The man is known for helping neighbors in the area with odd jobs.
Saturday he was trimming a palm tree when suddenly he lost his footing, trapped more than 50 feet in the air, and holding on for his life as firefighters came to his rescue.
Using a hook and ladder rescue engine, firefighters quickly learned they were in a race against time.
"He was hanging there, wasn't secured at all, and wasn't able to spike into the tree." said Battalion Chief Matt Moore.
The man, reportedly trimming a palm tree in south Bakersfield became disoriented, neighbors called 911 after it was clear the man wasn't able to make it down on his own.
"The paramedic that was up there grabbed the safety line and held on to it, and grabbed the belt that was around him.." said Moore.
He was holding on but quickly getting tired.
"When he had the firefighters up there, the patient wasn't much help at all, because he was exhausted."
Firefighters believe the man had been trapped for thirty minutes before someone called for help.
They used two specialized rescue engines to hoist the man out of the palm tree and to an awaiting ambulance.
"The recuse was made in just a matter of minutes, from the time we got the call until he was safely in the basket was 23 minutes." said Moore.
Firefirefighters say the tree trimmer used safety equipment, but may have been injured while in the air which caused him to be disoriented and later stranded.
The man was taken to Kern Medical Center with minor to moderate injuries.
