Looking to start a career in tree work

[Lord Baby Arm]

Hey guys, I haven’t posted a ton but I’ve been here for a few years (I think ). In February I left my job at the beach managing an hvac warehouse and to make ends meet have been doing handyman work since. I’ve decided it’s time to see if my love of climbing would translate to a love of a career in tree work because at this age I really don’t want to spend the rest of my life doing something I don’t enjoy. I live in Nakina, NC. It’s close to Shallotte, NC, Whiteville, NC, North Myrtle Beach, SC, and other towns in those areas.
I feel it would be wise to start as a groundie with the intention of becoming a climber as I gain experience. At the moment I have my own saddle, rope, rope wrench, eye-to-eyes, a handful of biners, figure 8, foot ascender, saka (on the way), and hard hat. I’m comfortable with ascending and simple limb walks and even removing some small to medium sized branches (on my own trees that are coming down; to be clear I haven’t done anything for anyone but myself), but have much to learn before I could claim true competency.
I’d like to pursue some education in the field but finances would prohibit that prior to getting a job and establishing some savings.
How would one go about starting down this path? I’d love something full time but I would absolutely take the right part time position as well. Am I crazy? Is this something I can actually do? I’d really appreciate any advice or direction that you can offer me. Thanks so much in advance!!

Seth,

 

[AdkEric]

Hey guys, I haven’t posted a ton but I’ve been here for a few years (I think ). In February I left my job at the beach managing an hvac warehouse and to make ends meet have been doing handyman work since. I’ve decided it’s time to see if my love of climbing would translate to a love of a career in tree work because at this age I really don’t want to spend the rest of my life doing something I don’t enjoy. I live in Nakina, NC. It’s close to Shallotte, NC, Whiteville, NC, North Myrtle Beach, SC, and other towns in those areas.
I feel it would be wise to start as a groundie with the intention of becoming a climber as I gain experience. At the moment I have my own saddle, rope, rope wrench, eye-to-eyes, a handful of biners, figure 8, foot ascender, saka (on the way), and hard hat. I’m comfortable with ascending and simple limb walks and even removing some small to medium sized branches (on my own trees that are coming down; to be clear I haven’t done anything for anyone but myself), but have much to learn before I could claim true competency.
I’d like to pursue some education in the field but finances would prohibit that prior to getting a job and establishing some savings.
How would one go about starting down this path? I’d love something full time but I would absolutely take the right part time position as well. Am I crazy? Is this something I can actually do? I’d really appreciate any advice or direction that you can offer me. Thanks so much in advance!!

Seth,

Call some local tree services with a good reputation and ask if they're hiring. Tell them you are ready, willing, and able to work. Be honest straight away about your experience, willingness to work the ground, and your goal of eventually climbing. If you get hired, be on time, be reliable, and show initiative.

You can learn a lot on the ground, watching a good climber work and watching experienced ground workers do their thing. Absorb it all.

Tree work is hard work. I believe @rico once wrote something to the effect of "some love being a treeman, and some love the idea of being a treeman." (Sorry rico if I butchered that.) It's important to distinguish between the two.

Best of luck!

 

[Reach]

I’ll second the above - find a good, solid local company and get a job there. I’m sure someone here knows a few they can recommend.

It sounds like you have the right idea though for how to start, be forewarned though that it is hard work. VERY hard work, but if you really do love it, it can be quite lucrative.

On a side note, if you happen to relocate north a bit to PA, let me know. We would be glad to talk to you and potentially offer you a position here!

 

[Bendroctanus]

Call some local tree services with a good reputation and ask if they're hiring. Tell them you are ready, willing, and able to work. Be honest straight away about your experience, willingness to work the ground, and your goal of eventually climbing. If you get hired, be on time, be reliable, and show initiative.

You can learn a lot on the ground, watching a good climber work and watching experienced ground workers do their thing. Absorb it all.

Tree work is hard work. I believe @rico once wrote something to the effect of "some love being a treeman, and some love the idea of being a treeman." (Sorry rico if I butchered that.) It's important to distinguish between the two.

Best of luck!

Regardless if you butchered it, it was very well said. You have to love it to stick with it because it is very hard and often times sucks, but very rewarding. You could almost say it’s a calling.

 

[Lord Baby Arm]

Thanks guys! I’ll absolutely call a few companies and ask around. Being on time and reliable isn’t an issue. I’m up around 4:30 most mornings and at my last job I wasn’t late a single time the whole time I worked there and never missed a day. I’m motivated and am always willing to work hard; I grew up on a farm and ran a handyman service in Ohio for 6 years before I moved down here. Having never done tree work I don’t entirely know what to expect. I understand what you were saying about the difference between loving something and loving the idea of it. Right now I don’t know which it truly is, but it’s something I’m highly motivated to figure out.
Reach, I do appreciate the invitation! I moved from Ohio to get away from the cold so it’s unlikely I’ll head back north, however if my future takes me back that way, I’ll 100% be getting ahold of you to see if I might be a good fit for your team. Thank you again

 

[SeanRuel]

Buy Jeff Jepsen's "A Tree Climbers Companion" and Jerry Beranek's "Fundamentals of General Treework".

Educate yourself ahead of time so you can know where folks deviate from accepted safety standards

Never stand on a rigging line and keep rope away from chippers

 

[Lord Baby Arm]

Buy Jeff Jepsen's "A Tree Climbers Companion" and Jerry Beranek's "Fundamentals of General Treework".

Educate yourself ahead of time so you can know where folks deviate from accepted safety standards

Never stand on a rigging line and keep rope away from chippers

I’m absolutely all for education, but it’ll be a bit before I can get a $600 book. I did go ahead and order “a tree climbers companion” though. I saved Jerry’s book to my wishlist for the day when I can afford it. Based on the reviews I’m sure it’s worth every penny. Thank you for the recommendations! Literature is the way I learn best; if I can read it I understand it so much better when I see it. Of course it’s hard to beat hands on learning but I really like that second source of information

 

[Stumpsprouts]

Am I crazy? Is this something I can actually do?

Yes you’re crazy, and yes you can do it!

Also, keep in mind it’s a good time to be looking for a job. Its clear from here that you’re mature, dependable, and motivated, and any company would be thrilled to have you.

I hear everyone is giving our free lunches now. Not sure how real that is... whatever, I’m not jealous... but make sure you are actually covered in workers comp and they ask you what size waist you are to fit you with a pair of chainsaw protective pants and they are paying you a decent wage. Pay attention to the personalities of the owners, it will be the benchmark for what flies with everyone on staff.

It is hard work. I was cleaning up debris after a multi day job today all alone and trying to figure out who to complain to. It was my own job and my own bid and just me and ten thousand tiny sprigs on the ground. Eventually you just give in to reality and find peace with your place in the world and the rake in your hand.

 

[Reach]

I’m absolutely all for education, but it’ll be a bit before I can get a $600 book. I did go ahead and order “a tree climbers companion” though. I saved Jerry’s book to my wishlist for the day when I can afford it. Based on the reviews I’m sure it’s worth every penny. Thank you for the recommendations! Literature is the way I learn best; if I can read it I understand it so much better when I see it. Of course it’s hard to beat hands on learning but I really like that second source of information

That sounds like a good plan. I’ll add another book to your recommendations list: the new book by Jeff Jepson, called Groundie. It’s an excellent perspective on ground work, and full of fundamentals, which all should know, groundhands and climbers alike.

 

[evo]

I’m absolutely all for education, but it’ll be a bit before I can get a $600 book. I did go ahead and order “a tree climbers companion” though. I saved Jerry’s book to my wishlist for the day when I can afford it. Based on the reviews I’m sure it’s worth every penny. Thank you for the recommendations! Literature is the way I learn best; if I can read it I understand it so much better when I see it. Of course it’s hard to beat hands on learning but I really like that second source of information

The new ‘groundie’ book is also really good. Remember the job is dictated by the quality of the ground crew, and often it’s the most physically demanding aspect of the job. It’s silly that groundies are paid less…. A solid groundie should be making near or the same as a solid climber.

it’s so bad for me up here to find help I’d be very surprised you’d have a hard time finding a good crew

 

[TCtreeswinger]

There's the fundamentals book via pdf for $15 but I cant remember from who. Also multiple threads here regarding a transition. I can remember one reply saying "be ready to fall asleep in your spaghetti" or something similar

 

[Birdyman88]

There's the fundamentals book via pdf for $15 but I cant remember from who.

Beranek book in PDF on Educated Climber for $20. Its worth a 1,000 $20 carabiners.

The Fundamentals of General Tree Work - Digital Edition by G.F. Beranek - Educated Climber.com

Here it is folks, the bible of tree work from the legend himself, G.F. “Jerry” Beranek! Filled with over 200 photographs and illustrations, ‘The Fundamentals’ is the most comprehensive reference work in our field, and has been the go-to resource for professionals in the industry for over 20...

www.educatedclimber.com

 

[Lord Baby Arm]

Beranek book in PDF on Educated Climber for $20. Its worth a 1,000 $20 carabiners.

The Fundamentals of General Tree Work - Digital Edition by G.F. Beranek - Educated Climber.com

Here it is folks, the bible of tree work from the legend himself, G.F. “Jerry” Beranek! Filled with over 200 photographs and illustrations, ‘The Fundamentals’ is the most comprehensive reference work in our field, and has been the go-to resource for professionals in the industry for over 20...

www.educatedclimber.com

Thank you for the link! As soon as I’ve read the first book, I’ll be purchasing the pdf to start reading!! That is far more affordable for someone on a tight budget. In the future I’m sure I’ll end up with a paper copy, right now that’s kinda out of the question though

 

[rico]

If you are serious about this it is imperative that you find a very good outfit and get a job with them.. Start at the bottom and work your way up...That is how it is properly done. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will ever replace this form of tutelage and education..

The forums, books, and vids are simply icing on the cake...

 

[Lord Baby Arm]

Thank you Rico! Which brings the next question, what should I be looking for from a potential employer? Are there things I should be asking if I get interviews? What about red flags or things to be concerned about? I know with proper guidance that I can and will be an effective and worthwhile investment to a company, but that relationship needs to go both ways and I’d like to avoid ending up at the wrong place for my first job in the industry

 

[27RMT0N]

One thing to know about 'tree work' is there is a HUGE variety about what that means. It will be dictated by your local market, the kind of trees in your area, the focus each company has, that companies level of professionalism, personal ethics, and much more.

'Tree work' can mean everything from pruning a 3' tall lace leaf maple with hand snips to felling 250' redwoods, spraying pesticides, installing cables/braces to preserve trees, removing dead trees with bucket trucks and cranes, running stump grinders, working in tight urban spaces or out in the woods and a million other things. Some companies only do power line clearance. For example I started doing tree work in the city, with a company of like 20 people and two office managers that had a crane, bucket trucks, 5 chip trucks, etc that focused on maintaining trees in an urban environment and probably 70% of our work was spurless climbing for health/safety/aesthetics with a HUGE variety of trees. I now run my own business, solo for the most part, in the woods basically dealing with doug firs in the 60-120' range mostly and doing removals on spurs or felling 80% of the time. Different market, different trees, different needs, completely different kind of work but both 'tree work.'

Also, a lot of this job is just straight up dragging brush to the chipper. Not a lot of glory there.

 

[27RMT0N]

As far as finding a good company again that is going to be highly dependent on your local market. Because for the most part anyone can start a tree business, you will have everything from nation-wide corporations with 100-page rule books down to 'alcoholic jimbos tree killerz' and anything in between. In urban areas there are more choices, in rural areas there may be slim pickings.

What you want is to start out by learning good safe habits and that requires a good safe company. Look at how they present themselves on their websites (if they have one) in terms of professionalism, maybe look for some online reviews from customers (who often don't know what they are talking about...), if they mention more knowledge based tree work like bracing/cabling/preservation, ISA or TRAQ certifications and ANSI guidelines.

If you can show up on time every day and handle the hard work, you are already ahead of a LOT of people in this line of work. Remember you are looking for a good company to work for as much as they are looking for a good employee.

 

[Lord Baby Arm]

Look at how they present themselves on their websites (if they have one) in terms of professionalism, maybe look for some online reviews from customers (who often don't know what they are talking about...), if they mention more knowledge based tree work like bracing/cabling/preservation, ISA or TRAQ certifications and ANSI guidelines.

I’ve actually been checking exactly that. Between the websites and customer reviews on Google I’ve been able to rule a few out. It seems the ones that have caught my attention in the best way are about 40 minutes from my house which isn’t a terrible drive if the opportunities are present to learn with a good crew. That was really valuable advice and I appreciate it!

 

[Reach]

As far as finding a good company again that is going to be highly dependent on your local market. Because for the most part anyone can start a tree business, you will have everything from nation-wide corporations with 100-page rule books down to 'alcoholic jimbos tree killerz' and anything in between. In urban areas there are more choices, in rural areas there may be slim pickings.

What you want is to start out by learning good safe habits and that requires a good safe company. Look at how they present themselves on their websites (if they have one) in terms of professionalism, maybe look for some online reviews from customers (who often don't know what they are talking about...), if they mention more knowledge based tree work like bracing/cabling/preservation, ISA or TRAQ certifications and ANSI guidelines.

If you can show up on time every day and handle the hard work, you are already ahead of a LOT of people in this line of work. Remember you are looking for a good company to work for as much as they are looking for a good employee.

I’ll second this. Look for a company that operates safely: modern equipment, chainsaw protection, and hard hats on everyone is usually a decent indicator.

A professional look usually means a professional company, so trucks that look reasonably new, and are nice and clean, not all beat up.

Some of the national companies are a great place to start, as they’re very safety and training focused. , We love to hire guys who have worked at Bartlett, as they have learned the right way to do things. We are a small company that focuses on big removals, so we can hire guys who are not happy with the slower pace and pruning that Bartlett does in this area, but we can’t compete with their training programs by any stretch.

 

[Crimsonking]

Watch them work if you get a chance. Look for PPE and good teamwork/communication. Also pay attention to how their equipment looks. Oftentimes how a company cares for its equipment is indicative of how it cares for its people. At the very least, they won’t treat their people better than their equipment, so if their equipment is beat up and neglected...