Beryl Singleton Bissell commented on one of my photo essays today with the observation that one of the shots looked like I had climbed the tree to capture it. She then asked whether tree climbing was on my resume. And actually, it is.
I spent a decade working in the landscaping industry. During my time in that profession I became a Massachusetts Certified Arborist, and I did climb trees for a living.
As a child I loved to climb trees, and did it at any available opportunity. There was a feeling of real exhilaration to be high in their limbs and look down on the world from a birds vantage point.
When I discovered as an adult that I could make money by indulging in my favorite childhood past-time, I was thrilled. Of course, it is not traditionally a woman's occupation, but there was no way that was going to stop me. My parents always told me that I could do anything I wanted to do, and gender was no obstacle (and I am immensely grateful for that).
I studied all winter for the certification test, and passed. I then learned to climb on ropes whilst use a chainsaw. Pruning had always been one of my specialties, and so it was no hard task to transfer that ability from smaller shrubs and trees to the great big ones.
There was no more thrilling feeling in the world for me than being up in a tree. All else faded away for there was no room for distraction. I felt as if I became a choreographer, planning each move so that I could move easily through the tree, at times swinging freely on my ropes. It was my kind of heaven, and for the few years I did this work, there was nowhere else I'd rather have been.
Of course, life does move along, and I did discover that the financial security of that type of work was tenuous, and so moved on to a more secure job working indoors. No matter where I go, or what I do, my time in the trees will always remain a highlight of my working life.
These photos were all taken by my father while I was doing some pruning on the grand old oak tree that lives in his backyard.
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Comments: 29
Hmmm, just looked at the photos again - maybe I should have titled this "Out on a Limb".
Michael - oh, just do it! Go climb a tree.
Shannon - it is impressive to watch people do this type of work. A skilled arborist knows exactly where everything will fall, and anticipates everything. It really is extremely dangerous work so you have to keep your wits about you at all times.
Lynn - glad that this made you smile at fond memories.
Susan - I think it's awesome that you're saving this - truly there is nothing that we can't do.
Thanks Thomas and Debbie. Glad you enjoyed.
I've got this terrible fear of heights, but did an Outward Bound several years ago (in my early 60s) and loved the ropes course for some reason. I think it was falling off one of the courses and having that wonderful belaying hook hold me safely so that I could haul myself back up and try it again.
As a youngster, I too used to adore tree climbing and at one point... I would pack a lunch, bring a book and spend the whole day cradled in the limbs of a tree!
Wishing You Laughter