I learned a lot in my time at other tree service companies and I was indeed fortunate to have an excellent, if old school, climber to show me many things about tree work that I use every day. I have advanced myself, especially gear wise, since that time and the work I have done in the four years since starting Aerial Arborist Tree Service has been an accelerated course in tree work. I still have much to learn and it's my hope that my presence here will be rewarded with good information that can help me run a safer, more profitable business.
Mr. Aerial Arborist, i know i've bust on you, but being serious, i'm rather surprised by the line, "I have advanced myself,
especially gear wise. Gear does not a great climber make. I wonder if you are falling into a trap i've seen many times-buying the latest and greatest gear in hopes that it will cover up shortcomings in technique. In my fifteen years, yeah, i've advanced quite a bit in gear, but i take most pride in the fact that i've advanced most in technique, skill, ability, experience. These are more valuable to me and most other real climbers i know personally than the newest fad in gear. But you make it sound like the gear is the most valuable thing you've acquired in the last
four? years. Are your priorities skewed? I've seen videos and pics about your steiner, your ramps, your crew, your truck, but very little about actual skills or techniques. Vertical speed line, one time is the only one i can think of off the top of the head.
And that's what i'm trying to get at-four years you've owned a tree business, you've worked for tree companies, and yet you've heard of a vertical speed line for the first time just recently? How is this even possible, the technique has been around, it's not even a hard idea to come up with on your own. It's actually something i expect a one year climber to at least know about and understand the concept.
Sorry AA, i'm really not picking on you this time, i'm just trying to get my mind around why you are the way you are. Toys have a higher priority than actual learning for you is what i've been forced to come up with.
And it's not like it's difficult to learn new techniques on this job if someone is really serious about it. I'm not even talking about the internet. I've pulled over on the side of the road when i see a crew working and even if i'm not allowed on the jobsite, i'll sit and watch and talk with the climber when he's done. Look what you learned from matt, why has it taken you four or more years to get to this point?
I do agree with mds on this, you don't look like you were taught by an old school climber, i know what their products look like and the tendencies they have. You look like someone who saw a guy do it on tv, read the tree climbers companion, ran out and bought the gear, and are self taught. You do things an old school teacher would ream you for. I'm more old school than many, remember the stub thing-where do you think i got that from? But not that there is anything wrong with self-taught, i know several excellent self-taught climbers, and i agree with what i've seen you say here before about how easy tree work actually is. The theory is easy, the job can be done by even a mental midget if he can stand up to the physical aspect of it, but getting it done smooth and safe (the parts that you are lacking and need polish on), that is not so easy. But after your ways on here, is there anyone who is willing to help polish your basics?
