I've been in the industry for for nearly 20 years and the worst thing I have experienced is nicking my thumb with a saw after loosing my footing in a laurel hedge. Every tree I've climbed, I stay humble, knowing that it could kill me at any moment. Always pace yourself and if you find yourself in a position you are not happy with, just take a moment and reassess things, always make sure you are comfortable before any cut and never rush.
I fell 60ft onto my back 1 1/2 years ago. I'm still kicking. Sometimes you need to take a step back. Reassess.. if it's in your heart you will find a way.. it's love. This is what I love.
Thank you Dan, I’ve been watching your channel a few years. I started working in the industry 1.5 years ago and I’m able to call myself a climber. While I rarely ever feel an urge to single hand a chainsaw in a climbing saddle, the production pressure of one-handing from a bucket/lift is real. While the kickback and follow through from saws with high chain speed still scares me, I’ve become comfortable one handing a small electric saw with 2x cutters and a slow chain speed - Milwaukee’s 18V hatchet. With a hatchet and a light 50cc, my top handle saw often sits the bench. Sometimes I’ll carry both a hatchet and a gas saw in a bucket/lift.
About 10 years ago, at the age of 62, I started doing this "climbing arborist" work here in central Nagano Prefecture, Japan. I have worked as an International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (I.F.M.G.A.) and Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (A.C.M.G.) "mountain guide" since 1991 (and since 1986 as an assistant mountain guide). In mountain guiding, especially in such activities as helicopter or snow cat skiing we us the term "low probability, high consequence" {e.g. a group of 12 helm-skiers being engulfed in a large avalanche} often. In this tree work this statement is not usually part of the situation but "moderate probability, pretty nasty consequences" may be more apt. I came into this tree climbing activity using chain saws, and rigging with my eyes wide open, and since I often work alone and more often than not unseen I must agree with Dan Holliday in everything he says. I still climb, rig and cut trees, albeit slower and with increasing caution, at the age of 73: it is just so dang interesting and fun.
Your motivation for “climbing arborist” was something that gave me pause. In having very “traditional” foremen and teachers I didn’t feel I always had the best resources for tree care in terms of technicality (though they taught me a great passion). I’ve come to you and your channel for so much in the way of education that has helped me in such a real world sense. I thank you, sincerely, for your ability and willingness to share your knowledge and experience. You are an invaluable resource.
A prayer before every tree has kept me from injury. I really mean it when I say the Lord has kept me safe throughout this career I love it. But eventually I might move on and become a mechanic. Had a lot of close calls, and the money isnt worth it
This last October I was removing some massive leaning cottonwoods over a fence. I was releasing the tension of a tree which was underneath another, the tree started to move and I was anticipating the tree to release some tension but not as much as actually happened. The tree whipped right into my face violently shaking me in the air cutting me right on the eyebrow. The tree hit the front of my helmet launching it off, I was ok but it was certainly unexpected and could have been worse. Also I have to mention there often very little incentive to work quickly when you're on an hourly rate.
Using the chain brake to stop the chain after the cut becoming a reflex saved my right thumb. A crane lowered down a sycamore log and a branch I knew was spring loaded I cut it and caught it when it came off. I punched the chainsaw bar with the hand I grabbed the butt with. A leather glove and stationary chain saved me!
Something that I want to implement more is warming up with dynamic stretches at the start of the day more especially if the day is going to be more labour intensive picking up and carrying heavy logs or working on the side of a bank
I like to differentiate knowledge and skill. You can have all sorts of knowledge (aka from TH-cam videos). However having knowledge doesn't mean you have skill. Skill is the efficient/effective application of knowledge. I've found practicing based on new knowledge has been effective in building skill.
We have cultural shame around this, like dropping productivity so safer working methods can be the norm is frowned on? I only like working with people who are always keen to learn, and work safe, even if it seems to slow down the production line
Human here, been laying low, been a fan for years though. Something I'm dealing with right now, crushed my leg pretty good when a limb ricocheted back in july. Didn't break my leg (surprisingly), but a couple weeks later I was laid up in the hospital for a week with blood clots in my lungs (pulminary embolisms) that traveled from the injury site in the leg. As I'm in the states, our system denied my claim saying the the incident was work related, even though the doctors clearly said it was. So not only did I miss a bunch of work, but I wasn't paid as I should have been, and now they're trying to get me to pay my own medical bills, something around $100,000. Our industry is shit America is shit
I hear you. UK is shit too. Pay is shit. Loads of competition and inflated egos in the industry. Equipment theft is increasing. It seems the authorities and insurance companies are more and more corrupt and disrespectful.
I've been in the industry for for nearly 20 years and the worst thing I have experienced is nicking my thumb with a saw after loosing my footing in a laurel hedge.
Every tree I've climbed, I stay humble, knowing that it could kill me at any moment.
Always pace yourself and if you find yourself in a position you are not happy with, just take a moment and reassess things, always make sure you are comfortable before any cut and never rush.
You're one of the rare safe operators on YT. I appreciate you a lot bud. Been watching 6 years now.
I fell 60ft onto my back 1 1/2 years ago. I'm still kicking. Sometimes you need to take a step back. Reassess.. if it's in your heart you will find a way.. it's love. This is what I love.
Thank you Dan, I’ve been watching your channel a few years. I started working in the industry 1.5 years ago and I’m able to call myself a climber. While I rarely ever feel an urge to single hand a chainsaw in a climbing saddle, the production pressure of one-handing from a bucket/lift is real. While the kickback and follow through from saws with high chain speed still scares me, I’ve become comfortable one handing a small electric saw with 2x cutters and a slow chain speed - Milwaukee’s 18V hatchet. With a hatchet and a light 50cc, my top handle saw often sits the bench. Sometimes I’ll carry both a hatchet and a gas saw in a bucket/lift.
About 10 years ago, at the age of 62, I started doing this "climbing arborist" work here in central Nagano Prefecture, Japan. I have worked as an International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (I.F.M.G.A.) and Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (A.C.M.G.) "mountain guide" since 1991 (and since 1986 as an assistant mountain guide). In mountain guiding, especially in such activities as helicopter or snow cat skiing we us the term "low probability, high consequence" {e.g. a group of 12 helm-skiers being engulfed in a large avalanche} often. In this tree work this statement is not usually part of the situation but "moderate probability, pretty nasty consequences" may be more apt. I came into this tree climbing activity using chain saws, and rigging with my eyes wide open, and since I often work alone and more often than not unseen I must agree with Dan Holliday in everything he says. I still climb, rig and cut trees, albeit slower and with increasing caution, at the age of 73: it is just so dang interesting and fun.
Your motivation for “climbing arborist” was something that gave me pause. In having very “traditional” foremen and teachers I didn’t feel I always had the best resources for tree care in terms of technicality (though they taught me a great passion). I’ve come to you and your channel for so much in the way of education that has helped me in such a real world sense. I thank you, sincerely, for your ability and willingness to share your knowledge and experience. You are an invaluable resource.
A prayer before every tree has kept me from injury. I really mean it when I say the Lord has kept me safe throughout this career
I love it. But eventually I might move on and become a mechanic. Had a lot of close calls, and the money isnt worth it
This last October I was removing some massive leaning cottonwoods over a fence. I was releasing the tension of a tree which was underneath another, the tree started to move and I was anticipating the tree to release some tension but not as much as actually happened. The tree whipped right into my face violently shaking me in the air cutting me right on the eyebrow. The tree hit the front of my helmet launching it off, I was ok but it was certainly unexpected and could have been worse. Also I have to mention there often very little incentive to work quickly when you're on an hourly rate.
Using the chain brake to stop the chain after the cut becoming a reflex saved my right thumb. A crane lowered down a sycamore log and a branch I knew was spring loaded I cut it and caught it when it came off. I punched the chainsaw bar with the hand I grabbed the butt with. A leather glove and stationary chain saved me!
Something that I want to implement more is warming up with dynamic stretches at the start of the day more especially if the day is going to be more labour intensive picking up and carrying heavy logs or working on the side of a bank
100%, essential for every day if you don’t want a completely broken body by 40
You Tell the trouth , thank you Dan !
Hello Dan. 👋
I like to differentiate knowledge and skill. You can have all sorts of knowledge (aka from TH-cam videos). However having knowledge doesn't mean you have skill. Skill is the efficient/effective application of knowledge. I've found practicing based on new knowledge has been effective in building skill.
When I climb I'm overly safe I think not sure if it's a good thing or not
We have cultural shame around this, like dropping productivity so safer working methods can be the norm is frowned on? I only like working with people who are always keen to learn, and work safe, even if it seems to slow down the production line
Human here, been laying low, been a fan for years though. Something I'm dealing with right now, crushed my leg pretty good when a limb ricocheted back in july. Didn't break my leg (surprisingly), but a couple weeks later I was laid up in the hospital for a week with blood clots in my lungs (pulminary embolisms) that traveled from the injury site in the leg. As I'm in the states, our system denied my claim saying the the incident was work related, even though the doctors clearly said it was. So not only did I miss a bunch of work, but I wasn't paid as I should have been, and now they're trying to get me to pay my own medical bills, something around $100,000.
Our industry is shit
America is shit
Wow, that sucks bro, best of luck
That’s rough, good luck. Hope your healthy now
I hear you. UK is shit too. Pay is shit. Loads of competition and inflated egos in the industry. Equipment theft is increasing. It seems the authorities and insurance companies are more and more corrupt and disrespectful.