Alex Tree Climber
I was on a job once—tight backyard, fences on three sides, glass sunroom ten feet from the trunk. Big maple coming down in sections. Boss says, “We’ll negative rig it. Easy money.” First block. Clean.Second block. Rope sang a little louder than I liked.Third block—boom. The whole stem shuddered like it got punched in the … Read more
1. The Brutal Reality of Dead Oak Removal Rigging I was on a job once—big dead red oak, backyard removal, tight drop zone. Homeowner breathing down our necks. Looked solid from the ground. From the saddle? Thing felt like cork. I set a block, pre-tensioned the line, made my cut… and the top didn’t swing … Read more
In the world of professional arboriculture, Complex Tree Removal is often described as “surgical dismantling”. When you are faced with a massive canopy hanging over a fragile roof or a tight garden space, there is zero room for error. After 15 years in the saddle, I can tell you that mastering Complex Tree Removal is … Read more
Tree Removal Techniques are about far more than just revving a chainsaw; they are a calculated game of physics, biology, and weight management. After 15 years in the canopy, I can tell you that the difference between a perfect drop and a destroyed house is often just an inch of hinge wood. Using proper Tree … Read more
Structural Tree Trimming is the only thing standing between your roof and a 10-ton oak limb when a storm hits. Look, I’ve spent 15 years hanging from a saddle, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that a tree is like a high-rise building—if the skeleton is weak, the whole thing is coming down … Read more
Tree Pruning Techniques are something every homeowner thinks they can handle with a pair of rusty loppers, but after 15 years of surgical work in the canopy, I’m here to tell you that a bad cut is a slow death sentence for a tree. In my decade and a half of climbing, I’ve seen beautiful … Read more
Spring Poles & Barber Chairs are the two most lethal energy-traps you will encounter in professional tree work. If you’ve spent 15 years in the dirt and the canopy like I have, you know that tree cutting isn’t just about making backcuts and watching things fall. It’s about recognizing the “loaded springs” that are waiting … Read more
Mastering Redirects is the single most important skill I’ve developed over 15 years in the canopy. In my early days, I used to muscle my way through every lateral limb walk. I’d reach the tips, my rope would be at a shallow, dangerous angle, and I’d be sweating like a dog. Now? I don’t move … Read more
In the world of professional arboriculture, the difference between a successful job and a catastrophic accident usually comes down to one thing: how strictly you follow safety standards. After 15 years in the saddle, I’ve learned that the canopy is no place for ego or shortcuts. Whether you are a homeowner or a rookie climber, … Read more
When winter hits, every tree looks like a skeleton, and for most homeowners, that’s when the panic sets in. One of the most common questions I get after 15 years in the field is: “Alex, is my tree dead, or is it just sleeping?” Providing the right tree care tips starts with knowing the difference … Read more