Would you tell your competitors/colleagues/teachers about Tree World?

JohN Dee

Well I'm curious to see what everybody says on this subject.

I have told all of my teachers of Tree World and I only know of one registered and is partially active. I tell the majority of my colleagues (Class Mates) about Tree World and again a few of them have signed up but NONE are active.

Although my teachers and colleagues could be classed as my competitors, I choose not put them in that same class due to the reason I hold them in a higher respect then my competitors.

I havn't told ANY of my competitors of Tree World.

I've came up from the bottom like the rest of you blokes in this industry, but it is because of these online Arborist communities that I am at the level I am today. Hence my reason why I choose not to alert my competitors of Tree World.

Now I have about 4-6 local competitors that live within as close as 1km to 5kms away from me. Each one I have done my homework on and found out who is/isn't insured and qualifed. Sadly (but good) the majority of them are hacks. Now if I tell them about Tree World I risk them getting a small insight of my business and mine/my dads aproach to tree work aswell as getting a HUGE insight from the rest of the community on how to succeed in the Tree Industry and compete against us more effectively.

Well that is my vote aswell as reasoning. Don't just vote and run for the hills, discuss the topic (and vote) as I find it very interesting and think you guys would too.

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quercus

Hell Yeah!!!! I try to spread the good word around to anyone who wants to hear it. Funny thing is that I have no certified competitors in a 10 mile radius... and beyond that circle, the ones who ARE certified are not to be considered as competitors, but they are colleagues and friends...We often step in each others turfs, but both parties don't care as long as it is me or them.

Yesterday I made a qoute for a family that lived in australia for 19 years. They said they were gonna look at the forum but wouldn't log in.

TreeDimensional

I am in the tree care business to support my family in a lifestyle that they deserve. Along with the monetary thing comes the challenge of educating MY clients. More often than not, you get what you give, and while I take the time to bring the client up to speed on what we are doing, and why, I am creating a business relationship that could last for years. I offer a range of services that range from planning where a new tree should be planted to removing a hazard tree with a crane. So if any of your that are reading this only do removals, other principles apply.

Unlike JohnD, my competitors are people who do removals for beer and pizza money. While a lot of you would consider this to be the "gravey train" we are always faced with the stigmatism of "if he's the only one around, are we being gouged" attitude. Our philosophy is give them a good days work at a fair price, and everything should be fine.

I voted to educate my clients (colleagues) and teachers, as these two groups are a demographic which will ensure my operation will prosper. My competition, or future competition should have to pay their dues like I did. I mentioned before that I have had several mentors. It has cost me from next to nothing, to thousands of dollars to get to the level that I an at. My education isn't backed by fancy plaques on the office wall, but a life time of watching, listening and putting into practice the things that I have observed.

Tell my competition about Tree World, Hell no! They can find the premiere tree site like I did. By PAYING ATTENTION and CARING.

TrevMcRev

Colleagues, competitors that are like minded - not hacks, and...Customers.

TREE-SURFER

Also Garden centres and arb hardware stores

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The Aerial Arborist

Isle of Man Tree Surgeon| All Aspects of Tree Work

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D Mc

We consider this site one of the best educational tools at our disposal. We have no problem with sharing it with colleagues, customers, teachers. The competitors fall into that gray area that others have mentioned. We have some like-minded "competitors" with which we have a very good working relationship; and therefore, have no problems sharing. The hacks, well we don't even talk to them...

Because we feel that lack of education and understanding is the primary reason for the misuse and abuse of trees, sharing sources of education is very important.

It is hard to comprehend how something that affects most people's lives (trees) is so vastly misunderstood. Children are taught the basics of reading, writing and sciences; trees and how the world works and is interconnected is just as important. "Chocolate milk does not come out of chocolate cows."

D and S Mc

Steve Tipton

I recommend this site to anyone I think may be interested. If a competitor gets something out of it, it might encourage him/her to improve the quality of their work, hence we are then quoting on a level playing field.
Better work practices and care of trees are a benefit to the whole community.

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Heightmaster

treevet

Tell anyone about site again except for hacks mainly because I disdain them and don t even talk to them (except occasionally on here I guess).

Eric Frei

Yeah I tell everyone, customers to hacks!

I figure if a hack lifts their game we're better off.

However I dont really say too much about how we market and get the jobs.

I had a lot of people say years ago that the videos were bad as it taught hacks and increased competition.

Well, perhaps, and perhaps it would have happened anyway, however I feel that if they know a better way and start improving then it's better for the industry.

Many people dont research or visit though, partying, grog, TV etc rank #1 for them so I feel those who come here often will improve .... and those who dont give a crap dont bother.

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treevet

Didn t hear you telling that Islander that kept cutting you off at the dump in your video anything about TW.

Maybe you would have if he stopped yelling "I don t care, I don t care!" The national anthem of the Hack.

Pigdog

Yes!
Even hacks may cease to be hacks at some point in their careers!
Education may just be the resource a hack needs to speed him on his way to becoming ligitamate!
Aren't hacks only doing what most everyone else is trying to do, with less knowledge of course, just trying to feed their family?

mdvaden

In my area, "competitors" could have it's own shade of meaning too.

I'd refer tree workers who want to learn and become better at what they do, not the folks who just need an online bar to talk at.

A good aspect of this site, is that little goes on that would cause professional embarrassment.

This is one of the very few forums in the green industry that is actually moderated.

Other forum website had moderators, but they are not moderating, and its the users who are controlling the forums.

treevet

I know Pigdog you are right in your own definition of hacks. I have said before that I have my own definition of a hack. I think TW might start it s own dictionary of words and terms for clarity. (Tree hugger, etc)

I would include a lack of conscience to define the word. Sort of a sociopathic arborist. ".....amoral and asocial and who is characterized by irresponsibility, lack of remorse or shame,......impulsive behavior...."

If this the definition TW will give no aid.

Recently I witnessed a beautiful, mature 70 foot 3'dbh beech, that needed nothing except some composted mulch to encourage mycorrhizae , get topped to internodals for no reason other than the hack needed money, couldn t do anything else profitable to the tree and a 75 year old woman lived there with a lot of money and husband had passed away leaving her unprotected.

It stinks the whole area up to have a tree standing there looking like that. Kind of like when drug addicts start hanging around on a previously nice corner.

Pigdog

Yes!
I guess every profession has those who they'd like not see allowed to work in that profession.
I met a tree fellow who would knock on doors and was only interested in taking down trees. He didn't have any equipment other than gear, saw and a mini truck. In Louisiana all have to have a license and insurance and he had that. There are a lot of folks though who need trees removed but can't afford a lot and he filled that niche. The home owner had to clean up the mess but he charged so much less than the large companies that they were just happy to get their trees down and save some money.
I'm sure the larger tree companies didn't like the guy.

TREEMONKEY

I tell Some competitors but not the guys that bull shit to get tree jobs. Only people that actually care. I will tell anyone else. Some guys in my area will learn a big word or 2 and sound like they know what they are talking about and will get more work and ugly up a few more trees.

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treeseer

I linked my client to the tree-to-ground guying thread; why not?

newguy18

I told the foreman for asplunduh about tree world yesterday.He remembered me from when they offered me a job and seemed excited about joining but we'll see.I figure if it helps to educate people even someones compitition then its worth it.

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old schooler