Arborist 101: advice to folks that want to climb

[pdqdl]

This comes up time and time again: somebody thinks climbing a tree is a good idea. Then all us "professionals" do our best to warn them off while handing out a little bit of (usually) good advice.

Let's just admit it: I'll bet better than 75% of the climbers that do this for a living strapped on some equipment and just started doing it. While that doesn't eliminate the option of actually getting some help along the way, I'll bet that very few climbers do not consider themselves self-taught, despite whatever guidance they got along the way.

Myself, I started climbing after a request for some tree trimming by one of my customers, a purchase of a pair of used spurs and an old leather climbing belt. I did buy a new 3 strand rope. My only saw was my excellent Pro-Mac 10-10s (still my favorite saw of all time)

Opinions? Are you mostly self taught, or did someone really school you until you were ready for the big time?

 

[treesquirrel]

I was an infantry communications specialist in the Army, we were taught pole climbing as part of our job. But once at my permanent duty station I never climbed another pole as I became an FM and satellite radio operator.

Then one day I basically woke up and decided to get into tree work. Got my basic climbing kit and started studying tree removal techniques. I started small, mostly easier trees like pines with nice single trunks requiring mainly my buck strap and gaffs. I had an old friend who actually did tree work for years and helped him as well as doing my own small jobs.

I still look at new techniques and study what new gear is available in order to be sure I have the most efficient and safest gear I can afford.

I recently joined forces with a 20 year veteran who has climbed the traditional way all his years and he is slowly learning to appreciate all the gadgets I use. He and I compliment each other as he has working knowledge regarding difficult rigging that comes with experience. We alternate days where one of us climbs and the other works the ground which is very nice. He does make me nervous as he does not carry a pre-rigged climbing line up with him and only uses his buck strap even when cutting. But I am still working on him. I recently convinced him to try a split tail system and wire core flip line with a mechanical adjuster and he really likes it.

But my seed was planted in the Army, then blossomed about 10 years after I got out. My knowledge of the business came through a combination of on the job training and studying materials and experimentation. But I did immediately start doing easier tree jobs on my own with only my pole climbing training and the basic fundamentals I learned from reading.

I always stress the importance of having a mentor to at least get you educated in basic rigging and climbing before taking off on more difficult jobs.

 

[RacerX]

I started rec climbing with the most basic equipment and knowledge. I bought a cheap saddle, rope and one carabiner along with the Tree Climbers Companion. After reading the book cover to cover several times and practicing knots at the work bench I set out to climb a pin oak in front of the house. Worked slow and low for several days. At one point a neighbor, who's been a tree pro for 25 years, stopped by while walking his dog and gave me some great pointers. It's been a gradual progression from the simple set up with a Blake to the advanced stuff (hitchclimber, ART postioner, VT/Distel, Couger saddle) I'm using now.

Basic climbing is not rocket science and you can learn to climb on your own. Finding a pro to teach you the ropes is great but it may not be as easy as it sounds.

 

[Tree Pig]

I started with some old out dated loaner equipment and the will to learn. After my first few climbs on my own I decided to seek out a some help. Turned out a neighbor few houses down was a cert. Ct arborist for 29 years. Hooked (no pun intended) with him and learned a lot. I combined that with finding free downloads of tree climbers guide and tree climbers companion and a lot of research here. I continue to seek to learn more every time I climb. Picked up a lot of small tips from Fishercat and would like to believe I may have imparted at least one or two useful pieces of knowledge on him. If not at least I got him out 1 or 2 tickets.

I think you brought up a good point, you can learn a ton on your own I just think the fine tuning comes when you get live advice from other climbers. Even with pictures it can be hard to tell much... for instance depending on the angle you may not be able to tell if someone is sitting back enough or back too far in their lanyard, you have to be present for that. Also the big separation comes with rigging. You can book learn a lot of this job but I dont think thats the way to learn rigging, a mistake can be costly. Its not the trial and error type of work. I think before investing time and money everyone should give this a shot. A lot of people realize at about 10-15 feet up that maybe this isnt for them. Those that have the guts to push past that may find the love for it but some will never get past that point. There is nothing like the adrenaline rush of standing 40 feet up with 20 feet of top above you, when your almost through that back cut and that top is about to go somewhere. You know where it is suppose to go and most likely will go but there always that maybe, always that little bit of danger. It compares a little to parachuting, the old saying we had was that every time you jump out of the plane your killing yourself and its up to you to save your life on the way down. Every time you go up that tree your taking your life in your hands and its up to you to make sure you come back down in the same shape.

As a general rule humans normally learn by making mistakes so make your best effort to ensure your learning from the mistakes others have made before you so you dont have to learn the hard way. That only comes from experienced instruction.

 

[Jon22]

I was fortunate enough to go to work with a handfull of "old schoolers" everyday for an entire summer. Between taking it slow myself and studing everymove they made help me progress quickly. Of course if it gets realy hairy i still know how to get a hold of them guys. Remember, there is no substitue for saddle time.

 

[outofmytree]

I was born in a tree I think. Some of my earliest memories are of climbing anything at all. I can still remember being 6(?) and climbing up the downpipe/drainpipe to the roof of our two storey home to "check out the vïew". Reckon I gave my folks a coronary right there!

Strangely I didnt do any climbing for profit untill about 12 years ago when I was (gulp) a lawn mowing contractor! Man I was such a hack! Made a harness out of a leather belt and a piece of nylon rope that used to tie down loads of brush when I was done!

I got out of that for a while and then about 4 years ago I bought a Jims Trees franchise. Part of the deal is a 2 week climbing, pruning and botany course. It was a great way to start and after running around here with another franchisee for an extra 4 weeks I got turned loose. Steep learning curve but having 2 dozen franchisees to call and ask questions made a huge difference.

I agree with S&M that for me at least, I learn skills better when it is hands on and can the refine them with practise and book reading. It is also true that I have learned an immense amount about climbing, rigging, botany and all things arboricultural right here. Just yesterday I saw neat lanyard idea I want to try out!

 

[Sunrise Guy]

I learned how to climb when this hack took $100 from me to do my trees and then never showed up on the agreed day. I had him sign a contract, so I knew I'd get my money back, sooner or later. My anger motivated me. I bought "On Rope" and took it from there. "Tree Climber's Companion" was my 102 course. A year after the $100 incident, I ran into the hack twice in three days. When I told him that God was punishing him, he was shaken and told me he would pay me back. A few days later, he called me with a gig where I made $400 for three hours of work. I still see the guy around town, on occasion. Funny thing, I climbed my Red Oak, first. I vividly remember making it into its first crotch, on rope. I looked down and thought, "Man, I am really high off the ground. This is kind of scary." I recently put a tape measure up into that crotch. It's nine feet off the ground! Prior to learning ropes, I had been doing trees, using laddders, for many years. The trees I hired the guy to do could not be done with ladders, safely. If not for the guy getting me angry, I suppose my life would be very different, right now. It's funny how an isolated incident in your life can profoundly change it.

 

[lxt]

When I started professionally....trained through an apprenticeship with some of the best in the area....all the guys had 20+ years!! 5yrs of apprentice abuse & many hour of class time along with traveling from division to division doing all the ugly stuff just to get rated for my journeyman cert.

was the best times I can remember, alot of my mentors have passed away...I truly miss them!!!


LXT................

 

[PurdueJoe]

I started out by taking a class while at college because I heard it was fun and an easy A. Started doing side work making as much in a couple hours as my buddies did working 2 weeks at there part time jobs. Didn't take long for me to realize there was money to be made doing this work. Then worked the summers with a company back home where I learned the more technical side of things and how a REAL tree care company did it. I don't know how you other guys feel but the books and classes help me understand how and why we did things a certain way but until I was aloft working is when I really learned skills.

 

[outofmytree]

Funny thing, I climbed my Red Oak, first. I vividly remember making it into its first crotch, on rope. I looked down and thought, "Man, I am really high off the ground. This is kind of scary." I recently put a tape measure up into that crotch. It's nine feet off the ground!

He he he.

It is funny how your scale of what is scary changes over time. I remember near on pissing my pants taking the top out of a Euc early on. Looking back there was MAYBE 220lbs over my head. I take out tops now bigger than that entire tree.

 

[blueatlascedar]

I started with a large "old school" tree service. I began climbing on manila rope and a very basic saddle. We didn't have lanyards. I was started out on the public utility crew and did mainly line clearance to get used to heights, rope work. Most of my crew was fairly new to tree work and we learned from each other. Then I was moved to the residential crews were most of the climbers had 20+ years under them. This is where I really began to learn short cuts in ascending and working through out the tree. I went to every treeman jamboree's that came to my area, though I think they're a thing of the past. I read a lot, hung out basically with only treemen most of the time and learned a lot of trail and error on my own.

 

[pdqdl]

...

Opinions? Are you mostly self taught, or did someone really school you until you were ready for the big time?

Maybe I should have made this a poll. I like hearing how you guys started, but please conclude with an opinion. Something like:

"I am mostly self-taught" or "No, I was properly trained"

 

[lxt]

Properly trained!!


LXT.......

 

[blueatlascedar]

I would have to say more self trained being I spent 3 years with a company and 20.5 years on my own.

 

[randyg]

Started climbing when I was 2. That was all self taught. First tree was 50 foot or so poplar around 20” DBH. I self-belayed from webbing I placed in top of tree, on dynamic line w/rock climbing harness and Gri Gri. That was properly trained but taking it down in pieces with a bow saw was self taught. Went back up the stem on lag bolts I screwed in with a ratchet and pieced the pole down with 16” crapsman. PPE was non existant. Those bolts really hurt thru the soles of my sneakers. (Fortunately, my wife prayed a lot for me back then, and still does.) Shortly after I started part time for a local arborist for about 6 months who taught me tons. I’ve been on my own ever since but 98% of what I know came from seeing it done or reading about or hearing. So I guess I would have to say I was properly trained by multiple sources and continue to be. AS is one of my favorites, with much expert advice and some not so much…

 

[pdqdl]

Started climbing when I was 2. That was all self taught. First tree was 50 foot or so poplar around 20” DBH. I self-belayed from webbing I placed in top of tree, on dynamic line w/rock climbing harness and Gri Gri. That was properly trained but taking it down in pieces with a bow saw was self taught. Went back up the stem on lag bolts I screwed in with a ratchet and pieced the pole down with 16” crapsman. PPE was non existant. Those bolts really hurt thru the soles of my sneakers. (Fortunately, my wife prayed a lot for me back then, and still does.) Shortly after I started part time for a local arborist for about 6 months who taught me tons. I’ve been on my own ever since but 98% of what I know came from seeing it done or reading about or hearing. So I guess I would have to say I was properly trained by multiple sources and continue to be. AS is one of my favorites, with much expert advice and some not so much…

Are you nuts? That description falls under my book as "self-taught". I'll bet that arborist hired you somewhat based on your ability to climb self-installed lag bolts. Now Lxt above...That sounds like proper training.

[I have a in-law relative with an 80' shingle oak that has boards nailed to it for at least 45'. He climbed up those nailed-on boards to that height to saw off some branches! They were only little 1"x3" boards. ]

 

[outonalimbts]

I logged for years, changed professional direction with location

I have climbed trees all my life, of course in the beginning I didn't know that I could make money in the trees...

There is something about this business whether your in a tree or your cutting a tree, it gets in your blood and drives your heart-

In short I am self taught, I have worked with others, even big companies like Bartlett and have picked up some good techniques. I have a very careful approach to tree climbing- I am not slow, but I am careful-

I also am not fast, I know fast climbers that tend to forget they are 100' off the ground and they could get killed-some get injured, usually because they are so concerned with speed they forget little things like tying in!

Having said all of that, I have taken courses as well-and I teach climbing to whom ever wants to learn. We always start on the ground tying knots until they dream of tying knots. I emphasize knowing knots, but if someone wants to use a lock-jack thats fine with me as long as they can tie a blakes, or taught line.

When it is time for someone to climb up a tree we climb using ropes only.

Though at times people have begged me to spike a tree when we have been removing trees, I let them go up a few feet and get down, if they want to go higher fine I climb up so I can lower them down, when their legs lock up...

Self taught is a respectful position, that shouldn't be of any importance except it shows character and dedication- In my book this is better than paying some school to show how to do it. On that note:

I disagree with the ISA in offering the crash courses to study for the Certified Arborist exam- I may not disagree as much if the test were a few weeks in the future, but they schedule the test within a day or two of this crash course-
I know certified arborists that didn't absorb much of that course, but they passed the test. And they claim to be arborists and give faulty advice to their clients.

Grrr, venting here sorry- din't mean to high jack...

Be careful its dangerous out there

:chainsawguy:

 

[OLD CHIPMONK]

I concluded the safest climb was into a bucket, secured by a proper harness & pulling the appropriate directional lever. No more manilla ropes or utility belts, just a smooth ride & a fairly safe working enviornment.

 

[treesquirrel]

I also am not fast, I know fast climbers that tend to forget they are 100' off the ground and they could get killed-some get injured, usually because they are so concerned with speed they forget little things like tying in!

Speed kills! I am right there with you brother. I never get into a hurry when aloft. Good thing I work for myself.

 

[outofmytree]

Well then I guess I fall under formally trained. I still take every oppurtunity to meet and climb with better operators and am frequently found rec climbing on weekends but the first time I strapped on a Buck' traverse was with an instructor who showed how it was upside down!