Tree business without a climber?

[NCTREE]

There is no need to talk down to me. Yes, I know my crapsman is not suited for professional use. I'd be gittin' one o them thar orange and white wuns. You can judge my saws but don't tell me I don't have what it takes. You don't know me nor my work ethic. I intentionally stated up front my limited experience and lack of professional experience. I have been in a number of different professions and have succeeded and excelled at them. I am currently in manufacturing, which needless to say is in perilous times.

I am not pretending to be a "big boy". I am just at the beginning stages of looking into things I have SOME knowledge of, and the viability and expense of trying to feed my family by doing them. I would imagine most of you who own your own business didn't start out with a fleet of equipment and a couple dozen employees. We all have to start somewhere.

As far as dragging brush with the "big boys", If no one is hiring, how do you propose doing that? I would rather try and fail on my own merits, than sit around bemoaning the economy and relying on the government and others to take care of me.



I have no beef at all with climbers. It's just my idea of starting small, with as little hired help as possible. If things went well, I'd absolutely hire a climber.



LOL good one, that did give me a chuckle

Education and training, education and training my friend. Their are lots of good resources out there you just have to find them. Plenty of short climbing and educational classes that are relatively cheap with loads of knowledge. (Arbormaster training classes. Join ISA, their is plenty of seminars) The best way to learn to climb though is through an apprentice program or working for a tree company.

If you are going to learn while you earn than just practice good pruning techniques. Don't be another schwack attack tree service.

 

[kipper]

I have asked myself this same question time after time. Especially on a saturday morning at 0800 when the climber I hired to help me take out a tree has not shown up or called. It only took once for me, I let him go and placed an add for another climber.

I do this on the weekends and evening because I like it and it pays fairly well. I also do landscaping and lawn care at the same time. I work a professional 8-5 job during the week. I only take on jobs I am comfortable with (both money and skill needed). I have a list of three climbers that climb for a living and I could call any of them today and have them ready to work on saturday. The reason this would happen is because I treat them with respect and they respect me. They know when I call it is cash on the spot as soon as they are out of the tree and it is stricty business. No BS of waiting for the customer to pay and then get the check cashed and then find them. I started doing tree work when my lawn care customers asked for it. I got tired of giving the business to the local guys who would not show up, come on the job stoned or not do a good job. I have given my customers quotes before and they have awarded the job to me even though I was higher because they knew I would take care of the job. They even told me I was more expensive. I price the job to make money and I pay the folks that help me good. I know what it is like for a kid to come through the neighborhood with 20.00 dollar cuts. Likewise I do not lowball the tree work because I know there are folks out there making a living doing this.

If you provide excellent service, yoy will not have any problems. And if you do not take jobs you can not do you will be fine. Nobody likes competition because it causes them to look at their position.

Good Luck !

 

[Tree Pig]

You described most couples there and everywhere around here for that matter.

lol

 

[tree MDS]

I have asked myself this same question time after time. Especially on a saturday morning at 0800 when the climber I hired to help me take out a tree has not shown up or called. It only took once for me, I let him go and placed an add for another climber.

I do this on the weekends and evening because I like it and it pays fairly well. I also do landscaping and lawn care at the same time. I work a professional 8-5 job during the week. I only take on jobs I am comfortable with (both money and skill needed). I have a list of three climbers that climb for a living and I could call any of them today and have them ready to work on saturday. The reason this would happen is because I treat them with respect and they respect me. They know when I call it is cash on the spot as soon as they are out of the tree and it is stricty business. No BS of waiting for the customer to pay and then get the check cashed and then find them. I started doing tree work when my lawn care customers asked for it. I got tired of giving the business to the local guys who would not show up, come on the job stoned or not do a good job. I have given my customers quotes before and they have awarded the job to me even though I was higher because they knew I would take care of the job. They even told me I was more expensive. I price the job to make money and I pay the folks that help me good. I know what it is like for a kid to come through the neighborhood with 20.00 dollar cuts. Likewise I do not lowball the tree work because I know there are folks out there making a living doing this.

If you provide excellent service, yoy will not have any problems. And if you do not take jobs you can not do you will be fine. Nobody likes competition because it causes them to look at their position.

Good Luck !

Stick to whacking weeds, much safer, treework is best left to the treemen - not lawn jockeys doing it partime.

BTW: I hope little Timmy and his push mower steal all your work.

 

[kipper]

whacking weeds !!! How orginal !!! By the way what makes a "real treeman"?

How do you know if my ground guy has 20 years experience working in the tree industry?

How do you know anything about my business?

I know, if I tell you !!! and I didn't tell you any of that so you assumed and played right in to my hand.

You are entitled to your opinion but when you make it known in a public forum you might want to the facts.

too funny !!!

 

[tree MDS]

whacking weeds !!! How orginal !!! By the way what makes a "real treeman"?

How do you know if my ground guy has 20 years experience working in the tree industry?

How do you know anything about my business?

I know, if I tell you !!! and I didn't tell you any of that so you assumed and played right in to my hand.

You are entitled to your opinion but when you make it known in a public forum you might want to the facts.

too funny !!!

Well kipper, in my opinion treeguys should do treework, not land loving lawn jockeys looking for a quick saturday buck doing some easy trees with some climber that you probably dont even have comp on. Again, just my opinion.

 

[tree MDS]

BTW, a "real treeman" can climb his own trees.

 

[NCTREE]

Well kipper, in my opinion treeguys should do treework, not land loving lawn jockeys looking for a quick saturday buck doing some easy trees with some climber that you probably dont even have comp on. Again, just my opinion.

Nah! no "real treemen" here just a couple of old ladies!

 

[kipper]

Have workers comp and insurance since the begining. Thanks for your opinion though.

When did I tell you I don't / can't climb? If I could would that make me a "treeman"? Come on I really want to be in the "in" crowd !!! Oh yeah, I didn't tell you,,, you just thought again....

 

[treemandan]

BTW, a "real treeman" can climb his own trees.

I agree, stick to the mower all you land loving lawn jockeys.

 

[kipper]

Would love to, just one problem with that. My wallet gets much fatter with tree money than grass money !!!

 

[treemandan]

Would love to, just one problem with that. My wallet gets much fatter with tree money than grass money !!!

are you saying that you are a landloving lawn jockey? Those guys ain't to bright dude. Maybe you want to make that clear.

 

[Raymond]

Don't they have a lawn mowing chat room you guys could join?

You guys could take and post pics of lines you make in the grass, weedeating tips, blade sharping and steep hills you brave guys have to mow.

 

[kipper]

I do love the land, Lawn Jockey is someone's opinion...

What should be clear is that if the man want's to do business without a climber than he should be supported and not degraded by the "Professionals".
He will learn quick enough if he can make money and provide a quality service.

 

[ddhlakebound]

I have asked myself this same question time after time. Especially on a saturday morning at 0800 when the climber I hired to help me take out a tree has not shown up or called. It only took once for me, I let him go and placed an add for another climber.

This certainly seems to imply that you can't or don't climb.

Your other post......this one

I know, if I tell you !!! and I didn't tell you any of that so you assumed and played right in to my hand.

You are entitled to your opinion but when you make it known in a public forum you might want to the facts.

too funny !!!

brought a scene into my mind.....hopefully it amuses you all like it did me.....


Tree MDS
But if there can be no
arrangement, then we are at an
impasse.

kipper
I'm afraid so -- I can't compete
with you physically. And you're
no match for my brains.

Tree MDS
You're that smart?

kipper
Let me put it this way: have you
ever heard of Plato, Aristotle,
Socrates?

Tree MDS
Yes.

kipper
Morons.

Tree MDS
Really? In that case, I challenge
you to a battle of wits.

kipper
To the death?

Tree MDS nods.

kipper
I accept.

Tree MDS
Good. Then pour the wine.

As kipper fills the goblets with the dark red liquid, Tree MDS pulls a small packet from his clothing, handing
it to kipper.

Tree MDS
Inhale this, but do not touch.

kipper
(doing it)
I smell nothing.

Tree MDS
(taking the packet back)
What you do not smell is called
iocane powder. It is odorless,
tasteless, dissolves instantly in
liquid, and is among the more
deadlier poisons known to man.

kipper
Hmm.

CUT TO:

kipper

watching excitedly as Tree MDS takes the goblets,
turns his back. A moment later, he turns again, faces
kipper, drops the iocane packet. It is now empty.

Tree MDS rotates the goblets in a little shell game
maneuver then puts one glass in front of kipper, the other
in front of himself.

Tree MDS
All right: where is the poison?
The battle of wits has begun. It
ends when you decide and we both
drink, and find out who is right
and who is dead.

kipper
But it's so simple. All I have to
do is divine from what I know of
you. Are you the sort of man who
would put the poison into his own
goblet, or his enemy's?

He studies Tree MDS now.

kipper
Now, a clever man would put the
poison into his own goblet,
because he would know that only a
great fool would reach for what
he was given. I'm not a great
fool, so I can clearly not choose
the wine in front of you. But you
must have known I was not a great
fool; you would have counted on
it, so I can clearly not choose
the wine in front of me.

Tree MDS
(And now there's a
trace of nervousness beginning)
You've made your decision then7

kipper
Not remotely. Because iocane
comes from Australia, as everyone
knows. And Australia is entirely
peopled with criminals. And
criminals are used to having
people not trust them, as you are
not trusted by me. So I can
clearly not choose the wine in
front of you.

Tree MDS
Truly, you have a dizzying
intellect.

kipper
Wait till I get going! Where was I?

Tree MDS
Australia.

kipper
Yes -- Australia, and you must
have suspected I would have known
the powder's origin, so I can
clearly not choose the wine in
front of me.

Tree MDS
(very nervous)
You're just stalling now.

kipper
(cackling)
You'd like to think that, wouldn't
you?
(stares at Tree MDS)
You've beaten my giant, which
means you're exceptionally strong.
So, you could have put the poison
in your own goblet, trusting on
your strength to save you. So I
can clearly not choose the wine
in front of you. But, you've also
bested my Spaniard which means
you must have studied. And in
studying, you must have learned
that man is mortal so you would
have put the poison as far from
yourself as possible, so I can
clearly not choose the wine in
front of me.

As kipper's pleasure has been growing throughout, Tree MDS's has been fast disappearing.

Tree MDS
You're trying to trick me into
giving away something -- it won't
work --

kipper
(triumphant)
It has worked -- you've given
everything away -- I know where
the poison is.

Tree MDS
(fool's courage)
Then make your choice.

kipper
I will. And I choose --

And suddenly he stops, points at something behind Tree MDS

kipper
-- what in the world can that be?

Tree MDS turning around, looking.

Tree MDS
What? Where? I don't see anything.

CUT TO:

kipper

busily switching the goblets while Tree MDS has his
head turned.

kipper
Oh, well, I-I could have sworn I
saw something. No matter.

Tree MDS turns to face him again. kipper starts to
laugh.

Tree MDS
What's so funny?

kipper
I'll tell you in a minute. First,
let's drink -- me from my glass,
and you from yours.

And he picks up his goblet. Tree MDS picks up the
one in front of him. As they both start to drink, kipper
hesitates a moment.

Then, allowing Tree MDS to drink first, he swallows
his wine.

Tree MDS
You guessed wrong.

kipper
(roaring with laughter)
You only think I guessed wrong --
(louder now)
-- that's what's so funny! I
switched glasses when your back
was turned. You fool.

CUT TO:

Tree MDS

There's nothing he can say. He just sits there.

CUT TO:
kipper

watching him.

kipper
You fell victim to one of the
classic blunders. The most famous
is "Never get involved in a land
war in Asia." But only slightly
less well known is this: "Never
go in against a Sicilian when
death is on the line."

He laughs and roars and cackles and whoops and is in all
ways quite cheery until he falls over dead.

 

[kipper]

Interesting read and rather amusing.

 

[Tree Pig]

This certainly seems to imply that you can't or don't climb.

Your other post......this one



brought a scene into my mind.....hopefully it amuses you all like it did me.....


Tree MDS
But if there can be no
arrangement, then we are at an
impasse.

kipper
I'm afraid so -- I can't compete
with you physically. And you're
no match for my brains.

Tree MDS
You're that smart?

kipper
Let me put it this way: have you
ever heard of Plato, Aristotle,
Socrates?

Tree MDS
Yes.

kipper
Morons.

Tree MDS
Really? In that case, I challenge
you to a battle of wits.

kipper
To the death?

Tree MDS nods.

kipper
I accept.

Tree MDS
Good. Then pour the wine.

As kipper fills the goblets with the dark red liquid, Tree MDS pulls a small packet from his clothing, handing
it to kipper.

Tree MDS
Inhale this, but do not touch.

kipper
(doing it)
I smell nothing.

Tree MDS
(taking the packet back)
What you do not smell is called
iocane powder. It is odorless,
tasteless, dissolves instantly in
liquid, and is among the more
deadlier poisons known to man.

kipper
Hmm.

CUT TO:

kipper

watching excitedly as Tree MDS takes the goblets,
turns his back. A moment later, he turns again, faces
kipper, drops the iocane packet. It is now empty.

Tree MDS rotates the goblets in a little shell game
maneuver then puts one glass in front of kipper, the other
in front of himself.

Tree MDS
All right: where is the poison?
The battle of wits has begun. It
ends when you decide and we both
drink, and find out who is right
and who is dead.

kipper
But it's so simple. All I have to
do is divine from what I know of
you. Are you the sort of man who
would put the poison into his own
goblet, or his enemy's?

He studies Tree MDS now.

kipper
Now, a clever man would put the
poison into his own goblet,
because he would know that only a
great fool would reach for what
he was given. I'm not a great
fool, so I can clearly not choose
the wine in front of you. But you
must have known I was not a great
fool; you would have counted on
it, so I can clearly not choose
the wine in front of me.

Tree MDS
(And now there's a
trace of nervousness beginning)
You've made your decision then7

kipper
Not remotely. Because iocane
comes from Australia, as everyone
knows. And Australia is entirely
peopled with criminals. And
criminals are used to having
people not trust them, as you are
not trusted by me. So I can
clearly not choose the wine in
front of you.

Tree MDS
Truly, you have a dizzying
intellect.

kipper
Wait till I get going! Where was I?

Tree MDS
Australia.

kipper
Yes -- Australia, and you must
have suspected I would have known
the powder's origin, so I can
clearly not choose the wine in
front of me.

Tree MDS
(very nervous)
You're just stalling now.

kipper
(cackling)
You'd like to think that, wouldn't
you?
(stares at Tree MDS)
You've beaten my giant, which
means you're exceptionally strong.
So, you could have put the poison
in your own goblet, trusting on
your strength to save you. So I
can clearly not choose the wine
in front of you. But, you've also
bested my Spaniard which means
you must have studied. And in
studying, you must have learned
that man is mortal so you would
have put the poison as far from
yourself as possible, so I can
clearly not choose the wine in
front of me.

As kipper's pleasure has been growing throughout, Tree MDS's has been fast disappearing.

Tree MDS
You're trying to trick me into
giving away something -- it won't
work --

kipper
(triumphant)
It has worked -- you've given
everything away -- I know where
the poison is.

Tree MDS
(fool's courage)
Then make your choice.

kipper
I will. And I choose --

And suddenly he stops, points at something behind Tree MDS

kipper
-- what in the world can that be?

Tree MDS turning around, looking.

Tree MDS
What? Where? I don't see anything.

CUT TO:

kipper

busily switching the goblets while Tree MDS has his
head turned.

kipper
Oh, well, I-I could have sworn I
saw something. No matter.

Tree MDS turns to face him again. kipper starts to
laugh.

Tree MDS
What's so funny?

kipper
I'll tell you in a minute. First,
let's drink -- me from my glass,
and you from yours.

And he picks up his goblet. Tree MDS picks up the
one in front of him. As they both start to drink, kipper
hesitates a moment.

Then, allowing Tree MDS to drink first, he swallows
his wine.

Tree MDS
You guessed wrong.

kipper
(roaring with laughter)
You only think I guessed wrong --
(louder now)
-- that's what's so funny! I
switched glasses when your back
was turned. You fool.

CUT TO:

Tree MDS

There's nothing he can say. He just sits there.

CUT TO:
kipper

watching him.

kipper
You fell victim to one of the
classic blunders. The most famous
is "Never get involved in a land
war in Asia." But only slightly
less well known is this: "Never
go in against a Sicilian when
death is on the line."

He laughs and roars and cackles and whoops and is in all
ways quite cheery until he falls over dead.

Just to finish it off


ddhlakebound

And to think, all that time it was your cup that was poisoned.


Tree MDS

They were both poisoned. I spent the last few years building up an immunity to iocane powder.

 

[treemandan]

And ddhalkebound? You could have summarized BUT I guess that is that. Well put. It wouldn't surprise me to find if both were immune but the old adage remains... and it must

Can't climb? F off! you know nothing. If ya did you wouldn't be puttin down all that mulch. That goes for all use landloving lawn jockeys. AND CONE YOUR DAM TRAILERS YOU DIM SOB'S.

 

[ozzy42]

whacking weeds !!! How orginal !!! By the way what makes a "real treeman"?

How do you know if my ground guy has 20 years experience working in the tree industry?

I worked for a guy that spent 25yrs at ford installing interiors.
So do you think he can rebuild my transmission?


The tree industry consist mostly of trimming,and removing trees that the average HO can not safely do.
With that being defined for you now,you need an experienced climber that knows how to do the work that you wish to charge people for.

As far as climbers being no shows ,or showing up drunk, or stoned.
Maybe you are not hireing the right kind of help.

Good climbers with exp.and responsible work ethics,don't work for peanuts.
Pay for a hired drunk,and that is exactly what you get.




A good climber will take a high % of the price you get for tree work for one reason



















He's worth it.











.

 

[Rickytree]

Not to thread jack but the treeman Dan and Raymond both never commented on the pictures of the wide spread locust. As far as this thread goes, I've worked with lawn jockeys and they all think climbing and trimming trees is so easy. Well when your as great as me it is. You never know till you try but beware YOU COULD DIE!! or get seriously :censored:UP and besides I am not "above average climber" ask anyone around these parts that seen me climb, I'm bloody ridiculous!! with a side Crazy!