Old Timer

[mikecross23]

I went to Jacksonville yesterday to try on a saddle at Vermeer. While I was there I also went to some other stores. By referal from a rock climbing store I went to John Doe's tree service and climbing store. I walked in and about choked from the old timers pipe smoke. He sold buckingham saddles, lots of steal snaps, lanyards, lots of Klein climbing gaffs, two hand prunners, and one of every size of redwing 16" logger boots and that was about it. I told him I was just checking out his store and didn't need anything. He insisted I try on the Redwings. Nice boots, but not for me. He said my boots just won't do for use w/ my gaffs. I told him that I stay on my rope as much as possible. The fella looked at me like I was a dang fool and said, "What'd ya mean?" I told him I don't use gaffs on prune jobs, only removals, and he still looked at me like a was a bleepin' idiot. I got a grunt and an, "I'll do it the old fashioned way." We talked some more and although we didn't quite see eye to eye, it was interesting.

This guy had a nice set up. Small store front w/ office employees and a small fleet of work trucks and chippers. Obviously he's accomplished the business side of the tree business, but that is a lot of hacks working for him. I assume his climbers do it "the old fashioned way" considering he didn't understand why I would use my rope for reasons that most everyone here does.

I found that interesting.
-Mike-

 

[NeTree]

Reminds me of myself when I first got in the business over 20 years ago. I hope I never get that stubborn, and although I'm not quite "hip" to all the new gear etc out there, I do try to keep an open mind. It's hard for me because I know I'm kinda stubborn, and when I find something that works for me, trying something new seems like a pain in the a$$. But eventually I do, and end up being glad I did.

I think that with a little encouragement, this guy could open up a little. Arboriculture is ever-advancing as a science. We should never stop learning, or we as an industry will be left behind.

 

[Kevin]

There are young gaffer's and old gaffer's!

 

[Crispin Hoar]

When I started my present job they ordered gear for me. I got flak about some of the tools I requested. The boss said " I have been climbing for 18 yrs. and don't need these toys" I told him that years ago we would use horse and wagon to do this work. There is nothing wrong with using the horse but why do we have these diesel trucks. Keep up with the times.

 

[Greg]

Mike,
I think I know exactly who you are talking about, NO, I KNOW exactly who you are talking about. That guy is a ISA Certified Arborist, and one of the most respected (by most) tree guys in town. He is very sure of himself, and confident in his opinions:
-Cobra Sucks, steel is the only way to cable.
-He spikes trim jobs (that's the only safe way!)
-I saw his crew --he was not on the job, flush cutting and leaving big stubs on what was probably a 200yr old live oak in a parking lot.

I thought about mentioning his shop to you, but knew that there was really nothing in there that you would need. Ought to have a big sign that says "Old School Climbing Equip IN STOCK!".

He charges $75 for an estimate!!! that gets you up to an hour of his genius advice.

 

[mikecross23]

Thanks Greg for the other places you told me to go to, they were great stops. That one unplanned stop was interesting to me. Different perspective than what I've jumped into here at arbosite. He probably tells potential customers, "Don't worry, we clean our spike before prunning every tree to avoid spreading disease." Ha ha!!!

See Ya!
-Mike-