Jump to content

Log in or register to remove this advert

experiences after first 12 months in tree surgery


bggc
 Share

Recommended Posts

Log in or register to remove this advert

  • Replies 46
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Hello,

As some may have read, I'm in Bretagne, France.

Normally, I'm a gardener looking after second homes and whatever comes my way.

Rather than employ tree surgeons here and lose out on work, I took some time out to retrain in '08 and now offer tree services along with my 'collaborator' who acts as my bad tempered groundsman. (good cop bad cop..)

I did try working for 2 French companies to gain some experience but sadly realised very fast that nothing was to be learned there.

So I decided to go back to trading under my old name and also under the umbrella of my collaborator.

We cut grass one week and do hedges, trees and other stuff the next.

Rained hard recently so we started our winter project early. A manor house, clearing its grounds ready for the builders.

All burn on site and 400euros a day for 2 men with cash paid to a U.K bank from Saudi.

Some good climbing to be had and alot of felling which I love as I'm always trying for the perfect cut.

With the pound falling against the euro, times are tough out here but we still get the work coming in although we have dropped our prices when dealing with retired folk as they really are feeling the pinch.

I may be 40 and too old to ever be a fast climber but I'm much younger in terms of fitness levels.

I feel safe in the tree and enjoy the work immensely and wish I'd done this 20years ago.

However, I also wish I had done some time with a really good firm so as to build up on my experience first.

Ah well... who would employ a 40 year old 10 week tree surgeon eh...?

Better off going it for myself.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a lot of respect for people who come into this job later in life. When you're young accidents are things which happen to other people and you don't think about how dangerous it is. Combined with how physically demanding and mentally stressful climbing is, I think it is tough for someone to begin a career in tree work when they are older and shows real strength of character to stick with it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Ty, i'm sort of with you on you're final point about going it for yourself, i hope nobody gets me wrong but us newbies could be waiting around forever to try and hook up with a firm or such like to pick up the valuable experience we need. I'v always tried to do everything properly if i can and i'v never been one for just winging it, if you do you could destroy your name overnight and never pick up any work ever again aswell as hurt yourself or somebody. I have to say though, this is one cracking site with loads of knowledgable members willing to help people at all levels of the trade so where better for us to start?!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Ty, i'm sort of with you on you're final point about going it for yourself, i hope nobody gets me wrong but us newbies could be waiting around forever to try and hook up with a firm or such like to pick up the valuable experience we need. I'v always tried to do everything properly if i can and i'v never been one for just winging it, if you do you could destroy your name overnight and never pick up any work ever again aswell as hurt yourself or somebody. I have to say though, this is one cracking site with loads of knowledgable members willing to help people at all levels of the trade so where better for us to start?!

 

I wouldnt advise anyone to "go it alone" until they are 100% sure that there isnt a tree in the world that they couldnt handle, or have enough contacts to make big jobs easier, i.e tractor/trailers etc. The one thing about this job is that every tree is different, a different scenario, a different situation, the only thing that can help you sometimes is by calling on EXPERIENCE. Laying bricks is the same from job to job, just in a different place or a different shape.

 

Like you say, just winging it could be disastrous, as could doing an 11 week course and then setting up on your own.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Evening Jon, to be honest i'll keep the grounds maintenance side of things going and try to slowly introduce more and more tree work, if the works there then great i can sink my teeth into it but i'm not expecting it to be that straight forward. As Frank has just pointed out i'd be daft to take anything on thats out of my league, ideally i'd like to forge a working relationship with another Arborist in the region if possible to maybe pass jobs on to in return for involvment on the job so as to pick up experience, i do fear the cold shoulder though!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only problem is local tree firms you approach might think that: 1. They would get a chance at quoting for the work independently of you passing it on. And 2. For them they might see it as teaching Archie, someone who eventually might be a competitor.

What do you do by way of tree work at the moment?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Exactly mate, that's why i fear the cold shoulder. I don't specificly advertise myself as a Tree Surgeon or Arborist at the moment but i do still get asked to remove Conifers now and again, nothing too big, as well as odd pruning jobs where the customer points out something they want removing for a specific reason.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share


  •  

  • Featured Adverts

About

Arbtalk.co.uk is a hub for the arboriculture industry in the UK.  
If you're just starting out and you need business, equipment, tech or training support you're in the right place.  If you've done it, made it, got a van load of oily t-shirts and have decided to give something back by sharing your knowledge or wisdom,  then you're welcome too.
If you would like to contribute to making this industry more effective and safe then welcome.
Just like a living tree, it'll always be a work in progress.
Please have a look around, sign up, share and contribute the best you have.

See you inside.

The Arbtalk Team

Follow us

Articles

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.