Dan White

Cheers guys. Didn't realise that about the biners Treequip, thankyou. Please don't think I'm being cocky here either. I appreciate there's a huge difference between recreational rock climbing and professional arb. Just trying to save where I can. The saw choice is an entirely new thread, and hopefully budget that I'll be looking at next spring.

Cheers Dan, Ideally I'd like to start off for a bigger firm for the security but be able to freelance too, unless that's frowned upon? That budget is just for my initial startup as a groundie with a view to the future based on: Boots £150 Trousers £150 Helmet & Gloves £70 plus maybe Harness £250 Rope/Flipline/Climbing gear £250

Hello again all, So as not to write an essay, I thought I'd split this topic into a second post. I'm looking at starting out in Arb this winter, and I'm currently in a relatively comfortable position wages wise, therefore I'm looking at what kit I'm going to need, initially for use on the ground and eventually up a tree. I don't want to be the guy with all the gear and no idea, but I do want to make some sound investments whilst I've still got the disposable income. What would you all recommend as a good start? Spread carefully over the next few months my budget is approximately £800-1000. My thoughts... Starting of course with the PPE. Boots, trousers, helmet, gloves. I'm a keen rock climber already so I'm sorted for karabiners and the misc climbing stuff, but should I put money aside for a harness yet? And is it worth investing in the main tool of the trade, a saw?! Cheers, Dan

Thanks Easy Lift Guy! I should be able to manage for a bit, if I'm very frugal!

Hello Arbtalk! I'm working towards a career change to Arboriculture next year and I'd welcome any thoughts and guidance on my plans. You've already been a huge help in my planning and I've read posts by people like Silky Fox and Deeco with envy! As background, I grew up in the Wye Valley and have always had a passion for woodlands. I had a choice of a Farriery apprenticeship or the Navy at 18 and chose adventure, and when we passed out and my mates bought sports cars, I splashed out on a Landrover. I've already completed my CS30&31 at Bicton College in anticipation for resettlement; and I now live under 16 oaks on a couple of acres near Bromyard. I'm now 27 and currently have nine months left until I leave the Navy after eight years. I'm very fortunate in that I've got my own truck, a big bag of rock climbing gear, some savings, and am eligible for a fair whack of resettlement support towards a new profession. I've read the numerous posts debating the pros and cons of training vs experience and I hope I can strike a balance to maximize my employability! To that end I'm planning on getting my trailer licence before Christmas and using my learning credits to help fund the service leavers course at Kingswood Training next spring. Initially I'm going to utilize my leave over Christmas and next year to get as much experience as a groundie as humanly possible (standby for a separate post offering my services for free to anyone and everyone!) and once I've got my tickets I'll start applying for climbing jobs in the South West. Further on, I'd like to look at the consulting & conservation and woodland management sides of the Arb world but here's where I get a bit confused, there seem to be a lot of different diplomas and certificates from various providers. Without sounding like I'm biting off more than I can chew at this early stage, does anyone have any guidance on the likely 'career paths' through the relevant qualifications? Many Thanks in advance! Dan