Grüße

Good response, the issue isn't with me smashing down trees and expecting them to clear up after me. I've worked on the ground with enough 'im here to climb not drag' muppets who would fell the top out of a tree and then go and sit in the van. It's the general attitude towards work. "we've done enough for today, let's leave it for another time and have a 3 hour lunchbreak." And generally finding any excuse not to finish a job

It's probably early days yet. I'll give it a few more weeks and see if anything changes. Leading by example is my style, once he sees that I'm grafting hopefully he'll follow suite...I'll keep you updated!

Not sure whether this is in the right topic so feel free to move it if necessary! You've just joined a new company as the lead climber but not crew leader. The crew leader has a terrible work ethic and ultimately holds up jobs. You could speak to the boss but then you'll be a grass and nobody likes a grass, and there goes any chance of having a good working relationship with him. The crew leader is ultimately the guy who calls the shots and you feel you haven't been there long enough to start throwing your weight around. However, as lead climber,if jobs aren't being completed, the finger is pointed! How would you experienced members deal with this?

I've been working in Australia (Sydney) for a year or so and can highly recommend it here. The experience you'll gain will be invaluable so long as you put in the hours and go for it - I've seen a few guys come over expecting an easy ride and they haven't lasted long (usually guys that say they are the mutts nuts and are quickly found out). Expect big trees, big machines, baking hot days and massive spiders!! That being said, the lifestyle out here is second to none and the money is far better than in the UK. You can expect to be on around $26-$35 an hour generally depending on your skill level as a climber. It's an expensive city but you can make that money go a long way if you don't end up spending it all on beer

Can anybody recommend any firms around the Birmingham area with a good rep? Treat staff fairly, pay well etc. I am relocating to Birmingham from Australia, I've been climbing out here for the last couple of years. Thanks

When I first started I was too scared to rig anything, I thought it over-complicated matters and I could just get by cutting and chucking. Boy oh boy how wrong I was. Rigging is an art and once you've got it it'll change your life and save your body, it's safer and it'll make you £££!! I still think back to a big ash tree I took down a few years ago before I had any idea about rigging. It took me almost 3 days - still keeps me up at night!

I thought I would start a thread on how we all stay in shape, whether it is to improve our climbing or just to stay fit in general. Many people would agree that climbing everyday is enough to keep them in shape, but there may be people like myself who like to supplement this with going to the gym or running. I have recently taken up Yoga to improve my flexibility hoping this will enable me to move around the tree more comfortably and have found it very rewarding, especially for core strength and balance. The meditation side of it is also great to help stay focused when things get a bit hairy or you become aware of how high up you are!! 😦 Also does anybody take supplements I.e. Protein shakes, magnesium, fish oil etc to aid recovery after big days? What do you find works for you?

Really decent advice on here guys, cheers. I can't wait to get started.

I'm starting a new job in the next few days for a large company as lead climber with a view to soon becoming a crew leader. I've been climbing for roughly 18 months, I'm competent enough in my ability, but there is still a long way to go and sometimes I need help from guys with more experience when it comes to large or more technical trees(my new employer knows this, I haven't given him any bullshit). I suppose my question is, what can I do to make that step and become a good crew leader? This will be the first time I've been in a leadership position and I'm finding it a little daunting. What do you think it takes to be a leader in this industry? Thoughts and advice appreciated.

I'm also doing this course and have come to a bit of a stand still on the soil module. How are you finding it? Wouldn't mind banding a few ideas around if you are keen to help things flow a bit?

I have the Treemotion Light and love it. In the words of Ned Flanders: "feels like I'm wearing nothing at all (nothing at all, nothing at all)"...

I'm a subby climber based in Coventry, 2 years climbing experience with own climbing kit and top handle looking for either full time or casual work. Day rate negotiable. Please PM me if interested. Cheers.

Cheers for all the positive feedback - the invisible dome techniquewill definitely stick, cracking idea that!

Cheers for all of your replies, I tried to put your advice into practice today and it seemed to be more rhythmic, plenty of communication with the groundy which made a massive difference. Really appreciated the tips, nice one! I've attached the before and after, please criticise away! Anything you think I could have done different or improve on next time?

I've not been climbing for too long,and most of my experience has been in Australia where reductions seemed to be non existant. I have recently been asked to carry out a few reduction jobs, and although I'm happy to do the work and the clients are happy afterwards, I'm not confident in my ability and I havent been too impressed with my finished product!! I have watched other climbers carry out reductions with ease countless times, but as soon as I get into the canopy I seem to get 'lost', and truth be told it becomes a little bit like guess work. The reductions I've done haven't been terrible, (I'm cutting to growth points and using correct pruning cuts ect) but there is certainly much to be improved. I find that I'm getting out the tree a lot to find the shape isn't right, getting back in, getting knackered, stressed out...and it seems to take me bloody ages. I consider myself a competent climber and my dismantles and rigging work is pretty good...but these reductions are getting me down!! Please can I get some sound advice on the best ways of getting a nicely rounded shape, and tips on how not to become lost in the tree and quicken up? I know I may be ripped into for this but I needed to ask!! Cheers.

I would say rig as much as you can wherever you get a chance, it is by far the safest and quickest option and the risk of injury from the saw is minimal as you can use both hands on the saw. It takes a bit of getting used to but it eliminates the risk of dropping logs on people's fences or cutting your hands off! Start from the ground up - choose the most suitable rigging points and plan from there mate.

I have just read the qualification guidance for the level 4 - why Warwickshire college told me it is a 10 week course is beyond me, I think they need a new admin! It looks very intense but very interesting. I've done a bit of research into Tree Life too, they sound like the dogs to me. Only problem now is that I'm currently in Australia and I was planning to be here next year as well doing tree work, so it will either need to be Tree Mail, or I put it off until I'm sticking around in the UK...

Sounds ideal, I presume it is all done via distance learning and online tutorials then? What is the work load like?

Thanks, I have a HND in Countryside Management hopefully that will be enough for the level 4. Can I ask how much you're paying for the level 4? Also how does Tree Life work, do they just email you over a bunch of assignments and have online tutorials?

I've been working in the tree game for around a year in England and Australia, have the relevant tickets and the like but I am still a novice really, and now I want to have a go down the academic route while I work to develop my knowledge. Trouble is there seem to be so many courses I'm not sure where to start! I'm live in Warwickshire so I have been snooping around the warwickshire college website for courses. The level 2 looks to be like a course for students who aren't currently working in arboriculture and it is full time so wouldn't be suitable for me in that respect, but should I start with this before signing up for a Level 4 or level 6 diploma?? Also is the college route the best way to go as I've heard many good things about Tree Life too? The other thing that confused me is that when I enquired about the ABC level 4 diploma they told me it was a 10 week course and you attend classes on Tuesday evenings starting in September...but I've seen guys on here saying that a Level 2 takes a couple of years, so a Level 4 in 10 weeks seems way off the mark!? (although I did a Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture and that took around 3 months and seemed very basic). Eventually I'd like to do the degree in Arb but I need to walk before I can run. Can anyone suggest a starting point, and some feedback on the above mentioned courses? Is it even possible to do a Level 4 if you haven't done levels 1 2 or 3?? Cheers