Tall Spruce Removal - Solo Climbing to Cleanup

[@chrispappas8447]

I also am a solo tree guy and I am so grateful for your channel. I enjoy watching guys like August Hunicke, however, I really appreciate your content because it’s exactly the problems that I am encountering. Seeing your approach/problem solving is extremely helpful. Keep it up and stay safe!

[@metaspencer]

Great to hear, man! I think there are a lot of great things about rolling solo, and of course some negatives. Stay safe and enjoy it out there buddy!

[@mightyconker3903]

Another here. Love the freedom. Reg Coates has some stuff about solo work

[@metaspencer]

@@mightyconker3903 Another solo guy! excellent

[@Billster1955]

I'm a solo tree guy too. Spencer's videos are extremely helpful.

[@homeprojectswithcarpenter460]

@@metaspencer I really enjoy your channel. I’m looking to get into tree work. Taken down a couple of large pines in my own yard (about 70’ each). Mostly solo work with my kids running a port-a-wrap. Just curious how you price your work. Do you mind sharing tips on how to get started on my own? I really have taken to the climbing and believe this could be a great side business. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks again for the great content!

[@johnsommerfeld6889]

I felt every bit of that, done it soo many times! I always dread the cleanup when I get back to the ground. We have similar ground crews! Great job!!

[@metaspencer]

Oh yeah … climb for 3 hours and clean up for two days :)

[@johnsommerfeld6889]

@@metaspencer Yeah, that's about it.

[@megadosevitaminc8774]

Haha. Same ground crew here. Lol. Its like there not even there. Haha..

[@johnsommerfeld6889]

@@megadosevitaminc8774 Yeah, always slacking off, and nowhere to be found!

[@AssafLevyIL]

You may say these are not how-to videos, but they're top quality how-to. I learn so much. Thank you

[@metaspencer]

Good to hear! thanks man

[@carlobernardi1387]

You are a trooper my friend 😄😄😄.my back was sore just watching you move all that wood...And yeah the Dingo wouldn't work so well there..

[@metaspencer]

That little Echo worked hard! It may earn a good cleaning this weekend :)

[@BRIDGEBURNERSTV]

Wow, that was very well done. Solo tree work is extremely difficult. I think a few of us started off doing jobs solo, at least some of the time (myself included), but you've tailored and evolved your business around the fact that you work alone. Taking away branches and logs is never fun; it's a hell of a lot of work. And every job is different; many are too hard to access with big machinery. So you innovate and come up with ways to get it done; that's a reason I etc this channel. It would be a lie to say everything is always perfect and goes according to plan; what matters is how we adapt. Again, that's why I'm here. I've also cramped up many many times, and also been dehydrated. I think you're wise to make the choices you made about when to stop and to pace yourself. I have more I could say but that's enough for today. Good job take care and I'll see you on the next one.

[@metaspencer]

Good hearing your thoughts and perspectives. A lot of tree guys move on from solo work to a bigger crew and more equipment, but I remain comfortable and happy rolling out solo. It means I can't take on every job, but the ones I do land keep me thinking and learning. Good hearing from ya man!

[@104silvae]

Great video. At the end when you were cutting down the stump where the tree spit the pieces looked like a heart! Very cool for maybe a little table or something. Also good for firewood haha

[@metaspencer]

I thought the same thing! I may have to make a table out of those pieces

[@104silvae]

@@metaspencer I would watch that!

[@hollandduck79]

Hello from the Netherlands and thanks for the video Spencer. Sincerely, Hollandduck

[@metaspencer]

Good to hear from ya buddy!

[@anthonygalipo9875]

Nice job Spencer 👏 solo guy killing it stay safe

[@metaspencer]

Thanks man :)

[@purryegbert8609]

You get a ton of work done in a day, I love it. I too work solo and I feel so good about accomplishing so much in a day. Keep rocking Meta!

[@metaspencer]

Yeah gotta keep at it out there! Good to hear from another solo person :)

[@havespurswillclimb]

Enjoyed the video. That was quite a job for one guy. Climber & Groundsman......you da man!

[@metaspencer]

Thanks man … it was a fun one

[@nhmountains5683]

Nice video Spencer. Funny you mentioned Greg. I just rewatched his 1989 Tour win on the last day. Time flies but, I’ll never forget that race.

[@metaspencer]

I was half wondering "Does anyone remember Greg Lemond?" I'll have to rewatch some highlights from those years! great rider on the time trials and the hills

[@opietaylor5778]

Wow! The little pulley system for the log dolly was smart. Nothing a little mechanical advantage can’t fix

[@metaspencer]

That was a fun part of the job -- one wrap on a nearby tree and that log cart wasn't running crazy all through town :)

[@williamrehberg2546]

"Better is better". Yet another Spencer "quote of wisdom"....🤣🤣🤣 I will say, that tree was a heck of a lot taller than I thought it was!

[@metaspencer]

Hahaha … absolutely. Yeah the dang tree might have grown while I was workin it :)

[@Billster1955]

I'm enjoying watching your videos during the winter months Spencer. Loved how you used a rope around a tree to lower your log wagon down a hill to the street. That cleanup was a lot of work. I also had lots of cramping muscles last summer.

[@metaspencer]

That job was right up against my exertion limits -- great to get it done, though. Thanks man

[@hansgruber7680]

Nice view from your office👍

[@metaspencer]

Absolutely ... nothing beats it :)

[@fibernymphdyeworks]

You have some skills, my dude! My arms were tired by the end of your job. LOL My husband and I are in the midst of taking down several dozen dead pines on our property, but most of those we can just drop and then cut up without too much fuss. The ones closest to the house are going to need additional assistance tho. Too much going on with those and we are rather fond of our roof and power lines. 🤣

[@metaspencer]

sounds like a big job! The ones where you can drop them in place are pretty satisfying: watch the tree go down in 5 minutes, then clean it up for 2 hours :) That property is gonna be nice and cleaned up!

[@southernrebel159]

I really enjoy your 'How You' videos brother. It's a shame your ground crew wasn't there to help today, lol, Y'all take care brother and YHVH bless.

[@metaspencer]

Thanks buddy

[@Clothis64]

Complicated operation perfectly mastered. It seems to be a very pretty city

[@metaspencer]

Thanks Val! Yeah it’s a nice lakeside town

[@UBO58]

Great video! May I ask you, how you are using your backpack in treework and what you are carrying?

[@metaspencer]

Water bag! Full of ice water just on the hottest days

[@UBO58]

@@metaspencer Wow, that was a very fast response! Thanks a lot!

[@lisak6321]

What a view! Still not over my fear of heights but I do enjoy the view. I was thinking "Metaspencer" creative thoughts about cleanup, conveyor belt or zip line. Of course with the zip line you do need a straight shot to the trailer but there are some narrow conveyor belts that could conceivably work. Wonder if Melissa is up for a little historical research on how woodsmen used to move timber in the old days, hmmm... I think I'll go searching, that would be interesting indeed. Have a great week Spencer!

[@metaspencer]

A zip line would have been grand on that one for sure! Melissa and her historical research never end :) gotta love it. :)

[@daveinky]

Alogorythyms finally revealed you to me and I LOVE this solo content. We're at the lunch break right now, ENJOY ! 😂 SUBSCRIBED 👍

[@metaspencer]

Algorithm power! Rest up … then back at it! Thanks man

[@jasonlaswell8982]

I know it’s taboo to talk about job prices, but it’s killing me to know! I’m at least $3k for that job. You, my friend, are a freaking beast! I’m solo also and I have the upmost respect for what you do. Nice editing and commentary. IMO Giving august and reg some serious competition on content.

[@metaspencer]

Wow, that's quite a compliment! Thanks for that. As for the price on the job, if memory serves, I think you're a bit low ... there are some things you might not have registered in the video: the size and height of the tree, the fact that it took coordination between three neighbors, and access to the tree was a real challenge given the hill and tight location. Basically, my impression is that no one else in the area would do the job so I was happy to take it on. Anyway, thanks for checking it out

[@joeshmo5399]

King of the snap cut:)

[@metaspencer]

Snap!

[@mikehunt2667]

Wow gday mate from Australia. Respect brother . I would never do all that on my own . Crane with a crew n chipper or crew n chipper . Look after yourself my friend . At least have someone with you . Too much like hard yacka otherwise. Loving your channel . Started on the throw canon and subbed . Pinching your screnchbiner too !

[@metaspencer]

Y'all have the BIG trees over there, and great country as far as I can tell. Never been but wanna visit! Thanks for checking out the channel man. As you know, I roll solo on the tree jobs and kinda like it that way :) Just my thing

[@mikehunt2667]

@@metaspencer Hey your very welcome to come over and say gday anytime . Just holla ! We got some beautiful country here as you do too . I love visiting other places and have a great appreciation for nature even though Im a tree killer / surgeon. You stay safe there my friend . Your doing something right for sure .Im just about at the end of my rope with injuries and old age n I get bloody grumpy dealing with bad crews sometimes so I can understand being on your own but hell you work hard . Glad I stumbled onto your channel . 👍🤙

[@bigtexguttersllc]

Excellent job, like always. So calm so high, you have super powers man.😊

[@metaspencer]

Thanks man! Yeah, it was a fun one ... but nice to have it done!

[@monkeylodgepanama474]

WAHOU!!! TO MUCH WORK FOR ONLY ONE GUY congratulation, very good job, impressive

[@metaspencer]

It was definitely a big one, but lots of cool memories from that job

[@valentinvogel5843]

very nice work. one small thing id add on spruce is sidecuts on the tops as they peel and that can mess up the direction quite bad. keep on working man :)

[@metaspencer]

good point man! those side cuts can be super important ... thanks for pointing it out

[@FollowerOfChrist589]

excellent video !! ...... pretty amazing to see that hole job done just one guy very impressive

[@metaspencer]

Gettin it done … thanks man

[@redoakpropertycarellc]

Great work!

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking it out ... definitely a fun and interesting job :)

[@JamesWilliams-vs2od]

U cut that tree down and hauled it all away in 1 day or did u have to go back the next day? That was a lot of work!!!

[@metaspencer]

3 days total ... one spent climbing, one on brush, and one on logs ... but I guess I was done by lunch on the third day. Phew! good stuff

[@scatoutdebutter]

Nice work! Well done video. may I ask what kind of wagon that is and how much weight it will hold?

[@metaspencer]

The gray cart is one of these and holds 1,000 lbs ... amzn.to/3TuciA1 ... I got it second hand, have abused it, and it keeps on kicking! great tool in my experience

[@stevestrees6553]

What do you use to edit? Great job! Also may look into a speed line kit?

[@metaspencer]

I just use iMovie ... haven't started using the high-end software yet. I have a DIY speed line kit that I made but don't do much solo speedlining

[@rickstafford5316]

Wow What a workout Stay safe

[@metaspencer]

Yep ... that one was exhausting for sure. The hill added to it for sure

[@psullivan40]

"Facilities on site" oh good one. Must be for your ground crew.

[@metaspencer]

Haha … absolutely

[@ianseamark1315]

Hi there from Ian the tree guy Australia. Love watching your work. I comment to you once . Anyway I laugh to myself you said your arms cramp up. I am 58. My arms do the same. More so when Ian very hot cutting trees. Try taking magnesium supplement. Helps me a lot. More the day after big jobs . From down under Regards Ian 🌲

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for the tip buddy! I'm 51 myself and haven't tried magnesium ... I'll see if I can find some. Great hearing from ya!

[@megadosevitaminc8774]

Nice work..

[@metaspencer]

Always nice to be out there ... ya know how it is

[@megadosevitaminc8774]

@@metaspencer . For sure. I have 5 100 foot reds and a fir I am working on in my spare time.

[@Finepinetreeservices]

Where do I get one of those carts and a that branch cart. Very slick

[@metaspencer]

Yeah it's a game changer. I made mine using a large hand truck for the base: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6rUm2WQqsh1qZI

[@redbeardtree1776]

“You my friend are free to go” you should make a shirt with that on it lol

[@metaspencer]

A shirt! Great idea man :)

[@billyword7428]

the hose might be too long it the tank. I always just shook the the crap out of the saw and the pickup would drop back into her gas

[@metaspencer]

I'll have to pull it apart and take a look ... thanks for the tip! Great saw in every other way up until that tree

[@erik30012]

great job! Carefull with using your arms as a branch swing, the shoulder does not like it in the end 💪

[@metaspencer]

Yeah I think the left arm might be longer than the right now :) Thanks man

[@jbbolts]

hey so did you figure out the issue with the saw? seems like it might me a leaking seal.... thanks for sharing :)

[@metaspencer]

I thought I had it fixed after messing with the fuel intake lines inside the tank, but then it started acting up on me again early this week. So I've gotta go through it again. That seal you mention is definitely a possibility. It's a great saw so definitely needs some TLC

[@lorenmeyer5290]

WOW that was ALOT of work and along way up there! Great view though! Awesome job Spencer!

[@metaspencer]

Great views up there tho … thanks Loren

[@opietaylor5778]

On your 201tc you gotta leave it on for a while a let it warm up. Don’t know if that’s your issue but after it warms up you shouldn’t have to keep choking it and yanking a bunch. Great wonderful saw tho. They got like an auto tuner thing in them

[@metaspencer]

That saw has been awesome right up until that moment ... I'll have to take it apart ASAP and see what's up. Lots of power! :)

[@trexpaul4983]

@@metaspencer If I had to guess, your saw has an air leak. If you tilt the saw to one side and it suddenly runs very lean or dies, then in most cases you have an air leak somewhere. Check your fuel and impulse line and your intake boot, I've herd the like to come loose on the tophandle saws or maybe they have a crack in them. Could also be your crank seals, but with such a new saw these shouldn't be leaking yet. Hope this might help you out! (:

[@metaspencer]

@@trexpaul4983 Air leak! I've tried a few things and it's still not fixed so I'll look for that next. I bet you're right! thanks man

[@五月爸爸在澳洲]

Nice job & So how long to finish the whole job by one person?

[@metaspencer]

This one just took a couple of hours -- the cleanup is what slows things down.

[@wuyuedaddyskitchen1303]

Maybe better find a labor to help you do cleanup 😊

[@metaspencer]

@wuyuedaddyskitchen1303 I prefer to do all the work

[@texas-linemangaming731]

Where do you dump your trees? I have to take all mine home and burn.

[@metaspencer]

This job was interesting -- the town where the guy lives has a small dump site in the middle of town that was ... FREE! So yeah, free dumping on this one was great. Otherwise I often have to pay. But I always take the logs back to our place to heat the house :)

[@redbeardtree1776]

I take it you didn’t like the 1/4 pitch bar? And awesome work per usual!!

[@metaspencer]

Sitting on my bench still ... doh! Gotta put that badboy on there and let 'er rip!

[@redbeardtree1776]

Oh and take a look at your intake tube, my saw did that same thing and my intake tube have a rip in it

[@metaspencer]

@@redbeardtree1776 A rip! Thanks for the tip ... I'll take a good look at it today. Nice saw up until that day

[@Farmer2017]

I know the struggle of the cramps in the tree. My bicep will cramp so bad I have to use my other arm to straighten it. I think being nervous has a lot to do with it for me.

[@metaspencer]

And dehydration sets it off for me ... glad to hear I'm not the only one but dang man, it gets rough out there! hang in

[@jeffschroeder9089]

Your a beast!!!

[@metaspencer]

Ooooomph! Gotta get it done out there

[@nutsarefancy]

Sometimes that fuel line gets stuck in a corner of the gas tank. I guarantee its that or something else.

[@metaspencer]

You called it. After moving the lines around and replacing the filters it was golden

[@nutsarefancy]

@@metaspencer You always reply. Very cool of you. Glad I found you. You inspire me to do more solo work. I have done a few jobs by myself but always was wondering if I was being a reckless idiot with a death wish. Not at your confidence level yet but you are 8 years my senior.

[@metaspencer]

8 years! You’re a youngin! Haha

[@jefferyturner1920]

Impressive.

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking it out! Good times out there

[@squirrellyjon]

Damn Spence, your a glutton for punishment. But nothing feels better then a little old fashioned hard work.

[@metaspencer]

That’s what I’m talking about… it can be purifying

[@AndyMohlman]

“We got Greg LeMond on the internet” - 🤣

[@metaspencer]

Who was that guy? :)

[@AndyMohlman]

@@metaspencer if he eventually fell down on his knees I’d say he’s just a biker that went down to the crossroads. Otherwise you probably nailed it. 🚴‍♂️

[@GinaKayLandis]

Wow nailbiter this time! Well... every time! ha! Hope you got hydrated! One of those rounds looked like a heart! debark and clearcoat, maybe sell that as a one-off for Valentine's day! Or give it to Beautiful Wife! Until the next one!

[@metaspencer]

You've read my mind: I'll be making a few small tables out of those rounds for sure. Great stuff! Melissa thinks they'll look pretty good :)

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

That was a scary one my friend. You bouncing between those two stems and your arms getting tired. Take care of yourself, please

[@metaspencer]

Definitely a bit ookie up there! But great to be workin' :) Thanks Cynthia

[@fuqutube]

3800

[@metaspencer]

You're usually close on these numbers ... not on this one

[@sandypratt8951]

❤️👍👍👍

[@Just_Chuck_It]

Impressive. Not for me, 1 hate heights. And 2, as soon I got up I would have to pee....... LOL.

[@metaspencer]

Pee from the treetops! It’s fun

[@Just_Chuck_It]

@@metaspencer 😏

[@SidearmSinner]

Nice job. But you exert a lot of unnecessary energy.

[@metaspencer]

That’s my specialty. Exertion keeps my disease at bay

[@SidearmSinner]

@@metaspencer fair enough. As long as you know what you’re doing!

[@dan-dan-da-treeman]

Excellent solo work. 🪓

[@metaspencer]

Thanks man. Always good to see your videos

[@graystonegardens1642]

Yooooo...!?!? What's up with that dolly.!?!?

[@metaspencer]

That thing will carry some SERIOUS stuff