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Just realized I've climbed over 500 trees in my city's park system alone | Arborists - Opinions Matter

Just realized I've climbed over 500 trees in my city's park system alone

I was going through my work logs from the past three years, mostly for tax stuff, and I started adding up the jobs. When I hit 527 individual trees climbed in just our local parks, it kind of stopped me. I mean, I knew I was out there a lot, but seeing that number made it real. It's not just a job anymore, it's like I know each of those oaks and maples personally. I remember the big sycamore by the river that had the wasp nest, and the old pine that needed the crown reduction after the storm. That number matters because it shows the sheer volume of care this urban forest needs, and how much hands-on work goes into keeping it safe and healthy. Has anyone else ever tallied up their climbs and been surprised by the scale?

3 comments

3 Comments

black.val7mo ago

That's a serious number of climbs, and it really shows the work that goes into tree care. Felixfisher has a point about knowing the branches, but for me, the weight isn't about tons moved. It's more about the careful cuts and knowing what to leave behind for the tree's health. Each one of those 527 climbs needed a specific plan.

felixfisher7mo ago

Damn, 527 is wild! That's like knowing every branch in the neighborhood by heart. Makes you wonder how many tons of wood you've moved or how many squirrel nests you've seen up close over the years.

lucaslee7mo ago

That number is crazy to see written down. Had a similar moment last month adding up my own service calls. Ended up with over 300 specific trees on my regular route, and you're right, you do start to know them. There's a particular silver maple on Elm Street that always has a weak union I check, and a crabapple downtown that blooms like clockwork every spring. It stops being a list and becomes a neighborhood you look after.