Climbing Until What Age

[tam]

hope i keep going that long. ross turner has just hit 82 and he's still going.

 

[jkrueger]

age???

I'm 64 and finally getting the hang of progressive climbing. Thanks to serious competition climbers who coach me.

Jack

 

[Gopher]

What age?

I beleive most of us get smarter and tend to be more cautious as we get older. Therefore, I don't believe age is that great of factor in our profession. When done properly, about the only task that would be more difficult is wielding a large chain saw at some elevation on a large removal, and the younger bucks (and lasses) can handle those.

Remember the article with picture of the 85 year old guy in either TCI mag. or Arborist News a couple of years back? That's going to be me in 40! I'm just about 45 now, and enjoy that part of the business - climbing. Believe me, after spending 5 days in court last year as a witness in two separate trials, I couldn't wait to get back into the Edelrid and get some height between me and the rest of the world!

Climb smart, climb safe, and climb a long, long time!

Take care all.

 

[pbtree]

I learned the ropes (sorry for the pun) from a guy who was 66 years old when I started working iwth him. He finally retired when he hit 73... but I tell you what. I had a hard time keeping up with that old coot...

 

[tam]

progressive climbing must be rather cool. i'm getting the hang of plain old climbing still.

 

[Tree Machine]

Progressive climbing is quite a bit simpler than plain old climbing, and yes, it is cool. Learning and struggling with the old ways will give you a much higher appreciation when you move on to 'progressive' methods.

 

[Koa Man]

I am 55 and do better work quicker than when I was 40. Reason is I got started in this business at 34, pretty late. I learned over the years how to work more efficiently and through experience, don't have to stop and think about how I am going to prune this tree or rig it out as much as I did before. I feel I can climb productively till I am at least 60. I hope to retire from climbing at that time. My son-in-law will be gradually taking over the business starting Feb. of 2006 and by the time I retire, he will have 5 years of experience with me teaching him. I learned everything on my own and did not work for another tree company first. Made a lot of terrible mistakes when I started....spiking everything, topping, etc.

 

[Gopher]

Late starting...

I'm like you KOA; even though I got a forestry degree in college 20-some years ago and had some training, I didn't really start climbing and doing it in earnest until age 37. I am now almost 45, asnd trying to get the business to a point where I can gradually groom my sons in (or at least one of them - I have three!) The one most likely to follow in his dad's footsteps is just 8, so I have some trying times on the patience scale in waiting.

In the mean time, I am going to try and scrape the couple grand together and attend the ASCA Academy in Atlanta this February. I've thought about it for three years now, but cash flow this time of year is never the greatest. I've had a good year, and I think now is the time to jump and get going on developing to a greater extent the consulting side of me.

I don't know what many of you think or feel, but the demographics of our country have reached the point where we just plain need the people to do the work. Our country, more than at any other time in our history, has got a median population age that is reaching retirement, and has the money to want work (trees included) done. I want to keep doing tree work for this reason; there is a shortage of people that actually do the work. It's one thing to know what to do, and advise someone on how it should be done. That's fine and dandy, but then getting the job done is another issue.

Ah, winter. Time to ponder age, what to do about it, and wonder where the career should be headed...oh, by the way - temp. right now - 4 with windchill at minus 8. No climbing most of this week. Sarurday wasn't the best, but got a couple of jobs done.

Enough. Take care. KOA - Hawaii sounds awfully good to me right now!

 

[Koa Man]

Ah, yes Hawaii. Did you see the little national news article on housing prices? Hawaii is #1 on the most expensive housing in the US. We also are #1 in fuel prices too. But we do have what most would call year around summer.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

When I have to slow down and need to buy a Harley, I will let you know.

 

[vharrison2]

Me too!

Except for the 42 part. Prime at 29.

KentuckySawyer, you are still a youngin!! Enjoy the ride son.