Good thread. And yes, it can get a little rough, but this is a rough business, and gravity doesn't care if you're feelings get hurt. And honestly, to second Bob, a lot of the responses newbies get are based on the attitudes they bring in. He's absolutely right, half these guys aren't looking for advice, they're looking for permission to be right.
As far as the guys that come on here saying "I've decided to become a tree guy, I just got a rope and saddle off ebay" my advice will always be the same: you can't learn this job off the internet. Go drag some brush and pay your dues. Not out of "trade protection", but because that's the only way you can learn this business, out in the field. There is no room for ego in this business, because gravity doesn't care how you feel about yourself. And honestly, I've spent the last twenty years learning my trade, and still have lot's to learn. And when a newbie come's storming on the scene and just wants a simple answer to a complex question, that dog just don't hunt, cause what you don't know will kill ya. Maybe not this time, but eventually the law of averages will catch up.
As far as the ho forum goes, same thing. A guy posts a pic and says" I've got this tree that broke over in the last storm, and is tangled up in two other trees. I have a wild thing and a 20' ladder, any advice?" My advice will always be to hire a pro. They're gonna do what they're gonna do. But one thing I will not do is offer advice that will get someone hurt. My greatest fear is to have someone's last thoughts be "well ####, Jeff said it would be ok." Pdql, you and I butted heads a little bit on the chainsaw forum a week or two ago on that thread about cutting off a ladder. Have I cut off a ladder before? Of course I have, but I was still tied in, and I did with full knowledge of the risks involved and the safe way to do it. I can't teach that over the internet, that is years of experience, and so the best, safest advice to a homeowner is don't do it ever.
Having said all that, yes, it can get a little harsh here, but it's a harsh business, and for heaven's sake, I've never seen a guy hurt over the internet, but I've seen too damn many hurt by trees. Jeff
I'm actually quite proud of that thread. You should find more of that kind of high quality post and learn something from them.
You would fit right in my the media here. I still have the news tape from May 1991 when my friend , neighbor and man that used to own my farm/live in my home was murdered here. They interviewed me and cut and edited the tape to indicate something that was not true. This was just hours after I just helped remove my friends body from a ravine under the chore tractor with a shotgun blast to the head. I was shaken to say the least and they cut and edited what I said, Needless to say I have never spoken to media since and never will.
