Conquering Fear: How I Stay Calm on a Tall, Dead, Tree.

[@batmantiss]

When it comes to the sketchy bad ones, I have to tell myself, "all the wind and rain and snow hasn't knocked it down yet, I should be okay" then I ask God to take it easy on me.

[@pwaterdu]

Yes and yes on both accounts! I ask myself too. What happened in the last wind event? And is it just hanging there by a thread? Another prayer needed. Seen some fail hours or even days after a storm with seeming little provocation. Scetchy biz were in for sure. Glad to be retired sometimes for this reason.

[@axeandtimber4650]

Amen to that brother.

[@Billster1955]

I feel the same. I'm still climbing at 69.

[@batmantiss]

@Billster1955 you're the MAN

[@martinduncan2639]

Dead trees fall suddenly with no wind or rain all the time. I lived in an unmanaged pine forest for about a month once. Every day, you'd hear 1 or 2 come crashing down at random times. The fact that it's still standing is not a good way to judge it lol.

[@VeteranTreeService]

It's hard to explain or describe (and tell me if I'm alone here) but, even after we have prepared the dead top as best as we can, I mean we've really tilted all the odds of a successful outcome in our favor, there is still a thought in our head, this might be how I go. Let me make sure my camera is recording just in case. The fact of the matter is, this job is super dangerous, and we know there's always a chance something goes wrong, and we accept that before we make the back cut. Thanks for the video August.

[@AugustHunicke]

I suppose it’s dangerous yes but just so you know, I was making sure the camera was on so that it would record the success after all the explanation. 😁

[@VeteranTreeService]

@AugustHunicke 👍

[@AdventureAwaits1111]

​@@AugustHunicke I am not "afraid of heights", I am not afraid of falling....i am afraid of the landing! It takes a special breed of human to do what you do, that was a TALL DEAD pine! Stay safe brother.

[@Billster1955]

I often lose sleep overthinking a tree job the night before. Studying a photo of tomorrows tree job also makes me worry because they usually make things look worse than they really are. It's always good to watch you work August. I've been following you four years now and have had my tree business for three years. I'm 69 years young now and love climbing. I also love my lil Echo DCS2500T. Mine has never acted up, but I also don't work in the rain. Keep up the great work, young buck. God bless you and protect you.

[@axeandtimber4650]

Ive been watching August and others for 8 years or more I bet. Hes trained me so much over the years and I still learn from all the videos he puts out. Each one is a blessing! The best thing I've done to thank him is by ordering a monkey beaver saddle, but some day I'd like to shake his hand and say thank you.

[@DM-rp7ps]

Did that and it was worth the 5-1/2 hour drive each way. Quite an honor to meet the A-team, MB staff and purchase accessories for my MB saddle. They are genuine good folks in person too.

[@stihluser9936]

I couldn't agree more just watching his videos has taught me a lot

[@br-dj2ti]

I wish I wish I could have been trained by you so much knowledge you have it's unbelievable I never had a trainer when I started out in tree work I guess a little bit I work for a company I had a foreman we were very busy though so he showed me the basic things that company shut down I went to a different company my buddy was the foreman he passed away about 8 months later and a bucket truck accident at the company that I work for and then I was thrown into his position I learned pretty much everything on my own I am decent today I am good I've been cutting for a long time climbing for a long time just to have somebody like you with your knowledge next to me would have been absolutely so comforting amazing God bless

[@bradcordle7743]

After working all day in a lift and climbing while cutting for a crane there is nothing I love more than to come home, shower and eat then crawl in bed and watch August and Reg videos. Great work sir. Be safe out there.

[@brianfloyd8033]

I'm tense as heck watching this video! I have to tell myself he's ok cuz I'm watching the video..lol I'm glad I get to watch

[@tonypane6682]

I was feeling the same way! Lol.

[@johndoe-lr9if]

Yeah that's what I figured, he must have survived because the video got put up

[@herbertbates4655]

You are a brave man, August. Been watching for a few years now, and this is the sketchiest tree I've seen you on. I climbed rocks and ice for years, and I totally agree with your remarks about "stress" and being deliberate. I could do that on rock, but never learned to calm my mind on ice.

[@ddalton692]

👍 That Echo has a "crazy mind" of it's own. Intersting how Echo will respond to this. I enjoy listening to your thoughts and the editing in of other videos into this one. Your video "Extreme Hazard Tree" standing inside the rotten tree cavity was unnerving, but you put a few videos out recently that my muscles get tensed up just watching you "get to" climb. Love ya ❤

[@h.i.m.dishonmaurice2599]

I continue to love you, August. I feel like I learn from you in every video. Thank you for being you.

[@br-dj2ti]

You were killing those rope shots today geez absolutely accurate amazing God bless

[@m2rsvp]

Love y'all right back and the gift of "aloftness" that you get to give. Great video!

[@kingslew1866]

Nicely done August! Stay safe! Thanks for the video... 🙃

[@tygertyger8597]

August, I think I just aged 30 years while watching this video! WOW! Good point about staying focused on the task right in front of you while not letting thoughts of the entire job blowup in your mind and making for a much harder job. This made me think of the origin of the verb "to worry". It comes from Germanic by way of Old English (wyrgan) which means to strangle, which fits pretty well with what worry can do to peace of mind. It changed over time to the modern sense of being troubled or anxious. Yeah, I would put this job you did in the category of Zen in the Art of Dead Tree Removal and coming out alive. Great video.

[@trackfun1]

The slow mo at the end was incredible!! I have replayed it multiple times.

[@robinelston5966]

Glad you're safe, nice work! Headed to Louisiana tomorrow, going to eyeball a lightning struck pine on the corner of our yard that's been threatening a beautiful red oak. I may top it if my bad knee agrees with spurs. Thanks for sharing, blessings, stay safe! Edit: BTW I get to apply a bit of the vast wealth of knowledge you have been sharing over the years, you certainly have a gift for teaching, thanks again.

[@windsorfilmz7285]

Love the video and the talk throughs. keep at them august.

[@willtricks9432]

I read Dune as a youth, Fear is the Mind Killer. Before I climbed Trees for money, I climbed Mountains for fun and worked with my Dad climbing on Big trucks and running a crane. As long as you know your kit is good then judge the wood as you climb. Thanks for your insight.

[@harrygreen6935]

August we love you too brother. Hands got sweaty watching this one whew, great job!

[@PDAUSRC]

Yes you would expect battery chainsaws, especially professional top handles to have waterproof battery terminals and switches to avoid shorts that might cause unexpected running or continuing to run with switch off😮. Definitely worth mentioning to the Echo dealer.

[@rhondasweeney7271]

This tree was so bad. I was surprised that it didn't send you flying. You have great art. Keep up the great work, and thank you for sharing 👌 😊

[@timgrant1796]

It always helps me to cut more than my weight off as I go. These days, I like tying off to the adjacent good wood. If I had your level of experience, I would probably have a better feel for what will hold. It's always a pleasure to watch you work. It has helped my climbing tremendously. Thanks again.

[@johndurant8687]

I love you too Brother! Thank you for the inspiration, and God Bless You!

[@alotl1kevegas860]

The newer batteries won't charge if they're completely dead. You can use another battery and jump start it, to give it a little charge. Then it should take a charge on the charger.

[@Tmbrwlkr1]

I have been enjoying your videos for years. You are not only a master climber, but also timber faller. Yet, you never use a Sizwheel. I would love to hear your thoughts. Keep climbing safely.

[@havespurswillclimb]

Enjoyed this video. Especially enjoyed your talk while working the tree. I understood every work. I took down a similar pine a couple weeks ago. It was dead but pretty solid to climb. My lanyard flips started shaking the spar at about the 30' mark and became more pronounced as I moved up the tree. I was relegated to using my climb line to move up and relocating my lanyard up manually....kind like crawling up. The tree turned punky three quarters of the way up, with my spurs sinking deep. I could not reach the spot I had intended to drop the top at....just too punky and too much movement. So, I had to take a bigger top. Thankfully I had plenty of room to drop it. I did use a wide-open face cut....but not quite wide and deep enough as I did get rocked a little (and even that little movement sent a chill down my spine and a lump in my throat). I limbed and topped the tree with my Echo DCS2500 (so light and well-balanced). Then I chunked with my 540XP. Appreciate you taking us along on this scary climb. Thanks.

[@TreeBuds]

--- Please like comment if you agree --- This one had me stressed in my seat. As a tree guy myself I know how sketchy this was " noticing a hinge point mid tree". Great job as usual. (maybe start to avoid these trees, your family needs you). Maybe force a fell in a direction that may harm other trees, driveways , walkways , sheds etc. Explain to customer why you must do this or rent a taller crane and hang or piece it out. You mean a lot to a lot of people.

[@GreenMntnFred]

I've been climbing for 12 years so not nearly as long as you but I can relate to your little speech there right before you sent that top. Once the monkey brain starts screaming in my head that I'm going to die I just concentrate on the literal task at hand. Advancing my line. Getting in good working position. Checking my gear. I love watching your videos when you're just bullshiting while you're working cause it lines up a lot with my inner dialogue while I'm working.

[@rickdebacker100]

That was harrowing to watch. You are the GOAT for sure.

[@jaydee6361]

August, you're the best. I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart. I wish I could come work with you for a weekend even. Don't stop this youtube stuff!

[@KolbeKamm]

Was in some tall dead ash trees today, luckily was able to tie into a neighboring red oak tree and rigged out of the oak as well. Been watching since I’ve discovered tree work 7 years ago and I’ve learned a good bit from your videos thank you for putting out good and informative content. My Mb 2.0 should be on its way now can’t wait to give that a try anyways thanks

[@lorriedmussett4692]

Are you uploading at 1 am? I'm off to work and saw your post...I love a li' Monkey Beaver with my coffee😊....

[@MikeBrooks12550]

Hey August! Awesome job on a sketchy tree! Thanks for taking us along and talking us through your approach. I learned a while back working at heights on roofs etc. That you've gotta focus on the task and not everything that can go wrong. Deliberate movements, purposeful process, etc. Good stuff!

[@ClimberinChrist]

Love ya too brother. God bless.

[@jacobwilson3316]

Love you too! Thanks for the wonderful content! “I get to”

[@CherokeeJackson]

Thanks for the videos August! I’m always here but I don’t comment but man these heights make my stomach jump! You guys have nuts the size of bowling balls made out of brass!!! Be safe bud!

[@spijkerpoes]

Respect I feel it in my thigh muscles as you describe that feeling of "no, I don't want to get to visit this place". (whoo, that's soft) Very well explained. Besides, nice example of a granary tree with the acorns stored up there in the high pucker factor area.

[@hershelshochter4703]

if it's under warranty send the chainsaw in, if not get some contact cleaner and properly hose down all connectors and the pcb inside. make sure all moisture gets pushed out, blast it with compressed air afterwards. spray contact cleaner inside the various switches and contacts, the sooner the better

[@coilstreeservice9398]

Oh it makes perfect sense Brother... That fear will wear you out fast!

[@brianbostock1698]

Well, my stomach is back where it belongs, now you are back on the ground. Awesome work

[@GuyFawkes-u8q]

Thanks for another great video, August.

[@nate2838]

Hey August, just got my new leg pads for my NT Onyx. Your team is great to work with.

[@SctyGrpPowers]

I like the "get to" idea. I'm going to use it. It is much more uplifting and positive!

[@jonathanreynik106]

We love you to brother. Stay safe.

[@danieladam86]

Thanks for the view up top, appreciated. Once in my life I'd like to experience that myself.

[@Kaizen747]

love u dude, nice job, awesome control taking down that canopy

[@chichitex1252]

Thanks for great, beautiful video! Love to you and yours back at ya!❤❤❤

[@richardmorse1273]

Whew!😢🫣 Thanks for sharing August 🤓👍

[@dakotaellingson7488]

I was “fearless “ then I had a daughter last year and everything changed. It took me so long to get comfortable in a tree or a bucket. It was the craziest thing

[@ganaelschneider]

I am 3 months into this now and I can relate to what you are saying about your younger self. I'm pretty terrified up there!

[@rickstafford5316]

Sketch-o-Rama at the top. Glad you got to do your part on that tree. Nice work

[@br-dj2ti]

And I could still learn so much from you as I do from your videos

[@Zebracat5]

Loved the Video August. I have many of these Water soaked Pines to deal with,and I'd be lying if I said their not scary. Liked the talk on focusing on the Job at Hand,and keeping yourself relaxed to conserve energy. Jerry's Book is something I'm very thankful for as well.

[@alfadoofus]

Thanks for looking around .👍

[@markdederick1953]

Great vid brother.

[@carolgadles7045]

Your skills are amazing, we love you too ❤️

[@Riverguide33]

Nice vid, August! Illustrating good points from Beranek’s book on tree work. Thank you. 👍

[@jeffharvey6768]

Good job August.... love your detail oriented approach.

[@bradywatcherson498]

I mean it looked sketchy going up for sure, but when you got to the shotgun blast of acorns......😳🤯. Nicely done.

[@br-dj2ti]

Great job August that thing was definitely crispy God bless stay safe

[@davidsdiscoveries2835]

My echo was doing the same thing. Just purchased one of the new panther bars for it from you! Looking forward to using it.

[@mischief985]

Thank you for another great video, I hope too meet you one day! Have a blessed week.

[@zedhead2864]

Dang. I was shaking as bad as you just watching this. Stress management? I would have managed that by NOT going up that tree. Hat off to you Mr. Hunicke

[@johnmcclelland5265]

You scare the hell out of me. Great video

[@kyledisch4034]

another butterfinger of a pine bite the dust, awesome job august

[@kennyrmurray]

I don’t do this for a living. I have 2 tall pines similar to the one you’re in that I was supposed to take down on my property in upstate NY last month. I didn’t get to go because my daughter was in a car accident a couple days before our last trip ( her truck is totaled and she’s not hurt) I stayed home to help her get a new car. Anyway they have a slight lean towards my cabin and I’m worried about the snow and ice. I’ve been putting it off a few years now. In the spring I definitely have to get my ass up there before I go up one year to a pancake of a cabin full of rain and animals. Thank god theyre not as dead as the one you’re in. You have a set of balls! Luckily they’re not heavy enough to break that thing

[@TerrellWillams]

Great job as usual. I love you too.

[@treeboss5626]

All the top toppers in battery world! Nice!

[@jakubhostinsky4482]

We love you too :-)

[@annaburke5781]

We love you thank you and bless you

[@cotydenise]

Love it, and live you too.

[@KeithCooper-sj4kq]

Duude we love y’all too!!

[@TheTimmehtimmeh]

Amazing to see all the acorns in the holes despite the situation…which also relate to doing in my kings as well. Slowly feeling it as I go.

[@goodearthtreecarellc8467]

Really nice job with this tree, and I appreciated your mention of ways to calm yourself. Definitely looked like a few “butt pucker” moments up there. We don’t deal with a lot of tall pines out here in Michigan. Our big trees are usually oak. What kind of boots were you wearing, cowboy boots? Is that something you prefer to wear with spikes?

[@br-dj2ti]

We love you August

[@josephlowden2794]

You are the GOAT.

[@madamecampsalot6384]

Wow, just wow!

[@Zogg1281]

I'm just watching you crawling up that tree and using your hands so you don't have to lean back into your flip line...... and I had an interesting thought. I wonder how well ice axes would work in a tree??? Think of them as climbing spikes for your hands. If they worked in wood, you'd be able to get a feel for the wood above you by seeing how deep they sink into the wood. They'd also give you something really positive to hold onto when there aren't any convenient branches. You wouldn't have to rely on your flip line for support while you advance your feet, and they can also be attached to your harness if you needed them to bear some weight so your hands can be doing other things. 🤔 Also, I love seeing all those woodpecker holes filled with acorns. Poor squirrels have waisted their time cashing them in that tree because it won't be there in the winter 😂

[@iToy80]

It is painful to watch, but impossible not to 😮 I am scared for your safety, but have realized you kind of know what you are doing 😉 Fun and educational as always 👌

[@1011-s7d]

Fear is a product of thought.....

[@JoshR-k9q]

Fear is a survival 'instinct'. It urges caution. Fearless is for idiots. It leads to overconfidence and complacency.

[@1011-s7d]

@@JoshR-k9qNo, fear is a reaction to stimuli. You see a lion and your body enters a stress response, increased heart rate, increased breathing, increased muscle strength, narrowed and focused attention, and a lower cognition rate. These are a result of stress hormones being released in your system. If it was instinct a baby would have fear, a baby reacts to a stimuli.....e.g. no food, loud noises, etc. Notice when something happens that is life threatening, if you're trained you react through your training. No thinking, you see the way and you follow it. It's afterward when you think about it is when the fear arises, this is thought.

[@Arboristlifestyle]

"The wind hasn't taken it yet, I'll be okay" "One branch at a time"

[@LosMoney215]

Any sketchy palm or tree I do , I tell my self ( WHEN IN DOUBT, CLIMB IT OUT! )

[@macman231]

That woodpecker is gonna be soooo pissed....hahahaha.

[@AugustHunicke]

Yeah… true.

[@whaddup100]

When you are blowing out the top of a tree, you're supposed to leave 2-3 branches underneath the cut which will help to lessen the force when you cut the top out. Check out Matt Hamels tree rigging

[@AugustHunicke]

🙄 I’m familiar with dampening. I wasn’t rigging. If a top is close to breaking via a small un-rigged top, then it’d be no place to go dampened or not.

[@jasonfields9678]

Love bro

[@erlendgreulichfrontierbigw218]

Very little integrity in that stem left at the top…glad you’re safe. Love you back!

[@HiLineTree]

Did I forget to tell you that you cannot let it get wet? There is one small sentence in the owners manual that says to avoid getting it wet. Mine was a week old. Rain started. I came out of the tree and switched out saws. The next day… I tried to turn on the saw. Nope. Have to remove the battery and re-drop it in to use saw. And each time that it times out. Dealer said it was my fault for not seeing the warning in the manual.

[@arborsamurai]

Top notch rope flipping indeed!

[@arborsamurai]

Also I’m glad you get to correct Bob haha

[@Dolmar-Rick]

I had the same prob with mine. Used it when was like seriously wet day, battery board went pop. Would still run the saw but wouldn't charge. Though the saw would work with the bad battery afterwards, with my other battery the light would just flash. I took saw apart and left in house to dry. Been fine since, got a replacement battery from echo no mither. Mine never ran on like that. Maybe it needs drying out, also ive heard the huskys doing the same from getting wet. Also picked up the husky battery one the other day and thought christ it's heavy and thats without the battery 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@whaddup100]

Excellent video!

[@AugustHunicke]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheRooster1122]

AUGUST, Sorry but no way would, you see me up that high…!! Great take down friend..!!

[@PuskwaskaOutdoors]

On sketchy climbs I always tell my ground guy that the higher I get the bigger the drop zone looks…. He always disagrees and says climb higher… so I bought a spare harness and gaff’s just for him, his optimism has since improved 🤣

[@deniseanderson7895]

Another one down ..... Gotta love the sketchy ones . We need a comparison of the echo and milwaukee

[@mississippijohn1432]

I'll admit that I have definitely been there. Having a panic attack in the tree is the worst thing you can do. I learned to do just like you said. I knew I had to trust my experience and my training and just take it one step at a time. Great video and Stay safe homie

[@belowfray5251]

Dry it out in the switch area using a hair dryer . Let it get warm for an hour or so. No battery in it. Heat soak it.

[@nicholasmansbridge7795]

Having done my fair share of sketchy tree work, these days my MEWP threshold is way lower. So if I don’t like a tree, I just price in the machine and if I don’t get the job because someone else priced to climb it then so be it. Often on bigger jobs the pace you can work a tree with a MEWP makes it more cost effective anyway. I’m done risking my life for less pay than I deserve and hero points we never receive! 😂 Here in the UK we’ve all been doing a ton of ash dieback work and they can be really unpredictable, lots of guys have died so there’s been a rise in MEWP work over the last 6/7 years or so.

[@whaddup100]

Also, load test the tree before you climb it, pulling as hard as you can to tip the tree to test it for stability

[@zacharyvought5597]

Thanks for the panorama 😆

[@belowfray5251]

I have to work on my roof. Im lucky i have a roof to work on. Attitude of Gratitude

[@stuartstephens]

Excellent video as always. I'm wondering how tall was this tree? From the camera view it looked like it was about 500 feet. 🙂

[@AugustHunicke]

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