Greenstar
ArboristSite Operative
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-How many of you have been climbing for 10 years or more?
-How many of you do this full-time, and how many of you do this tree service part-time.
-How many of you have nagging aches and pains that make you want to change professions because your body just cant take it anymore?
-How many of you have come back from having constant aches and pains to keep climbing on and on?
-What age have most of you older gents quit climbing?
These are all questions I ponder on a day to day basis still lately. I don't know if its because I'm still single, or what! but I've been climbing and have owned my own tree company for 12 years now! This is a question I ask myself quite frequently now. I am 33. I don't know if its because I cant stand my employees (I know thats harsh) but because good, smart, conscientious cool employees are hard to find (dudes are hassles), because I'm working too long hours, because I'm climbing too much, because I'm not making enough (because I tell you I don't seem to ache as much when I'm making 1,000 + a day few times a month), I don't gain enough respect for my work, I don't stretch enough, get enough sleep, again because I'm still single, or because I dont smoke enough green anymore!?
Or whether its just what I've heard from other guys locally who own successful businesses in this area (Boston) that guys can only take so many years of climbing. That 8-10 years of climbing is about all a man can take, and most guys have to give it up after a while..
-Can you tell I'm having a midlife crisis guys!?
The thing is, getting someone to go up there and do the work for you while you watch, when you are such a good arborist yourself, to do the work for you, while you sit there and watch, is so hard for me to do.
Good climbers, especially arborists, who know how to listen, discuss a tree's many unique characteristics and needs individual to each tree species, and guys who can get the job done, responsibly, are so hard to come by.
The legendary Rolf Briggs from Tree Specialists Inc. once told me that the good climbers eventually end up leaving the industry, unless they are making 80K a year plus, because its just not worth it for them. The amount of work, the wear and tear, the customer correspondence, the risk, and just everything that goes along with it, its just too much to handle on a day to day basis very long.
Sorry for this guys. I know its not what some of you want to hear. There are many things I love about this job. Furthermore I should be thankful that I have a job the way the economy is right now. But its just running me into the ground. So much of the time I'm just feeling like I'm over it. I have mastered trees I feel. I need to move on, and only do this part-time. Thats what I think I'm going to do, is do this part-time. I'm just not making enough money. I'm trying to become a nurse.
Ok, you can all call me gay now :deadhorse: :sword:
ps. this is totally different for you guys who work for someone else. TOTALLY different! I think I could handle that (So keep climbing guys!). And unless you've ever run your own tree company you can probably relate more easily. But this is to you guys who have been running your own quality tree care company for many years! The owners. Peace to y'all
-How many of you have been climbing for 10 years or more?
-How many of you do this full-time, and how many of you do this tree service part-time.
-How many of you have nagging aches and pains that make you want to change professions because your body just cant take it anymore?
-How many of you have come back from having constant aches and pains to keep climbing on and on?
-What age have most of you older gents quit climbing?
These are all questions I ponder on a day to day basis still lately. I don't know if its because I'm still single, or what! but I've been climbing and have owned my own tree company for 12 years now! This is a question I ask myself quite frequently now. I am 33. I don't know if its because I cant stand my employees (I know thats harsh) but because good, smart, conscientious cool employees are hard to find (dudes are hassles), because I'm working too long hours, because I'm climbing too much, because I'm not making enough (because I tell you I don't seem to ache as much when I'm making 1,000 + a day few times a month), I don't gain enough respect for my work, I don't stretch enough, get enough sleep, again because I'm still single, or because I dont smoke enough green anymore!?
Or whether its just what I've heard from other guys locally who own successful businesses in this area (Boston) that guys can only take so many years of climbing. That 8-10 years of climbing is about all a man can take, and most guys have to give it up after a while..
-Can you tell I'm having a midlife crisis guys!?
The thing is, getting someone to go up there and do the work for you while you watch, when you are such a good arborist yourself, to do the work for you, while you sit there and watch, is so hard for me to do.
Good climbers, especially arborists, who know how to listen, discuss a tree's many unique characteristics and needs individual to each tree species, and guys who can get the job done, responsibly, are so hard to come by.
The legendary Rolf Briggs from Tree Specialists Inc. once told me that the good climbers eventually end up leaving the industry, unless they are making 80K a year plus, because its just not worth it for them. The amount of work, the wear and tear, the customer correspondence, the risk, and just everything that goes along with it, its just too much to handle on a day to day basis very long.
Sorry for this guys. I know its not what some of you want to hear. There are many things I love about this job. Furthermore I should be thankful that I have a job the way the economy is right now. But its just running me into the ground. So much of the time I'm just feeling like I'm over it. I have mastered trees I feel. I need to move on, and only do this part-time. Thats what I think I'm going to do, is do this part-time. I'm just not making enough money. I'm trying to become a nurse.
Ok, you can all call me gay now :deadhorse: :sword:
ps. this is totally different for you guys who work for someone else. TOTALLY different! I think I could handle that (So keep climbing guys!). And unless you've ever run your own tree company you can probably relate more easily. But this is to you guys who have been running your own quality tree care company for many years! The owners. Peace to y'all
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