Looking to start a career in tree work

[flyingmosstreen]

It's actually a formula 1 car, you can tell by the pants!

That squirrel Cookie is cool AF

Haha hey now! Those pants are some of the cheapest options on the market, solidur felin. I'll not be driving this truck like Mario Andretti that's for sure.

The Lazer eyed squirrel cookie is compliment of my mentor

 

[DGC]

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,

It sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what you are signing up for, but beware of unprofessional "tree companies". IMHO there is nothing wrong with cold calling a tree care company and letting them know that you're looking for a job, a lot of companies rely on word of mouth for recruiting. TCIA accredited companies are pretty much guaranteed to be a good place to work, but as long as the workplace is structured and business is steady, just make sure you trust whoever will be training / mentoring you.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Great points @DGC. I think these older threads are valuable today like they were when first posted into, maybe just to different people. (I notice that the original post you are responding to is from quite awhile ago - as date listed in upper left corner.)

Glad to have you posting your experiences.

 

[Merle Nelson]

With regard to cold calling good businesses, it sounds like almost everyone is looking for good people these days.

When I first stepped away from college at 19 I was helping friends move up to a mountain area in CA. I saw a big very well laid out logging business and shop. At one point I went in and inquired about work. They weren't hiring then as it was winter and come back in April. Well, in my mind churning excitement, I was back in there a week later talking to the owner again and he told me a few more things and that they have to rehire their own guys first that have been on unemployment all winter - come back in April. Just ecstatic about being around all that equipment I was back in there a week later and he says, Well he'll if you're gonna be in here all the time you might as well be working". They hired me as a hand on repairing equipment for six weeks until the regular season opened up - even though that didn't please their regular crew.

A year later I was ready to go onto somthing else as logging wasn't a perfect fit for me. I heard of a tree service family operation that worked in the Bay Area about an hour from me and gave them a call. They weren't hiring. I called them back a bit later and said how about if I come down and work for you for a week free, if you can make money from my being there you hire me, if not I go home? Everyone needs good employees. Be a good employee.

 

[DGC]

With regard to cold calling good businesses, it sounds like almost everyone is looking for good people these days.

When I first stepped away from college at 19 I was helping friends move up to a mountain area in CA. I saw a big very well laid out logging business and shop. At one point I went in and inquired about work. They weren't hiring then as it was winter and come back in April. Well, in my mind churning excitement, I was back in there a week later talking to the owner again and he told me a few more things and that they have to rehire their own guys first that have been on unemployment all winter - come back in April. Just ecstatic about being around all that equipment I was back in there a week later and he says, Well he'll if you're gonna be in here all the time you might as well be working". They hired me as a hand on repairing equipment for six weeks until the regular season opened up - even though that didn't please their regular crew.

A year later I was ready to go onto somthing else as logging wasn't a perfect fit for me. I heard of a tree service family operation that worked in the Bay Area about an hour from me and gave them a call. They weren't hiring. I called them back a bit later and said how about if I come down and work for you for a week free, if you can make money from my being there you hire me, if not I go home? Everyone needs good employees. Be a good employee.

Great story and still relevant.