Rec climber to part timer?

M

Mcdonder

Location
Rochester
Hey guys, new member here and first post. I've been rock climbing for 10 years so tree work seemed like a good transition. The last few months I've been learning as much as I can, taking it slow and trying to be as safe as possible learning different techniques. I recently started doing a few removals in my back yard (80' pine, 60' poplar) and a bunch of pruning (only dead branches) on others, making sure to do everything by the book so I don't develop any bad habits. I'm really interested in doing tree climbing as a part time gig. Right now I make custom furniture full time, which I also love, so I don't really have the time, and can't afford to start out as a full-time groundsman and hope to work my up. I was wondering if you guys had any tips for approaching local tree companies as a wanna-be part time climber. Ideally I would like to shadow a climber one or two days a week for a while to keep learning as much as I can, but I can't really imagine a tree company going for this.

Thanks for any advice you guys have!
 
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You might get lucky and find the right person. Most are interested in doing the job as fast as possible and might not want to try out or train someone who won't be staying on. Perhaps do some ground work first on a part time basis to get a feel how to do tree work.
 
Brocky said:
You might get lucky and find the right person. Most are interested in doing the job as fast as possible and might not want to try out or train someone who won't be staying on. Perhaps do some ground work first on a part time basis to get a feel how to do tree work.
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I would definitely try to stay with the company that trained me. I just can't do it full time. I'm 28 with a wife, kid, and a mortgage and right now making furniture pays the bills. You are right about getting a feel for it though as a groundsman. I have done a lot of chainsaw work on my own property, and have a 661 for milling, but really have no clue how to work as part of a team doing tree work.
 
Mcdonder said:
I would definitely try to stay with the company that trained me. I just can't do it full time. I'm 28 with a wife, kid, and a mortgage and right now making furniture pays the bills. You are right about getting a feel for it though as a groundsman. I have done a lot of chainsaw work on my own property, and have a 661 for milling, but really have no clue how to work as part of a team doing tree work.
Click to expand...

Incorporate already, lol.
 
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