From: Eric R. Engstrom
[email protected]
>HEY I KNOW ALL OF YOU ARE TRYING TO MAKE A JOKE OUT OF THE SPIKE THING. IDIDN'T PUT IT ON THE PAGE SO HERE GOES. THEY HAVE TREE SPIKES THAT DON'T GO BUT SO FAR IN THE TREE. IF YOU GUYS ARE TREEMEN YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT YOU CAN'T CLIMB TREES WITH POLE SPIKES WITHOUT SCARRING THE TREE.I DON'T RECCOMEND TO0PPING TO PEOPLE IT'S WHAT THEY WANT AND IF THEY WANT IT I'M GOING TO DO IT. IF I DON'T THERE ARE PLENTY OF GUYS OUT THERE THAT WILL DO IT, INCLUDING YOU IF OFFERED. _McPeak
From: Sonny Cotter
[email protected] -Un-%#%!&#% believable
From: Matthew Rieck
[email protected]
Subj: Re: Get With It, Get Educated
From:
[email protected] (harold)
To:
[email protected]
all of you men at the i.s.a. are just a little close minded at the fact, oh check this joke out about spikes. if you have tree spikes and someone who knows how to climb without scarring the tree up then there is nothing wrong with spiking.
----- Original Message -----
From:
[email protected]
I saw your web site and guys like you create myths and half truths that set this industry back fifty years. I guess you don't belong to any professional affiliations.
Everybody is laughing at your web site at the I.S.A. webboard. I am curious as to where you buy special spikes that don't harm trees. I've been to many trade shows and have never seen them. The fact is:
SPIKES CREATE WOUNDS THAT NEVER HEAL. You should enlighten your mind with an education and current
data. Arboriculturally, Bark Bros. Inc.
From:
[email protected] (harold)
To:
[email protected]
….these so called professionals are just like any other organization they haven't had hands on experience. they go out take a few samples of this and that and then start an organization get people to join because they are an organization write a few books and let's see why not get rich doing it. hmmmmmmm not a bad idea huh?----- Original Message -----
Then i guess he got RB's attention..............
From: Roger Barnett
[email protected]
Well, I had just had to jump on the poor guy too, but it seems he is unflappable..!!
He wrote:
i'll tell you also people call me and tell me what they want done if i don't do it someone else will.so you don't top or spike because then you just might have to work huh?, you guys get all this equipment and then you still don't want to work. i guess that's where the men (workers) come in. seeya stuffshirt.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Barnett"
Subject: banter
> Well, "learned" fellow, as you have so "enlightened" us arborists on spur usage on living trees, perhaps you could explain the short and long term effects of topping. Please include tree health, longevity, regrowth characteristics, esthetics, future hazard and liabilities (to the tree owner and the company that performed the topping)
> Should you have no adequate answer, perhaps you might care to get schooled
yourself. Just ask, myself and others would be happy to steer you to tons of learning material..
> Gee, if I could sell firewood at the rate of $570 per cord, I might even bother. Hard to find the time, as our work is so in demand- and, I'll give you a clue, it does NOT include spurring or topping!
> By the way, out here, some of the least professional companies charge the highest prices, and do unnecessary or incorrect work. However, the companies that grow do work that conforms to industry standards, and are in demand as more and more consumers discover the importance of dealing with professionals.
> Here is a teaser for you:
http://www.plantamnesty.org/
Happy reading.... Roger
>And my retort:
My shirt is stuffed with muscles from climbing without spurs and correct pruning, which takes longer and is more technical and harder than topping. By the way, we are swamped with work, as usual, I just have some idle time, due to an elbow that swelled up for some unknown reason, thus the net time.
>I see, from your inane response, that you are not interesting in caring for trees correctly, nor respecting them.
>If a customer asks me for improper work, I explain correct procedures. Because I come across as honest and nowledgeable, they almost always listen, and do what is right.
>I started climbing 28 years ago, in the Seattle area, when most all companies used spurs, and most topped trees. Now, many good companies have come in, and vastly improved tree care in Seattle. I add myself to that list, starting in 1989. Before that time, I grudgingly topped trees, but always used spurs. Now I know the easier way. I'm sure you have no 5- 8 foot trunked conifers as we do. Try flip lining up one of those monsters, and you'll wish you knew how to set ropes from the ground.
>If you have any interest, which it appears you do not, check out this guy's very professional website:
http://www.menchhofertreecare.com/
-Rog
From: Rob Goss
[email protected]
Date: Monday, March 26, 2001 11:18 PM
mr. spencer is no doubt top five politically correct of these tree climbers in the discuss.board
Dave this guy could be far more than an amusement if fact I think I will take my own notes and start writing a book on the most comical contradiction to professional tree care to yet hit the internet. Anyone got any ideas on chapter one ? how about letting Mcpeak sell his corn wiskey or moonshine right on ebay? maybe he could put out a flier on his site for a fifty dollar discount on tree work if anyone buys ten bottles or more?........peace...............................robdog
Aaannndd finally
From: Tom Dunlap
[email protected]
Here is a dialog that we have carried on for the past few days. I wrote:
> Thirty years ago I was taught to climb be a guy who climbed poles for the phone company. Of course, he taught me with spikes. many years later I started to read trade magazines and realized that spiking was harmful to trees. Also, I learned that the best climbers and most successful companies did not climb with spikes. I, like you, used to think that the only way to make a living was to work fast. I, like you, used to think that spikes allowed me to climb fast. BUT!, I learned that clients are
willing to pay more for a GOOD job. Now, I work efficiently and only use spikes for removals. I hope that you would consider the damage that you are doing to the trees. Again, you are right, the trees might not die. But maybe you can understand this metaphor:> Your truck still hauls chips if....the tires are bald....the windshield is cracked……has not had an oil change for two years. That truck is going to deteriorate. Would you want to buy a truck that was not maintained at the highest specification? > Maybe a simile this time: Spiking is to trees as______________is to people. > having a finger nail torn off a lingering cold constant headaches stomach aches/cramps, indigestion, achy joints. None of these things will kill you but you will not be able to operate at your highest potential.
> Have you been called to task about using spikes by other arborists? If a large number of replies to your website are about spiking and very few from clients soliciting work, it might mean something. Think about it
Sincerely, Tom Dunlap > A reformed and repentant spike climber
And his reply:
I'M NOT USING SPIKES BECAUSE IT'S FASTER. I USE SPIKES BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HAD ANY TREES AFFECTED BY THEM AND SO I DON'T HAVE TO RIP PEOPLE OFF TO PAY FOR BIG EQUIPMENT.THAT'S IT.
Then mine back to him:
I don't , and never will, own a bucket truck. I use a throwline that costs less than $25 to set a line in a tree and climb a rope into the tree. I am 47 and still can out climb most climbers.
And his reply:> all of you are mad because i'm letting people know they are being overcharged. so come down and look at the trees in virginia we all spike and the trees are healthy.
> Charging, and getting, whatever price a business does for a service, is a part of doing business. Is Mercedes ripping people off because their cars are so expensive compared to a Hyundai? No, the two companies provide a service that fits two very different levels of service.
Please take some time to learn good, modern tree care. -Tom Strong limbs and snug ropes!
From: Michael Richardson
[email protected]
Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2001 05:35 PM
Tom how dare you spend $25 on a throw rope, would it not be cheaper to pay $250 for spurs?
