“Sending the elevator back down” is a phrase I read somewhere in a business book. It refers to sharing your knowledge with those coming up behind you. So send the elevator back down and share your knowledge.
As the only ISA Certified Arborist on staff, I was approached by my boss if I would consider signing off on our eager arboriculture apprentice. Yes, I would. The apprentice is heading to school for eight weeks from January 9, 2017. Considering we are experiencing our harshest winter in thirty years, he’s extremely happy to hit class. Hot chocolate in hand.
Then, once he comes back, we will work together until winter 2017. I will have to sign off on his work papers in order for him to qualify for the next step in his schooling.
This is something new for me. It could happen again so I’m treating it as a learning experience. Plus I’m expecting him to wow me with his new knowledge.
Here are some basics we covered while we tried to stay busy on snow-covered, frosty strata sites.
A) Use the best available equipment
My Stihl helmet system had a visor with obvious top and bottom edge cracks in the mesh. Not very safe. So I spent $27 on company account to buy a new visor at Tri City Power Equipment. It snaps on and no longer features springs that can pop loose. It moves up and down on a plastic loop. I love it. My apprentice felt great knowing his baby skin was protected. Don’t accept substandard equipment. Always consider safety first.
B) Classic stub cuts
This is a classic stub cut. The cut should have been made close to the branch collar. The stub leftover dies anyway. The tree attempts to close the wound but it’s impossible. After pointing this out to my apprentice, we removed the stub. Lesson learned.
C) Chainsaw practice
This is a snow-damaged branch we couldn’t remove earlier because we didn’t have a chainsaw on my truck. The only complication was the close proximity of the other stem. We didn’t want the tip of our chainsaw hitting the stem in the back. The damaged branch itself could have been cut in maybe 2 to 3 cuts. Since this was our chance to practice, we made several cuts. Practice is crucial. Learn by doing. Stay safe.
The final cut was in a tight crotch so I faced my own fears while the apprentice watched. Success!
I’m looking forward to writing a blog post on my apprentice’s experiences at school. Update in March.
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