I hear ya, I just hope the timing works out for you
Would you still be an arborist?
- Thread starter Treeaddict
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I hear ya, I just hope the timing works out for you
Hella post, and you got that right re The business side.
But yeah, that is exactly my point- your post succinctly captures a huge swath of what makes treework so compelling, but....isn't there more to life than this one thing even though that one thing checks so many boxes? It's almost like sticking with that one very satisfying thing is being lazy or complacent about possibly finding out about other things that could be as awesome or maybe even moreso.
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TreeHouser
Ain’t nothing like tree work all else pales in comparison.
How many times have you been on a job and left the spectators slack jawed in amazement? Left other men to say “well I could have done that if” but in reality no they can’t. Have old ladies bake you cookies? Nobody baking you cookies for doing their taxes. Hell, I’ve even had one lady offer me her daughters hand in marriage. That sure as hell ain’t happening mowing lawns or landscaping.
Tree peeps and walking gods amongst mere mortals.
Nothing is like the thrill of flopping a tree in tight quarters as you stand victorious over the stump.
Or pruning out a tree that was planted as a memorial to a lost loved one that brings the custy to tears.
The only other job that may be remotely worthy is a Dr. but they don’t know the intoxicating aroma of two stroke. They can’t walk out of the OR after a bowl resection and have people say “damn you smell good”. BO and fresh tree scent is a powerful turn on.
How many times have you been on a job and left the spectators slack jawed in amazement? Left other men to say “well I could have done that if” but in reality no they can’t. Have old ladies bake you cookies? Nobody baking you cookies for doing their taxes. Hell, I’ve even had one lady offer me her daughters hand in marriage. That sure as hell ain’t happening mowing lawns or landscaping.
Tree peeps and walking gods amongst mere mortals.
Nothing is like the thrill of flopping a tree in tight quarters as you stand victorious over the stump.
Or pruning out a tree that was planted as a memorial to a lost loved one that brings the custy to tears.
The only other job that may be remotely worthy is a Dr. but they don’t know the intoxicating aroma of two stroke. They can’t walk out of the OR after a bowl resection and have people say “damn you smell good”. BO and fresh tree scent is a powerful turn on.
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TreeHouser
Dream on sparky! But it appears to me that you are converting to the tree life.
Treeaddict
Treehouser
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #32
Loved reading all your responses.
Tree09- I suppose either mega rich or current lifestyle type of income for this hypothetical situation, your choice. Would it make a difference?
We have some poets in the group😉
Tree work is not currently my primary source of income. That may change. If the obsession continues for another 10 months, it’s game on!
I attend a plumbing, hvac, and electrical trades training seminar with 80 in attendance. When the group was asked if they’d work for free, no one raised their hands. I was hopeful and delighted we got some raised hands in this group
Tree09- I suppose either mega rich or current lifestyle type of income for this hypothetical situation, your choice. Would it make a difference?
We have some poets in the group😉
Tree work is not currently my primary source of income. That may change. If the obsession continues for another 10 months, it’s game on!
I attend a plumbing, hvac, and electrical trades training seminar with 80 in attendance. When the group was asked if they’d work for free, no one raised their hands. I was hopeful and delighted we got some raised hands in this group
Nah, i like having my cake and eating it too 
On a serious note tho, most anyone would find fulfillment in any trade as long as it challenges them and they enjoy that particular challenge. Pipe work is very similar to tree work in the danger and feeling of accomplishment after succeeding in stuff most people can't even begin to understand. Many people, myself included, identify with their profession and if they aren't careful they can let that help define who they are. While this seems like no big deal, i think that people who define themselves by their work too much have a problem retiring and enjoying life, friends, and family. I get it if it makes you happy then keep doing it in some way, but some people seem to be lost without doing something that is no longer physically enjoyable or sustainable.
As far as I'm concerned, I would still do my own firewood or something, and would likely still build stuff, but i can find plenty of more enjoyable and fun stuff to do than work. If you can't, are you working 16 hours a day 7 days a week? If work is that fun you should be doing it more. I enjoy the things i do for money, but i like living and doing what i like far more. I would love to never have to get dressed and do dumb shit for money again, cause let's be honest, climbing trees with ropes and chainsaws or welding pipes while they shoot fire aren't really the smartest and safest choices in life are they?
On a serious note tho, most anyone would find fulfillment in any trade as long as it challenges them and they enjoy that particular challenge. Pipe work is very similar to tree work in the danger and feeling of accomplishment after succeeding in stuff most people can't even begin to understand. Many people, myself included, identify with their profession and if they aren't careful they can let that help define who they are. While this seems like no big deal, i think that people who define themselves by their work too much have a problem retiring and enjoying life, friends, and family. I get it if it makes you happy then keep doing it in some way, but some people seem to be lost without doing something that is no longer physically enjoyable or sustainable. As far as I'm concerned, I would still do my own firewood or something, and would likely still build stuff, but i can find plenty of more enjoyable and fun stuff to do than work. If you can't, are you working 16 hours a day 7 days a week? If work is that fun you should be doing it more. I enjoy the things i do for money, but i like living and doing what i like far more. I would love to never have to get dressed and do dumb shit for money again, cause let's be honest, climbing trees with ropes and chainsaws or welding pipes while they shoot fire aren't really the smartest and safest choices in life are they?
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TreeHouser
Have you ever walked past a weld or stump and not made a quick assessment?
Jonny
Treehouser
Heck yeah, I love this.
Big heavy limbs stretching out over a house, with spectators saying “ no way. He’s gonna smash the house.” No crane, no bucket or lift, just a climber with ground support, ropes, and experience.
I do enjoy an audience.
murphy4trees
TreeHouser
I had a situation where first day working with Dave Bryant, getting ready for a tight spar drop. Dave freaked a little saying "he's crazy "
Skid steer op was like relax... "he's got this"
Skid steer op was like relax... "he's got this"
gf beranek
Old Schooler
Yeah the whole family, plus neighbors, all sitting in lawn chairs drinking mint julips, and most betting you're going to screw something up.
But instead you dazzle them all. It's amazing how little it takes sometimes.
But instead you dazzle them all. It's amazing how little it takes sometimes.
flushcut
TreeHouser
My last spectators were two old women in lawn chairs.
Haha- I had a delightful 87yr old lady come up to us on Thursday after we dismantled a large sugar maple over a neighbour's house. She had been enthralled watching us for over an hour. Retired high school math teacher. I told her math was my Achilles heel. Gave her a hug. Covid be damned.
treebilly
Student of the Jedi. OH-7106A
I will have to assume that I will always be doing something in the arb world no matter what. I left to do the construction thing for 8 years and it wasn’t long before I was doing side work and favors for people because I loved it. One part I don’t like is the office side. I tried the estimator thing for about a year. So I’m back to doing my thing. Feel I’m getting better every day. Give me an ungodly amount of money and I’d probably buy more gear and equipment
gf beranek
Old Schooler
I worked as a lineman for the phone company for one year. Though it was too regimented. Like being back in the Army. So I quit that. Then working off and on at local boat shop, metal fab. That was OK, but not as a steady job.
There's much more adventure and romance working in the trees. It's nature. It never changes. Once you learn it, and learn it well, it's easy money.
There's much more adventure and romance working in the trees. It's nature. It never changes. Once you learn it, and learn it well, it's easy money.
BeerGeek
Tree Numbnutz
'Til the day I can no longer sling a saw or am breathing dirt....
Hey now! Far be it from me to question anything Sir Jerry says about trees!!
But! Idk if I'd agree with the assessment that it's easy money.
Sure, on some days it can definitely be some easy money. But then of course there are other days when ripping your tooth out with pliers would be preferable to putting up with what is going down.
Risk of extreme property damage, equipment damage, death or injury while aloft as well as on the ground, employees, paperwork, neighbors, burn out, critical importance of physical health to the performance of the trade, etc etc.
It's been said elsewhere on here, treework is a hard dollar!
My 2 cents
"Easy money" is relative. An accountant just sits on his ass and wrangles numbers, but how quick can he get working if he finds himself without a job? As opposed to guy with base level competence and saw. Physically harder, but he could probably be working after 48hr.
gf beranek
Old Schooler
Yeah, I should have clarified "easy money" as being easier on the brain.
As Cory pointed out, not so easy on the physical and risk aspects.
As a timber faller I spent a good part of my career "running for my life".
As Cory pointed out, not so easy on the physical and risk aspects.
As a timber faller I spent a good part of my career "running for my life".
No_Bivy
Treehouser
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
- Messages
- 6,447
somehow I survived any real serious injury while doing tree work. Felt easier when I was younger. It became monotonous and I dreaded certain types of jobs. I do miss a good crane job. Knowing what I know now I would have gone down a different path. I don't regret tree work by any means and hindsight is always 20/20. I'm trying to steer my kids in a different direction as far as careers go. They do love to climb both rock and trees.
I got out when I became complacent and bored. Probably saved my life truthfully. I have had more than a dozen seriously injured tree guys in the ER in the 20 months I've been there. The legit guys all frigged up letting their guard down. Easy to get comfortable when you do it day in and day out. Yall stay safe out there.
I probably need to go climb a tree to remind me of why I liked it. Too bad a redwood aint close to here.
I got out when I became complacent and bored. Probably saved my life truthfully. I have had more than a dozen seriously injured tree guys in the ER in the 20 months I've been there. The legit guys all frigged up letting their guard down. Easy to get comfortable when you do it day in and day out. Yall stay safe out there.
I probably need to go climb a tree to remind me of why I liked it. Too bad a redwood aint close to here.
