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For tree service owners

How do I keep good climbers and crew members?

Short answer

Pay fairly, train them, keep them safe, and treat them with respect. Good tree workers have options. Clear schedules, safe equipment, honest feedback and a path to more skill and pay keep people longer. Losing a trained worker costs more than most owners expect.

By Umair Nawaz. Published October 25, 2026. General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice.

The longer answer

Turnover is expensive. You pay to find someone, you pay to train them and you lose speed while they learn. A steady crew gets faster, makes fewer mistakes and works more safely.

Pay is part of it. Know what workers in your area earn and be honest about where you sit. Pay on time, every time.

Safety is another. Workers stay with companies that give them good gear, enforce safe rules and do not push them into risky shortcuts. A short tailgate talk before each job shows you care, and it builds good habits.

Training and growth matter too. Offer a path from ground person to climber to crew lead, with training and a clear raise or role at each step. Support certifications where it makes sense for your work.

Respect and communication count. Give notice of schedule changes, explain the plan for the day, ask for ideas and listen. Tell people what they did well.

Plan your work so the crew has steady hours in the slow season when you can. Cash flow planning helps you avoid layoffs.

Finally, hire carefully in the first place. Check references, try someone on a real job and set expectations on day one.

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