Not sure just what you are saying.....Tree fellers (and some part time arborists like you) can drop a stick better than an arborist? Or just a below average arborist?
I think you inaccurately portray small tree services as not very profitable when I think sometimes they may be more profitable than million dollar companies (gross) when it comes to the bottom line. A million dollar company in our vicinity is about to go belly up likely because of the flagging economy and mass overhead.
Sorry mate, I think I may have come across wrong. What I am trying to say is that qualified arborists that are used to dangling and swinging from trees all day have to analyse every single move they make to avoid plummeting to the ground. I have seen guys that are absolutely awesome in the air continue to over analyse things once they get to ground level. I believe a lot of over analysing has been done on that first Palm Tree(s) image although I realise it may have been posted as a cheap shot. Arborists that are used to swinging in trees generally do a good job at ground level, it's just that the ones I've seen take 10 times longer to drop that tree than they should. Some of them also like to boast about all these stupid fancy cuts when they're quite simply not needed. Some also have egos 500 foot tall - you're not one of them
If you combined a Forestry Worker who fells trees all day with an Arborist who is good at roping etc they'd be awesome.
I have no dramas dropping trees at ground level but I believe many people have to be careful calling themselves an Arborist when they have no Arboriculture qualifications (I am not an Arborist and will never call myself one).
Example 1: I used to work for a large company installing commercial air conditioning. I have installed 100's of split systems/ducted systems from start to finish including wiring. I was as good as any of the qualified electricians or refridgeration mechanics - however, I never once called myself either of these as I had no qualifications.
Example 2: I am a qualified Agronomist with Agricultural qualifications. If someone calls themselves an Agronomist, are not qualified, and make a major error such as recommending the wrong chemical, they open themselves up to massive legal action and their arse will be in a sling. Insurance will cover mine - because I'm qualified.
All I have is basic chainsaw competency certificates and an Advanced Large Tree Felling (>6m) certificate. I am a Tree Feller, not an Arborist. I have nothing but respect for qualified Arborists. They can do stuff that I cannot although at ground level I rate myself pretty well.
What I said in regard to one man and a donkey operations was by no means linked to profitability (I agree 100% with what you wrote). What I was trying to say is that is easy to get on the internet and tart yourself as someone you're not. When I mentioned about a fellow member on this forum talking big all the time I had discovered that they do very little cutting but if you listen to them they are making $100k a year, wearing out 5 saws a month, and dropping 2,000 trees a day.
Sorry for such a long post
