How is a Tree Climber Wired?

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opposablethumb

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They told us when we were kids that "You can be anything you want to be."

I don't believe that's true. Sure, you might be able to try to be whatever you want to be. But I think we're all wired a certain way, and the particulars of how we're wired determines what we can be good at. Kind of like computers - a Mac is wired to be an efficient, effective computing tool, whereas a PC is wired to be a drain on the energy grid without serving any practical purpose.

(Oops! Wrong discussion forum! My bad!
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Being a new climber, coming up on 2 years, I'm constantly wondering, "Am I cut out for this?" My answer is generally, yes, because I enjoy the work, and I can see myself improving. But occasionally, I seriously doubt if I am wired to climb trees for a living. These doubts are usually sparked by either a bad day in the trees, or when I come across a really good tree climber and think, "Man, I just don't operate the way that guy/girl does...Maybe I'm just not wired for this work."

Case in point: Reading about Mr. Joey Cornell. RIP. It sounds like he was a remarkable individual. I did not know him and know nothing about him except what I've read on the Buzz. And I do not intend to start a discussion about him. Reading about him being an aggressive and very skilled tree climber and how he seemed to be fearless, etc. makes me look at myself and wonder if I'm cut out for this, since I'm wired differently. I'm a pretty mild-mannered fellow. My friends in highschool nicknamed me "cautious". I take it slow through the crown of a tree. I've been building on my treeworking skills slowly. yada yada. I don't "Do the Dew"
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as they say.

I'm not trying to start a "self-help" session. I'm not looking for advice. I'm just wondering what you folks think about this question in general:

What are some of the personality traits, what's the psychology, of a tree climber? How's a tree climber wired?
 
Great topic. I don't know if you are or are not "wired" for tree work and thus you will be great at it because you are. I personally think that if it's something you are truly passionate about and are willing to constantly improve and learn, then yes - you can be anything you want to a point. Professional athletes are probably the exception to that statement (I love hockey - but I am never gonna make it in the NHL!) I often look at different jobs and figure that I could do them with no problem - if I wanted to do them.

I don't think that being "cautious" or not being the best climber doesn't mean that you should quit, because if it did, I wouldn't be doing this job! It's just your style of tree work, and if it gets the job done safely and makes you money - great! Everyone in every job marches to the beat of a different drummer, it's what makes the world go 'round!
 
Using my MacBook cuz I can't stand working in the dark side...ooops...derail :)


At one low point in my career I thought about getting out of arb work. My back was hurting and I was struggling with growing my business. This meant more mental and physical demands on myself. As my chiropractor got my back in shape and I realized that I could grow my business by doing better work I got refocused on arb work.

Ever since high school I've been doing arb and landscape work. I feel very fortunate to have a career of a life time!

I don't bleed, I drip sap.
 
My old boss told me tree climbers are usually a little crazy or really religious...

I have worked with wild climbers (take em big!) and overly cautious guys. I lean towards the over cautious because the ego guys will never change. Never worked with the religious crowd...
I knew I was good at what I did, but not the fastest. I asked my boss what he thought I should do and he told me to relax. Most important is to be able to get jobs, keep customers and maintain referrals. Also, have some fun...
Since those early days, I have paid attention and gotten more efficient, even fast. The process of my career has been good and I enjoy climbing trees. I also quit drinking 5 years ago and that helped alot! But that is another thread...
 
Great post opposable; some of the bravest waterman I've seen in the ocean, doing things that would literally blow your mind if seen in person, are the most humble and egoless people, that has been a huge lesson always.

I think of myself as cautious too, and through that caution I've pushed myself into bigger and bigger trees, and bigger and bigger waves. It's just a different approach; some of the 'tough' guys really aren't as tough as they come off.

I think everyone questions themselves at one point. What has helped me is to concentrate on doing what I am doing and not concentrate on others so much; it's easy to get caught in that type mindset of trying to be the biggest and baddest. There's no gold at the end of the rainbow ;)

jp
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I'd have to generally agree with what is posted. As many different people as I have met in this trade, that is how many different ways I have seen people wired.

Some are into climbing, some into science, others into research, diagnostics, design, planning, teaching. You name it, and there is something they are attracted to.

But as for common wiring I'd submit there is probably only two common wires found in those you would consider "great" tree people.

One wire is a passion for some aspect of trees. The other wire is a what I'd call a commitment wire.

The first attracts them to trees. It is the second makes them really good at working with trees. It is that second wire that also makes them really good at other things too.

Passion for your work, like for your spouse, comes initially as an emotional attraction. But it cannot grow and flourish with out commitment. And commitment is not an emotion. Rather, it is a decision: a conscious, rational thought.

I know lots of folks who are passionate about something that they are clearly committed to. As a result, they are joyfully expert in those things.

At the same time we all know too many folks with passion for something but never commit. These folks seem to never want to connect that commitment wire to anything in general. Consequently we find that these are the same people that have little success or joy in their lives.

I think it is simply a matter of what do we choose to be passionate about?

If you decide to be passionate about trees, then you <u> WILL</u> be exceptionally good at it.

Just my two pennies worth, hope it helps.
 
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I don't bleed, I drip sap.

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What a great saying Tom!

This is such a good thread too. We are all certainly wired differently. I believe that if you have a passion than just about anything (within reason) is possible, just as others have said.

The trick is to try and be the best climber that you possibly can without trying to be the best in the world. Everyone has the potential to be very good in their chosen field, if they truly focus on the tasks at hand.
 
There's a lot of words used in everyones post and I'm not going to pretend that I've read them all. This is geared toward opposible more than anyone else.

Opposible. Those "bad days" you're experiencing go away as time passes. I thought the same thing everyday. Probably said it to myself a million times "what the hell am I doing, I should just go back and teach".

If you genuinely love what you do then have no doubts that this is what you were made to do. You don't have to be the best, just be good enough to keep a steady job doing what you love. That's all I've ever been, the best I can be which pales in comparison to what others skill sets are but we share the same passions which puts us all on the same level.

I think this is the first post in months that actually had any real insight or knowledge. Dammit. Looks like I broke my new years resolution.
 
Very true Chris, but we don't all have to be climbers I guess is my point. I've met some fantastic, passionate, incredibly awesome arbos that can't or ought not climb.

We are all many parts of a larger body called arboriculture and each part needs to be filled by someone exceptional and yet no one part is exceptional in itself albeit all parts are necessary.

As you suggested the key is to be the best that you are capable of and here is the rub, we are all capable of so much more than we already are!

Do everything you do with excellence and humility. Words of wisdom I received a long time ago!
 
The same bad days I used to have as a climber I now have as a business owner. Some days you just want to pack it in and go get a job somewhere and leave the worries to someone else. But i think back to those days when i was just starting to climb and how I would push myself and reapply those lessons to my business strategies. I think its working. Im still afloat anyhow. hahahah.
 
I’ve often thought that the psyche of a climber would make a great psychology research paper.
Why is it that so many great climbers I have worked with are so messed up in their personal lives?
Which came first, was the person a hell raiser that found a good for match for their “I ain’t scared of nothing “ attitude in tree work. Or did having to put their life and limb on the line everyday drive them to drink, drugs and whatnots. Perhaps having to push through fear to get the job done on those dangerous removals makes a person more likely to throw caution to the wind on everyday things. Or do you have to be a little bit crazy to be in the business to begin with.
I assume it is a combination of both, and have noticed that the times are changing, the young climbers I meet now seem to have their acts together.
I have a degree in psychology so if you know anyone who would like to give me a grant to take a year off of work to travel the country interviewing climbers presently working, on disability or in prison so I can write a paper on it let me know.
 
Good to read you Dan.

I've worked with a full spectrum of wild and crazy/slow and cautious, and I think one common thread is the need to see new things, new experiences, adrenaline. A hate for boredom. I know a big part of my passion for this job is the possibility that the next job might be interesting or knee-knocking.

In person, I don't at all come across as a "crazy" person, yet I hear it all the time on the job. I'm not crazy, I'm confident in my knowledge and ability. And when you're in that position you get to push the boundaries, that's when it gets fun.
 
Yes, Gord. Nice comment

I agree I am not 'crazy'. Maybe a daredevil in my youth and thus atracted to tree climbing. Everything you said rings true.
I have been reminding myself lately that I am fortunate to enjoy my days at work and have a job. So many friends out of work or with crappy jobs that lead to wandering minds, boredom.
 
Read Sebastion Junger's book 'Fire' to get some insights into other occupations that we share our wiring with. Junger worked as a hired-gun climber before becoming a writer full-time.
 
I climbed everything as a kid. Up sides of buildings any tree I could reach the lowest limb or diameter i could bear hug up and go to the top. But don't ask me to jump off the top of fence, that just hurts and scares me.
Being cautious is the most important trait in any arborist.
It means you want to stay injury free and think about what you are about to do thoughfully.

A couple times a year my knees just start shaking on some tough tree. Time to relax and prepare.
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Great words everybody. Nice to hear what you guys are thinking.

familytree - I used to be a teacher too - middle and high school english! That's hilarious...Although I don't ever consider going back, even on the toughest jobs I've climbed. Not wired for it. I'm too introverted to have to stand up and talk to people ALL DAY EVERY DAY. Once I started working with soil/plants/shrubs/trees full time 5 years ago, I never looked back.

Dan Kraus - Your comment: "Perhaps having to push through fear to get the job done on those dangerous removals makes a person more likely to throw caution to the wind on everyday things."

In my own case, after a particularly difficult, nerve wracking climb, I actually have the exact opposite reaction. I go home, am more patient with my 3 year old, clean up the kitchen really, really well after dinner, make sure I throw my socks in the laundry basket instead of the corner of the room. The feeling of coming through a real challenge brings the importance of mundane, boring, everyday things into sharper focus for me. Their importance becomes clearer. Maybe on top of a passion for trees and climbing, this is one of the benefits that draws me to the vocation.
 
I have lots to share on this topic but I'm off to bed soon. Just real quick though. I find a lot of right brain thinkers in the industry. I'm just now starting to find more validation of that and more people are less uncomfortable talking about it...
 
I think that we are somewhat wired for the things that we do. I always liked self challenges growing up. I was never really into any team sports so at an early age I got into skateboarding. From age eight to my mid twenties this was the sport that I was into. I like how every part of it was a challenge and it was up to me to make the difference in getting better at the different tricks that you could learn. After my body was taking a toll from skateboarding I got in to weight lifting, again a sport that that was self challenging and you made the ultimate decision on how far you could push yourself. I have gone through many sports like this from dirt biking to free ride mountain biking. I think tree climbing takes a certain personality and I think we are wired for it in some way. I think you have to be up for self challenges and have a passion for trees and the outdoors. Like some others have said you have some Awesome days and you have some crappy ones. But that’s how you learn and become better at what we do.
 
Though, this may strike some people as offensive, they say that we are descendents of apes. If this is true, than our DNA is defintely wired for us to be tree climbers. Some people more than others.

I think every tree climber today, was the kid who loved to climb the tallest tree that they could find when they were younger. Sometimes they would do it alone, sometimes with their friends. Usually the ones that were wired to be future tree workers would feel a thrill as they were climbing to reach that high perch, while their buddy was below them complaining about how high and dangerous it was to be up this tree.

At least that is how it was when I was climbing as a kid. My mother likes to tell the story about when I was a little over a year old and my crib was next to a tall bureau in my nursery, I would climb out of my crib and open up the drawers so I could get in them and climb to the top of the bureau and sleep there instead. It used to scare her so badly to find me up there, that my dad finally starting putting a fishing net over the top of the crib to keep me in at nights. I got back at them my mom says, because I would end up crying myself to sleep while keeping them awake!

I was obviously wired differently than some kids.
 
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