Still new to the site...

tigershark11 · Nov 30, 2014

Hi! All, I was new last year and then dropped off the face of the earth now I am back...But I still have the same questions only a year older. I'm 58 and in good shape. I have a real desire to learn to climb and want to invest time in doing so. I've bought some equip. including Buckingham spikes but want to learn proper practices. I am not just some bumpkin that hasn't worked a day outside. I work trench work for my real job. Day in day out shoveling and laying water main, drain,sewer line. I own a very small landscaping company that I do during the summer and chop and buck my own firewood. I understand hard work and what it takes to get a job done. But admittedly I am a novice at tree work. Anyway, if anyone knows where in Ma. I can learn to do tree work and learn to climb it would be appreciated. I am also willing to entertain free work on weekends in trade for knowledge. Granted I am not 25 but I can give the young guys a run for their money...=) But anyway Hi! and any responses are welcome!

Adkpk · Nov 30, 2014

Possibly a rec climb coming up in Jan. in Conn. Read up until then and you should be ready for some heights by then.

Tom Dunlap · Nov 30, 2014

Great attitude and wnderful spirit!

There are lots of good arbos I your area. It'll take a little time and effort but you'll hook up with someone

Merle Nelson · Dec 1, 2014

Tigershark11 welcome. In my opinion we in western society buy into a concept of age that is marketed to us. Whole societys in this world work harder than some of us ever have till the day they die.

You sound like you are youthfully and functionaly minded. I have a lot of customers in their 80's and 90's that continue to exibit that kind of attitude and are a joy to be around. I'm on the west coast so sadly will probably never get a chance to work with you but, if you are ever tempted to say your body is getting old because of this ache or that pain remember to check back with me or look up the book, Somatics by Thomas Hanna. We can be totaly functional till the day we die.

In the mean time good luck to you. Your offer of work for knowledge is an excellent idea. What area of Ma?

tigershark11 · Dec 1, 2014

Thanks again guys.. I am in the northeast ,last town before N.H. in Ma. on the coast! Salisbury to be exact..It is encouraging to hear these words. And Merle, funny that you say you're on the west coast. I am here in Ca. as I type this visiting my family. They are in Sonora/ Jamestown east of S.F. ..

Hoowasat · Dec 1, 2014

I started climbing at 55, so your age is of no issue to me. First, buy a copy of The Tree Climber's Companion. It is an informative book well suited to beginners ... not too much detail, and doesn't address some of the newest climbing hardware, but it still packs a lot into a small book. I read mine cover to cover a few times. I also started with a pair of Buckingham spikes, which were fine for my first two trees ... removals. Then quickly learned about climbing by rope which should be employed every time unless you're removing the tree. I know the area you're visiting in CA ... have freinds in Fairfield (between Napa & Vacaville). Me? I'm located in Newport News, VA.

Merle Nelson · Dec 7, 2014

Shoot, thought I was linked to this thread but just stumbled back on it. I'm an hour north of San Francisco. You don't still happen to be around do you?

tigershark11 · Dec 7, 2014

Hi! Merle, Thanks for the reply but unfortunately we just got back home yesterday. We were in S.F. for 4 days towards the end. Would have been fun to meet up. We had thought about going to Woodland ( Seems a certain husband was interested in going to Baileys..... :inocente:

) but ended up not going. But we do make it there once a year to visit my family so maybe next year..

JeffGu · Dec 7, 2014

Also 58, Tigershark11 and recently got back into the treework after a long layoff... so many things have changed, better gear, more safety awareness...
I wondered if I'd even be able to haul my old ass up a tree, anymore, but found that I still can, after all. What great excercise it is, too. Should help me to lose some of the extra pounds I've gained in the intervening years. So, better diet this winter, more time on the bicycle and walking, get in shape for spring season. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only old loon who isn't giving up on seeing the forest from the top of the trees..

Merle Nelson · Dec 8, 2014

Ha, the view of a forest from the top is unique.

Tigershark, got your message on an email from this site but, was unable to respond. I must have a bug to work out on that. Know a good guy in NH, I'll find out how close he is to you.

tigershark11 · Dec 8, 2014

JeffGu said:
Also 58, Tigershark11 and recently got back into the treework after a long layoff... so many things have changed, better gear, more safety awareness...
I wondered if I'd even be able to haul my old ass up a tree, anymore, but found that I still can, after all. What great excercise it is, too. Should help me to lose some of the extra pounds I've gained in the intervening years. So, better diet this winter, more time on the bicycle and walking, get in shape for spring season. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only old loon who isn't giving up on seeing the forest from the top of the trees..

Jeff, like they say there is strength in numbers! Glad to hear your getting back out/up there. I'm hoping to just get my backside up a tree once as a start.. But it's encouraging.

tigershark11 · Dec 8, 2014

Thanks Merle..Glad you got the email..

Randy E. Morrissette · Dec 23, 2014

tigershark11 said:
Thanks Merle..Glad you got the email..

Hello tigershark11, Merle "directed" me over here to look you up.
It's possible we could help each other out, don't know if our schedules will match up at all.
I work full time at a machine shop and have a part time business doing tree work. I'm able to do some tree work
during the day before I work at the shop second shift from 3:30pm to 11:30pm.
I also have Saturdays to do tree work, I'm in Church on Sunday.
I do have some experience climbing, started just over 6 years ago.
I sure don't know it all about climbing and tree work but, I'm more than willing to pass along whatever I know.

I originally posted my email here, but(with encouragement)thought it better to remove it.
If you would like to have it I can PM you, if I can figure out how.....

I'm also on facebook, you can find me under my name.

I also have a YouTube channel if you want to check on some of my work..... search NHlocal on YouTube.

Randy.

joezilla11 · Dec 24, 2014

Randy's being humble, u could learn a lot from him!

Randy E. Morrissette · Dec 24, 2014

joezilla11 said:
Randy's being humble, u could learn a lot from him!

Hey thanks! I appreciate that.
I got humbled Monday big time.....I'll share it sometime after I get over that sick to my stomach 'cause something got damaged feelin'..... :muyenojado:

Hoowasat · Dec 25, 2014

Randy E. Morrissette said:
I'll share it sometime after I get over that sick to my stomach 'cause something got damaged feelin'.....

Oops! I know that feeling. I smashed my sister-in-law's old picnic table in 2013, and in return, I built her a much nicer one for Christmas last year. After presenting it to her, she asked if there was anything else in her yard I wanted to smash. Have a Merry Christmas anyway!

Merle Nelson · Dec 25, 2014

Ha,ha. Nice sister-in-law. That's a response that can have you walk away feeling good about it.

Hoowasat · Dec 25, 2014

merle_nelson said:
Ha,ha. Nice sister-in-law. That's a response that can have you walk away feeling good about it.

Yeah, but I still felt sick to my stomach when I did that. That big ol' oak limb missed the picnic table when it fell, but then it bounced up in the air for its second and successful attempt at destruction. I should have used a controlled lowering technique. Lesson learned.