How many TreeLadies out there?

[Bermie]

OK,
The Brits have a thread, the guys dominate the boards, so how many tree climbing, arboristic, chainsaw wielding, tree specialist women are there here?
I expect some corny remarks from the guys, but hey ladies, who's out there?
Do you experience any discrimination, or know you haven't gotten work because you're female? Is it even an issue? How do you manage the physical stresses and strains? (an hour at the spa does wonders!)

In Bermuda, there is lots of domestic work, sub tropical all kinds of species, everything from pruning prized fruit trees to reductions and takedowns of 50'-60' trees. Really tall (over 100') trees are rare here, they tend to be either norfolk pines or casuarinas. Bit of a role reversal, I climb, my hubby grounds for me. Gives a new meaning to who's on top:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[treeminator]

2 q's:

1) is it easier to sell the tree work being a woman in a totally male dominated industry? i know if i were a homeowner, i'd definitely hire a lady just to see her climb up a tree.

2) how in the world did you get into this biz? or how did someone convince you to climb your first tree.

 

[Bermie]

2 answers:

1: You could well be right, guys do like to see a gal do work they tend to think only they can do, I dismantled two trees overhanging a construction site, rigging, slings pulleys etc. I think the production rate on that site went way down, the guy painting the roof was 'gobsmacked' especially as I was 15 feet over his head and he was two stories up, and, female clients sometimes prefer a gal to do their treework, especially the garden club types. There is definitely some scepticism at first, but as I have worked all my life in male dominated fields, I have found the way - just get on with it.

2: no-one had to persuade me to climb a tree, it looked like fun, I tried it and it is. I'm not afraid of heights, just have a healthy respect for them. After years in landscaping, I was sick of the sight of butchered trees and figured that specializing was one way to do something about it, I like to climb, I can handle machinery, I understand tree biology, ipso facto girl in tree work. Check the why do you climb thread.

 

[maxburton]

I had a young lady working in my crew all last summer. A very shy kid, hardly spoke at all, but went at those trees like her butt was on fire. A friend of mine in the business says he likes to hire women because "they have something to prove." I'm not sure that's true in all cases, but I look at it the same way I do with hiring minorities: every time I hire a good worker from a non-white or non-male group, I've got that much more edge over my competitors who discriminate against them. Ain't capitalism great?

 

[Rigger]

Hi Bermie,

Good for you, not only a female who want's and thinks she can do it but actually does do it and well by the looks of things. In my oppinion females make excelent employees, far more reliable and conciencious than a lot of the guy's. Very nice to see Bermie.

PS. On another topic, Have you ever run into a guy out there called Mr. Pete Lyn (Linn)?. He worked for me once, we even climbed the Pyramids together, and were good friends but lost contact when he left to work out there in Bermuda back in '82. If so tell him The crew from Berlin still misses him.

 

[Treeman67]

Treeladies

My mother been working tree service as business owner for 8 yrs. let me tell you about this woman, she works hard than any person i seen,those time she was in her mid 30's but she also is forewoman ground slavedriver..lol
i couldn't keep up with my mother, she does it all, drag brushes, chipping, operated chainsaw,drive chip truck.i work along with her. her and i make good team work, after years she works, she got biggest bicep muscle on her arm and she was toned, when she work in bar in evening, no man would dare to challeges her in fact she threw one guy off bar table...lol
we got more job come in when she out do bids than my step dad. we always has work when she out in the field, if she not out there, were in trouble.Anyway women do work hard and i do give them alot credit for that. i rather work with them than guys becuz women are not a whiners...lol

Treeman67

 

[Bermie]

Thanks guys!
I think as women there is a certain onus to 'prove yourself', but it does make for variety on the work scene! And besides all you hunking great chaps can't get waay out on that itty bitty branch like I can, BUT I won't be taking an 044 up a tree any time soon, we've all got to know our limits!
Any more ladies out there?

Hey Rigger, I did know a Peter Lynn, don't know if it is the same guy, he used to teach arb at Merrist Wood in England, I met him there in '86. As far as I know he came out to Bermuda in about '87, to work for Horsefield Landscape Design, after that he was the estate manager at Dunbarton, the spread of the chap who owns Trout Trading (mega stock trading type guy). We did some work for him once, fishponds and koi, but that was at least 5 years ago, haven't see him since!

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Anyway women do work hard and i do give them alot credit for that. i rather work with them than guys becuz women are not a whiners...lol

You mean that there are no lazy and whiny women? I don't think so!


There's a selection process going on. The whiny and lazy ones usually won't be the ones moving into a "man's field". So, if you see a woman who IS in a "man's field", she's usually either a hard working non-whiner or a feminist who is out to prove something.

The ones from the latter group don't last, and do more harm than good to their "cause".

However, when it comes to men working in a "man's field", well, there's no barrier (perceived or real) to entry, so we get all kinds. Net result? Women who work in a "man's field" are usually the cream of the crop.

Which is not a bad thing!

 

[Treeman67]

Thanks guys!
I think as women there is a certain onus to 'prove yourself', but it does make for variety on the work scene! And besides all you hunking great chaps can't get waay out on that itty bitty branch like I can, BUT I won't be taking an 044 up a tree any time soon, we've all got to know our limits!
Any more ladies out there?

Hey Rigger, I did know a Peter Lynn, don't know if it is the same guy, he used to teach arb at Merrist Wood in England, I met him there in '86. As far as I know he came out to Bermuda in about '87, to work for Horsefield Landscape Design, after that he was the estate manager at Dunbarton, the spread of the chap who owns Trout Trading (mega stock trading type guy). We did some work for him once, fishponds and koi, but that was at least 5 years ago, haven't see him since!

i had to admitted , you are right, i couldn't go waaaay out itty bitty branch as you could,but climb tree with O44 saw ,leave to man job..lol

Treeman67

 

[Rigger]

Hey Rigger, I did know a Peter Lynn, don't know if it is the same guy, he used to teach arb at Merrist Wood in England, I met him there in '86. As far as I know he came out to Bermuda in about '87, to work for Horsefield Landscape Design, after that he was the estate manager at Dunbarton, the spread of the chap who owns Trout Trading (mega stock trading type guy). We did some work for him once, fishponds and koi, but that was at least 5 years ago, haven't see him since!

Well blow me down with a feather... many, many thank's for the update, ye'p you got the right Mr Lynn. So you were at Merrist Wood in '86, my associations with Merrist go back just a bit before that when the Fire took all Whitfield's book notes. Heck that makes you a 20year veteran be careful that almost makes you old school! So glad you have made a successful career out of it, just don't forget to stay a woman and shave your armpit's, you are a rare breed. Stay safe in hurricane season.

 

[Rob Murphy]

Blocking down

Bermie ..only an 044 !!
I block down with a 066..its abit heavy but boy them blocks come of fast.
Ps: one of my climbing instructors was a woman.

 

[Bermie]

Let's put it this way, I've never tried or had to use anything bigger than a 260in a tree, used 044, 064, 068, on the ground though.

To digress again,

Rigger, Peter and his wife had at least one daughter while here, I don't see his name in the phone book though. Do you remember Barry Phillips from Merrist Wood? He came out to Bermuda to work for the Dept. of Agriculture & Fisheries, he started an apprenticeship programme here, which was my beginning into horticulture, because he used to teach at MW he would tell all the likely apprentices to go there when they finished, suffice to say, many of us here who are qualified in horticulture / arb / conservation are alumni of Merrist Wood! I met Whitehead at MW, he was still teaching whe I was there. After all his stuff burned, they say he was never quite the same again, lost all his slides, first copy of his book all his notes, tragic.

As for shaving, real women wax!! And I wear gloves to keep my hands from getting TOO gnarly!

 

[04ultra]

Bermie can you show us more pictures??

 

[Kate Butler]

women in trees

OK, I'm here, too. Don't climb anymore - well, not unless I really have to - the old body isn't what it used to be. Did a little something the other day and today the doctor's office says to go to the ER. I don't think so - it'll be better in a few days.

Most of my tree work can be done from the ground with my 21' telescoping Silky (what an incredible unit!!) or my Stihl telescoping chainsaw (also invaluable). Or the 026 or the 7900 or the AV020 - the list goes on....

I'm a full service design/build landscape business that happens to end up with lots of tree work because I am VERY particular about the job being done right the first time. A large component of my work comes from folks who've had work 'done' but now have a g0d-awful mess left behind. And they are NOT happy about it. Referrals are everything.

Women in trees rock!!!

 

[Lorra]

Well you know, this thread is really excitingn to read. The closest I've ever come to climbing trees was when I was a kid (what kid doesn't eventually climb a tree?)

I started a thread the other day and it's not doing too well. I want to learn more about this business, from the ground up; start out as a groundie maybe, but my first plan is to just observe a tree takedown. I live in Denver and am hoping some Denver Arboristsite members will see my post and invite me out to watch.

Even though I'm a woman, I have significant upper body strength! Lots of leg strength, too, so the physicality of groundie work wouldn't be a problem, and I'm sure I'd have no trouble hoisting around the heaviest chainsaw, though I'm not sure I can ever feel comfortable handling a chain saw. Have done wall-rock climbing, by the way.

I'm still hoping I will get a chance to observe tree work. I called some local companies but no luck.

 

[Bermie]

Hi Lorra and Kate!

Good on you Lorra for wanting to have ago, and being brave enough to express yourself! Keep trying to find somewhere to observe, if they see you are interested maybe they'll let you have a go? And while you're at it look for somewhere that offers training. That could be Arbormaster Training, or maybe there is a College in your area that does Arboriculture, there may be some short or part time courses, if not look for an independant trainer. Surf the net and the yellow pages.
Upper body strength is important, for the climbing especially, flexibility is too. I've done a bit of rock climbing too, the difference with tree climbing is you really use the rope and harness to support your weight in the trees, so you can push off and swing from place to place. I wouldn't worry too much about being able to lug around big saws, once you get comfortable with a chainsaw, so much can be done with a smaller saw. (although that does depend on the size of trees you're dealing with) My biggest saw at the moment is an MS290 with 18' bar, I can fell trees well over the bar length, it's the cut sequence that is the key, although it would be nice to have something with a bit more horsepower sometimes, but I'll have to save up for Christmas (360 or 440 in my stocking would be nice). When I ever need a big saw I just borrow it from the big men!

Hey Kate, I can sympathize with the ER bit, I had to go there last week to get a phoenix palm thorn extracted from my arm, for the second time! This week my back is a bit tender too, bad weather though so it's a chance to rest. Personal investment in time at the spa is money well spent!
I'm waiting delivery of a Stihl 21' telescoping saw (not the chainsaw) I had one for two years on extendend loan, had to give it back, and within a week we missed it so much I ordered my own. I have been waiting three weeks now, I bid a job with this tool in mind and I've had to delay finishing till I get it. No point climbing if it can be done from the ground hey?

Nice to hear from the girls, any more out there?

 

[jmack]

OK,
The Brits have a thread, the guys dominate the boards, so how many tree climbing, arboristic, chainsaw wielding, tree specialist women are there here?
I expect some corny remarks from the guys, but hey ladies, who's out there?
Do you experience any discrimination, or know you haven't gotten work because you're female? Is it even an issue? How do you manage the physical stresses and strains? (an hour at the spa does wonders!)

In Bermuda, there is lots of domestic work, sub tropical all kinds of species, everything from pruning prized fruit trees to reductions and takedowns of 50'-60' trees. Really tall (over 100') trees are rare here, they tend to be either norfolk pines or casuarinas. Bit of a role reversal, I climb, my hubby grounds for me. Gives a new meaning to who's on top:hmm3grin2orange:

whoa nice pic yer hardcore!

 

[woodchux]

You Go Girl !

 

[Kate Butler]

women in trees

Hi Lorra and Kate!


Hey Kate, I can sympathize with the ER bit, I had to go there last week to get a phoenix palm thorn extracted from my arm, for the second time! This week my back is a bit tender too, bad weather though so it's a chance to rest. Personal investment in time at the spa is money well spent!

Nice to hear from the girls, any more out there?

Oh yes, those Robellini's are a literal pain in any parts of you they come in contact with. I work in South Florida winters, so am familiar with the greenery you work with where you are, good on you, best wishes, Kate

 

[Treeman67]

Well you know, this thread is really excitingn to read. The closest I've ever come to climbing trees was when I was a kid (what kid doesn't eventually climb a tree?)

I started a thread the other day and it's not doing too well. I want to learn more about this business, from the ground up; start out as a groundie maybe, but my first plan is to just observe a tree takedown. I live in Denver and am hoping some Denver Arboristsite members will see my post and invite me out to watch.

Even though I'm a woman, I have significant upper body strength! Lots of leg strength, too, so the physicality of groundie work wouldn't be a problem, and I'm sure I'd have no trouble hoisting around the heaviest chainsaw, though I'm not sure I can ever feel comfortable handling a chain saw. Have done wall-rock climbing, by the way.

I'm still hoping I will get a chance to observe tree work. I called some local companies but no luck.

keep trying, maybe someone will open door for your opportunity,some guy not used to have lady around to do man job , it rare. remembered that company can not discrimination by sex. instead of call by phone , contacted in person. so they can see your physical abilities, i had remind you , this line work very dangerous and it not for anyone, you got have talent and skilled in order to perform that work.
Personally i am deaf climber/foreman ground-person,no company wanted hired deaf person but i had experience for 17 + years and i had to prove them what i can do. it made them nervous first but after awhile they say wow it guy is good!!! i hold down my same job in fews years and teach them few of hand signed becuz i can't hear them while equipment is running or i am up the trees. most guy i worked with like it that way instead of yelled each other. i taught them sign of small or big saw whatever model number they have, rope,tell them specifics rigged works,pole saw , pruner,you go chip,sometime they had to throw a stick at me to get me attention and, it took few year but it worth it it help the company to learned make a good teamwork
Treeman67