Reality check

[BigJohn]

I really need to get out more work with other climbers and companies. I feel as though I have no idea what is going on in the real world. I'm beginning to think I must be real lunitick.

 

[Stumper]

Well, you have gotten past the denial stage.

 

[John Stewart]

Man you really open yourself up sometimes
It really does make you a better arborist if you get around and see some other companies and what they do
Sometimes it just confirms that your doing just fine
Later
John

 

[NeTree]

Honestly, I enjoy working with/for other companies. It gives you a chance to see diversity in technique.

 

[Tree Machine]

I don't know how other companies do it except for what I read here. I'm not sure, though, if that's limiting or liberating. The companies I watch in passing, I see four men getting the work done of two, and often scoff at the crew's lack of PPE, esp. hearing and eye.

 

[Abbershay]

i recently had another tree company call me and ak me what i charge.

i didnt like this really but the truth is i wouldnt mind asking them what they charge aswell. how do you look upon questions like this?

this happen to be stump grinding. I am from nothern minnesota where we have more than 1 stumper per thousand people and grinding is hard to get a buck an inch just grinding.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Working for other companies is fantastic, contract climbing has benefitted me hugely, everyone does things a little different and you can see what you can use and things you would do.
I made good money as a contract climber but what was more valuable was seeing alternative ways that things can be done.
Saying that I think guys such as Tree machine really come up with some out there ideas that are simply fantastic as they arent surrounded by a "standard" of how things work and has the time and energy to try new things that work for him.
Yeah go contract climb for a few days, heck volenteer in a crew, chances are that it will pay off for you in alot of ways.

 

[Tree Machine]

Heck, come volunteer on my crew. We tend to have a lot of fun going against the grain of the intuitive approach.

There are 43 kazillion ways to skin a cat. Every tree guy will approach it in a differing manner, based on manpower, equipment and experience.

Amazing that we can all acheive essentially the same goal: Benefit the tree, or get it safely on the ground and moved out.

 

[daddieslilgirl]

wow

you have job openings tree machine? honestly? can you post somewhere what you need?

 

[Nickrosis]

He's got openings for volunteers, yes.

 

[Tree Machine]

Interesting I say,

come volunteer on my crew.

I work alone most of the time. 'volunteering on my crew' would mean hangin with me.

No volunteers, not if they're going to slow down my work. If I have to take a pay cut to teach someone some stuff, it's usually fun, but not so worth it to me. Some of the stuff I climb on is prototype, so it's not like you'd be able to go out and do what I do. I could teach some really good rigging stuff, not hardcore philosopy like treespyder, but if you work without a groundie, the problem solving approach is uniquely different. Keeping things SHARP is important. Tarpology is an impressive facet and the Swiss Helical method of splicing eyes is super cool. Log arches are always impressive.

Mebbe I should just have a website, like a volunteer virtual treeguy experience.

I work alone for the most part, and I would be showing you solo methods, meaning, what I'm showing you, I don't need help doing. A volunteer would have to aspire to (pick up sticks) have an employee-optional arrangement for himself, otherwise I'm just another zippy climber.

 

[Stumper]

Jim, "Swiss helical splice". Okay bud , spill it!

 

[Al Smith]

A history lesson

This moving around,and learning new proceedures is not a new concept.The olden trade guilds,in Europe,as far back as the middle ages,started the whole thing.A young man,was indentured,to a master craftsman,for a period of time, normaly 7 yrs.During this training period,he was taken care of,with regards to his room and board,clothing etc.but not paid much,or not at all.After a set time,and when the master felt he was worthy,he was given the tools of his trade,and some traveling money,wished well,by his mentor,and was then required to travel.During the next several years the craftsman visited with numerous masters,in many places,and thus learned,as well as shared,other trade secrets.The purpose for this travel,was for the betterment of the trade ,in general.The young tradesman,had to fullfill his journey,thus the name journeyman.After this was completed,he was then accepted as a master craftsman,amoung his peers.

 

[Tree Machine]

Cool lesson!

Back in 1990 I journeyed to Costa Rica to apprentice with a woodworker. On day one, a Friday, my new mentor, Master Barry, bestowed some valuable insight. "To truly teach you how to be a skilled woodworking craftsman, we must first go fishing."

So we went fishing on Lago Arenal for the weekend, camping below the towering volcano, partaking of the cervezas.

I wasn't a journeyman, but a fisherman on a journey. It was required.

ps Guapote get pretty big, and they hit topwater lures, tight along the shore. Trolling motor is essential.

http://www.biesanz.com