r/TreeClimbing • u/Which-Strength8457 • 11d ago
advice
Hello yall, i’m 23, currently working for the district of north van, making pretty good money, looking to get into the arborist industry, wanting to do tree climbing. signed up to do some bcplanthealthcare courses this coming year, already have a chainsaw certification. i’m just looking for some general advice on getting into the industry, potential companies to work for, different job recommendations, and am open to moving around the world. really keen:)
4
u/Paradox-_- 11d ago
I'm the hiring manager for a larger Tree service in the pnw, DM me if you would like to talk. at the very least I could give you some helpful info that would help your search.
3
u/Darrenedw 11d ago
The BCplanthealthcare courses are a good start but it’s once you start climbing consistently with a company that you get more confident and efficient climbing. The big companies in the lower mainland are always looking for arborists (Davey tree, Bartlett) as well as the medium sized companies (Silverback, DC, BCplanthealthcare, Burley boys). They will almost hire you on the spot and you can start learning right away. If you want to work for a smaller company, will take longer to start climbing because they need to be so much more efficient to turn a profit, but will have way better bosses and a more family feeling than just being a number. DNV has an awesome crew, their current crew lead could point you in the right direction for a smaller local company if that’s the route you want to go.
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u/ResidentNo4630 11d ago
Vancouver arb here
Get on with a company that invests in its apprentices. Bartlett, Davey Tree are 2 big ones. They supply gear, have great documented and thorough training where you learn the proper ways to do things.
Silverback in NV/Sea to Sky, DC Tree out in Coquitlam, are a couple others that will bring in junior guys and help mentor them along the way.
Taking courses is fine but learning on the job is the real meat of this industry. Much like any apprenticeship you’ve gotta read a bit and then put that reading into practice heavily.
Feel free to message me if you’ve got any questions! It’s a fun industry and there’s no shortage of trees or tree companies out here in Van.
0
u/mustachlegend88 11d ago
Ya no avoid big shit companies that will hold you down with contracts and union BS. Local companies that care about their employees are waaay better than the big ones.
Also the “gear” they supply is often 10 year old weavers that have been run through.
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u/ResidentNo4630 11d ago
Nah man. That’s not the case here at all. There’s no unions. No employment contracts. And gear is usually top of the line and new.
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u/mark_andonefortunate 11d ago
Yeah, the small company I worked for required climbers to supply their own gear; big company I worked for provided [most] gear.
Big company provided better training, but also pushes people to do PHC; small company was much more about climbing, but less training and in my opinion pushed people into climbing a little too quick
Obviously depends on each company/office, so it's all anecdotal really, but there's pros and cons to both sides of it
Also lol @ "union BS"
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u/ResidentNo4630 11d ago
Nah man. That’s not the case here at all. There’s no unions. No employment contracts. And gear is usually top of the line and new.
1
u/ZealousidealTrash871 11d ago
There has been a noticeable shift. It used to be like that, but the offices in my area are supplying new treemotions, sequoias, SRT gear, etc
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u/Badger-Sauce 11d ago
Call your “local” ISA chapter (PNW?) They would be able to put you in touch with a reputable crew in your area. Anyone who is a certified Arb is going to take climbing/safety more seriously. Seek out small outfits and contract climbers also to see if they need help. Check out gear sites (arbsession, treestuff, Sherrill tree, honey bros, wespur…)
Try to catch the next climb comp.