advice for starting as a groundsman

[Ian Clarke]

hello all at arb talk. i have just landed a job to be a trainee groundsman and was wondering what advice people would have as i am just getting in to the tree business and want too eventually be a climber. so any tips hints or suggested reading material is very welcome.

 

yours ian c

[Rupe]

Switch your mobile phone off while at work!

[base]

work hard rake up well, try and be one step ahead of what a climber will need, ie get a bigger saw fueled and ready to go (should job require it) and when in the drop zone look up, look up look up, nothing worse than a groundy not watching whats going on. as for when you start climbing start low and slow, think about the best route to make life easy for you and the people on the ground, a good team is what really counts

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Get these

 

the art and science of practical rigging

 

the tree climbers companion

 

youll be a groundy for a while, be patient, watch and learn all you can, see what climbers do to minimise effort and maximise output.

 

be usefull on the ground, it will teach you to appreciate your groundsmen later as a climber, it is a skilled job, and a good groundy is worth his wieght.

 

learning the art of rigging, and assisting a climber efficiently and anticipating his needs will get you far.

[ad15]

get used to looking up,, your neck will hurt like hell for the firs few days...

 

stay hydrated..

 

don't be afraid to tie the climber off and leave him/ her up there if they're being a premadonna

 

good luck..

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

don't be afraid to tie the climber off and leave him/ her up there if they're being a premadonna

 

good luck..

 

yes youll need luck if your going to play shaninigans with mature arbs! tie a climber off and youll be declaring open season on fair game!

 

and it wont be just the climber, the whole team will join in the fun! youll get enough stick without asking for it!

[grumpydavesmith]

Dont be afraid to ask questions, no matter how stupid they seem!!! Dont stand around there is always something to do!!! Even if its making a brew!!! Ur gaffer will appreciate it!!

[PeteB]

There was a thread on this a while back - anyone find it?

 

Basically, anticipate the next move, the next tool, the next need. Know how many sugars everyone has, who smokes your fags and returns them, who is Alpha Male and don't challenge them (yet). Learn how to clean up, learn how to drag and carry big loads, load lorries and chippers, load the tools before being asked and smile when you do it - you are, after all, enjoying it!

 

Good Luck.

[Mark Cattell]

watch, learn and keep moving... learn to sharpen the saw properly and keep you work area safe clean and in order... take pride in your work... never feel your not good enough to do get on or too good for the less glamorous tasks.....

enjoy learn your trees, learn your fungi and most of learn the art of keeping a tight ship... don't let us lazy climbers sit on our asses when they land....

[chris cnc]

good communication is key