How do I find good tree crew members?

Start with the people around you. Ask your current crew, other local trades and equipment shops who they would hire. Referrals tend to bring in people who already have a reputation to protect.

Write a plain job ad. Say what the job is (ground crew, climber, driver), the pay range you are willing to pay, the hours and the training you offer. Post it where local workers look, such as job boards, social media groups and community colleges.

When you interview, ask about safety first. Ask how they have handled a close call. Check references. For climbing jobs, ask what training they have and have them show it in a safe, supervised setting. Never put a new hire aloft or on a saw without proper training and supervision.

Start new people on the ground, then build skills step by step. Keep a record of each person's training. Hiring rules, pay rules and worker classification are different in every state, so check them with your state labor office. This is general information, not legal advice.