Like I’ve always said I love how you do these informative videos. I’ve had my Red Oaks and Silver Maple trimmed a few times by a tree service and their all about the customer being happy. I told them I didn’t want them to climb with spikes which they say they never do because it injures the tree. I told them I understand y’all have other jobs to do but please be careful with the cuts you make on the trees and they did. They actually wanted me to watch them to make sure they were pruning trees to my standard. They are very professional and nice to have around. I’ve recommended them to my neighbors and friends and they have the same experience. It’s good to see a tree business that’s knows what they are doing.
@@arboristBlairGlenn Not at the moment. Planning to get back into the business after many years away...military career, currently Department of State. So, learning all I can from guys like you to smooth the transition back into tree work.
Hi Blair On our local housing estate We have a small shopping area With a “green” in the middle of it It’s as old as the estate It had 3 massive Sycamore trees which had completely taken over If fact one branch had fallen causing small damage to a roof In summer Leaves blocked out all sunlight Autumn leaves I’ll say no more Well a team came in and scalped them all Really cut them back to the main trunk Is it called pollard They looked awful May as well have felled them completely This was 4 years ago In spring and summer they are starting to shoot However they do look terrible Every one else is pleased they no longer look a mess 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️ Mother Nature just can’t win over the $/£ Interesting video as always Take care brother 👍👍
Love the video I recently became an arborist I feel like the only way to better myself is to watch videos like this learn from my mistakes get my TH-cam degree
Gavin, if you watch my videos, you will get the benefit of an old man mentor for the career you chose. Keep commenting to me. Blairglenn@gmail.com Tell me about yourself and how long you have been at it. At my age, I’m just trying to give back. TH-cam seems to be a good way to do it.
I’m a contract climber 15+yr experience around it and 10+yr climbing professionally…glad to hear the truth from someone else. Kudos. Hope the tides have turned in you favor. If not lmk. Stay safe
I always wondered about how contract climbers feel about working with new crews. I trust my life to the man I know managing my lowering line. I would feel uncomfortable with someone who doesn’t know my style.
That was a quick one! But I totally agree - I'd say the vast majority of people offering tree work in the area where I live don't have a clue about trees. They do a quick course at a college to get their certificates and then they set up in business. It's one thing being able to climb a tree and cut bits off, but something else altogether knowing what to cut, why and how. Here, there's a lot of what I call Farmer's pruning. Farmers get grants to plant trees. They let them get to about 15 years old, then decide they need to tidy them up. They cut all the branches they can reach off, usually with horrendous flush cuts and sometimes, whorls of branches cut so flush they effectively ring-bark the trees. Then the trees die and the cut them down. The get a grant to plant some more!
Such a relief to see the avenue of healthy trees at the end. Those flush cuts of the low hanging horizontal branch were just mean. Mean and crazy. If it was my tree I’d have wept. But what do you do once the cut has been made? Should you call the cowboys back? Refuse to pay? Or get in a better company and pay twice and get it done better in the end. (No points for saying employ a better company in the first place, everyone knows that’s the best answer, and which company!😂)
Now that I've learned about trees it's tough to see all the butchering going on (even though I was guilty of some errors myself). In response to some of the concerned comments I see here, I'll share a few thoughts: ultimately we have to keep our own sanity and positivity first and beware of creating conflict or looking down on others. The "make wrong" thing, where someone's just doing what we would likely do if we were in their shoes, and suddenly along comes someone who makes them wrong. That can turn anybody off. Then they can sort of fear/hate the educated people and get even more stubborn. Might even inspire them to cut up a tree just to spite the "know it all's". (I'm not directing this to you Blair, you gotta call things as you see em and I love your videos, just saying in general.) The times I've had success with sharing good information is when I'm a living, happy, successful example of doing things in good ways, and then treat people cool, totally free of judgment or pressure, and then at least the door is open to them wanting to 'come onboard' and learn/change. I guess one good thing is that even though trees are a long-term thing, they do grow/die/grow on their own, and in the big-picture bad tree work is still better than some other more horrible and more long-lasting or permanent things people can do to each other and our planet. My thought is to stay happy, and let good tree work be inviting, "cool", "in", and non-threatening, especially as the younger, more 'enlightened' generations grow up and replace the old stubborn mules who think caring for a tree is weak or stupid or wussy or whatever....we all want to end up getting along anyway, and using negativity to push stuff on the uninformed doesn't seem to work too well, as we're seeing these days more than ever. Hope that helps just a little bit, everything's gonna be all right. Cheers :)
@Carmicha3l Yes, much of speediness negatively effects the client (for those that actually care about their assets). If only one could find those fast and accurate companies every time.
Can you do a video on phytophthora of trees like beech or maple (not oak)? At what point can they not be saved? How much of the trunk girdled by the disease is too late to save it and how long we can expect the tree to survive?
DTE, our electric company here will be doing it's bi-annual line clearance work in a couple days. I make sure every tree I have even remotely near powerlines are in compliance. Often power companies use this program as "training" for new employees. I'm sure MANY have horror stories regarding this. While they do make efforts to discuss trimming procedure's, more often than not their "company policy's" inevitably win out and hearts are broken. HOMEOWNERS, PLANT SUCCESFULY!
@@arboristBlairGlenn iam in the Ann Arbor Michigan area, would you know of where i can contact to begin any type of arborist courses or or apprenticeships?
If you search for schools specializing in this field, you will find some. Or, you can put in your time as an apprentice. So much to learn and the best way is on the job.
I do know that Michigan State University was not able to successfully move oak wilt from tree to tree by use of tools. I’m curious if other fungi are similar
@@arboristBlairGlenn ,all well and good, but customers might be confused. I'm not kidding, in NJ we have a service called Cheap.... I doubt they have a clue about pruning or tree health.
0:36 whaaaa daaaaa.... is it me? I've pruned exactly one bough in my life but did a shallow undercut to save the bark from injury take too long.... or what?😢
There's a lot of competition in the boise area...I see new guys popping up all the time. The good news is, there's a knowledgeable customer base, and the HACKS get run out of town.
You can still do the 3 cut method with a chainsaw and you need to sterilize your bar and chain when cutting the next tree. Whoever did that needs to be run out of business.
While this kind of work is bad, I can't tell you how many times I see trees topped as well. Tree work in my area is very bad. If the tree service gets to come back in 1-3 years to do more work because of topping they get even more money to continue a terrible practice. I've also been led astray by tree service guys as well. Once there was a post on Craigslist that there's 50 rounds of ash firewood for free to pick up, it was TREE OF HEAVEN. I was wondering why a guy in the truck wouldn't even look me in the eye when I went to pick it up. I stared at the timber for a while because it didn't look right. But ended up taking some. Pretty sure the sap can enlarge your heart or do some type of damage to it. Really scummy thing to lie about.
The sad part, Blair, is that attitude and practice is widely replicated through every nook and cranny of the worked economy. Why make the effort when, unmentored/untutored, quality is unknown to you - in such a setting your only avenue to 'excellence' is to innovate by doing things faster and faster still though misusing your tools and your time.
I use denatured alcohol on our tools between trees to be pruned and on saw chains especially after working on a comprised tree with an obvious fungal or pathogen issue. Unethical practice to use an un-disinfected saw or pruner on a client’s trees or shrubs after pruning in a diseased tree or shrub prior.
I talk at great length about the proper ways to make a cut. Kills? Leads to future decay is a better way to put it but not good. Thanks for commenting.
@@arboristBlairGlenn hmm so flush cuts don’t kill them? I have seen flush cuts kill them and when they leave to long of a stub above the collar not sure if that’s what killed it just what I have seen over the last 15 years I’m no arborist I can take down any tree anywhere any time though. I always try to look where the collar is and cut just about it also when I cut a lateral I try to angle it so rain water doesn’t pool and cause rot 🤷♂️ idk I’m still learning that’s what’s so great about this industry. I do all the danger trees for the utilities in Michigan and residential, I mostly just remove all day long. But I do love my trees and wish I knew more about how to keep them healthy.
Mr. Glenn, thanks for sharing your knowledge! A simple comment here just to increase the chance for the YT algorithm to share this with others!
Thanks Igor
Like I’ve always said I love how you do these informative videos. I’ve had my Red Oaks and Silver Maple trimmed a few times by a tree service and their all about the customer being happy. I told them I didn’t want them to climb with spikes which they say they never do because it injures the tree. I told them I understand y’all have other jobs to do but please be careful with the cuts you make on the trees and they did. They actually wanted me to watch them to make sure they were pruning trees to my standard. They are very professional and nice to have around. I’ve recommended them to my neighbors and friends and they have the same experience. It’s good to see a tree business that’s knows what they are doing.
Glad you found a service that cares.
Really appreciate your content Blair. I'm just a layman, but I've learned so much from watching your channel.
Me too Kevin
Really appreciate your videos. I learn something new every time I listen to you. Thanks for passing on your knowledge and experience.
Thanks. Are you running a tree service?
@@arboristBlairGlenn Not at the moment. Planning to get back into the business after many years away...military career, currently Department of State. So, learning all I can from guys like you to smooth the transition back into tree work.
Hi Blair On our local housing estate We have a small shopping area With a “green” in the middle of it It’s as old as the estate It had 3 massive Sycamore trees which had completely taken over If fact one branch had fallen causing small damage to a roof In summer Leaves blocked out all sunlight Autumn leaves I’ll say no more Well a team came in and scalped them all Really cut them back to the main trunk Is it called pollard
They looked awful May as well have felled them completely This was 4 years ago In spring and summer they are starting to shoot However they do look terrible Every one else is pleased they no longer look a mess 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
Mother Nature just can’t win over the $/£
Interesting video as always
Take care brother 👍👍
Love the video I recently became an arborist I feel like the only way to better myself is to watch videos like this learn from my mistakes get my TH-cam degree
Gavin, if you watch my videos, you will get the benefit of an old man mentor for the career you chose. Keep commenting to me. Blairglenn@gmail.com
Tell me about yourself and how long you have been at it. At my age, I’m just trying to give back. TH-cam seems to be a good way to do it.
I’m a contract climber 15+yr experience around it and 10+yr climbing professionally…glad to hear the truth from someone else. Kudos. Hope the tides have turned in you favor. If not lmk. Stay safe
I always wondered about how contract climbers feel about working with new crews. I trust my life to the man I know managing my lowering line. I would feel uncomfortable with someone who doesn’t know my style.
I see this daily, it reminds me of the last company I worked for
That was a quick one! But I totally agree - I'd say the vast majority of people offering tree work in the area where I live don't have a clue about trees. They do a quick course at a college to get their certificates and then they set up in business. It's one thing being able to climb a tree and cut bits off, but something else altogether knowing what to cut, why and how. Here, there's a lot of what I call Farmer's pruning. Farmers get grants to plant trees. They let them get to about 15 years old, then decide they need to tidy them up. They cut all the branches they can reach off, usually with horrendous flush cuts and sometimes, whorls of branches cut so flush they effectively ring-bark the trees. Then the trees die and the cut them down. The get a grant to plant some more!
Such a relief to see the avenue of healthy trees at the end. Those flush cuts of the low hanging horizontal branch were just mean. Mean and crazy. If it was my tree I’d have wept. But what do you do once the cut has been made? Should you call the cowboys back? Refuse to pay? Or get in a better company and pay twice and get it done better in the end.
(No points for saying employ a better company in the first place, everyone knows that’s the best answer, and which company!😂)
There is no “fix”.
Thank you!!
👍🏻
They could chainsaw prune and leave a little branch collar. I'll prune with a small, 12" tophandle but use a handsaw for the smaller cuts.
Now that I've learned about trees it's tough to see all the butchering going on (even though I was guilty of some errors myself). In response to some of the concerned comments I see here, I'll share a few thoughts: ultimately we have to keep our own sanity and positivity first and beware of creating conflict or looking down on others. The "make wrong" thing, where someone's just doing what we would likely do if we were in their shoes, and suddenly along comes someone who makes them wrong. That can turn anybody off. Then they can sort of fear/hate the educated people and get even more stubborn. Might even inspire them to cut up a tree just to spite the "know it all's". (I'm not directing this to you Blair, you gotta call things as you see em and I love your videos, just saying in general.)
The times I've had success with sharing good information is when I'm a living, happy, successful example of doing things in good ways, and then treat people cool, totally free of judgment or pressure, and then at least the door is open to them wanting to 'come onboard' and learn/change.
I guess one good thing is that even though trees are a long-term thing, they do grow/die/grow on their own, and in the big-picture bad tree work is still better than some other more horrible and more long-lasting or permanent things people can do to each other and our planet.
My thought is to stay happy, and let good tree work be inviting, "cool", "in", and non-threatening, especially as the younger, more 'enlightened' generations grow up and replace the old stubborn mules who think caring for a tree is weak or stupid or wussy or whatever....we all want to end up getting along anyway, and using negativity to push stuff on the uninformed doesn't seem to work too well, as we're seeing these days more than ever.
Hope that helps just a little bit, everything's gonna be all right. Cheers :)
Short and sweet-👍🏻
You mentioned infection. Do you ever disinfect your tools to try preventing disease spread? Is that a recommended practice?
Yes, we use Lysol
One of the big reasons I'm always skeptical of hiring "professionals" who are more interested in doing things quick rather than correctly.
@Carmicha3l Yes, much of speediness negatively effects the client (for those that actually care about their assets). If only one could find those fast and accurate companies every time.
I audibly gasped at some of those cuts
Yup
Awesome
Thanks
Can you do a video on phytophthora of trees like beech or maple (not oak)? At what point can they not be saved? How much of the trunk girdled by the disease is too late to save it and how long we can expect the tree to survive?
That is so much more than a short video. Best to hit the volumes of text on that subject.
@@arboristBlairGlenn do you have any recommended readings on the subject?
DTE, our electric company here will be doing it's bi-annual line clearance work in a couple days. I make sure every tree I have even remotely near powerlines are in compliance. Often power companies use this program as "training" for new employees. I'm sure MANY have horror stories regarding this. While they do make efforts to discuss trimming procedure's, more often than not their "company policy's" inevitably win out and hearts are broken. HOMEOWNERS, PLANT SUCCESFULY!
You must not be far from me, are you in Port huron?
@@alexmatthews2332 Monroe.
You should make a second video after a couple years that show us how the tree reacts to the cuts
I show a lot of examples of wounds a different stages but I get what you’re saying. Seeing the same wound evolve would take a while.
@@arboristBlairGlenn it might be a cool video Iol I know I'm supper couriers about the tree 😃👍
Ol' bucket truck Barry doin his deeds
Yup
@@arboristBlairGlenn iam in the Ann Arbor Michigan area, would you know of where i can contact to begin any type of arborist courses or or apprenticeships?
Is there a way to identify a good company for a novice?
Any signs to look out for?
Run by a Certified Arborist
@@arboristBlairGlenn Thank you!
And thank you for your videos!
I've read "An Illustrated Guide to Pruning" by E.F. Gilman 👍.
Any other book you'd suggest?
Oh so many. Start with Shigo’s books to really understand a tree’s biology.
Where can you go to school to become a arborist? Or what type of school.
If you search for schools specializing in this field, you will find some. Or, you can put in your time as an apprentice. So much to learn and the best way is on the job.
"Wham Bam Thank You Mam !"...
I do know that Michigan State University was not able to successfully move oak wilt from tree to tree by use of tools. I’m curious if other fungi are similar
Fungi are invasive into the system of the tree. The fruiting body (mushroom) is what erupts when there is enough fungi growing in the tree.
I would simply be told i’m never allowed to cut again if i did that…
But it still happens all the time!
Those trees have more dog ears than the county kennel.
Dog ears??
Pleased to meet you, pointy stub cuts that’s what we call them up here in New England@@arboristBlairGlenn
I would avoid any tree service named, "Cheap Tree Service".
How about “Hack and Slash”?
@@arboristBlairGlenn ,all well and good, but customers might be confused.
I'm not kidding, in NJ we have a service called Cheap.... I doubt they have a clue about pruning or tree health.
Can you explain why flush cuts are not ok?
Yes, but it will take a LOT more space than a comment reply. Search for C.O.D.IT. To learn about how a wound compartmentalization occurs.
0:36 whaaaa daaaaa....
is it me? I've pruned exactly one bough in my life but did a shallow undercut to save the bark from injury take too long.... or what?😢
So many people just dont care. The only thing they care about is money.
Unfortunately that’s society today
There's a lot of competition in the boise area...I see new guys popping up all the time. The good news is, there's a knowledgeable customer base, and the HACKS get run out of town.
Wish that was the case here
Poor tree. Not only cuts, but bad ones with nicks and rips. They should be beat with stick for such sloppy work. Glad you're here to speak for them.
I was one of these people until I went to HORT school
Yeah it's a shame people are just out there for the money
Cut through the collars too
Their bosses need to teach them but they don’t really care.
Alex Shigo is gone and it is back to the stone age.
Gone but not forgotten. We all need to keep his life’s work alive.
@@arboristBlairGlenn One can buy a collection of his work from Judy Shigo at Shigo Trees and Associates. I have them all...signed by him. Heart.
@@treemands signed? Wow
You can still do the 3 cut method with a chainsaw and you need to sterilize your bar and chain when cutting the next tree. Whoever did that needs to be run out of business.
The employee was not trained. He likely thinks his work is correct. The owner of this business is to blame. That company is an insult to the trade.
A hack job if ever I saw one.
See it dailly
While this kind of work is bad, I can't tell you how many times I see trees topped as well. Tree work in my area is very bad. If the tree service gets to come back in 1-3 years to do more work because of topping they get even more money to continue a terrible practice. I've also been led astray by tree service guys as well.
Once there was a post on Craigslist that there's 50 rounds of ash firewood for free to pick up, it was TREE OF HEAVEN. I was wondering why a guy in the truck wouldn't even look me in the eye when I went to pick it up. I stared at the timber for a while because it didn't look right. But ended up taking some. Pretty sure the sap can enlarge your heart or do some type of damage to it. Really scummy thing to lie about.
The sad part, Blair, is that attitude and practice is widely replicated through every nook and cranny of the worked economy. Why make the effort when, unmentored/untutored, quality is unknown to you - in such a setting your only avenue to 'excellence' is to innovate by doing things faster and faster still though misusing your tools and your time.
Integrity, honesty, respect
I use denatured alcohol on our tools between trees to be pruned and on saw chains especially after working on a comprised tree with an obvious fungal or pathogen issue. Unethical practice to use an un-disinfected saw or pruner on a client’s trees or shrubs after pruning in a diseased tree or shrub prior.
That's not tree trimming that's butchered! I didnt get into the industry to do that to trees!
That avenue isn't beautiful, it's jam-packed in trees: 1 every 6 could be sufficient (if they are platanus acerifolia like they seems to be).
They are planted further apart than they look. Really long drive
Dimming others lighter wont make yours shine brifhter my friend
Uhh, what??
That flush cut kills trees 🤦♂️ that’s not good man. Isn’t collar cuts one of the first things you learn??
I talk at great length about the proper ways to make a cut. Kills? Leads to future decay is a better way to put it but not good. Thanks for commenting.
@@arboristBlairGlenn hmm so flush cuts don’t kill them? I have seen flush cuts kill them and when they leave to long of a stub above the collar not sure if that’s what killed it just what I have seen over the last 15 years I’m no arborist I can take down any tree anywhere any time though. I always try to look where the collar is and cut just about it also when I cut a lateral I try to angle it so rain water doesn’t pool and cause rot 🤷♂️ idk I’m still learning that’s what’s so great about this industry. I do all the danger trees for the utilities in Michigan and residential, I mostly just remove all day long. But I do love my trees and wish I knew more about how to keep them healthy.
www.buymeacoffee.com/blairglenn
Got it