My kit's like Bermie's but only 1 or 2 biner/loop pairs and no wedge. Always have bandana and camera, often video. Secateurs are hand pruners; very useful for prunes. Bermie do you use Felco or Fiskars?
It's kinda strange that here at *Arborist*site the assumption is that the reason to climb a tree is to cut it down.
re Zen, here is the blurb for my Climber's Corner session at ISA this July--
ZEN AND THE ART OF AERIAL INSPECTION
Haiku:
Arborists inspect,
Translate body languages,
Inform the ground-bound.
In aerial inspections, the climber’s job is to be the eyes and ears, and part of the brain, of the consultant, client or employer. This demonstration will go through the inspection process, describing the proper use of probes, mallets, tape measures, digital cameras, videocameras, resistographs, increment corers, pole pruners and other sampling equipment.
Climbers can do a lot of work that does not involve a saw. Consultants are assigned to inspect trees to assess risk, diagnose pest problems, assess lightning and other damage, among other tasks. Binoculars are useful for inspecting the crown, but often a closer look is needed. Decay should be measured so strength loss can be calculated.
Forks with included bark and cracks must be assessed before support options can be decided on.
Pest problems must be identified before treatment is prescribed. The upper side of branches may be damaged by sunscald. Often the consultant cannot inspect the crown thoroughly enough to complete the assignment, so a climber must perform an aerial inspection. The climber’s job is to be the eyes and ears, as well as part of the brain, of the consultant.
This demonstration will go through that process, describing the proper use of probes, mallets, tape measures, digital cameras, videocameras, resistographs, increment corers, and other sampling equipment. Ways of communicating with the primary consultant to clarify the assignment will be discussed, as well as what other signs and symptoms may be important to document. Some of the vocabulary of the body language of trees will be defined. Different strategies for documenting observations will be demonstrated and reviewed.
Methods of assessing feasibility and premeasuring and determining the best locations for support systems and routes for lightning protection will be demonstrated. Any wounding in the course of these services is better done at nodes, where there is more physiological activity to fuel wound response. Lightning conductors are best run on the underside of any lean, so future climbing activities and falling debris does not dislodge the fasteners.
Every Champion Tree in the US Big Tree Registry needs to be remeasured every ten years, or they lose their status. That status is often called into question due to differing measurements, especially on height. There is never any question about height measured by a tape drop. Champion Tree assessment poses a great challenge and a great opportunity for the modern tree climber.
Practicing and marketing a wide range of aerial inspection services can help arborists climb higher in the business of arboriculture.
one week left for early bird reg! http://www.isa-arbor.com/conference/resources/Reg_online.pdf
