How old is too old

[Booster]

Hiya folks....I am 56 and would like to swap careers again. I have cross cut and small tree felling and experience working on small trees and doing hedges. Used a cherry picker with a more experienced mate a few times. I have some work experience lined up for Mondays with company that did some work on three  trees in my garden which was beyond me. Am I being naive that I can start in this line of work at my age...I am ex military left 13 years ago and am pretty fit and like hard physical work...

[Will C]

It will be harder than it would have been at 21 but if you except that then no reason why not. Pickers mean you can climb easy these days, however they don’t help with the fitness level when you do need to climb properly!

[Booster]

Thank you for replying. I looked at doing this when I left the army but everyone said I was too old then....but I really feel it's something I want to do before the window closes 

[richyrich]

Only one way to find out...

[Booster]

Very true....

[JBH]

Lot of ex services get in at your age.

 

Most end up successfully running their own company in the domestic market due to their contacts, interpersonal skills and personal financial stability. Nice to work for squared away people as well.

 

You probably aren't going to be doing the big dismantles but sub another climber in and run the ground.

 

 

[AHPP]

31 minutes ago, JBH said:

Lot of ex services get in at your age.

 

Most end up successfully running their own company in the domestic market due to their contacts, interpersonal skills and personal financial stability. Nice to work for squared away people as well.

 

You probably aren't going to be doing the big dismantles but sub another climber in and run the ground.

 

 

The problem with forces types running a firm is the imbalance of discipline between them and the average freelancer. They get fed up with people who don’t turn up and who they can’t scream at as a punishment. I know more who have moved onto something else after a few years than who have stuck at it.

[AHPP]

7 hours ago, Booster said:

Hiya folks....I am 56 and would like to swap careers again. I have cross cut and small tree felling and experience working on small trees and doing hedges. Used a cherry picker with a more experienced mate a few times. I have some work experience lined up for Mondays with company that did some work on three  trees in my garden which was beyond me. Am I being naive that I can start in this line of work at my age...I am ex military left 13 years ago and am pretty fit and like hard physical work...

As I allude to above, a lot of arb types are disorganised or just really busy. Most firms would benefit from someone who can be at the yard early doing all the admin that hippy climbers and brain-dead groundsmen can’t be bothered with at the end of the previous day. Having all the kit ready, running trailers of waste and machines around, nipping to a shop to get a chain etc is a seriously useful role. Especially if you can turn up late to a big job and monster into a daunting cleanup with fresh legs. That sort of thing brings morale up and pushes on those who are flagging.
 

56 is fine if I’ve judged you right. Post a picture of yourself actually. Extra points for a black stripe across the eyes. 

[Donnie]

@Doug Tait to weigh in on this. He's a fossil

[Steve Bullman]

1 hour ago, AHPP said:

I know more who have moved onto something else after a few years than who have stuck at it.

You’ve just described the vast majority of people who get into this industry, not just ex forces