are tree gaffs really a necessity for pruning jobs?

[voxac30dude]

just a quick thought for alot of you pro's. are spikes really worth having with pruning jobs especially ones on tree that you cant limb walk.

 

[RacerX]

IMO it would be hack work and highly unprofessional to use spurs when pruning a tree because of the damage they would do.

 

[outofmytree]

I am not sure I understand your question V. Nobody with any knowledge of arboriculture wears spurs to prune, excluding the odd occasion where you might access spurless but spike the limb you remove only. Frankly it has been years since I did even that.

Or did you question the logic of purchasing spurs if all you plan to do is prune and not remove trees?

opcorn:

 

[treeslayer]

Or did you question the logic of purchasing spurs if all you plan to do is prune and not remove trees?
opcorn:

Better be this one, or he's gonna get it........................

vox, a simple formula
removals=spikes, climb the tree // prune=no spikes, climb the rope.

opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Can't trim w/o spike? Don't bid the job, if you have a shred of ethics in your soul.

If you spike a residential prune then you are not in tree care, just wood cutting. To me that equals hackification.
FWIW
JM(NS)HO

 

[outofmytree]

Hope you brought your ppe V.

 

[voxac30dude]

im bashing these cheap tree services. they wear spikes on pruning jobs! im sooo pissed that people let them get away with it. i try to inform the condo's resident manager or homeowners about how spikes hurt the tree's.
once the phloem layer and cambium is penetrated it leaves a hole for the sap and heart wood of the tree to rott!!!!. not good at all.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

once the phloem layer and cambium is penetrated it leaves a hole for the sap and heart wood of the tree to rott!!!!. not good at all.

This is the common over-statement that allows the jackleg to rebut the position with anecdotes that his trees have no problems. Then when the tree does not have severe problems the concerned arborist looks bad.

What I say is that it introduces potential decay courts in the trunk, which we only have one of. If the tree closes the wound off then it still has been stressed by the the loss of vascular tissues, and energy reserves used to form the chemical barriers.

By putting forth a well thought and slightly technical argument we can easily rebut the jacklegs premise that the tree will heal the wounds. We are wounding the tree with the pruning that is necessary, why exacerbate the situation with the unnecessary wounding of walking up the tree with spikes, other then being too lazy to learn a better way. Professionals need to sell themselves at the same time because most laymen think that that spiking is the way everyone trims a tree.


Yes there are times that spikes may be necessary due to safety, and other times that the tree is of such low grade material that spiking is the only cost effective manner to trim. But then this is not caring for that tree, just cutting it.

 

[Bermie]

For pruning where "you can't limb walk" replace your spikes with a few loop runners for footholds and handholds, three or four...works wonders.

 

[sawinredneck]

I'm a "hack" and I don't spike anything I'm not going to take off or down!

Other than a Palm but I doubt I'll trim many of those in KS.

 

[treejock1]

If you can't climb without hooks, don't call yourself a climber

 

[voxac30dude]

If you can't climb without hooks, don't call yourself a climber

yeah because then you would be called a walker!. hahaha

 

[treeslayer]

yeah because then you would be called a walker!. hahaha

 

[Koa Man]

I spike palms if they have been spiked many times before. Now days, if the palm has never been spiked, or only spiked a few times and I will be the one maintaining that palm, I don't spike them even if a lift can't get to it. I have 2 tree climbing stands, 2 sets of strap on sectional tree ladders (36 ft. total length) and 15 strap on tree steps. Using one or a combination of these items can get me to the top of almost any palm.

As far as real trees, many times I don't even spike removals if there are lots of branches to stand on. I do spike the very rare times I trim an albizzia. Those trees are classified as an invasive species and I always recommend to the owner that those trees be removed.

 

[Bermie]

I spike palms if they have been spiked many times before. Now days, if the palm has never been spiked, or only spiked a few times and I will be the one maintaining that palm, I don't spike them even if a lift can't get to it. I have 2 tree climbing stands, 2 sets of strap on sectional tree ladders (36 ft. total length) and 15 strap on tree steps. Using one or a combination of these items can get me to the top of almost any palm.

As far as real trees, many times I don't even spike removals if there are lots of branches to stand on. I do spike the very rare times I trim an albizzia. Those trees are classified as an invasive species and I always recommend to the owner that those trees be removed.

I like your reply!!
Love to see some pics of your palm steps and ladders deplyed for action.
Point of interest, what species is you invasive Albizzia? We have A. lebbeck here, lovely tree one of my favorites...

 

[Koa Man]

I will get some photos for you the next time I use them, which will be next month at one of the Waikiki hotels.

Here is part of the Hawaii Senate Resolution on the albizzia I speak of.

THE SENATE
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII MAR 1a. S.R. NO. J3if
SENATE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE
MOLUCCA ALBIZIA TREE.

8
9 WHEREAS, molucca albizia is one of the fastest growing
10 species among the broad-leaf tree species and has a life span of
11 twenty-five to thirty years; and
12
13 WHEREAS, today, the molucca albizia is present statewide,
14 as it has adapted to the semi-moist areas below one thousand
15 five hundred feet in elevation; and
16
17 WHEREAS, the molucca albizia has a large crown and can
18 reach more than one hundred feet in height; and
19
20 WHEREAS, the molucca albizia has a soft and brittle wood,
21 has a shallow root system in poor soil, and its large branches
22 are often susceptible to breaking in high wind; and
23
24 WHEREAS, these factors pose a significant hazard to people
25 and property in various residential and recreational areas,
26 including the Manoa Falls trail; and

28 WHEREAS, there is increasing public concern about the risk
29 to people and property presented by the spread of the molucca
30 albizia tree in the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as part of its study, the
University of Hawaii is requested to prepare recommendations on
whether it is feasible to eradicate the molucca albizia and, if
so, a method of how to eradicate this species of tree;


SR LRB 08-2587.doc

 

[Bermie]

Right then...completely different from what we know as albizzia...
Post a new thread when you get those palm pics...I'll be waitingopcorn:

 

[TreeClimber57]

just a quick thought for alot of you pro's. are spikes really worth having with pruning jobs especially ones on tree that you cant limb walk.

How many ways can I spell NO... Never use gaffs on a tree when pruning..