Dadatwins
Addicted to ArboristSite
Hello to all, I finally decided to join forum after ‘lurking’ for a while reading posts and getting to know how this works and if there was anything to learn and maybe contribute.
Background – I have been involved in tree business since the 70’s when I was about 12 years old. My father had small company in NYC that started with loading brush into old Volkswagen bus and grew to 55’ bucket, two GMC 3500 dumps with 12 foot chip boxes, whisper / whipper chipper, couple of stump grinders, and to many chain saws to count. Worked weekends, summers for dad until after high school then I worked for about 13 years with NYC Parks & Rec tree division(to get health benefits) Dad had none, and continued doing tree work both for dad, myself, and as ‘hired gun’ for local companies when needed. Started to get burnout from business, sold my end of it and moved to VA about 7 years ago to start something new. Went into retail for 4 years then realized I needed to be outside in a tree again. Joined Richmond Parks & Rec a few years ago as tree climber again for health benefits and job security. Became ISA certified last year to see what it was all about after being in business so long and have not been impressed so far but that’s another story. Last year started my own stump grinding business, bought machine to do part time work, which does okay especially after Isabel. Still do climbing as ‘hired gun’ or do my own work, mostly cut & leave do not want to get involved with equipment and hired help problems again. Consider myself to be old-school climber with taut-line and rope snap. Started out that way and hard to get into all the new-age gear out there. Bought some of the new ‘biners’ and not quiet comfortable to bring them out on job yet, maybe someday. Took me 15 years to buy new spikes T-2 Bucks with velcro so I am in no rush. Hope to contribute and maybe learn something here from others in field who have ‘been there done that’.
Background – I have been involved in tree business since the 70’s when I was about 12 years old. My father had small company in NYC that started with loading brush into old Volkswagen bus and grew to 55’ bucket, two GMC 3500 dumps with 12 foot chip boxes, whisper / whipper chipper, couple of stump grinders, and to many chain saws to count. Worked weekends, summers for dad until after high school then I worked for about 13 years with NYC Parks & Rec tree division(to get health benefits) Dad had none, and continued doing tree work both for dad, myself, and as ‘hired gun’ for local companies when needed. Started to get burnout from business, sold my end of it and moved to VA about 7 years ago to start something new. Went into retail for 4 years then realized I needed to be outside in a tree again. Joined Richmond Parks & Rec a few years ago as tree climber again for health benefits and job security. Became ISA certified last year to see what it was all about after being in business so long and have not been impressed so far but that’s another story. Last year started my own stump grinding business, bought machine to do part time work, which does okay especially after Isabel. Still do climbing as ‘hired gun’ or do my own work, mostly cut & leave do not want to get involved with equipment and hired help problems again. Consider myself to be old-school climber with taut-line and rope snap. Started out that way and hard to get into all the new-age gear out there. Bought some of the new ‘biners’ and not quiet comfortable to bring them out on job yet, maybe someday. Took me 15 years to buy new spikes T-2 Bucks with velcro so I am in no rush. Hope to contribute and maybe learn something here from others in field who have ‘been there done that’.
