Looking for a teacher

[tsouz007]

I've learned and do some tree climbing and pruning on my own and am looking to learn more. Everyone recommends starting out learning from an experienced arborist -- which is what I would love to do but I am having a hard time finding an experienced arborist who wants to teach someone the tools of the trade. It seems to be be one of those things that people only want to each you if you have experience and not many will give you a chance to get that experience. My question is: Is there an experienced arborist around Greenville South Carolina that wouldn't mind teaching an amateur who is eager to learn, and comes with common sense and a good work ethic?

 

[ronnyb]

Apparently not.

 

[tsouz007]

So far it is the same response to the all emails I've sent out to the local tree companies too ...

 

[VA-Sawyer]

Would you be willing to travel to Asheville ?

 

[tsouz007]

I'll PM you.

 

[Zale]

I've learned and do some tree climbing and pruning on my own and am looking to learn more. Everyone recommends starting out learning from an experienced arborist -- which is what I would love to do but I am having a hard time finding an experienced arborist who wants to teach someone the tools of the trade. It seems to be be one of those things that people only want to each you if you have experience and not many will give you a chance to get that experience. My question is: Is there an experienced arborist around Greenville South Carolina that wouldn't mind teaching an amateur who is eager to learn, and comes with common sense and a good work ethic?

Don't be surprised by the lack of response. Teaching takes time and effort and at the end of the day what is the benefit for me? Unless you are willing to commit to a company and learn the industry from the ground up, don't expect people to give their knowledge away for free. Stay safe.

 

[Grouchy old man]

I've learned and do some tree climbing and pruning on my own and am looking to learn more. Everyone recommends starting out learning from an experienced arborist -- which is what I would love to do but I am having a hard time finding an experienced arborist who wants to teach someone the tools of the trade. It seems to be be one of those things that people only want to each you if you have experience and not many will give you a chance to get that experience. My question is: Is there an experienced arborist around Greenville South Carolina that wouldn't mind teaching an amateur who is eager to learn, and comes with common sense and a good work ethic?

I don't think anybody is running a school or want's the liability of you hanging around. The way to do this is to work for a company starting out as a groundie. If you are as good as you say you are, within a year or two you should have the experience you are looking for.

 

[tsouz007]

I'm not expecting anyone to give knowledge away for free, I expect to work for it. I have been and am working as a groundie--but the guy I work for is not interested in teaching. I've offered to work for other companies as a groundie and work for free on the days that they are teaching me (because I know it is not as monetarily beneficial for them when they take the time to teach me) but none of them are even interested in that, they just want a groundie who will stay a groundie. I don't mind the work, I just want to learn something.

Maybe they don't want a guy that can only work 3 days a week because he is finishing grad school or maybe they don't want a guy who tells them up front he can only work short-term (i.e. through graduation in May). And if that's the case then that's fine ... my point is I've been doing/offered to do everything you guys recommend on here and there is a lack of experience guys wanting to teach, not guys wanting to learn.

I learned roofing and construction from the ground up because my boss was willing to take the time to teach me -- I was kinda hoping to learn this the same way.

Thanks for the input! I am not at all trying to sound like a know-it-all greenhorn ... I'm just trying to learn -- low and slow.

 

[TreeAce]

Tree work is a tougher nut to crack than construction IMO. And I have done enough construction that I think i can say that. I now I dont even like to mess with taking pictures or video on a job let alone teach somebody the finer points of climbing. It just takes time,and not months, I am talking years. You just gotta keep working in the business and hang in there. Maybe you would have a better chance at learning with a big company? Maybe? Idk cuz I never really worked for any but you may wanna check into it. Some place where everbodies not in such a damn hurry. Which is what I have HEARD many of the big line clearance outfits are like. But that isn't always the case I am sure. But you may get more chances to learn.

 

[tsouz007]

Tree work is a tougher nut to crack than construction IMO. And I have done enough construction that I think i can say that. I now I dont even like to mess with taking pictures or video on a job let alone teach somebody the finer points of climbing. It just takes time,and not months, I am talking years. You just gotta keep working in the business and hang in there. Maybe you would have a better chance at learning with a big company? Maybe? Idk cuz I never really worked for any but you may wanna check into it. Some place where everbodies not in such a damn hurry. Which is what I have HEARD many of the big line clearance outfits are like. But that isn't always the case I am sure. But you may get more chances to learn.

Thanks for the input. I agree that tree work and construction/roofing are two different areas. I'll keep looking and see what happens. I have done a couple roofing jobs higher than most tree guys get ... church steeples 150-200ft above the ground ... that was interesting! =)

 

[tree md]

I went to work for an older guy who owned a small outfit when I was younger and starting out. He was more than happy to sit on his butt and tell me what to do in the tree. The deal was, I still had to do ground work when I got out of the tree. I've got a young guy that I just started that I am teaching to climb... Just sending him up with a handsaw and letting him set lines for now. It's frustrating and takes patience. Every tree I send him up costs me time and money. Still, I try to make the time to send him up a tree or two everyday. I have taught a few to climb in the past. It is frustrating and time consuming but can be very rewarding.

Keep looking, you will find your teacher.

 

[tsouz007]

I went to work for an older guy who owned a small outfit when I was younger and starting out. He was more than happy to sit on his butt and tell me what to do in the tree. The deal was, I still had to do ground work when I got out of the tree. I've got a young guy that I just started that I am teaching to climb... Just sending him up with a handsaw and letting him set lines for now. It's frustrating and takes patience. Every tree I send him up costs me time and money. Still, I try to make the time to send him up a tree or two everyday. I have taught a few to climb in the past. It is frustrating and time consuming but can be very rewarding.

Keep looking, you will find your teacher.

Thanks! My brother did tree work and taught me climbing (DRT&SRT, pruning) so I've got the basic's ... unfortunately he's in Alaska and that's a little far away!

 

[2treeornot2tree]

Why doesnt your current boss want to teach you? Maybe he dont think you would be good at it or safe or what not.

 

[Grouchy old man]

... or maybe he just wants a groundie and can't be bothered with teaching you. Have you ever considered a school?

 

[tsouz007]

Why doesnt your current boss want to teach you? Maybe he dont think you would be good at it or safe or what not.

Thanks for the encouragement ... always nice when people have a positive attitude.

My current boss doesn't climb much at all ... which is the primary reason for not teaching what he doesn't do much of.