if you aren’t on your game. Many around here proudly consider it a way of life, and the men that rise above the riff raff do so because they are willing to put the extra time and effort into being more than just good. A little time working on rolling a flipline up a spar. A little time working on your rope walking technique. Taking the time to sit down and chat with an old-time timber faller and learn some amazing shit. It might all add up to and hour or 2 a week, but it pays huge dividends down the road. Simply stuff really

Come on down here a wreak a 225 ft back leaning Fir. Gods work. Nope. Glamorous? Fuck no. What it is is dangerous, honorable hard work. Something that not just any asshole is capable of doing. Ain’t no shame in taking pride in that!

Danimal could could it. Blindfolded.

 

[Scheffa]

There are certainly climbers who are in it for the thrill, the bragging rights or trying to look cool.
There are also the climbers who are in it for the challenge, and to be the best damn tree man they can possibly be.
Big difference between the two, and usually easy to spot who is who.

 

[MikePowers321]

Last year I bit the bullet and bought those Sena communication devices. As a contract climber, Communication with your rotating rope guy/gal is a breeze....but another thing I soon realized is that it created an amazing learning opportunity.

One guy in particular is kind of new and doing well but just lacks enough experience. I can calmly say everything that I'm doing and why - different rigging techniques, why I'm tying things up in different spots, pruning cuts, redirects, you name it. A complete Game changer for the student/teacher relationship on the jobsite

 

[DSMc]

... and the men that rise above the riff raff do so because they are willing to put the extra time and effort into being more than just good. A little time working on rolling a flipline up a spar. A little time working on your rope walking technique. Taking the time to sit down and chat with an old-time timber faller and learn some amazing shit. It might all add up to and hour or 2 a week, but it pays huge dividends down the road. Simply stuff really...

Rico, all these attributes that you and others have mentioned that go into making a great climber are with the individual, not the location or the day of the week. The desire to excel at both mental and physical endeavours will be part of their makeup, or not.

My contention is that it takes hard, consistent, repetitive work to develop and mold these qualities into someone that is a step above others in their field. Tree work can be practiced, perfected, and learned, on the job. I see far too many Youtube divas that talk the talk but lack the skills.

It's not what you know when it comes to climbing so much as whether you can apply what you know.

 

[rico]

Danimal could could it. Blindfolded.

Rico, all these attributes that you and others have mentioned that go into making a great climber are with the individual, not the location or the day of the week. The desire to excel at both mental and physical endeavours will be part of their makeup, or not.

My contention is that it takes hard, consistent, repetitive work to develop and mold these qualities into someone that is a step above others in their field. Tree

Agreed for the most part, but I would argue that location has a huge influence on the skill set one is forced to develop.
I can hall ass up and big stick with a flipline and a pair of spurs simply because my work environment has forced me to do so.
On the flip side I had to take my own time to become semi competent at rope walking. I had to take the initiative to do it on my own as my day to day work environment would have never forced me to do so. Sure glad I did!
I believe the diversity of someone like Reg’s work experiences is one of the things that has made him such a great, well rounded treeman.

 

[Scheffa]

Agreed for the most part, but I would argue that location has a huge influence on the skill set one is forced to develop.
I can hall ass up and big stick with a flipline and a pair of spurs simply because my work environment has forced me to do so.
On the flip side I had to take my own time to become semi competent at rope walking. I had to take the initiative to do it on my own as my day to day work environment would have never forced me to do so. Sure glad I did!
I believe the diversity of someone like Reg’s work experiences is one of the things that has made him such a great, well rounded treeman.

I agree with @rico here, location and work type makes a huge difference.

I work mostly in line clearance here in aus, the power company we work for require us to wear spurs when climbing unless the customer specified different which is very rare being in a rural location.

A good lines climber round these parts is hard to beat when it comes to spur climbing and removals, we are normally climbing tall trees in shitty spots that the towers can’t get to or reach, forced to go way out on limbs to be able make the cuts without contacting the lines, have good pruning cuts as they are inspected and do it safely and efficiently.

Your general private work climber who practiCes spurless pruning until doing a removal will never be as quick in a set of spikes.

 

[rope-a-dope]

Huh. Lots of answers to this question of development.
The opinions are swirling like flies on a hot turd.
My upbringing as a tree worker was in an educational setting, a 4yr college with a student work program. Our focus was on safety awareness, building skills, and learning about trees and how to care for them. Zero production pressure, no money involved.
My current co-crew leader never had formal training, started by free-climbing, and made mistakes that others died from. Completely self taught.
We pretty much share the same outlook, capabilities, and productivity, despite our points of origin.
Im not so sure if its even worth discussing the traits needed to be a "good arbo/climber." Or even what that means.
The topic that really interests me is the sharing of knowledge and the process of growth that occurs in those that choose this path. I think it is telling that the conversation drifted to what the apprentice must be like and do, rather than how we can help them learn.
I 2nd the importance of communication (with sena or without) as crucial to educating crewmates. Storytelling is the best suppliment to job experience, because if someone can learn from your mistakes without repeating them, you are doing good.

 

[Crimsonking]

Thanks, Yoda.

 

[Tony]

Agreed for the most part, but I would argue that location has a huge influence on the skill set one is forced to develop.
I can hall ass up and big stick with a flipline and a pair of spurs simply because my work environment has forced me to do so.
On the flip side I had to take my own time to become semi competent at rope walking. I had to take the initiative to do it on my own as my day to day work environment would have never forced me to do so. Sure glad I did!
I believe the diversity of someone like Reg’s work experiences is one of the things that has made him such a great, well rounded treeman.

I think there are many that say they have 10 years experience when in fact they have 6 months 20 times over.

There is a difference between good and adequate . A huge difference between good and great. You can do this work and go home by cutting corners. You can cut corners anywhere in life, but what does that make you?

You can also dedicate time, energy and gull on and off the job. (Although, “on” will get you noticed quicker.)You can be more than a collector of a pay check. You can cross the line from good to great. But it takes effort.

While I disagree with Rico’s list verbatim, plenty of the best will never respond here. Perhaps that is a lesson in itself.

Tony

 

[rico]

While I disagree with Rico’s list verbatim, plenty of the best will never respond here. Some of the best will. Perhaps that is a lesson in itself.

Tony

What is this list you speak of?

 

[rope-a-dope]

Prolly the names you dropped?