Jerry Beranek's Fundamentals

[Burnham]

I have just enjoyed reading and studying Jerry's fine book, which I received just before the holidays. Nothing finer than a good book, a warm woodstove, a glass of smooth scotch, and some time off to enjoy them all.

One thing that struck me repeatedly as I worked my way page by page is that when Jerry B. speaks of "small, medium, and large" trees and appropriate methodologies for dealing with each, I have to employ a conversion factor.

Now remember, I work in western Oregon. I am no stranger to big timber. I put saw to some good-sized wood, fat and tall both. But it looks to me like my definition of "large" falls pretty far short of Jerry's :) . Same goes for his "medium"...that equals my "large"...if I'm lucky. A Beranek "small" is still a pretty good sized stem, for most people.

Anyway, a fine piece of work, and one that no tree man or woman should fail to have in their personal library.

Thanks, Jerry.

[MasterBlaster]

My favorite book, for sure. :beer:

[squisher]

You bet, on both the book and the tree sizes :lol: .

Indispensable book, I can't say enough about it myself. With all the costs involved in climbing and treework, it'd be foolish to not own this book imo.

[gf beranek]

Birds of a feather..... Thanks you guys!

The House has been a good place to share. When I was younger I recall it was "show and tell."

You don't see a lot of the quarrles, arguments and quivels in the TH that go on in the other forums. There's a more mature audience here.

Thanks to Butch.

Much appreciate the compliments, Burnam and all. I'm such a lucky human being to see my work and writing come to be respected.

It's a tough and honorable living. God bless.

[squisher]

And because Gerry is to much of a gentlemen to promote himself.

http://www.atreestory.com/index.php

Seriously if you don't have the book, order it.

Lol oops, or you could just click Gerry's link in his sig line I suppose

[Paul B]

yup, someone here suggested that as a good investment back when I went to a different arborist site. Surely a good investment indeed.

[GASoline71]

Gots me a copy of it.

Also gots "High Climbers and Timber Fallers" too..

Exceptional books Gerry!!!:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Gary

[MasterBlaster]

And because Gerry is to much of a gentlemen to promote himself.
Lol oops, or you could just click Gerry's link in his sig line I suppose


LOL, and even then I had to give him that! :)

[squisher]

Well maybe my link will help some of the slower types like myself find their way there.:lol:

[Jonseredbred]

I just forgot I pm'd Jerry about ordering a set. I forgot all about it.

I am really having a hard time remembering things lately.

[Skwerl]

'Fundamentals' is a great tutorial, but I must admit I prefer Jerry's 'Tree climbers and timber fallers'. That one has earned the coveted spot on the living room coffee table. I've gotten many positive comments from visitors who take a few minutes to look at it.

[Dave Shepard]

After reading through High Climbers, I realized that even our biggest trees around here are only "sucker" size out there. Oh well.8) Fundamentals is one of the permanant books on my nightstand. (which is actually a three story bookshelf, I like to read, a lot) I rotate a lot of different books through the shelves, but that one never leaves. I found out about the newest book and DVDs through the Treehouse, thanks MB, and thanks Jerry for all of your efforts. I look forward to more of your work!


Dave

[Blinky]

I think of it as The Bible of Treework. No arborist or faller should be without it. Gerry's sense of scale is a bit different than mine though... that's for certain.

[sotc]

fundamentals is kinda what got me started in tree work. i was logging and ordered it from baily's and was infatuated with what i saw. started doing residential tree work in the off season and one winter went to work for an arborist. thanks jerry

[stehansen]

I have Fundmentals but I can't find it. Must be with Skwerl's camera.

[brccarborist]

I love the book, I keep it at my desk with all my other tree books and I always read it on my downtime. Makes me want to start actually climbing and working trees again instead of just riding in a truck looking at them every time I read it.:thumbup:

[pantheraba]

Sounds like a cool job, though, getting paid to work with trees.

Welcome to the TreeHouse.

[Burnham]

'Fundamentals' is a great tutorial, but I must admit I prefer Jerry's 'Tree climbers and timber fallers'. That one has earned the coveted spot on the living room coffee table. I've gotten many positive comments from visitors who take a few minutes to look at it.

I can't argue, Brian. For sheer impressiveness, including great pictures, not much can compete. It's a fine book that also needs to be in the hands of anyone who appreciates the challenges of working in big timber.

[Al Smith]

Ha, a pecker pole on the west coast is considered a large tree in these parts.

[GASoline71]

Heck... a pecker pole up here in Washington is a giant compared to the Trees in Gerry's neck-o-the-woods! ;)

Gary

[Paul B]

http://wesspur.com/images/product/hctf_01_500.gif

http://www.atreestory.com/grafs/treehead.jpg


http://www.atreestory.com/grafs/Big-River-tree.jpg

[MasterBlaster]

:D

[Paul B]

Gerry's ears must be burning.

[MasterBlaster]

As long as that doesn't happen when he pees...

[Skwerl]

;)

[squisher]

Ha ha Brian that's the sweet set-up alright.:thumbup:

[gf beranek]

It's been a great way of life this tree business. Charly Pottorff has said for years, "We have a common bond, no matter where we come from."

Today the internet has brought together.

What a way to share.

[MasterBlaster]

:beer:

[Cedarkerf]

Orderd the book tonight been planning on it for quite a while. High climbers and timber fallers and the videos are next on the list. Thanks for sharing your knowladge and colorful career with us Gerry

[stehansen]

Found it!

[Bounce]

Fundamentals was my employee training manual when I first got into the business. My boss not only made me read the whole thing (including the bit on topping with explosives!), but he tested me on it too. I had to pass a written exam with a minimum score of 95% to prove that I had read and understood it. Now I like to go back over it every 6 months or so - I always learn something from it every time I pick it up.

[sotc]

:D :/: :D

[MasterBlaster]

I like the way Jerry wraps em in saran wrap.

[gf beranek]

Bounce, you're bullshitting now! I going to tell Sean.

[gf beranek]

Oh, Willie. You don't know how much that pic of the saw strikes me.

Well, you probably do. That's why you posted it.

You cleaned it up nice, thank you. Don't it have a nice burp when you tug on that pull rope and it fires up. Popa, popa, popa. It wants to eat wood. Always has.

Thinking about that now I'll bet I never changed that pull rope since the early 80's.

Brought a tear to my eye. Thanks ya all.

I'm a little buzzed right now. Just got back from the Milano. Got to get dinner ready for Terri. My soul mate.

[sotc]

im trying to keep it nice, it would look good with fresh paint but i cant make myself do that! thank you for the chance to own some history:D

[No_Bivy]

original = the best

[chucky]

Burnham, that's a great tribute to G.F. I've had the book now for a few years now and it's a great reference manual. It's a little dry, though. Seeing now, though, via Butch's forum, G.F.'s writing is much more personable, accessible and livid. I think there's a much better book yet in Mr. Beranek.

[squisher]

Damn Willie, that's the trump card man. No one can beat that collection, nice.

[Bounce]

Bounce, you're bullshitting now! I going to tell Sean.

Don't tell Sean Gerry. He get's mean sometimes. ;) It's true though. Haines Tree & Spray here in Bellingham. Walden Haines really has a thing for your book. Good thing too, it probably saved my life! And about a thousand others.... Now that I'm at Wesspur, I tell everybody who calls me to get Fundamentals and the Climber's Companion.

[MasterBlaster]

Don't forget this. (http://www.treebuzz.com/pdf/0505_handbook.pdf)

[Dave Shepard]

Bounce, I agree. Fundamentals has prepared me for scenarios that can only come from experience. It has saved my bacon, for sure!


Dave

[oldirty]

gerry i can only hope that this does not offend you but i read from "fundamentals" everysingle day and sometimes twice aday depending on how much coffee i drank.

your book is the perfect size to leave on the window sill in my bathroom, hence the daily reading. lol

in all seriousness it has lead me to take my profession to the next level. one day i would like to be considered one of the best climbers ever in my area and i would like you to know that your book has helped and is helping me to that goal.


thanks!

[MasterBlaster]

Now you need THIS book, OD.

[Al Smith]

I have all of them.Great stories and pictures well done indeed.

It covers an era and a portion of the big timber country that it's likely some of us will never see.Great read.:thumbup:

[oldirty]

yup i have that book as well. had them sent at the same time. definitely a great book to leave out for people to look at.

when the time comes for me to actually get out of this area i am heading west to those big dogs. i need to feel what 300+ ft is.


that and getting a chance to run an 090 in some of that big wood would be rather cool. actually be more than cool but i dont want to sound too excited.


that you MB holding that book up? show me the page he autographed for you. lol

[MasterBlaster]

I dunno who that bald guy is, I saved it for the pic. ;)

[Skwerl]

He's wearing a yellow shirt, maybe it's John from Dot Palm. :lol:

[MasterBlaster]

I'm trying to remember...

[Big A]

I've been working in the woods thinning plots out, and an old man has been down there every day watching, with his German Shepherd. During the breaks, we got talking. He started out many years ago felling with cross-cuts and axes. The biggest tree he remembered felling (with cross-cut) was about 9feet diameter. he was telling me there was 3 men on each end of a 9'6" crosscut, and they used their belts to pull the saw back and forth as they couldnt use the handles! He told many stories about the old days of horse logging, and reckoned that it was easier back then than it is now!! The reason he gave was "then you could only work to the speed of the horse, or the cross-cut, these days machinery dictates your work speed, far harder"
This old guy is 80odd years old, still weilding a saw every day, throwing cord onto his truck. Hope to get some more yarns out of him next week.

[fishhuntcutwood]

But it looks to me like my definition of "large" falls pretty far short of Jerry's :) . Same goes for his "medium"...that equals my "large"...if I'm lucky. A Beranek "small" is still a pretty good sized stem, for most people.

Anyway, a fine piece of work, and one that no tree man or woman should fail to have in their personal library.

Thanks, Jerry.

HA! I thought the exact same thing when I read it! I was thinking, "my 'big' trees are the sticks Jerry falls his 'big' ones on top of!"

Helluva book in all respects.

[Jamin Mayer]

he was telling me there was 3 men on each end of a 9'6" crosscut, and they used their belts to pull the saw back and forth as they couldnt use the handles!

Holy crap! I'd be way too impatient to finish something like that.

[olyman]

I've been working in the woods thinning plots out, and an old man has been down there every day watching, with his German Shepherd. During the breaks, we got talking. He started out many years ago felling with cross-cuts and axes. The biggest tree he remembered felling (with cross-cut) was about 9feet diameter. he was telling me there was 3 men on each end of a 9'6" crosscut, and they used their belts to pull the saw back and forth as they couldnt use the handles! He told many stories about the old days of horse logging, and reckoned that it was easier back then than it is now!! The reason he gave was "then you could only work to the speed of the horse, or the cross-cut, these days machinery dictates your work speed, far harder"
This old guy is 80odd years old, still weilding a saw every day, throwing cord onto his truck. Hope to get some more yarns out of him next week. along this line--sure would be nice if could sit down and get him to talking in front of a vcr to record some of history----

[OTGBOSTON]

along this line--sure would be nice if could sit down and get him to talking in front of a vcr to record some of history----

We started doing that with some of the oldest members of the Mass. tree wardens, gotta hold onto that history!

[046]

makes me want to get this book...

[MasterBlaster]

I guarantee you won't regret it. :drink:

[squisher]

Dang man it's a must have no doubt about it. There's no way you could read that book and not pick up a few things. I don't care who you are.

[Al Smith]

Just the pictures alone are worth getting the book.That is a part of this country and a method of working big timber only a hand full of us will ever see and fewer ever work.

[TC3]

Just the pictures alone are worth getting the book.That is a part of this country and a method of working big timber only a hand full of us will ever see and fewer ever work.

There's a fullness that comes through in Gerry's books from his talents both behind the lens and in front of a saw. That's a pretty rare thing.
He's generous about autographing copies of his books, too ...if'n you ask 'im !
;)

[Graeme McMahon]

There is only one book like it.

Gerry has a knack to turn the complex subject of tree work into an orderly, easy to read book.

The pictures that occompany the text demonstrate the book is written by a tree practitioner rather than an academic. I continue to enjoy your book, thanks Gerry.

Regards

Graeme McMahon

[MasterBlaster]

Welcome to the TreeHouse, Graeme! :beer:

[Skwerl]

We get the coolest treemen joining the Treehouse. 8)
Welcome, Graeme. Glad you found us.
:thumbup:

[matty f]

Got the book as a christmas present to my self last year,my favourite present!

[Stumper]

Welcome indeed Graeme!

[gf beranek]

It's always an honor to receive compliments from those in the industry like yourselves. The time spent to see "Fundamentals" to print has most certainly proven to be time well spent.

As professionals in this field we all contribute in our own unique ways. Butch's Tree House has been a good platform to share our experiences and learn from others. And what a feast for the eyes!

Graeme, you continue to break through the envelope by doing jobs in your area that pale all others around the world. And you do it with a style of bravado and straight forward simplicity. It's easy to tell your crew has the highest respect and trust, and they all know their job.

Boy I just got to make it down there someday. Put that on my bucket list.

[sotc]

welcome graeme, hope you spend a little time here

[Paul B]

Welcome Graeme!

[RIVERRAT]

Graeme, good to see you here.

[MasterBlaster]

Where you been all week, son?

[RIVERRAT]

Been pretty busy. I just got a house. Built in 1867. It's a ways from town & at present I have no interweb connection. I am looking into it. A wireless connection wont work with out a signal repeater. Looks like I might have to go satellite
I am at my folks house this weekend.

[MasterBlaster]

Are you gonna be able to catch Ax Men on the History Channel tonight?

[RIVERRAT]

I dont know yet. Oh I am sure I catch it some time. Looks like a cool show

[chris_girard]

Just ordered my second copy of Jerry's Fundamentals book.

Lent my original (which was one of the first from Bailey's years ago) one out to a friend and it came back ripped! Pissed me off.

If you don't have this book yet, BUY IT NOW. It is still the bible of tree books out there.

[gf beranek]

A repeat customer. Go, Chris, go...

[chris_girard]

I'm going through Jer's book again (I've done this a countless number of times before) in conjunction with watching the Working Climber Series DVD's. The two really go hand-in-hand.

Thanks again Jer for all your hard work!

[woodworkingboy]

If I had studied my textbooks in school like I did Jerry's book, I'd probably be a doctor or a professor.... Heaven forbid a lawyer.

[Jack]

Read my copy so much, it's starting to fall apart ... gonna have buy another soon ... Thanks, Jerry!!!

[woodworkingboy]

Same here... Such a good book deserves better binding.

[gf beranek]

Thanks, all. The book needs serious updates in the climbing tools and techniques chapters. Much has been developed in that since Fundamentals first came out. And I will do an update for those chapters in due time here.

There are still hard bound editions available though. If better binding is wanted for those that would like it.

again, thanks

[Jack]

Jerry,

I have a question for you, please. In the picture below from your book, on page 29, you show an item (at the arrow) I'd like to know more about. I can think of many occasions over the years where it would have been very useful. But, I can't find one ... I'm not even sure what to search for (i.e., google). What can you tell me about it?

Thanks, Jack.

37871

[flushcut]

Jerry,

I have a question for you, please. In the picture below from your book, on page 29, you show an item (at the arrow) I'd like to know more about. I can think of many occasions over the years where it would have been very useful. But, I can't find one ... I'm not even sure what to search for (i.e., google). What can you tell me about it?

Thanks, Jack.

37871
I would like to know the same.
For all of you guys don't forget about High Climbers and Timber Fallers another fantastic read.

[MasterBlaster]

Some kinda choker...

[gf beranek]

That is what was called a thimble, at the time. Back in the 80's the utility company here, PG&E, used the device for terminating ACSR conductor in pole line construction. Later the devices were phased out in lieu of newer terminations. And when that time came I could procure as many of the obsolete items as I felt I could use. Otherwise those things all went into the scrap bin. I took these thimbles and polished the inside radius for rope to slide. 10,000 lb test they were and of high test forged aluminum. Why see them go to scrap?

In one scenario the thimble acted like a crotch to run a rigging line through. In another it acted like a false crotch for a tie-in. And in another it was a great slide for a tag line to run through. In either case it added just enough friction that was actually better that using a block. Wear on the rope was negligible.

Sometimes we need just a little bit of friction for better and smoother rope control. And the thimble did just that.

I'm surprised this day and age that such a device hasn't caught on in the mainstream.

Most people believe that ropes must always run through blocks.

[Jack]

Thanks Jerry. Those are just the uses I had in mind for it. Apparently they're still available:

Thimble clevises - MacLean Power Systems (http://www.macleanpower.com/products/item.asp?ITEM_ID=1509)

and ... in many forms:

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCKKkKph2KyaTXpqjqW-Vc2ycXrCjqlUXW0rv-mzI_J9mo5wxYSQ

[woodworkingboy]

I give myself credit, I thought it was a thimble, but upon searching the web, nothing showed. Phased out explains that. Jerry reminds me of Felix the Cat.

[Marc-Antoine]

Recently, we can find some sort of thimbles with the new "fixed pulleys" like those :
http://www.drayer.de/shop/fr/Poulies/Poulie-de-rtention/Poulie-Souabe.html
http://www.freeworker.fr/store/rollen/lastrollen/extra-roll-fix.html

[flushcut]

You da man Jerry! I found something similar in the Skookum catalog and it was called a choker slide or something to that affect.

[gf beranek]

That looks like the ones PG&E used alright. The one pictured in the fundamentals actually had a lug for attaching a chain hoist too draw on the conductors. I cut it off and polish out the rough edges.

[flushcut]

Now that makes sense it was modified. Cool, now know where to look.

[chris_girard]

Thanks, all. The book needs serious updates in the climbing tools and techniques chapters. Much has been developed in that since Fundamentals first came out. And I will do an update for those chapters in due time here.

There are still hard bound editions available though. If better binding is wanted for those that would like it.

again, thanks

Now there is a second edition book that will definitely be worth getting. Can't wait to see that one Jer! I still have one of the first hard cover copies that Bailey's put out years ago, still have the book protector cover that came with it too. Great book to read over and over again.

[Jack]

Thanks, all. The book needs serious updates in the climbing tools and techniques chapters. Much has been developed in that since Fundamentals first came out. And I will do an update for those chapters in due time here.

There are still hard bound editions available though. If better binding is wanted for those that would like it.

again, thanks

Hey Jerry, here's a thought ... when you do a second edition ... how about an E-book edition? That'd be way cool!!!

[flushcut]

E books are cool and all, but not for this guy personally I spent enough time on the puter and get tired of it. I like books and they are a dying breed as it is and they don't consume fossile fuels to make once they are printed unlike a puter.

[chris_girard]

Yeah, E books are neat, but there is still something about sitting down with a good book and being able to turn those pages by hand that I will always love.

[woodworkingboy]

Can you underline or highlight passages with E books? My Fundamentals has a lot of pink color in it.

[Jack]

Please, don't get me wrong ... I LOVE real pages as much as anyone ... BUUUT ... I love my MacBook, too ...
I'd have to buy both!!! :big-dance2:

And ... YES, you can underline & highlight some eBooks and search and save and quote and share and ... turn pages


edit: oh, yeah ... they'll even read themselves to you in a soft feminine voice, if you like ... :big-wink:

[HolmenTree]

Yeah, E books are neat, but there is still something about sitting down with a good book and being able to turn those pages by hand that I will always love.
I second that Chris. I have a full set of Encyclopaedia Britannica in my office. I bought these books about 30 yrs ago, they are leather covered, gold flake edges, paid well over a couple of grand for them way back then.
Recently my wife kept nagging me to throw them out, saying they take up space and all the info I need is on the computer. So I boxed them up one day, threw them in my dump trailer and covered them with chips on that days jobs. At the public landfill I dump the load on the ground but went to the trouble of digging out the boxes and piling them off to the side thinking someone would take them home.
Next day the books are still sitting there. I take out a volume and open it up to section on aviation. I started reading and looking at the diagrahms, it got so interesting I had to sit down on a pile of chips and finish the page. I just experienced a nice relaxing good feel moment.

So I packed them up and today they are still on the shelves in my office.:lol:

[Burnham]

Great story, Willard.
:)

[flushcut]

There is something about a book that a computer can never replace.

[MasterBlaster]

Books are on the way out.

[gf beranek]

Yeah great "short story", Willard.

My propagation text books were very important to me even long after the schooling. Though highly technical in nature I could easily get lost in them for hours at a time.

[sotc]

Thats great Willard, what did the wife say?:D

Jack, I can't imagine Jerry's books being read in a "soft feminine voice" :lol:

[CurSedVoyce]

:lol:

[Jack]

Thats great Willard, what did the wife say?:D

Jack, I can't imagine Jerry's books being read in a "soft feminine voice" :lol:

I've been waiting ...
Somehow, I knew YOU were gonna hit me with that ... it would be hilarious to listen to, wouldn't it ... :lol:


And YES, great story, Willard!

[CurSedVoyce]

Yeah a female voice talking about compression and tension wood and what not..... Might get a man all worked up :lol:

[rskybiz]

Laugh my arse off with that!

[woodworkingboy]

What I like about the Fundamentals is that it isn't just a study about something, it is also entertaining reading. I guess it's the way the words are put together. In the vein of a Hardy Boy's novel, what is he going to do next? :/:

[gf beranek]

In some of my latter works I have used text-to-speech programs to proof the writing. Specifically the "Read Aloud" function in Adobe Acorbat. You would be surprised just how many errors a writer reads over in their text. Having it 'read aloud' and listening to it a writer can catch up to 90% of their spelling and grammar errors. It's really a great tool.

As far as the voices go in the speech programs there is a lot to be desired, but the voices are getting better all the time.

I learned how to add pauses and inflections to the read aloud programs to make them sound more natural. I even considered using speech programs in lieu of using my own voice in videos, but the software is just not that good yet, and it would be a real cop out for me to do that.

I'm no David Attenborough, but I try my best. My biggest handicap is getting the script right and having a sound proof room to record in. The actual reading is really not that difficult. Though it did take some getting use to hearing myself speak. I really didn't like the sound of my own voice, but at the cost of having someone or some outfit do it for me I really had no choice but do it myself.

It was a big and necessary step to take. And a tough one to come to terms with in the beginning.

[cory]

Great story Willard!

Jerry, I really like your narration in WC vol2, it is a one of a kind style. It is the aural equivalent of the writing in High Climbers.

Jer, what are "propagation" books you mentioned a few posts earlier?

[Treepreacher51]

I even considered using speech programs in lieu of using my own voice in videos, but the software is just not that good yet, and it would be a real cop out for me to do that.

I'm no David Attenborough, but I try my best.

Heaven forbid! Your voice is perfect for the subject matter and has become synonymous with tree work. It is Iconic!

(Got the 88 Video last week. Check your PM's brother.)

[squisher]

Ohhhh that 88 video was gold for me. I worked a Washington swing yarder only once, I'm not sure if it was a 88 or not. I also worked with a eaglet carriage like the one on that Christy for years, the thump of that one lunger diesel that runs the slack puller in it really brought back some memories. Hell the whole thing did. Seeing those few runaways on there and that one moment caught where the hooktenders are in to start hooking and the rigging starts dancing man that stuff still makes my hair stand-up.

Top shelf Jerry you really made my day with that one, thanks so much for your generosity.

[sotc]

I was the same when I got it though I worked on a 188. We used a maki slack kicker on our little yarders, sounds the same though. Duetz diesels in them, sounds like that eagle carriage. 188 was the same as Jerry covered on the 88, man the splicing we did on all that Korean cable!

[gf beranek]

Willie, did you ever have the haul back lines twist and kink up like they in the vid near the end? There's got to be a way around to keeping that from happening. Least so severely. I figured a swivel would help but was told that it's not a total cure.

[chris_girard]

Seeing all that cable kink like that and having to redo the line must be a real PITA. I loved seeing the woods splice though in the video. Being a splicer, I thought that was real cool, though I've never spliced wire rope.

Loved that story too Willard. Reminds me of when I'm starting my woodstove in the morning and putting the newspaper in first. I always seem to see something that I want to read and end up sometimes not putting that piece of the newspaper in the fire, but sitting down on the wood box and going through it, then I have to rush to get out the door.

[woodworkingboy]

Ha, first thing I like to do when i get packages from the states, like an ebay purchase, is read the newspaper if it has been used for packing material. It can be a nice mix of different parts of the issue, maybe find out who got married in some hick town in Colorado. Less interested in the obits.

[stig]

I do the same thing when my friends in California send me a holiday package for x-mas.

The news from Arcata is almost as interesting as the package itself.

[woodworkingboy]

Interesting to see the prices of things in the ads, if you haven't lived in the states for quite awhile.

[stig]

The car prices just kill me!

We have a 180% tax on cars here.

[woodworkingboy]

A good looking hamburger sure costs more than I remember.