New to business, help?

[legendrider]

Hey all great site i came over from lawnsite.com. Her is the thing.

i recently attended an arborist training class and i had never had pevious experience, the weather was terrible, snow ice freezing rain. I finally got into a tree performed my work station and also did a simulated rescue later in the course. but i can not say enough how much respect I have for you all and your craft. I had a real tough time and made it through by the skin of my teeth. Im not sure if climbing in all that ice scared me or just climbing in general. now Im thinking about not going foward. any ideas?

 

[MasterBlaster]

What do you want to do in this field? Climber? Owner? Both?

I wouldn't give up quite so quickly.

 

[NeTree]

It only gets easier the more skilled you become. That takes practice- and practice builds confidence.

Sounds like you got your cherry popped in the worst scenario... it's not always anywhere near that bad.

Do you have anyone near you willing to mentor you?

 

[legendrider]

newbie

I really wanted to get into climbing . I was a law enforcement officer for 10 years got hurt on the job and was forced to retire on a small pension two years ago. well i love the outdoors and physical work. I hate anything inside. I would be happy just working for a urban tree service. most of the guys in my class had climbed before and felt very comfortable with eveything of course noone likes bad weather but i learned my basic knots and then some. we had to get up in some pin oaks. the first limb on these was atleast 30 feet. and the trunks were covered in ice as were the limbs i had to walk out on . I did complete my tasks. but i got kinda freaked with the constant snow ice and freezing rain. its hard enough to teach somone to climb im sure. but add that to a brand new person jeez lol. I did well on tree ID and learned some of the basic knots well. ie double fisherman, blake, taught line hitch, prusik, running bowline, clove hitch, midline and end line. figure 8 etc. but it was a hec of a lot of info to cram in. IM 33 and god bless you guys who body thrust up those trees. im 230 pounds my elbows are killing me.

 

[legendrider]

looking

now that i have some sort of skill with a cerificate im looking. I never was able to find a comort zone. I also could have used some more instruction in the mechanics and working of a saddle not just where to tie your knots. I thought the double crotching thing was cool. I was hoping to start with smaller trees and work my way up. Is that possible. The main thing is I learned so much stuff but never had the time to feel comfortable working with my gear.

 

[jamie]

keep at it

keep at it, learn from someone experienced, i am and it helps a lot, you can watch them and it helps in the learning process, trust the equipment and know that if you have done everything by the book, you are tied in if you slip you are just going for a swing, swingng can be fun... :

being in trees is fun, im not a huge fan of limb walking but with practice im finding it more natural......

jamie

 

[MasterBlaster]

Heres a couple threads you can peruse while you eat a nice, healthy salad...

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=100722#post100722

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10595

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

There are some very good tree companies in Jersey. Maybe hire on as a groundman at first . They can get you aclimated in small trees from time to time.

 

[NeTree]

Gee, 230 lbs... that's IT????


I got a few pounds on ya there, and SOMEONE ELSE ^ has a few more than that...

:angel:

 

[mikecross23]

Definately start w/ simple trees. Not necesarily small but easy take downs in non critical situations. Go climb just for practice and get more familiar w/ your gear. Network and meet others who have been in the biz for a while. That should open doors to working for/with others and hopefully will get you the much needed mentor. I found a 22yr tree veteran who has and still is teaching me a lot. Best thing I've done was pay him very well to work for me on large/technical removals. When he's on my job, he's in charge and things get done faster and safer. I do the climbing while he runs ropes and stays on top of the ground help.

Stick w/ Arborist Site, practice, practice, and if you ever feel uncomfortable before making a cut, then don't. Reposition, retie do what it takes b/c a climber on edge is a dangerouse climber.

-Mike-

 

[mikecross23]

Forgot....

climbing will shed the pounds quick!!

 

[rborist1]

:Eye:

 

[MasterBlaster]

Geez dudes, I'm 200 at 6'2".

 

[SilverBlue]

Whatseemean oldMaster?

legendrider, when you feel like giving up, just take a recreational climb some weekend.

Here's what were gonna get MB for his next birthday, great to have while waiting for those groundies to catch up...

 

[NeTree]

Originally posted by rborist1
Erik,

Would that be JPS or the Old Master?

Didn't ya see the "^"?

 

[murphy4trees]

I've been doing treework for over twenty years outside Philly and never climbed on ice once...... And I rarely work in wet trees....
I hope to maintain that record if possible... Why climb in nasty weather if I don't have to....
That said.... As a rookie climbing on ice, sounds like you did great... I'd give it a try again once spring hits and see how you like it then....

 

[rahtreelimbs]

You need to look at every avenue of imformation you can get your hands on. This site is an excellent example of that. Having said that, get all the climbing in that you can. Recreation climbing is an excellent way to hone some basic climbing skills without the pressure of climbing for a tree business. Attending local jamborees will help you hook up with others who can help you. Best of luck!

 

[legendrider]

230lbs

yep 230lbs. im just an old banged up football player. my weight goes up and down since my injuries kept me out of the gym. im working on it though. Are there any saddles you guys prefer for a broad muscular type build? thanks for everything. i will follow your advice. E

 

[MasterBlaster]

Heres some more light reading;

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10024&highlight=climbing+saddle

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11410&highlight=climbing+saddle

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9882&highlight=climbing+saddle

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1158&highlight=climbing+spurs

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
So I'd assume rock climbing uses a lot of the same muscles and skills as tree climbing. Check out your local rock gym and see if you like it.

The only ones that sceam on me after doing rock are on the outside of my forearms. I use my smaller fingers more on rock the in trees.

BTW, I'm only 250-260, sans gear, depending on when I last ate.