I love this quote!

[woodworkingboy]

"Remember, when you walk up to a tree - to climb it, to work it, to fall it, - you are betting your knowledge, experience, and common sense that you'll accomplish your goal without an accident. This is the lore of tree work that makes it exciting for some and fearful for others". ~ G.F. Beranek

This message from Jerry in his "Fundamentals" book, seems to me to be an all encompassing thought, that never loses it's relevance, no matter how long one has been working with trees. It inspires one to greater achievement, but always within the context of keeping the most valuable safe perspective about the work. I also sense the high respect for the trade, that the person who conceived this quote has.

I do "remember" this advice, when approaching a job that has an element of potential danger to it. It gives me a sort of avenue to focus in on the task before me, to weigh the considerations, so as to win my side of the bet. The message is very clear...and wise.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Roger that.

 

[Blinky]

That really does frame it the way it should be. Wisdom is the greatest of all achievements.

 

[Frans]

I bet my experience, strength and skill against the capriciousness of Fourtuna, the goddess of fate.

 

[sotc]

She sounds fishy to me

 

[simplypete]

I ordered the book today. I am looking forward to reading it.

 

[Paul B]

if you ordered it from Gerry directly, dont forget to get it signed out to you.

 

[Hobby Climber]

Wisdom is the greatest of all achievements.

...I like your quote (above) also Blinky!


HC

 

[gf beranek]

Thanks, Jay. That quote is the closing sentence in the introduction to "Fundamentals" It was the very last thing I wrote before it went to print.

 

[woodworkingboy]

You're welcome. Just wondering, what period of time did it take for you to write the book? Was it in stages, or a consistent effort without breaks? Seems like a rather daunting task.

 

[hmm]

I like that one.
and i agree with Franz also,

I always approach the tree and thank it for being there and for allowing me to climb it.


and if the throw is never set, I think of it as a sign to walk away .

BUT then I can do that.

 

[gf beranek]

You're welcome. Just wondering, what period of time did it take for you to write the book? Was it in stages, or a consistent effort without breaks? Seems like a rather daunting task.

It was in stages, Jay. Many stages. From concept to print was 18 years. Many people familiar with me gave up believing I would ever finish it. And the truth of the matter is there were times I had doubts of my own. But I just kept plugging away and rewriting everything as I learn a little bit more each day.

In the end I believe that I accomplished what I set out to do, and in the manner that I had set my goal for. While more accurate descriptions can be written the Fundamentals will remain a record drawn from true experience and observation.

The really nice thing about this work is, "Trees will never change." Once you gain an understanding of them you can rely on the knowledge and remain confident to pass it on to others in the hopes they will be spared some of the mistakes and grief we all go through during the learning stages.

 

[OTGBOSTON]

She sounds fishy to me

LMMFAO f-in Willie..

 

[stig]

I've though of getting someone with nice handwriting to write it out for me in large letters.
Then having it framed and hang it in my office.
It really says it, like nothing else.

I've known two longtime fallers, who'd only fall the small stuff, because exciting had turned into fearful for them.
That is what we all have to watch out for.

 

[woodworkingboy]

That's the first I've ever heard of fallers who lost their courage.
It reminds of the gunfighter in the "Magnificent Seven".

 

[Husky D]

I've though of getting someone with nice handwriting to write it out for me in large letters.
Then having it framed and hang it in my office.
It really says it, like nothing else.

I've known two longtime fallers, who'd only fall the small stuff, because exciting had turned into fearful for them.
That is what we all have to watch out for.

Its a braver person who walks away from something they are unsure of rather than toughing it out and it going wrong. Competency is an accumalation of knowledge and experience which is why this forum (and the contributers) is great by bringing different thoughts and ideas to the table and although im sure we all like tree's and timber they aren't forgiving if you fall foul of them.

 

[stig]

Both of them screwed up horribly and lost the tree completely.
They were both lucky enough to be able to walk away from it unharmed, but it sure soured falling big trees for them.
One was a real blowhard, too. Must have been very hard for him to admit, he didn't want to do it no more.

 

[Mr. Sir]

I've though of getting someone with nice handwriting to write it out for me in large letters.
Then having it framed and hang it in my office.
It really says it, like nothing else.

Stig, my wife does calligraphy. If you really want that, I'll ask her if she'll do it for you. Just let me know. Check out her link in my signature.

 

[vharrison]

The really nice thing about this work is, "Trees will never change." Once you gain an understanding of them you can rely on the knowledge and remain confident to pass it on to others in the hopes they will be spared some of the mistakes and grief we all go through during the learning stages.

Gerry, we are so blessed to have you in The TreeHouse.

 

[stig]

Stig, my wife does calligraphy. If you really want that, I'll ask her if she'll do it for you. Just let me know. Check out her link in my signature.

I'll get back to you on that.
I'm going to California in 2 months time, so I could have her send it there and bring it home myself.
On second thought, it might travel better in an envelope, between cardboard.

 

[squisher]

That's an awesome quote. Gerry your book is truly the best source I've read for information related to our trade, thanks. It has a permanent position on my bedside stand. I've read and re-read it many times now and is still where I turn to to review things I might be stressing over the night before a difficult tree.

I've never had the formal/worksite training that I think most of y'all on here have had. The Fundamentals has helped me out immensely.

 

[Dave Shepard]

Fundamentals and running the saw are the only two teachers I had, until I started reading the Treehouse. I didn't have anyone to teach me, unfortunately. I, too, always have Fundamentals on my bedside bookshelf.

 

[SkwerI]

I already had many years of 'experience' before I ever knew of Jerry's book. But that experience was working for and with other guys who didn't have a clue, either. Today I'm constantly amazed at the level of total incompetence of the average treeguy doing residential work in these parts. Even the guys I work for, who at least have the common sense to hire me for the difficult/ dangerous stuff, constantly display a complete lack of understanding of even the most basic principles. 9 out of 10 have no clue how or why a hinge works. Many can't even keep their saws sharp and/or running. Almost none of them can brush out a big limb on the ground without pinching their saw and yanking on it until it breaks free.

I'm just thankful I've been lucky enough to hang here with all the f***ing internet experts long enough to pick up enough knowledge to make me look good out there.

 

[stig]

I had been a trained faller for about 20 years before I came across "Fundamentals".
A lot of the stuff in the book was new to me, some of it because things are done differently here, and some because GB thinks different than most treefallers.
I have made sure all the apprentices, I've taught have a copy of it.
"Fundamentals" and Donald Blairs " Guide to arborist equipment" have really changed the way I work.

 

[woodworkingboy]

I live in a country where basically no tree work training is available, except if you get lucky and end up working with a person who knows something. There was a good tradition for the work, but those skills pretty much died out before getting passed on. I used to memorize whole parts of Jerry's book when I had to approach something new, and would even take it to the job with me on occasion. If I had studied in school like I have the book, I might be a NASA scientist or a brain surgeon. The cover is about to fall off.

There are a few typographical errors.