New to site

[rarefish383]

Was looking for parts for a pair of Homelite 1050's my dad bought back in the early 70's and found this site. I'm 4th generation of residential tree care in the family, and I passed the MD tree expert exam in 1999. When my dad retired in 85 I let the business go, and went to work for UPS, wanted more time off and was kinda burned out with the 24/7 of ownership. By 99 I was doing so much side work I got my license so I'd be on the up and up. I know how much I used to complain about the illegal "scissorbills" that worked in our area. I'm 53 now and still love to climb, but my body is giviing up on me. Old "Arther Itis" has gotten in my hands so bad I don't trust my grip, I wedge my fist in crotches to pull up. My left knee is so bad when I use hooks I can feel my knee separate when I pull the hook out. My dad climed into his 70's and prostrate cancer took him at 81. When he was young he climed with 5/8 rope because he didn't trust the 1/2 manilla, so he had the upper body strength of a bear. I remember, as a kid, tying on an old Diston 2 man saw to send it up the tree. I wish I was half the man as the ones they made back then.

Anyway, it's nice to find a forum of tree guys. I'll drop in from time to time and maybe I can add some old stories and shoot the breeze some, Joe.

 

[treesquirrel]

Welcome friend!

I'm only 44 but I can tell you that Advil is my best friend.

 

[Treetom]

Welcome to the site. I knew a gentleman that was about your dad's age. WWII vet. (R.I.P. Arnold) He started one of the first tree services in this area. Probably 4th generation by now and still operating. His "tree saw" was so heavy they suspended it on a separate rope. The lightest Disston was about 55 lbs, without the bar. Just for comparison, my 3120 weighs around 30 lbs with the bar. I look forward to more of your posts.

 

[outofmytree]

WElcome!

Do you have any pictures of your old gear? Or perhaps your Dads old gear? I love that stuff. Good to show the new boys when they whine about hauling up 660!

 

[blueatlascedar]

Welcome to the site rarefish383! Good to have another ole timer among us

 

[jomoco]

Hey there Rarefish, you sound pretty tore up for 53, must ride murdercycles too huh?

You should try wearing a pair of modern ergonomic moto-x knee braces to relieve the forces tearing on yu there. Then tie a nice razor sharp meat hook to your right wrist that has a handsaw fold out feature.

You'll be good for another 18 years of climbin atleast!

Old climbers never really retire, they improvise and keep climbin.

Welcome to the site.

jomoco

 

[Tree Pig]

Welcome to AS man. Hang in there.

 

[TheLumberJack]

Welcome to the site!

I'm 28 and have learned everything I know from people twice my age. My wife makes fun of me because ever since both of my grandfather's passed I talk too much to old guys who are strangers!

Anywho, welcome!

 

[BlackenedTimber]

Guten Tag!!!

 

[tomtrees58]

hi tom trees we all have fun here but 5'8 rope man thats was hemp back in the day dont miss them tom trees

 

[rarefish383]

WElcome!

Do you have any pictures of your old gear? Or perhaps your Dads old gear? I love that stuff. Good to show the new boys when they whine about hauling up 660!

I've got some of his old gear. I still climb with a pair of his Bashline Aluminum hooks, they're from the 60's I guess. I've still have the Disston and a couple Homelite 1050's. One of his old hand saws hangs in our family room, it has a 40 in blade and his pruning saw with a 24 in blade. When I was about 12 I used to ride to work with him in the summer. We had a fairly young black guy that climed for us. He was from the Carolina's I think. He would shinny up big trees bare foot and then have his shoes sent up on his rope. He would limb out big trees with a hand saw, wood up to 18-20 inch was handsaw work. The other guys would laugh and tease Robert for being afraid to use new equipement. Dad was so big if he used his hand saw to limb out a big tree no body said a word. I sold about 20 old chain saws a few years ago. A couple big yellow Macs and a bunch of EZ's, 2 red Super XL 12's, and I still have a blue Super 12. I'll have to look and see if I can find any of his personal gear, Joe.

 

[rarefish383]

Sorry, you asked for pictures. I'm on vacation this week and my wife wants me to clean out my shed. I'll see what I can find and get some shots of the old stuff and post them, Joe.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

welcome to the site!