I’m starting my own tree felling and branch trimming op. To see something like this is infinitely valuable and it truly takes a man of powerful courage to let this video show. I admire you guys. I can’t wait to have a crew as solid as you all are.
As a tree guy, I'm behind you and back you up. Be safe. Mistakes happen. Don't rush ever. Always go safety first and know when to say I don't know. Your customers will wait for you to do a little research. Best of luck my friend. WIC tree services in Kelowna.
I love this video. I love how you're open about your faith, and you're humble enough to point to your own mistakes so that we can all learn more. Man, every climber makes mistakes from time to time, but few climbers broadcast them as learning experiences to be shared! But judging from you and your crew's professionalism, I can learn a lot from you guys.
Everyone/every team has those kind of days and if they say they don't, they're lying. Glad no one was hurt, other than Damien's pride, but August, you handled that better than most bosses would've. Especially after getting drug around like a rag doll. The most important thing to remember is those days like that are temporary, and better days are right around the corner.
Haha if it was meant to be a shitty one nothing gonna stop it from stealing the show. Mr August and for Damien__ well thanks for dessert..;) he definitely topped the day. 😆. I think i seen him lil melting into that tree..lol
I dont think better shoes would have helped much either, looks like he stepped on a pile of leaves and small branches and they acted as wheels so he lost traction. He had some balls to hold onto it like that, I think many would have just let go when it started getting sketcy.
You're more dedicated than I would have been to stopping that drop. Once I saw I lost the battle and there was going to be damage no matter what, free fall that thing. Personal safety is more important that property safety :)
Yup, you get them in all professions too. You need to learn when to recognise that in your own work, as well as learn to recognise when your teammates are struggling too. You can get past it, but you need to be aware of your own limitations. Sometimes you just need to take a step back from the situation and think before you carry on. Being hit with a major issue like that sucks, but there will be better days
Four years ago we lost a friend. The 4wd bucket truck was out with a mechanical failure. The principal climber was on another job (with me) while the rest of the crew did a job with the company owner that they would rather have had the 4wd bucket truck for. Other hasty decisions followed that resulted in a 50' fall. I think one of the pivotal differences between what happened in your video and what happened to us occurred between when Damian turned off that camera and the first pick came off the tree. I think you recognized that there was a "chain of failure" and took hold of the situation to break that chain. If all crew leaders had the loving concern you have for your crew and the ability to recognize these "failure chains", I believe industry statistics would be more positive. Accidents and mishaps do happen, but it is the actions we all take when we see smaller things occur that prevent tragedies. Watching your videos over the years and seeing your management style has helped me to recognize this "chain" earlier. Thank you for sharing your the non-superhero parts of your footage. Your crew is very blessed to have you.. the arborist Community as well.
The Domino effect of one thing leading to another is capable of happening anytime. We live and learn in every trade . I’m sure professional worker’s like your team learn super fast from any incidents, as the video shows. Super work amongst the cables and property.👍 🌲.
when it rains... it pours....and your point about team morale is the most important part of this video for me...sometimes as a leader I can forget that my response to a situation can impact how a teammate carries out the rest of their day...thanks for sharing *build your team so strong, nobody knows who the leader is *....be safe gentlemen
Dang!!! I know EXACTLY how that feels..... 😫 .....when I make the cut and expect the rope to catch the piece and just watch it freefall down and crush the deck railing. 😫😫😫 The home owners were amazingly cool about it. I repaired it better than it was originally made and they were super happy. 😎👊 Thanks for sharing that August(and crew), I really appreciate seeing I'm not the only one to completely forget to tie off/hook on the piece I'm cutting. Hey August, hope that elbow heals up fast and fully. 👍 Keep yourselves safe! Randy
Anyone that's done this job long enough knows that keeping your focus on a day like this is hard, it's easy to get off balance but hard to get your head back in the game. I appreciate videos of when things go wrong, they're actually some of the only videos I watch, they teach you more than videos that go well, So thanks for posting. One comment on safety, not a single person has their helmet clipped, not the climber nor the ground crew, which is why your helmet fell off when you fell. This is lazy and very dangerous. If anything goes wrong you almost might as well not be wearing it. I was very surprised that such a top end crew wouldn't be a little safer.
I have felt like that, as a matter of fact, more than once. Nice work bringing it back around, gentleman. That's probably the most action the ol' fence has seen in a while.
I've known a number of Top Shelf Tree Outfits over my time in the trees. Everyone of them & I'm including my own crew, have had days when Murphy's Law blind sides us and bites us in the ass.... even when we're paying attention. Hard sometimes to "suckback & reload". Really relieved you guys "pulled out of the crash dive" and recovered. Sign of a true professional. My sympathies for your injury. Done that enough times over the decades that my feet stay on the ground these days and I'm strictly "the company safety overwatch" now. 👍👍👍
I honestly did the same thing damien did with a top on a pondo.. after speed lining all the veg towards back yard the first top piece out of the 3 pieces I forgot to put a sling on. Only thing different is my piece went straight through a roof!! Thank God is didn't end up in the living room of the house. It stopped by hitting a truss and broke through 1 sheet of plywood. The home owners wife was in the kitchen and from about 90 feet all I heard was a scream. My heart dropped. I was so angry and disappointed in myself. Even the homeowner was like "dude.. everyone and everything is ok. Your going to fix it! Nobody is hurt and sh*t happens." Im grateful I framed for 5 years after high school. I called my old boss and he was there before I finished chunking down the stem. Long story short.. home owner has called us back 3 more times for more tree work and more importantly I triple check for the slings. Staying focused on the task in hand and staying humble has did me well sense! You are a beast damien! Don't let it get to you. Practice doesn't make perfect because we're human. Practice makes permanent!!
I can tell you are one hell of a good boss and a probably an even better man. 👏🇺🇸 Those kids are really lucky to be working with you and I’m sure what you’re investing in them with your time and knowledge will pay big dividends down the road. Wishing you guys the best. 👍
I'm glad everyone is okey and I know the feeling of 💩 happening we never stop learning in this industry. Seeing you go down like that was like watching chuck Norris going down .Its no Supposed to happen 😬😬. 😮😮thanks for sharing
We all go through it from time to time. You guys are smart to be able to recognize it and fortunate enough to have filmed it so you can identify and learn from it. I love watching your videos, thanks so much for being humble and sharing all of your great footage and knowledge with the community! Stay safe and enjoy the warmer weather to come! -Ronnie Olympia Tree Care
That's a tough day at the office. Thanks to your good informational videos I'm able to accurately hinge cut some good trees about to fall on friend's homes and pull them over with compensation (using a long cable to my F250 run thru a large anchor pulley). Anytime a tree requires another person for help, both people have to be completely synchronized and focused on exactly what's happening in the moment to make the drop 100% correct.! Please be safe and keep these video's coming. Thank you.
Its wild how a small mistake can effect so much. I've been there brother....make a small mistake, stress over it, & it's hard to not think about it. That's when another mistake ends up happening, because the mind is 9n the original mishap. It happens to the best of us, & it's simply a learning experience. Now, I usually stop when a mistake is made. Come down, discuss it, & explain how it could effect the rest of the job if we dont focus 100% afterward. It's hard to forget, but you have to. Our daily tasks require full focus & attention. Really hope you are ok August, & I hope damien doesnt beat himself up over this. Like I said before.....it happens to the best, & this video proves that! You guys are the best, & I really appreciate how you uploaded this as a learning experience for us all! STAY SAFE
Came here to say the same. On a high-performing team, the mistakes can compound because everyone is consciously or subconsciously dwelling on the last one and not fully focused on the task at hand. I've found a fast stop, what-happened/what-should-have-happened discussion and back to work often clears the air and resets people's thinking. Especially important when you have a guy up a tree wondering how bad he hurt the boss, is the boss pissed, etc. Overall, great video on communication and how fast it can go sideways, even with a high-performing and motivated team. Thanks for this!
Just subbed, August hunickle always in my recommended hadn’t ever watched before, very professional in both camera and contract aspect #likeaboss for taking responsibility and showcasing what happens not what can happen
I appreciate the wisdom we learn from each others' mistakes... thanks for posting yours! As a newer tree feller, I recently disabled my boom lift for a few weeks and cost myself thousands because of a shortcut on an "easy branch". I knew better but didn't put pull a rope on it. It fell on the tip of the branch which didn't snap off, then the heavy end was still in the air and fell toward and against the boom lift. I'm still kicking myself. Thanks again for showing me that mistakes happen, even to the best of us. Never get complacent - no matter how experienced you are!
Thanks for sharing this. As a climber with two years in I can tell you that I’ve experienced a few days like this, when communication falters and tempers flare, it disrupts your climbing and it’s something I find not enough other climbers talk about, keeping a cool and level calm is vital in our profession and position. We have our own and our crews lives in our hands daily, mistakes are made but have to be forgiven on the spot. Anyways, I appreciate the honesty in this video, it’s not fun to flaunt your flaws. Peace, climb safe, climb calm
Nice incite from a pro newcomer with proper perspective! How well you regroup may be the most important factor. Reflect on mistakes together and touch base with all to regroup. You must coach as a leader, not just present expectations. This is serious philisophical method that must permiate the team.
Well said. I've known for a long time that i am much more prone to mistakes when I hurry instead of working methodically, and even knowing that there are times I slip into a rush. Just had another reminder today. Though the consequences were relatively small, it was a stupid mistake born of being in a hurry.
May I humbly point out that you need to buckle your helmets. Everyone of you. Yeah, I get it, it’s super cool to go without the buckles but a long coma due to head injury is not fun. I have the same helmet as you and buckle up even when I’m bucking wood. Said with a lot of respect.
Been watching your videos for a while now August. Understanding that bad days will happen.... Something no one wants to admit. Damien is a great monkeybeaver. Hurts me to see him free fall that top and hardcore regret it. Putting your heart on your sleeve takes a noble sacrifice and I I appreciate you and your crew. At 29 I got in a tree for the first time. I am inspired! My friend who is a pro/commercial climber mentored me... He has your saddle! PURE coincidence. I found you on my own! I talked about your 40ft fall experience with him yesterday right before my first climb. I am a former EMT and current unemployed NURSE looking to work. You have given me the confidence to climb by exposing your experiences and educating people from what you have learned. Now it is my turn to keep trusting the gear. Hoping to get your saddle as my first so I can share your experiences with others and keep you in the back of my head every time I climb to keep me thinking safe.
You're more dedicated than I would have been to stopping that drop. Once I saw I lost the battle and there was going to be damage no matter what, free fall that thing. Personal safety is more important that property safety :)
@@danielbabcock7004 I tore a ligament in my arm. Couldn't reach up to touch my own shoulder, hurt like hell. I cringed though when I saw him fall on his back. Hitting your tailbone hurts like hell
Thank you for sharing that video! Gutsy and I respect you more for it. I love to see your wheels turn and identify what was at play so it didn’t happen again. Some days we need more Grace then others.
Difficult to get started and on song when tech issues slow the job badly. I tend to have my Protos unbuckled and the back clip loose on the occasions I'm on the ground, as my neck aches constantly looking up. Having seen you go down I reckon I'll be buckling up in future. Nice job guys. Horrible feeling for some time when a job has gone a wee bit wrong, but you're still made for this. Climb safe, August and team.
Of course this sort of thing happens to everyone. They call it "comes in threes." Miscommunication to accidents to distraction to other errors like falling domino's. As they say, they come in threes but because you guys kept cool and chilled for a moment, that likely eliminated the third. You guys are a cool team!
Watched you do many jobs. Your team has always impressed with their care, attention to detail, and professionalism. Just drives home that mistakes can happen to anyone, and they can compound. Makes me thankful that when I screw up, it usually means nothing more serious than embarrassment and wasted time. My job doesn't lend itself to causing serious injury or property damage to those around me.
I’ve been there man. That’s a real feeling, which I felt just watching. Someone gets hurt and everything goes to crap from there. Did you consider pulling Damien off the tree for a minute and have a safety regroup/break? I’ve found that it helps sometimes to make sure all players have their head on straight before going back in.
I was thinking the same. Things going wrong can have a cascading effect, and taking a break / pause to regroup oneself and the team can help interrupt that.
moments like the first time needs a good team talk just to set the good tone of the work again.Sometimes things happen just to remind us that you can never be too careful and communication is super important.
August you guys are amazing. I grew up in logging on Vancouver island as a mechanic. I have a deep appreciation for fallers and arborists. You do the best job of showing how difficult everyday life can be. I love that you guys can see the humor.
I appreciate coming across this. I hate those kinds of days, but they happen sometimes. It's hard to keep a level head when they do. Makes you feel like you never should have headed out to begin with. Thanks for the humility and sharing.
No one died or cutoff an arm or leg or had that tree top land on their head. You guys do some dangerous work. People make mistakes sometimes. I'm glad you are all okay. :-)
Thank you for letting us see this day in the life of your crew and you. You all are blessings. And your old English teacher ain't so bad either. (From this old English teacher)
I’ve been an iron worker 13 years... gotta say that you tree guys are on a whole different level , mistake happen sometimes.. but to see how you all keep it together mentally is seriously impressive
I really liked this one! Well done!! Unfortunately some of the best lessons I have learned, have been from some of the mistakes I have made...😕 Great video August!😁
Awesome video August! I like when you make videos like this, it makes me feel better about the mistakes I make, We all make mistakes. I sent a massive rock through a window at an old folks complex and into the drywall. Shit happens but we just keep moving forward. Stay safe 👊
Always love watching your videos! You never hope to have a day like that but they do happen. I commend you and your team on how positive and calm you all were. You will get a lot of guys in this industry that will just blow up and be negative for the rest of the day. I am not sure if someone has already made a comment but I noticed that your helmet came off when you landed. I know its a Protos and they stay on really well without having to do the chin strap up but imagine if you had a double whip lash you could've cracked your head on the concrete or something.....you just never know, that situation could've been a lot worse. Just thinking out loud and looking out for fellow tree guys!! :)
Thanks for sharing this August. Weird how we gotta pay our dues on occasion. I hope you elbow ended up ok. Damians mishap reminds me of a crane job I did where setting up the first pick I was so focused on the tree and the crane that I threw my rope bag down and a smashed threw the roof of a glass green house that I knew was there. I was all stressed the rest of the job and at the end when I talked to the home owner about she said “it’s ok I don’t used it anymore and am going to take it down”. Nice when homeowner are understanding like that. You and your team are a great group of guys. By the way I should mention that I have been following on RU-vid you since octoberish of 2014. I started out doing a lot of smaller trees and a ton of palms in Arizona and took a job with a company in Maryland in 2014 that did nothing but farely large removals. The first tree was nothing I was used too and I got overwhelmed and lost in the tree and the crew was expecting me to just slay and didn’t want to help me out at all. I did finish that tree but I went home that night with a strong determination to find help online when I came across your videos. Though at the time your video weren’t all that verbal but just watching and studying your moves maybe me competent enough to be of value to the crew. I had also found Laurence Shultz and Reg Coates and watched all three of you over and over again every night after work. Lot of words there. Geese. Anyway, Thank you and cheers.
Every job has it's ins and outs. Your work on my Sycamore on March 9th was uneventful. The trimming went well and the tree is beautiful. Thanks for the expertise of your crew. Thank you.
After an initial incident a second one often follows as guys have lost the train of though. It's always good to regroup and run a check list. I was wondering why zip cord line didn't run through a snatch block and then thought it's only for light stuff and then you went for a tumble. But hey we learn from most of our mistakes, the big ones the lesson isn't needed anyway!!!!!
Hi, I haven't watched this video get but I found your site this morning and watched a couple of earlier ones. What a great job you guys do!! Wanted to say that before I forgot. Really good. You're what I'll measure other arborists by. Keep on.
Looks like the same sole as on the evos. My spur stays in place no problem, unlike the clip'n'step, which can't hold a spur at all. Not very supportive though, I can only be spurs only with the evos for an hour or so.......totally unrelated to my weight at the moment lol
@@AugustHunicke Not sure what it is about old spurs, yet to find any better though. Brand new sets of steins and edelrid spurs sit untouched, my bashlins are old as crap, still the comfiest though 👍
Human ya TS sent me the steins a long while back but couldn’t hang with the tame anti-gaff-out angle all the new ones have. Mine I bought from a retired old man when I was 26. Old buckinghams.
@@AugustHunicke I wear bashlin aluminium spurs & they work just fine with your standard safety boot size heel, the bashlins have a really wide foot plate that's super comfortable, combined with Buckingham top wraps & Velcro bottom straps they lock in real nice & are by far the most comfortable I've worn, far more comfortable than any Buckingham spurs I've ever worn..
Thank you for showing the rest of us that even great guys and companies have bad days. Sometimes it is hard keeping everyone up. I know I have had those days. I look to you for how to run my company, keep up the good work.
What a frustrating day August, I’m so thankful no one was hurt worse. You guys rock! It really shows a great team when you all finish the day. Things do happen.😘
The first video I watched of @ August Hunicke I thought he was a Jack %ss because he had fake teeth in and was acting dumb. I did not watch anything of his for a very long time (I would just pass his videos on RU-vid) until the next video I stumbled onto that was about safety. Funny how life works out. I think he talks about safety more than all the other RU-vidrs) This is a very good thing. I grew-up in this industry and have seen a lot of blood AKA injuries.
@@AugustHunicke I see...Brother I am glad you are making these videos. I think I am just now realizing the value in them. (You have a way of getting people to think about this industry) For me it was always the background I grew up in and worked in. Thank You.
Glad everyone is ok!! ----- As a team leader, I feel the best course post incident is to take all parties out of their environment and huddle up for a review and pep-talk, then restart (like half time, taking the team off the field for clear communication). What happened, do we need to do anything different to ensure our normal course is sufficient, you guys are my best team, lets get back to it, etc. Get everyone's head right and "RESTART".
Shared this with my crew. A nice reminder that everyone needs to be held accountable for each others safety. If one person starts seeing things snowball, take a step back, reevaluate, execute. Thanks for sharing.
You guys do an awesome job of keeping your cool. A lot of the guys I work with would have lost it. Hats off to you for the calm, peaceable attitudes you all displayed
I've spent a big part of my life wishing I could completely and quietly evaporate! but I'm gettin' better :{), great vido because we all have those days, thanks for sharing, and August, thanks, Brother for giving God the Glory
Glad to see everyone is able to go home at the end of the day. I hope your elbow is doing better now. I would just like to say thanks for being real and up front with your work . Many trades have bad days. No real damage and all ended well. Keep up the great work.
I appreciate the vulnerability you displayed in this video. Weirdly comforting as we all have had shit days. Thanks for sharing yours. Good recovery. Again great content.
Everyone has had those days, but damn you guys handled like true professional and we are not perfect and never will be at least down here. You guys are awesome
Takes real courage and professionalism to perform your work so well. Posting a video of what can go wrong speaks highly of your character. Stay safe out there.
I think any man/woman that do any sort of construction can relate to incidents such as this. A good Foreman does not bash, make fun of or belittle members of his/her crew but takes the time to acknowledge the problem and communicate. Thats exactly what you guys did. Great work. New Sub 👊
Dude I feel your pain, and I feel all anxious and uncomfortable now watching this lol 😂 but yes pull it back together and keep on going !!! Love you guys !!
Nobody move, nobody gets hurt😎. The butterfly effect of grace was in full motion on that jobsite. Your willingness to be this transparent is a training tool and building block of professionalism. Attitude is everything out here you kept the peace and you're family calmly moving forward. Count the blessings in this video and keep sharpening iron. I appreciate all you've done to further our industry.
Just stumbled on the channel.. This about the 4th or 5th video I've watched. Good stuff. I just wanted to send kudos to the boss man for his "I guess that's a good spot" comment after Damien tipped that piece untied. Good boss. No need to rub it in.. Things aren't done intentionally. Lot of boss's out there would have made things worse by grinding on a good worker as if they themselves never make mistakes. Good 'team' psychology. Good 'team'.
I've got more respect for you than ever, to be such a humble boss, knowing not only that mistakes happen but understanding why they happen & how it makes everyone feel, keeps a tough situation from getting so much worse. Also helps when guy's who make mistakes care about not making them again, I've seen too many guy's that don't, like yes S happens, but doesn't have to keep happening.
