Im new to the business, but never climbed before. Any advice?

Tom Dunlap said:
Hi..nice to have you on Treebuzz!

Being humble and admitting you don't know takes courage.

Listen to what is being said here, lots of good, caring advice.

Going to classes will help. That's an excellent time to network. YOu might find someone willing to work for a few days off and on. Keep you on the ground while you learn

In the mean time take on small jobs with no climbing. Extendable pole saws...away from ANY power lines...are good tools to learn with. Watch how branches hinge..or tear...how the fall. Use handsaws to get skilled with your hands.

Take time to look in the archives here. Search the users you might find someone nearby

Make sure that you have all of the insurance necessary. Will your health insurance cover you if you're injured? There might be exceptions. Be frank with the insurance company...let them know that you're doing some for-hire work...they don't need to know the scope of the work.

$75k income won't be equaled in the tree sbiz for a while...be realistic
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Yup totally agree.

Ideally I'm starting this out as a side hustle. The trees that I have estimated look easy to me. I have turned any down that look complex. But again, do I even know what easy is? These trees are all under 50 feet, not around any
rico said:
Taking some climbing classes would be a good thing for you, but are not miraculously going to become a remotely competent climber from a few classes at Wesspur. Not going to happen.

If you don't want to climb yet want to own and run a tree company you really have no other option than hiring a real pro and paying him well. A good experienced climber doesn't come cheap, and when it comes to climbers you get what you payed for.
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Agreed 100%.

Any advise on how to find a good climber? Average pay here is 18 dollars an hour but I'm willing to pay up to 30 per hour.

I just don't know who to trust and what to look for.
I have my general liability insurance along with workers comp set up already along with my business being an llc.

Thoughts?
 
Sounds like you're on top of things.

I learned how to arb mainly from treebuzz, but the other three forums as well, and youtube. I read constantly for a year and did not get back to reading for fun for another year after.

The guys telling you to stop are basically saying:

1. Anyone can kill/injure themself in this occupation, and you are more likely to.

2. They are a bit jealous that a new guy can just start in and do what they've been doing for years, and they're grumpy - especially @rico. :LOL: If one has a good grasp of newtonian physics, biology, and how they relate to your surroundings, you can start right in, but you do have to be right all the time because f=ma out there...
 
Heres the thing, I have invested heavily these last 3 months in training. Here is what I have done so far:
  • Bought the Tree Climbing Course from WesSpur that I will be attending next week. Its a 24 hour course on just climbing. Will try to see if I can go up with chainsaw and all gear.
  • Have been rigorously watching youtube videos on how to bring trees down, what to look for, techniques, etc. Also been watching disaster videos of idiots almost killing themselves.
  • Bought the ANSI Standards book along with the Tree Climbers Companion. Also bought a tree felling book and a tree rigging book.
  • Bought tree climbing DVD's.
  • Bought 20 foot ropes to start learning all the knots. Also reading up on what type of knots to use depending on the situation.
  • Taking an ISA course on tree biology, tree pruning techniques, and tree climbing.
  • Plan to take the Arbormaster course on Rigging in July.
All this training is useless unless i start practicing what I am reading and viewing. I understand that tree work is all about on the job training. I also understand that it is one of the most dangerous professions in the USA, if not the most dangerous. It is because of this that I am here and not just half assing any of this. We all start somewhere and I know that there was a first time for all of you when it came to climbing a tree. I appreciate all your responses and feedback.

When I say that safety is everything to me, this is not just a saying. It is legit the most important thing to me. I am the type of person that will be anal about following ANSI and OSHA standards and have no problem taking 4 hours on a job that should take 2.

Below is an example of a tree that I will be pruning and trimming. This to me was a baby tree but maybe you guys can correct me if I am wrong. Dont mind the dog pooping lol.

Ultimately though, id rather hire experienced arborists that can do the job for me so that I can focus on bringing in the dough and scaling my business. This is hard because since I am just starting out, I cant provide a climber with 40 hours worth of work. So that is a big hurdle that I am trying to go over.

That is the only reason that I am taking all this training.
 

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colb said:
2. They are a bit jealous that a new guy can just start in and do what they've been doing for years, and they're grumpy - especially @rico. :LOL: If one has a good grasp of newtonian physics, biology, and how they relate to your surroundings, you can start right in, but you do have to be right all the time because f=ma out there...
Click to expand...

You are spot on about that Rico character being a grumpy A-hole, but the rest is utter nonsense. No doubt you already know that though Colb?

I saw his long his list of accomplishment in the last 3 months, but the one thing I don't see is him actually climbing and working in a tree?

My advice is not only to protect Jargon, but to also protect his potential clients.

The bottom line is that books and the inter web are a great supplement, but will never replace the hands on, real world experience of working under a pro for a few years.
 
Jorgon1022 said:
Heres the thing, I have invested heavily these last 3 months in training. Here is what I have done so far:
  • Bought the Tree Climbing Course from WesSpur that I will be attending next week. Its a 24 hour course on just climbing. Will try to see if I can go up with chainsaw and all gear.
  • Have been rigorously watching youtube videos on how to bring trees down, what to look for, techniques, etc. Also been watching disaster videos of idiots almost killing themselves.
  • Bought the ANSI Standards book along with the Tree Climbers Companion. Also bought a tree felling book and a tree rigging book.
  • Bought tree climbing DVD's.
  • Bought 20 foot ropes to start learning all the knots. Also reading up on what type of knots to use depending on the situation.
  • Taking an ISA course on tree biology, tree pruning techniques, and tree climbing.
  • Plan to take the Arbormaster course on Rigging in July.
All this training is useless unless i start practicing what I am reading and viewing. I understand that tree work is all about on the job training. I also understand that it is one of the most dangerous professions in the USA, if not the most dangerous. It is because of this that I am here and not just half assing any of this. We all start somewhere and I know that there was a first time for all of you when it came to climbing a tree. I appreciate all your responses and feedback.

When I say that safety is everything to me, this is not just a saying. It is legit the most important thing to me. I am the type of person that will be anal about following ANSI and OSHA standards and have no problem taking 4 hours on a job that should take 2.

Below is an example of a tree that I will be pruning and trimming. This to me was a baby tree but maybe you guys can correct me if I am wrong. Dont mind the dog pooping lol.

Ultimately though, id rather hire experienced arborists that can do the job for me so that I can focus on bringing in the dough and scaling my business. This is hard because since I am just starting out, I cant provide a climber with 40 hours worth of work. So that is a big hurdle that I am trying to go over.

That is the only reason that I am taking all this training.
Click to expand...


The truth is everyone starts somewhere, there's no reason you couldn't do this job, but there's simply more to it than what it may seem at first glance. Take @evo up on his offer to help out if your that close, you'll make some money while learning and your customers will be taken care of properly. If you choose to trim the above tree yourself, educate yourself on proper pruning and don't bother with the chainsaw. With the exception of a dead limb or storm damage you shouldn't really ever need a chainsaw at height when trimming, a handsaw will handle all of the cuts. You can still get hurt with a handsaw, but typically its a safer option. And just a warning, even a handsaw will slice through a taught rope, so be mindful of your climbing ropes location at all times.
 
Jorgon1022 said:
Yup totally agree.

Ideally I'm starting this out as a side hustle. The trees that I have estimated look easy to me. I have turned any down that look complex. But again, do I even know what easy is? These trees are all under 50 feet, not around any


Agreed 100%.

Any advise on how to find a good climber? Average pay here is 18 dollars an hour but I'm willing to pay up to 30 per hour.

I just don't know who to trust and what to look for.
I have my general liability insurance along with workers comp set up already along with my business being an llc.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Yeah. I think I'd want closer to 50 an hour to come and build a company for someone who is in it for a dollar rather than who wants to be touching wood all day for the foreseeable future.
I make in the neighborhood of your high number and have a lot of equipment and skill and experience to lean on both in my company owner and my crew. I also live in an area with some of the lowest cost of living in the country.


Someone who has been there and done that and who can still do it will be willing to run your crew, but you're not only going to be paying them a very handsome wage. You're going to be caught by the nads. You need an understanding of the nature of the work, or you can't bid properly. You don't know the ins and outs of the equipment and what reasonable service expenses are.

That is a lot of faith to have in someone that you don't know well.
 
SomethingWitty said:
Yeah. I think I'd want closer to 50 an hour to come and build a company for someone who is in it for a dollar rather than who wants to be touching wood all day for the foreseeable future.
I make in the neighborhood of your high number and have a lot of equipment and skill and experience to lean on both in my company owner and my crew. I also live in an area with some of the lowest cost of living in the country.


Someone who has been there and done that and who can still do it will be willing to run your crew, but you're not only going to be paying them a very handsome wage. You're going to be caught by the nads. You need an understanding of the nature of the work, or you can't bid properly. You don't know the ins and outs of the equipment and what reasonable service expenses are.

That is a lot of faith to have in someone that you don't know well.
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Agree with everything you just said.

It's crazy to me that they pay 18 an hour here in my area. I would be down to pay 30 for someone that could do the work in a safe manner.

Definitely can't do 50 as of yet but maybe in the future. The more I pay the better talent I will attract
 
Jorgon1022 said:
Agree with everything you just said.

It's crazy to me that they pay 18 an hour here in my area. I would be down to pay 30 for someone that could do the work in a safe manner.

Definitely can't do 50 as of yet but maybe in the future. The more I pay the better talent I will attract
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I am curious why you are so dead set on starting a business in a field your have virtually no experience with , and very little knowledge of?
 
rico said:
I am curious why you are so dead set on starting a business in a field your have virtually no experience with , and very little knowledge of?
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I guess it caught my eye and curiosity along with the fact that it' brings in bank once you scale it
 
In my experience and observation nothing can replace working alongside skilled and talented tree people. You can read all the books take all the classes and talk on the forum til the cows come home but none of that will replace working with people who know the ropes and trees firsthand. A weekend training class or seminar can't replace that, should only be a supplement. I've worked with some people who struck out on their own right out the gate and it sure wasn't pretty.

ps, is this a trolling post?
 
dunderpaps said:
i think you should cancel the jobs you have lined up, it will take the pressure of you and give you time to find out if this kind of work is for you,honest to fck its not easy way to make a quick buck
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I don't think I'm communicating correctly. I don't plan to do this work for more than a year. I plan on building systems, building a business and having others do the work. I'm passionate about building businesses and I have worked in landscaping for 10 plus years.

It's not tree work but I liked it
 
rico said:
Far enough, but don't hold your breath waiting for the bank to roll in.
Why not a Hooters Franchise? Would certainly catch your eye, and I imagine the money is better
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Because I'm not curious about that.

Tree work catches my eye. There's a huge opportunity in this line of work.
 
Leroy said:
In my experience and observation nothing can replace working alongside skilled and talented tree people. You can read all the books take all the classes and talk on the forum til the cows come home but none of that will replace working with people who know the ropes and trees firsthand. A weekend training class or seminar can't replace that, should only be a supplement. I've worked with some people who struck out on their own right out the gate and it sure wasn't pretty.

ps, is this a trolling post?
Click to expand...
Why would this be a trolling post? I came here to ask for help not troll.

Anyways I agree with everything else you are saying. Sounds like I need to find a climber
 
Question abound. Either this is bs or you are a fool?
Major in Business and jump into a bus/vocation you have no geniune interest in other than it makes bank? Pruning trees isn't even a hobby for you? Where are you and who is your competition? is it that easy to break ground over there?
:fuckyou: me, sounds bloody crazy.
9 out of ten people we hire don't make the cut. Romantic idea being an arborist truth is
hardest work there is and owner or worker you will always be somebodies grunt monkey bitch are you prepared to sweat, toil and grind when employees leave you?
just goes to show how messed up this industry really is.
Best of luck, stay safe,
 
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