Arborist Interview - Daryl (Pt. 2)

Brandon:
I’m Brandon with Sherrilltree, and welcome to another installment of Arborist Interviews.

This industry is both physically and mentally demanding. Mental fatigue especially can lead to accidents, so efficiency is key—not just to save energy, but also to reduce the risk of mistakes. Daryll, what do you do to check in with yourself throughout the day to make sure you’re in the right place physically and mentally? Do you rely on yourself, or do you depend on your crews to help keep you in check?

Daryll:
I try to spread that responsibility across the whole team. I actually picked it up from someone on a crew I led years ago—she was amazing about keeping track of everyone: Are you hydrated? How are you feeling? I adopted that habit, and it’s stuck with me.

For example, I just came back to work after my wife and I had another baby, so I told the crew, Hey, I’ve been out for a week, not much sleep, my schedule’s off—keep an eye on me. I think it’s important that everyone knows how their teammates are doing. Sometimes it’s as simple as, Hey, have you had any water lately? I’ve got one guy I work with who always feels a little dizzy at a certain time of day. So about an hour before that, I’ll check in: You hydrated yet? Small things like that keep the crew safe and sharp.

Brandon:
What keeps you going in this industry? What inspires you—whether it’s improving safety, building skills, or just trying to be better every day?

Daryll:
When I started, it was the challenge. There’s always something new to learn, always a problem to solve. That’s what hooked me at first.

Now, what inspires me is seeing other people get excited about this work. I want people to see that arboriculture is a great industry to come into—not something you just fall into, but a real career path you can take anywhere you want.

I love helping others embrace safety, add to their skill set, and discover new techniques. When someone lights up because they just learned a better way to do something, that fires me up. For me, it’s about removing barriers and making it easier for others to grow in the trade.

Brandon:
For those just getting into the industry—or even those who’ve been in it for a while—what advice would you give to help them keep growing?

Daryll:
The biggest thing is connection. Get connected with the people who are doing things the right way. There’s a saying: Be around the people doing the things you want to do.

Go to climbing competitions—you don’t have to compete, just watch and learn. Volunteering is even better; I learn something new every time I volunteer.

And take classes. It frustrates me when people say, I’ve been doing this for years, I don’t learn anything new in classes. That’s an attitude problem. If you go with the intent to learn, you’ll always take something away. Pursue education, pursue conversation, pursue connection—that’s the best way forward in this industry.

Brandon:
You’ve worked for small companies, large companies, and now as a contract climber. Do you notice big differences between them? Are there things the small companies could learn from the big ones, or vice versa?

Daryll:
Each has its own flavor. Some people thrive in a small, family-style company but would struggle in a big corporation. Others like the stability of a large company, with set systems and processes. They also often provide long-term benefits, which can give people peace of mind and let them focus on the job.

On the other hand, there’s a thrill in working with smaller outfits—building something from the ground up, carving out a name. Even if it’s not your company, you feel like part of a family.

For me, it comes down to personal needs. Do you want stability, or do you want that entrepreneurial fight? Do you want work to support your lifestyle, or is work your lifestyle? The key is to find whichever path lets you truly live.