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LOG AND LEAF TREE SERVICE

28 WEEK PROFESSIONAL TREE CLIMBER TRAINING PROGRAM

🌲 TREE CLIMBER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The Path to Becoming a Professional Tree Climber & Crew Leader

THE BASICS OF BEING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER

AND WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU

  • We are a TEAM. Everyone does their part every day. Even though we are separate business entities, we work together to help each other grow and succeed.

  • Always show up and be on time.

  • Come to work projecting yourself as a professional.

  • Wear proper attire: Work boots, company shirt, and safety gear.

  • We are looking for fast learners. Each phase has a time frame to learn and perform. Failure to progress may result in your opportunity being given to someone else.
    1 missed day = 1 missed week. Be here every day ready to learn.

By the end of this program, you should have established your tree service with a fully trained ground crew and at least two climbers — yourself and your top trainee.

💰 PAY STRUCTURE

Level Percentage Earned

Level 1   10%

Level 2   10.5%

Level 3   11%

Level 4   11.5%

Program Graduate   12%

LEVEL 1 (10%) — CLIMBER SAFETY TRAINEE (4 WEEKS)

Equipment Required

  • Spikes with pads

  • Climbing saddle / harness

  • 2 safety lines (primary & secondary)

  • Rigging line

  • Climbing line

  • Chainsaw sash cord / lanyard

  • Climbing saw

Climbing Gear Source: 👉 https://www.wesspur.com
Chainsaw Option: 👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=neo-tec+chainsaw

WEEK 1 — TREE CLIMBER SAFETY TRAINING

  • Safety is ALWAYS #1 priority

  • Daily inspection of spikes, clips, harness, ropes, lanyards, and saws

  • When above 10 ft, always use 2 tie-in points

  • Never cut without communicating with ground crew

  • Chain brake engaged when not cutting

  • Never make a decision you’re not 100% confident in

  • Inspect tree for disease, pests, weak wood

  • Identify tie-in and rigging points before climbing

  • Create removal plan with crew supervisor

  • Understand consequences of unsafe behavior

Pass written safety exam (100%)

WEEKS 2–3

  • Properly wear climbing equipment

  • Proper spiking technique

  • Bypassing limbs with safety belts

  • Tree characteristics (bark thickness, durability)

  • Learn 3 climbing knots

  • Learn rigging knot

  • Climb, set climbing line, descend

  • Set rigging line

WEEK 4

  • Pass on-site climber safety trainee exam

LEVEL 2 (10.5%) — ROOKIE TREE TRIMMER (5 WEEKS)

Week 5

  • Climb with chainsaw

  • Start saw from tree

  • Bottom and top cuts

Week 6

  • Hinge cuts

  • Peel cuts

Weeks 7–8

  • Limb gap cutting

  • Basic limb roping

  • Set rigging lines for tops

  • Fall tops safely

Week 9

  • Pass on-site exam

LEVEL 3 (11%) — GENERAL TREE TRIMMER (7 WEEKS)

Weeks 10–11

  • Reset climbing line

  • Double crouch technique

  • Chunk down wood

Week 12

  • Rope limbs in all situations

  • Rope tops into other trees

  • Climb with rope tied into separate tree

Weeks 13–15

  • Half hitch techniques

  • Walk out limbs

  • Make all cuts off a limb

Week 16

  • Pass on-site exam

LEVEL 4 (11.5%) — PROFESSIONAL TREE CLIMBER (12 WEEKS)

Weeks 17–28

  • Master climbing & rigging techniques

  • Work efficiently and safely

  • Train your Ground Manager to replace you in climbing operations

Completion of Level 4 → Program Graduate (12%)

🎉 PROGRAM COMPLETED

A Professional Tree Climber is one of the most valuable roles in a tree company.

🚀 NEXT CAREER PHASE

Learn:

  • Crew leadership

  • Sales and marketing

  • Managing unpredictable job situations

  • Hitting daily and weekly production goals

Completion pay range at this phase: $210–$340/day

🌲 NEXT STEP

Begin the Crew Supervisor Training Program

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