Pelorus is on target. Learn safety to the hilt. Study this website and the website
www.vertikal.net and register so you learn about access and cranes equipment. Find a mentor maybe through a small engine repair shop or the state forestry commission. If you can work part time in a small engine shop you'll learn a lot of mistakes amateurs make and you'll then be able to maintain your equipment to save money on repairs avoid breakdowns and work stoppages. on
www.TCIA.org you can find member arborists by zip code. Apply to apprentice with them and learn all you can and pass it on. Soon you will mentor younger people. Keep in mind our industry nationwide has a frequency rate of 15 to 20 injured or killed per month and so there is no room for risk or taking chances.
I joined TCIA in 2008 when I could afford liability insurance and TCIA dues. I attended two EXPO's and wish I could afford to go to Pittsburgh this year. I am 74 and working closely with my ground man at succession planning for the business to continue should I not be able to keep going.
Our work day begins with a prayer, safety meeting, job briefing, do an EHAP and finally work. We do not smoke so that habit does not inflict my business. My opinion is tough; came from my father who smoked two packs a day and could only work with one hand but he didn't work outdoors.
We work efficiently drink lots of water clean up thoroughly and watch each other's backs all day long. If we make a mistake we stop work and discuss what happened and why. We have never had an insurance claim nor serious injury.
I had a mentor in Florida for four years (1991-1995) and then did two more years apprenticeship starting my business with $800 in 1998. I have reinvested into equipment, paid my contract laborers equitably and have served 681 customers removing more than 4,400 trees since 1998. I haven't counted the pruning jobs, stumps ground or hours of leaf cleanup. Our region is sparsely populated so its difficult to justify doing this full time. We have other irons in the fire that provide income when tree work slows down or drops off.