Why aren't there more tree makers?

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

If there were more good tree craftsmen and quality rawhide for them to use then I bet there would not be such a push to the synthetic. There is a bottleneck at the tree level.

So, can anyone tell me why people aren't lining up to become tree makers? The demand far outstrips the supply. If you make a good tree, your advertising budget is nil after you get a few out there. The saddle makers do your advertising for you by word of mouth. The start up costs are not insignificant, but way less than most other businesses. The business was able to support us within three years of start up, and that was when the demand wasn't as high. You get to talk to people from all over North America, with the occasional contact from overseas. It is a specialized thing, but not rocket science when you get good instruction. OK, the fact that most handmade tree makers can only turn out 80-150 trees a year (one turns out an amazing 200!) working full time, means that you won't be a millionaire. But other than that minor detail, I really don't know why there aren't more people interested in making trees for a living.

By the way, no problem getting good rawhide. We make our own - it's easy (unless you live in town. But we made it there too - we had good neighbours!). And there are suppliers in both Canada and the States where you can buy premade rawhide sold frozen. You just can't buy it un-split, which is where making your own has its advantages.

[Hidemechanic]

Rod and Denise, I would veture to say that there are no lines for prospective tree makers because there is little recognition, no glory, no romance for the craft as is with saddles. Once a tree is covered thoughts of the tree maker fade to the shadows.

I don't recall any contests or divitions as in the Cowboy Artisens judging, or recognition for the top honours in the tree makers catagory. Too bad really.

I'm probably too old to start new with something like that now, I'm sure the aprenticeship and start up would with new tools and equipment would be prohibitive for me, but it seems there should be a way to promote the craft so as to draw more attention to younger crafters to take interest in the trade. Especially now that there is an established interest in high end trees. We can hope, right?GH

[okiwen]

So, can anyone tell me why people aren't lining up to become tree makers? The demand far outstrips the supply. If you make a good tree, your advertising budget is nil after you get a few out there. The saddle makers do your advertising for you by word of mouth. The start up costs are not insignificant, but way less than most other businesses. The business was able to support us within three years of start up, and that was when the demand wasn't as high. You get to talk to people from all over North America, with the occasional contact from overseas. It is a specialized thing, but not rocket science when you get good instruction. OK, the fact that most handmade tree makers can only turn out 80-150 trees a year (one turns out an amazing 200!) working full time, means that you won't be a millionaire. But other than that minor detail, I really don't know why there aren't more people interested in making trees for a living.

By the way, no problem getting good rawhide. We make our own - it's easy (unless you live in town. But we made it there too - we had good neighbours!). And there are suppliers in both Canada and the States where you can buy premade rawhide sold frozen. You just can't buy it un-split, which is where making your own has its advantages.

Well, I for one have thought the same thing. I found that there was absolutly no one to learn from in my area and I don't have the luxury of moving. But wouldn't it be a great skill to learn. I am sure that you have over simplified it some at least or there would be better makers even among those that make trees now. I think that if there were more people willing to teach at a high level then some young people starting out in life would love to learn.

Edited January 28, 2008 by okiwen

[Hidemechanic]

okiwen, I think Ben Swanke is still in Billings, and Slick fork saddle shop in Townsand. Might pay you to run down there and have a chat. Might get some tips or leads. GH

[greg gomersall]

Seems to me that Rick Reed is over around Bozeman somewhere as well. Greg

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

I found that there was absolutly no one to learn from in my area and I don't have the luxury of moving.

Rod learned from a guy in another province. He had about 1 1/2 weeks of hands on instruction. The rest was phone calls before and after. But he came into it with a background of riding and horses. He had repaired enough saddles to have a very basic idea of saddle construction. He had been in Julian's tree shop a few years before so had a general idea of how a tree went together. By the time he went for teaching he had decided he wanted to be a tree maker and had done the research to know the costs of equipment, etc. that he would need to get set up. He started in a 10' x 14' shop in the backyard of our rented house in town. (Good thing he is skinny.) It is not rocket science, but it is also not something that can be done as a hobby or on a whim. To get good, you have to build some trees. If you decide this is what you want to do, go for it. Make sure you learn from someone whose trees are the quality you strive to attain to. And make sure you get the why and not just the how. Good instruction makes a world of difference, as we well know.

[okiwen]

Rod learned from a guy in another province. He had about 1 1/2 weeks of hands on instruction. The rest was phone calls before and after. But he came into it with a background of riding and horses. He had repaired enough saddles to have a very basic idea of saddle construction. He had been in Julian's tree shop a few years before so had a general idea of how a tree went together. By the time he went for teaching he had decided he wanted to be a tree maker and had done the research to know the costs of equipment, etc. that he would need to get set up. He started in a 10' x 14' shop in the backyard of our rented house in town. (Good thing he is skinny.) It is not rocket science, but it is also not something that can be done as a hobby or on a whim. To get good, you have to build some trees. If you decide this is what you want to do, go for it. Make sure you learn from someone whose trees are the quality you strive to attain to. And make sure you get the why and not just the how. Good instruction makes a world of difference, as we well know.

Thank you to all three of you. I do have an interest in learning to make trees but it's not in the cards for a while. I don't have the extensive background that Rod has. I just see the bottleneck and think they are kinda cool in there own right. Great to read the insight you ALL have.

Kevin

[Cowboy Crafts Online]

Denise,

I would like to make aleast one tree. The only thing is there is not much out there to learn how to do the craft. Anyone can pick up some sort of manual on how-to build a saddle and see what all is involved, before they take the leap.

I wouldnt even know where to start in the tree making process. For example what all tools are needed. I have a table saw, radial arm saw, lathe, planner, moulder. What other power tools are needed for tree making? Have tree makers ever thought of putting together a manual on tree making?

Ashley

[JRedding]

I doubt very many people could put up with all the nitpicken' saddlemakers for any length of time. You have the patience of Jobe.

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

Ashley,

A number of years ago we put together a small package of material we send out to people who ask about learning how to build trees. We would love to teach people who are serious about becoming tree makers, but we have yet to have anyone take us up on our offer. Included in that package is the following:

Equipment needed for Tree Building

1.) Large equipment

- minimum 28" band saw (ours is 32")

- pneumatic drum sander with stand idlers, converted to belt sander

- 12" jointer and planer or combination jointer/planer

- dust collecting system (we have a Clear Vue cyclone)

2.) Small power tools

- 5" side grinder x 2

- electric drill

- router

- circular saw

3.) Other tools

- clamping and gluing equipment

- numerous hand woodworking tools

Other requirements you will need:

1.) A shop of some kind to work in. This makes too much dust and noise for tree making to be a basement project.

2.) A dependable supply of kiln dried (7-10% moisture) hardwood and softwood where ideally you can choose the boards you want. Lumber yard wood is not acceptable.

3.) A source for horns and other good quality hardware needed in making trees. (Bork Saddlery Hardware or Boise Foundry)

4.) A dependable supply of bull hides that are carefully skinned out.

5.) Someplace to make rawhide, and a place to get rid of the garbage from making rawhide.

6.) OR, in place of 4 and 5, a dependable place to buy good quality rawhide which hasn't been dried. (A lot of guys use Hereford Byproducts in Texas.)

We don't have a table saw, radial arm saw, lathe or moulder. Could one or two trees be made otherwise? Probably, but that bandsaw is pretty critical in getting the cuts on the bars to fit the fork and cantle correctly. And if you are going to make many trees, especially if you will have hardwood in them, the other equipment is pretty vital too.

As for a manual on building trees, maybe someone could put out a short "how to" cookie cutter type book. But you need to understand the "whys" and not just the "hows", and I probably don't have enough time left in my life to write that. Part of what we would give people who learn from us is full written instructions, but that is along with good teaching. Without the seeing and doing, the instructions wouldn't be completely understood, or worse, they could be misinterpreted and misused.