Yes, we work in the winter! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked if we work in the winter. People are always shocked with my answer. They ask questions like “what do you do?” and comment that “It’s so cold out!” My answer to what we do in the winter is “tree work!” and “we usually put on more clothes and warmer boots.”
I have been fortunate that my career has taken me all over the country and other parts of the world. While traveling can be a bit of a pain I’ve been lucky enough to meet other great arborists. I have friends in Texas and I am always shocked when they are working in 100 plus temperatures for months straight. I have friends in the Pacific Northwest that are constantly climbing trees in wet conditions. I despise climbing in the rain and I’m not a big fan of extreme heat. I have a friend in Switzerland that deals with snow not by the inches but by the foot. I’ve always enjoyed our continental climate here in the upper Midwest. One limitation is that it is challenging to adapt to the weather because it changes so quickly.
When the fall season hits, both myself and the crews enjoy the milder temperatures and beautiful fall color. We also enjoy the shorter days after the time change. But we do know winter is coming. When winter approaches the crews aren’t thinking about the weather, they are thinking of something much more important. Oaks and Elms! We only prune Oak and American Elm trees during the dormant season because of Oak Wilt and Dutch Elm Disease. Pruning these trees during the growing season is not recommended because of the possibility of disease transmission. Oaks and American Elms are some of the biggest and most beautiful trees in our area. Pruning these trees takes on a new challenge. For one, we need to learn how to dress properly. I have been training the crews on proper fabrics to wear during the colder months. Proper stretching and warm up exercises are also important to help prevent injuries. The ascent is often the physically most demanding part of the climb, which makes proper stretching and warm up exercises crucial. The first task to pruning these larger trees is to do a solid risk assessment; from there it is straight to the top of the tree.
Pruning Oak and Elm trees also provides a fantastic opportunity for training. Younger climbers may be working in these beautiful giants for the very first time which is a thrill to do and also exciting for the trainer. Caring for a tree that is hundreds of years old is something quite special. Tools and techniques are changing rapidly and winter is a great time to try a new tool or technique.
If you happen to be home while we are working on your trees this winter and you see the crews doing silly stretching and exercises, don’t worry, it’s in their best interest.
Todd Kramer
Training & Performance Manager
ISA Certified Arborist IL-1189AT, CTSP #039
Hello, I’m not sure if this is the kind of comment you mean, but I had some extensive tree work done in the winter a few years ago. It was fascinating to watch the workers and to see the different techniques they used to cut down some tall ash trees that were very close to the power lines. I did not see them doing any exercises, but could tell that their clothing was pretty specific to the weather that day.