arbutus / Madrona

[Mitchell]

I have been tackling more and more arbutus. Generally I find them trustworthy and solid trees albeit a pain to use spurs in as they are so hard and slippery. MY question to you folks in the know is; how do you rate the dead wood [trees] for climbing safety?

So far I have not had problems but I have taken the time rig temporary rope cable supports if I am going out and up on one of the big dead limbs. I suspect the wood is very strong even dead despite the crazy amount of movement the dead wood has. Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[jomoco]

I have been tackling more and more arbutus. Generally I find them trustworthy and solid trees albeit a pain to use spurs in as they are so hard and slippery. MY question to you folks in the know is; how do you rate the dead wood [trees] for climbing safety?

So far I have not had problems but I have taken the time rig temporary rope cable supports if I am going out and up on one of the big dead limbs. I suspect the wood is very strong even dead despite the crazy amount of movement the dead wood has. Any thoughts appreciated.

Working deadwood is always a calculated risk, and after it's been dead for over 3-4 years not to be trusted at all depending on species and whether it's a hardwood or softwood species.

The best way to deal with old dead trees that absolutely have to be climbed because of location is to make sure your gaffs are razor sharp and very pointy, then move about in them like a tip toeing spider who knows that any dynamic motion or shocking of the old wood structure supporting you could mean death. I know that it's also extremely important to keep old dead trees balanced as much as possible while working them down. Another important rule for climbing dead trees is to get as much weight as possible off your tie in point first thing, this increases your odds of survival dramatically, that is unless you shake the whole tree and if falls over in its entirety with you in it, so don't shake it and keep it balanced!

Many experienced climbers have been introduced to their maker trying to take down old dead dangerous trees in the past. The most recent fatality in a dead tree was a guy that tried to catch a whole head, it fractured the whole section of the tree off including his TIP and lowering point, what actually killed him though was that everything then fell across high power lines with him attached to it. He made the huge mistake of shock loading a dead tree unnecessarily, and paying for it with his life.

I was on the same county contract that killed this fellow a few months prior taking down big dead monster oaks with a 90 ton hydrocrane, but the same rules apply whether you're using a crane or not, don't shake it, and keep it balanced as much as possible. My biggest problem on that contract was encountering yet another huge bee hive in a huge oak on my list. This time I didn't mess around, I got into a full bee suit, then signaled my crane operator to spool up so we could earn our pay.

Needless to say that in my opinion dealing with dead trees is a very very high risk that requires premium coin to induce me to gamble my life on them once again like a no-shake spider that thinks he can really do it and live.

5 bens a day, minimum.

jomoco

 

[safeT1st]

Arbutus Trees

Majority of members probably are not familiar with these trees , hands on at least . It is my understanding they only grow on the west coast and more specifically on the Gulf and San Juan Islands . I've heard of the odd exception in West Vancouver and there may be more .

I have a recreational property that has some absolute monsters , I would say dbh of 30 - 40 " . These are unusual trees in that they often branch out at the immediate base and have several trunks . Amazingly they will grow out of what appears to be solid rock and always stretch to the south east/west in search of light . More often than not these trees will develop into severe leaners but seem to remain standing . Problem is is that they are really unpredictable in wind . The leaves are a favourite lunch item for the deer which browse the area such that there are no leaves left within their reach . Anytime I fire up my saws the deer are usually there within 1/2 an hour standing waiting their turn to feed and anticipating Arbutus leaves .

In all honesty I have only approached a few smaller straight forward ones for removal but have several tricky ones left that are bothering me . I find them to have extremely strong branches but some limbs seem to simply die for no apparent reason . Once dead these limbs have tendency to develop dry cracking and splits . It is my opinion that they become really brittle and not to be considered safe as a tip or to bear weight . I know a more seasoned climber that is extremely cautious around these trees and doesn't trust them to any degree . Myself , I will be taking no chances period around mine when I get to them later this spring . If it takes me 3 times as long it doesnt matter . I will tie into adjacent firs rather than trust the arbutus if there is any doubt .

You used another name to describe them (Madrona ?) . Is that the same tree or a similiar one found in different areas?

 

[Mitchell]

great info

Myself , I will be taking no chances period around mine when I get to them later this spring . If it takes me 3 times as long it doesnt matter . I will tie into adjacent firs rather than trust the arbutus if there is any doubt .

You used another name to describe them (Madrona ?) . Is that the same tree or a similar one found in different areas?

Americans call the arbutus madrona; same tree. They do grow very precariously by stretching limbs or trunks way out horizontally before curling up to a possible hundred odd feet. Most often within spitting distance of ocean. Apparently they will only grow where salt air can reach them. I suspect they have much in common to eucalyptus, could be wrong about that but they seem from a wood structure perspective to be very similar. They are bloody dense and very heavy, close to oak but slick like eucs. They are currently dying off to a blight around here.

Thanks for taking the time to reply Jomoco. I wondered if dead arbutus is more sound [and trustworthy] then other species as so far it seems to be [in my limited experience]. I will track down a picture the HO snapped of where I was a couple days ago for your perusal. I was very very unhappy. The best kind of job; a good friend's brother done for basically nothing with lots of targets including house, house drop, main power, and landscaping!

 

[Nailsbeats]

I know nothing about the arbutus trees you speak of. When we go out on a piece that is a little sketchy or dead, we will chain it back to a solid piece so that the union can't flex. I am sure you know that anyway, but that's all we have ever done, chains, loadbinders, chain winch, cable winch, whatever it takes. I have been to the pacific ocean around where you are at and I think you would have a heck of a view from those tops. Pictures would be sweet.

 

[jomoco]

I believe you guys are speaking of the Pacific Madrone Tree:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbutus_menziesii

They have got to be one of the toughest most dense and heavy hardwoods that I've worked down. They are very much like a Manzanita bush, but much bigger, around 80+ feet.

I've only taken one down while doing storm work in the Seattle area in early 07. I'm sure guys like RBtree in Seattle have far more experience working in these unusual hardwoods than I do.

I did do a little research on Arbutus menziesii and read that there are a few small stands of them growing here in SoCal on Palomar Mountain which has an elevation of around 6000 feet, though I've never seen them there personally myself.

They are very beautiful trees in my opinion.

jomoco

 

[1I'dJak]

I've taken down a few of them during my time in vic....one was pretty much dead....i have a relative amount of confidence in the strength of this wood when dead...relatively....tough to spur up due to their slickness and insane bends....i just make sure my tie in points are relatively vertical, ie not on some dead limb growing shooting out 90degrees....another thing id did was to put a choke wrap with my lanyard in order to get better positioning...pole gaffs almost seem like a good idea too...i remember i was climbing an arbutus with pretty much brand new bucks and had a hard time keeping position as the wood was so hard and barkless it felt i was balancing way out on my points...

 

[Mitchell]

fossilized tree

Securing the dead wood is a good point to make Nailsbeats. Before venturing out I have taken the time to secure limbs & co dominant trunks back with these trees. I wondered with arbutus/ madrone if this was always necessary like it would be with other known dead wood issue trees such as hemlocks etc.

IN BC, tree bylaws are new [generally within the last 10 years]. This species is protected most places and [with some exceptions] can not be cut down until there dead. With an arbutus blight and stresses from a housing construction boom going on around these parts, most work will be on the dead and dying.

I agree Jomoco, they are great broad leaf evegreens with red exfoliating bark that seem to belong in any yard. Funny though, half the folks I meet hate them for the rot resistant leaf and its steady drop.

To true, 1I'dJak, I file my spurs every time before entering and I still kick out more in an hour in a dead arbutus then all the others lifetime combined. Simple movements like starting the saw are enough to knock one spur then immediately the other spur out. I have yet to find the right combination of spur driving force to use when you are trying to limit any extra movement force to this seemingly fossilized tree. The extra shaking and shock loading on a skinny dead top from kicking out and catching on your double wrapped flip makes for some choice moments! I am going to give pole spurs a try next time.

 

[Nailsbeats]

I would say by the sound of it that a set of razor sharp pole gaffs would be the ticket. There is a big difference if balance with the shorter gaff when penetration is at a minimum. Some of those treated poles I used to climb with pole gaffs had no mercy. Good luck with them.