So who do you send to climb hundreds of feet into the air with a chainsaw?
An arborist like Mark Chisholm.
Mark has been working most of his life as an arborist, having taken up the family trade.
The work requires extensive knowledge of arboriculture as well as the physicality of an athlete.
In fact, Marks won quite a number of tree-climbing championships.
(Yes, there are climbing competitions; the profession seems rife with friendly competitive spirit).
I started working and climbing by the age of 12.
What drove you to choose your career path?
How did you go about getting your job?
I am a bit unusual here.
They finally agreed to let me tag along and I got the bug.
Most everyone at that time learned via on-the-job training and I was no different.
Today, many entrants begin with a degree inurban forestryor some similar discipline.
What kinds of things do you do beyond what most people see?
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
Being able to share these tips and concepts with so many people is extremely rewarding.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
This is why continued education is so important to our industry.
Most tree workers are passionate advocates for healthy trees.
What are your average work hours?
Typical 9-5 thing or not?
The industry is notorious for long hours and they get longer during storms.
What personal tips and shortcuts made your job easier?
Im forever learning and finding new ways to approach my daily tasks.
I am famous for saying work harder AND smarter!
This is how you achieve that.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
I focus on being a professional first and that means always trying to improve.
Long ago, I learned momentum is created through consistency.
when you land momentum moving in the direction you want to go, everything gets easier and better.
This requires dedication to being your best for the long haul.
Its not easy, but it is the right way to achieve your most lofty goals.
Whats the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
Thats a hard one.
Sometimes its the harsh weather conditions.
Other times, its pushing past new physical limits.
Theres always the less than desirable customer.
Whats the most enjoyable part of the job?
I enjoy the diversity in my job the most.
Plus, the types of people I get to work and interact with are incredible.
Whats not to love?
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
Starting salaries at the ground level are not fantastic, maybe $15 per hour plus benefits.
Successful business owners can do very well, too.
It is a hard business with rewards for those willing to invest in their own development and growth.
Its an honest living to boot.
Is there a way to move up in your field?
(Unintentional tree pun.)
Being active in the industry is a way to fast-track your career for sure.
I cant stress this enough.
Get involved and stay involved!
What do people under/over value about what you do?
They overvalue the risks.
The general public sometimes looks at what I do as death-defying or high-risk and I see this as unfair.
What I see are unskilled people without proper training making mistakes that reflect poorly on the industry at large.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
This may be the best profession out there.
I almost never complain about having to go to work.
I recommend joining a safety-oriented company and getting good training before attempting this line of work.
Im active in our industrys major associations, theInternational Society of Arboricultureand theTree Care Industry Association.
And of course, always stay connected to current trends by being a student for life.
If youd like to share your career, email us at[email protected].
