Up in the Trees: My Life in Technical Tree Work

Most mornings start the same way: a strong cup of coffee to wake up the mind, and a good stretch to wake up the body. It’s a small ritual before a day that’s anything but routine.

We meet most mornings at the yard on beautiful Mount Desert Island, where the crew gathers to talk through the day’s plan and load up the trucks. Depending on the job ahead, that could mean the one-ton dump truck, the 12-inch chipper, the trailer, or our nimble mini skid steer. It always means a full range of chainsaws, climbing gear, and hundreds of feet of climbing and rigging rope, the lifelines that make our work safe and efficient.

For me, climbing is where it all started and it's what drew me to this profession. Before tree work, I spent years rock climbing and working on trail crews out West, learning how to move confidently in challenging environments. That experience translates directly into technical tree climbing, a rare skill in this industry that lets me tackle jobs many other companies can’t, especially when a bucket truck can’t get close.

Once we’re on site, the work is never the same: pruning trees for clearance or views, removing hazardous trees from a tight backyard, clearing a lot, or selectively thinning a forest to promote healthy growth. Technical tree work always keeps you on your toes. Every project is its own puzzle and figuring out how to get from the first cut to the last load of wood safely, efficiently, and with the least impact on the property is never boring.

It’s rewarding work, both physically and mentally. There’s a satisfaction in solving the problem, in rigging a massive limb so it swings clear and lands exactly where it should, in leaving a property looking better and safer than when we arrived. It’s not without its challenges. Tree work can be demanding, dangerous, and tough on the body; but for me, it’s worth it every single time.

Taking a break to enjoy the view...