Anyone Interested?

[ELLC]

I own a Landscape & Lawn care business and really want to learn the ropes to tree climbing. I do tree work for friends and family and have all of my own climbing gear. I don't have the option of working for a tree company to learn the ropes of climbing due to my schedule. I am at the point where I am tempted to do more things than I should be doing in a tree. But at least I use my head and know my limits. Is there anyone in the Syracuse NY area that would be willing to get together for a few meetings to show me some of the ropes. I have some friends that have climbed in the past in vermont but I don't trust them, if you know what i mean . Everytime I go to sign up for the local training class offered my schedule doesn't allow me to attend. If anyone is interested in helping a brother out let me know.

 

[tophopper]

Id help ya but im half way cross the nation - sorry

 

[MasterBlaster]

Everytime I go to sign up for the local training class offered my schedule doesn't allow me to attend.

Well then, w/o another tree company/individual to learn from, yur gonna have a rough go of it. You can't learn how to climb with only the internet... I think.

 

[ELLC]

Why not? You can learn anything you want off the net, heck you can even order a wife. She may look like this though :alien: . For real, I agree with you MB you can't learn climbing off the net. I only plan to learn pointers on what I know now from you guys. I would love to find someone local to help me out. I would even cover their time if they wanted me to. With someone local I could fit meeting with them a little easier than the once a year class. I work 20 hrs a week in a hospital as a trauma/ICU nurse, I am in school full time to finish another degree and I own my business. I have a pretty full plate but a driven to learn the proper ways to climb. I must be nuts for doing all the things I do at once. My wife must be right! Just don't tell her I admitted it. Thanks guys for the reply's!!!

 

[fpyontek]

ELLC

Your going to have a hard time finding someone to train you for several reasons.
1. You have little time to fit in their schedule.
2. We don't usually train guys to immediately compete with us.

Go to Sherrill Supply, http://www.sherrillinc.com , and consider the ArborMaster Training Videos and/or Art And Science Of Practical Rigging videos. It would be worth the small investment for your safety. This occupation is really too dangerous to start out green, no pun intended.

Fred

Fred

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Start with "the Tree Climbers Companion", it's a handbook that our sponsors cary

 

[ELLC]

I have the Tree Climbers Companion, matter of fact I keep one in my equipment bag and one at home. I am not looking to be competition to anyone or take away business from them. I want to learn for myself and the satisfaction of knowing how to do something and do it well, or at least right. The arbormaster training video's for the full set are very expensive. I am a visual learner as well as hands on. That is the only way I can really learn, I need to see it and then do it. I understand if people don't want to help due to the thought of training competition or not having the time themselves. I can tell you though, I referred about $20,000 worth of tree work to local professionals last year that I could have done myself because it is not my main deal. So being potential competition shouldn't be a concern.

 

[fpyontek]

... I referred about $20,000 worth of tree work to local professionals last year that I could have done myself because it is not my main deal. So being potential competition shouldn't be a concern.

Talk to the guys you have referred work to in the past. See if they will train you if you work for them. You may be able to work something out compensation wise. Just let them know you don't consider dragging branches as training.

Fred

 

[NickfromWI]

If you're too busy to learn and the vids are too expensive, you'll be limiting yourself right off the bat. Think of it this way: If those vids are a few hundred dollars, how many jobs will it take for them to pay themselves off? If it's the right job, the answer could be "1."

AS is a great way to compliment other educational resources like on the job training, books, and magazines. Stick around and buckle your seatbelt!

love
nick

 

[TreeJunkie]

Keep looking for a qualified trainer. If you can find a local who competes in the climbing competitions. You may be able to join him for some pre competition practice.

Skip the videos. I've seen them, and i found they were not worth the investment. They merely offer the basics which you should already know just from reading the Tree climbers companion.

You could also go out an observe a local company in action. If they run a credible organization you may be able to learn some tips just from keeping your eyes and ears open.

 

[ozy365]

I live in CNY and work in Syracuse. I'm just starting out, but having a guy ready to cut you out of a tree is better than learning alone. Interested in a coffee and discussion of learning curves?

 

[JonnyHart]

Just be careful. At least you know better than to get a saddle, spikes, and a walmart rope and give it a try. Your best bet is to say the hell with the schedule, and go to work with a tree crew a day or two per week. The crew may not be to pleasant with you, after all, you will be competing.

 

[DDM]

Just be careful. At least you know better than to get a saddle, spikes, and a walmart rope and give it a try. Your best bet is to say the hell with the schedule, and go to work with a tree crew a day or two per week. The crew may not be to pleasant with you, after all, you will be competing.

Dont forget the Boat trailer Winch Strap Lanyard!

 

[ELLC]

Tree Junkie,I agree with you,the video's are ok but not the best way for me to learn, as I said earlier I am a visual learner. I need to see and then do with someone there to guide me. The idea of getting one of the local tree companies that I refered the work to sounds like a great idea. Guess what, I TRIED IT! They said the liability was to high to have me on the job sites if I wasn't an employee and that they had no openings. Needless to say there will be no more work refered to them . I will keep looking. OZY365, drop me an email and we can talk tree stuff. Who knows maybe we will have something each other can learn. :blob6:

 

[ozy365]

I sent you an email with specifics. Let me know.

 

[Ny finest]

ELLC,
You won't refer any more work because they're not interested in accelerating competition?You say its not a big deal(money wise)but every tree job you do is taking of the plate of another tree co/hack.
I live in Rochester NY and no one will teach you how to climb around here because its been done in the past and now everyone is dealing with the reprocussions.There is 100+tree co in this area.I understand you wanting to learn,just don't hate when people are reluctant to teach you.
Good Luck

 

[ELLC]

I guess I should have been more clear on my first post. Please get it out of your heads that I am looking to be a competitive tree guy. I want to learn for my own good. I want to be able to do my own work for myself at home and for my retired parents who would not be able to afford a professional. Excuse me if I do not want to hire out what I can learn myself. It would be like you hiring out a landscaper to plant a tree, catch my drift! I am not looking to get trained and then silently steel business. Please give it a rest. I can understand a persons apprehension, but not everyone is dishonest. Like I said in the beginning, I just want to learn the proper way to do a few things for the fun of it and was willing to pay someone for their time. This way I wouldn't't be steeling their time! Some people need to relax and not think every-time someone asks for help in an area of a profession that they are trying to swoop in on them. You guys do a hard job for a living. You deserve every penny you get. NY Finest, I will not refer any more tree work to the same guy. He knows me and still even felt as I was going to try and steel work from him. I do not appreciate being made out to be dishonest before my intentions can be shown. What ever happened to a persons word and a hand shake. Having owned a business for several years I have fallen into the same situation as this when it comes to lawn care and landscaping. I have helped some out and the next thing I notice they have gone out and bought a commercial mower and are going after bids on my route. You know what, it always works out for the best. Carma is a great thing!! All in all, forget I asked for a little help. I will learn/teach myself what I can. Thank you to those who helped me out in a non-negative way. If someone wants to help, great, I am here. If not please refrain from the,"your going to steel our work", stuff.

Sorry if that sounded to much like a ticked off school girl! I needed to vent, some of you guys have me a little irritated.

 

[Ny finest]

ELLC<
I'm not saying you're dihonest.I'm just saying its hard for people to trust your motive.
People don't like giving others the benefit of the doubt because most of the times they get screwed(being in lawn care I'm sure you know).I commend you for trying to do the right thing for your trees.No reason to get irritated I was just trying to put a wider perspective on the matter.
Good Luck

 

[ELLC]

Ok, I just get tired of everyone feeling like there is somebody around the corner waiting to screw them. Even though that isn't far from the truth these days. I just wanted to learn, nothing more, nothing less. :angel:

 

[alanarbor]

Offer to sign a non-compete clause. Also try to set up a good two way referral street with a few select companies, i.e. you give them a small percentage of the work you get referred by them and they do the same for you. Maybe you already do something like this, just a thought.

To tell you the truth, I sub out tree planting....landscapers don't pay near what tree companies do for WC, so it's more cost effective for all parties. I just make sure they follow my specs.