I recently watched a fella cut down a tree by climbing and cutting a little at a time.I was very impressed and consider it an art.I also would like to eventually do it myself.Mostly when trees are taken down it is done with a bucket boom.Some of my trees are quite large and this method would work well.I realize that this is an art and very serious stuff,but I would start on smaller trees.I would not know where to start as far as equipment.Any advise would be helpful.Thanks.
Interested in climbing
- Thread starter Mule
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Unless you've done some climbing in the past, don't think you can just buy equipment and do the job. It is a skill and an ACQUIRED skill. You'll need to maybe watch some videos, read some books, get aquainted with some local tree companies and at least watch them at first, maybe even take classes. It's not for everyone and is very dangerous. One slip and you are done. Be careful as you proceed.
Thanks Capetree,I clearly understand the points you have made.I have considered the seriousness of this type of work.And I am the type of person that takes things serious.As you suggest,I do intend to start with books and videos.I have been caring for my woodlots for a few years now and have learned alot along the way,much by hands on work and much with books.But this I know is what seperates the men from the boys.And I will take it one step at a time.Thanks.
Treecutr
ArboristSite Operative
Mule, the other thing is the nerves, you gotta be a little ballsy. It's not just the heights, I don't mind heights. You start wondering " will this hold me?" " is it gonna break off below me?" weird stuff. after a while, you have to know that the tree is strong enough to hold you. And everyone knows it looks taller when you're up there. You have to have the right safety equipment, knowledge, and trust your equipment, but start low and slow. We have a saying in the Army. " Solw is smooth, and smooth is fast "
Oh, and the gears not cheap
Oh, and the gears not cheap
cableguy256
ArboristSite Operative
Mule, I'm not a professional aroborist so I'm sure I'll forget some equipment here but the basics... OSHA rated safety belt with strap (belt goes on your waist, strap goes around tree), chaps, hard hat, safety glasses, 'gauntlet' gloves preferably 8" or more, steel toe/arch safety boots... like I said, I know I'm forgetting some stuff here but that's the basics... what I can tell you for sure is that gaffing/hooking/climbing a tree is an extremely respectful job both from the dangers and the knowledge it takes... I am a lineman for a large cable company and have been through all the schooling and gaff telephone poles on a daily basis and can tell you that the first couple times I gaffed a tree, I was sweatin bullets just because it's such a different feeling than anything else. Be Safe, Be Smart and good luck.
Treecutr
ArboristSite Operative
to add to cable guys list, 2 more really important things a chainsaw, and a safety line.
cableguy256
ArboristSite Operative
lol! AS much as I knew I'd forget some things.... who'd have thought I'd forget the d**n chainsaw??
Fireaxman
ArboristSite Guru
Actually, forgetting the chain saw is a real good idea when you first start out. Climbing is dangerous. Chain saws are more dangerous. Put them together in a tree and the increased risk is exponential, not arithmetic. In other words, Danger 8 plus Danger 8 is Danger 64, not danger 16.
"Where to Start"?
1. Got a copy of Jepson's "Tree Climbers Companion" yet?
2. Learn to climb first, without a saw. Find a "Coach" if at all possible, even if you have to hire one for a day. He will save you money in time, equipment, and doctor bills. Start with Rope climbing. If you go to spurs, practice only on junk trees like sweet gum, black gum, trees with no market or ornamental value.
3. Add a hand saw. Start out pruning. Limit yourself to limbs and branches small enough to cut with a hand saw. Hopefully, you will cut small and slow enough to learn how they break and fall before you start cutting anything big enough to kill you. Again, climb on Rope, so you dont disfigure your practice trees. Get Shigo's book on pruning, so you will know how to make the cuts. ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) also has some good computer courses, Google them.
4. Study the Arboricultural Injuries and Fatalities threads on this web site. You can learn a lot from the mistakes of others.
5. "Remember" the chain saw only after you are thoroughly comfortable with 1. through 4. above. By then, you may be ready for Baranek's book, "The Fundamentals of General Tree Work". But its way more than just "Fundamentals". Most of it is pretty darned "Advanced".
Do I sound authoritative? I'm not. I'm just remembering how much pain and money I would have saved myself IF I had it to do over again. Experience is a hard teacher. Gives the test first, then the lesson. IF you survive the "Test".
I'm not trying to talk you out of this at all. It's Great Fun, Challenging, Rewarding, an Adrenalin Rush almost every time. But it is also Genuinely Dangerous.
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tree md
Addicted to ArboristSite
Yeah, I'd suggest learning rope and saddle climbing first. Wish I would have learned it first instead of spur climbing, it would have made the spikes less of a crutch.
If you really want to do it start out by rec climbing. Research your climbing gear and buy some. Tree Climbers Companion is a good field guide for the basics. On Rope is another good source and can be had for as little as $10, used from Amazon. If you do do any pruning stick with a handsaw at first. It'll keep you out of trouble.
As far as working in the tree with a saw and learning rigging, there is no substitute for hands on, working as an apprentice. It's not something that is very easy to learn by books or internet chat. One mistake could mean your life.
If you really want to do it start out by rec climbing. Research your climbing gear and buy some. Tree Climbers Companion is a good field guide for the basics. On Rope is another good source and can be had for as little as $10, used from Amazon. If you do do any pruning stick with a handsaw at first. It'll keep you out of trouble.
As far as working in the tree with a saw and learning rigging, there is no substitute for hands on, working as an apprentice. It's not something that is very easy to learn by books or internet chat. One mistake could mean your life.
Thanks to all for the sound advice.I have been up in trees for many years bow hunting.Often I use climbers and have gone pretty high just to go high,only to come back down to reasonable hunting levels.I do like being up there,cant really explain it.Thanks again.
tree md
Addicted to ArboristSite
X2 on the bowhunting. Love it!
I just registered for this forum but I am currently a student at Paul Smith's college and undergoing intensive training as to safe climbing techniques. With all the information and variations to the job i would highly suggest finding a teacher either at a school or on the job site. As much is I love climbing it is not exactly something i want to learn from mistakes.
beastmaster
Addicted to ArboristSite
You have to really love climbing and trees, because money wise its not the best profession, at lest not tell you get really good or become an owner operator.(And thats no guaranty by a long shot) Of course learning all the techniques of climbing are essential, if you want to make money you have to elevate your self above just being a climber(nothing wrong with that though) and study every aspect of the business. Knowledge and experience is what sets you apart. Its good to have paper behind you. Certificates, a degree,and what not.
Most climber I have known, myself included started out as groundsmen and worked their way into the tree. I have had many mentors over the years, of course these day you also got the internet. I think all climber should start on the ground. Just my advice and personal opinion. Theres lot of things to remember as you learn, but I was told many years ago the number one thing is,"don't cut your safety line." you can probably survive everything else.Beast
Most climber I have known, myself included started out as groundsmen and worked their way into the tree. I have had many mentors over the years, of course these day you also got the internet. I think all climber should start on the ground. Just my advice and personal opinion. Theres lot of things to remember as you learn, but I was told many years ago the number one thing is,"don't cut your safety line." you can probably survive everything else.Beast
Thank you all for the replies on climbing.My woodlot is my passion and I consider it my arborist boot camp.In the future I plan to be in the tree service business,I figure why not make money doing what I love.
Bermie
Addicted to ArboristSite
Taking your first line as a disclaimer...but...
Arborists use a work positioning harness, not a waist belt, designed to support you through the hips, pelvis and legs in addition to the waist, the 'strap' is an adjustable flipline or lanyard, you also need a primary climbing line and a friction hitch. Gloves are optional, but go for the close fitting kind like atlas grippy gloves.
Learn to climb without spikes first.
Go buy the 'Tree Climbers Companion' for $15 and then see if you still want to try.
Check out the recreational climbers forum here and see if there is anyone in your area who will take you out for a climb, they will probably have gear you can borrow to see how its done before buying anything.
Hope you try it and hope you like it!
mattfr12
The Bulldog
get somone to teach you thats how i learned if i woulda just have read a bunch of books i would probably be seriously injured or worse. books are a great source for information but hands on when you actually get to see what its all about. like when i first started out with the bartlett tree experts i had a forman watching me for the first few months of work and they just slowly let me go off on my own intill they where confident in my skills.
i mean if you where close enough and willing to travel i would be more than glad to show you what i know. thats how im still breathing by having an actual proffesional teach me.
if you want to get in the tree buisness go work for a respectable company. let them teach you.
i mean if you where close enough and willing to travel i would be more than glad to show you what i know. thats how im still breathing by having an actual proffesional teach me.
if you want to get in the tree buisness go work for a respectable company. let them teach you.
