What drew you to treework?

[hobby climber]

In the late 90's during an ice storm, a big limb fell on my parents home and damaged the roof. Insurance took care of the limb & roof but left the rest of the tree for me to remove. Word got out that I do trees and and every friend & family member started calling, this was unexpected! I was only able to take on work that my experience level would allow and would buy proper equipment with each new job. If a job was beyond my ability, I'd refer it to our areas most reputable big tree service that has all the toys. In return, I get technical advice, learn new techniques, and other business incites. I also have the ability to rent equipment from them and get proper instruction on its use. Funny thing is is I don't take any finders fee on any of my referrals. I have this company knock 10% off that customers bill instead. So a customer would get a better price by going through me that to call the big company first. It's a win win situation because the big company gets more work, I am able to pick & choose the jobs I want & the customer gets the best price possible. Thats how I got started, not bad for a Hobby eh!

 

[Stumper]

I wasn't drawn to tree work. I was immersed in it as a child. It is like quicksand -if you struggle you sink deeper. Seriously, I'm a third generation tree man. I've been involved since I was 8 years old. Resistance was futile. I have been assimulated.

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

i started out helping an old wise country/rural man clearing trees mainly small ones when i was about 12 using an axe & bow saw ,carried on till i was 16 then helped a friend out doing removals again only small tree's mainly dead elms on farms for firewood this time with a chainsaw , up until aged 23 i did various jobs then finding myself un-employed i started a grounds maintenance business up , slowly but surely i moved away from maintenance to full time tree work,i did ongoing tree courses up until this year and i'm going on another tree related course next year ,i hope to do full time consultancy in about 7 years time ie when I'm a bit more knowledgeable

 

[Big A]

I first got into tree-work when I was in my early teens, helping my Old Man logging wit his old Pioneer saw. Then in the early eighties, with unemployment rife, I answered ad for a supervisor on a gang looking after unemployed people who got their dole + £10. That comprised of mainly carrying out coppicing work with handsaws and billhooks, only the supervisors were ticketed to operate chainsaws. Then after a period of about 10 years doing another job I was made redundant, took the opportunity to get back into tree-work, approached a local arb co, started at the bottom of the ladder on £30 a day. As I progressed I took courses as an when required and after 5 years I left to go it alone. I took on woodland management, private tree care and then I joined another local co on a part-time basis doing 3 days a week, so I can continue with my private work 2/3 days a week. It suits me well as I actually look forward to the Monday mornings and being back with the lads.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I've allways been fascinated by plant science, and high places. And I'm a very bad employee in situations where my skills are easily replaceable.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I like Naproxen (aleve) better than ibuprofen. Like MB I also utilize the VA. It's a great deal for me. If I have anything more than a routine check up they send my to UC medical center to a specialist.......and it's free.

Not free, you paid for the medical plan with several years of your life and part of your health.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Aw, don't be VA hating. They treat me pretty danged good. It ain't John Hopkins, but it's still OK. And the price is right.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Aw, don't be VA hating. They treat me pretty danged good. It ain't John Hopkins, but it's still OK. And the price is right.

I'm a VA client too, I'm just saying that it's not free, we've paid for it by doing things the majority of our fellow citizens refused to do.

Though i do think it could be better....

 

[Tree Machine]

And I salute you guys. Thank you.

 

[xander9727]

Thanks. I'm glad I served. If I had to live my life over that is one part I wouldn't change.......although I would make one less jump.

 

[FBX1986]

my dad owned a saw shop in cottage grove, oregon. after high school ,the choices were the mill, the woods, or leave town to find work elsewhere . i lasted 1 day in the mill. i got a job for $ 9.00hr to set chockers for Ladd logging. the first time i saw Dennis Ladd top a 180 ft fir for a spar i knew i wanted to learn to climb . i got a forestry enginering tech degree (2year) in1985 I worked for USFS and BLM Alaska for next13 years became a smokejumper, learned to climb trees without spurs,picked cones,made wildlife trees.in 1998 I took early out at 1/4 pay(thank you bill clinton)i moved to the lower 48 and now i am working on my 4 year degree in urban forestry on climbing part time for a small tree biz................ allways learning