is it practical to use just hand tools up high?

[Jusley]

Hello,

Can I use hand tools only to remove trees up high? What would be the most efficient tools? Small to medium sized trees only. I was thinking a hand axe and a tuttle cut pruning saw but I'd like to get some opinions.

Thanks,
J

 

[KenJax Tree]

Silky Sugoi pruning saw what are you using it for just trimming? If so then yes very practical. For a removal not so practical you would be there all day if your arm didn't fall off first.

 

[Jusley]

I was wanting to be able to completely take down small diameter trees; climb, prune off limbs, lower each safely then top the tree down in pieces. I'm just getting into this business and habe experience felling near structures and against leans but it isn't always possible to fell the tree. I seriously distrust chainsaws and even own a stihl 192 but the thought of using it up high makes me a little nervous. So if can just stick to handtools and figure out how to drop them slowly with handtools I'd feel a lot better. I don't mind that it's hard work.

 

[Jusley]

My next question is where do I find information or training on how to use a chainsaw up high? Videos, books or what have you?

 

[KenJax Tree]

A book or video will only tell you so much once you get a saw in your hands its a whole new ball game nothing like hand on training my best advice is to try to get someone with experience to train you or find a job with a local company to learn. Im not saying you can't get info from book or videos because you can get tons of info but most important is the hands on training. Have you ever climbed a tree before? Do you have equpiment? Rope,saddle,spurs,flipline,etc?

 

[Jusley]

I have an extensive rock.climbing background and when I decided I wanted to.do this tree thing I bought all the equipment and went and practiced on some trees I knew I was going to take out. I had no problems and after I. Did it about three times I felt like I could climb anything. So far I've only been up about fifty feet, the limitation seemed to be footwear as the workboots I have are very uncomfortable or maybe that's how spurs are?

So far I've climbed four trees to secure a line 3/4 up to fell them against a lean and was successful. I know I have a great deal to learn.

I don't have the capacity to work for someone else, it just isn't in me.

 

[Tree Pig]

I have an extensive rock.climbing background and when I decided I wanted to.do this tree thing I bought all the equipment and went and practiced on some trees I knew I was going to take out. I had no problems and after I. Did it about three times I felt like I could climb anything. So far I've only been up about fifty feet, the limitation seemed to be footwear as the workboots I have are very uncomfortable or maybe that's how spurs are?

So far I've climbed four trees to secure a line 3/4 up to fell them against a lean and was successful. I know I have a great deal to learn.

I don't have the capacity to work for someone else, it just isn't in me.

You know with a little reading you could have put that line in the tree from the ground... but I guess if your trying to learn its a good place to practice if the tree is coming down... Everyone here (at least everyone that counts) is going to suggest you try and hook up with someone with experience (Pro) to learn from.

god luck, be safe.

 

[Jusley]

So far I'm just using a saddle, spurs and a flipline to climb. Is it necessary to top rope a setup?

 

[KenJax Tree]

Its not necessary but highly reccomended to have 2 TIP. What would happen if you sliced through your flipline? I tie in twice even with just a hand saw most of the time.

 

[Jusley]

I recognize that you're recommendation of tying in twice as solid advice and will do so in the future. I've wondered about how to stay tied in when topping near my safety lines and also how on earth people use chainsaws at. Above shoulder height? I can understand chainsawing limbs and using the trunk to protect myself (sorta) but cutting and chucking is another ballngame. How do you ensure the trunk or the chainsaw doesn't hurt you?

 

[jefflovstrom]

I recognize that you're recommendation of tying in twice as solid advice and will do so in the future. I've wondered about how to stay tied in when topping near my safety lines and also how on earth people use chainsaws at. Above shoulder height? I can understand chainsawing limbs and using the trunk to protect myself (sorta) but cutting and chucking is another ballngame. How do you ensure the trunk or the chainsaw doesn't hurt you?

Above shoulder height--Not!
You need an on-site mentor.
Jeff

 

[Jusley]

Well I knew that above shoulder height was improbable I'm just unsure how you tie in to cut below?

 

[Jusley]

Well I knew that above shoulder height was improbable I'm just unsure how you tie in to cut below?

 

[KenJax Tree]

Well I knew that above shoulder height was improbable I'm just unsure how you tie in to cut below?

This is why you need a mentor to work with you. I did ground work for 3 years before i ever put a saddle on i just watch and learned and asked questions so I had a very good understanding and knew all the knots before i ever left the ground. Read Jeff Jepson's book called "climbers companion" its got a lot of helpful info for beginners.

 

[Saw Dust Smoken]

info to learn

Good info here in advanced search. Also look at other tree forums on the net. With U-tube and othe vids can point you in the right direction. But get a climb line for quick exit from tree. Also two ty in points for safety. Keep asking question. Safe climbing...

 

[no tree to big]

no offense but from the sounds of it YOU are not going to learn how NOT TO KILL YOURSELF before you DO KILL YOURSELF trying to figure it out it is not something you can explain on a forum from the stage it needs to be explained in this case, you need to go work for a tree company period

can you use a chain saw on the ground with confidence? I know some co's that wont even let a new climber use a saw in a tree for quite a few months when they are just starting to learn

and yes it is highly advisable to set a "climb line""life line""saftey line" or whatever you want to call it and it is a requirement to have two tie ins while making a cut

another thing do not use the same crotch for a rigging and a climbing line you can burn through your climb line when letting the rigging line run against it whether its under or above it

and since your just using a saddle spurs and a flip line just out of curiosity how do you climb above branches or crotches that you must get above with only one tie in devise?

 

[KenJax Tree]

no offense but from the sounds of it YOU are not going to learn how NOT TO KILL YOURSELF before you DO KILL YOURSELF trying to figure it out it is not something you can explain on a forum from the stage it needs to be explained in this case, you need to go work for a tree company period

can you use a chain saw on the ground with confidence? I know some co's that wont even let a new climber use a saw in a tree for quite a few months when they are just starting to learn

and yes it is highly advisable to set a "climb line""life line""saftey line" or whatever you want to call it and it is a requirement to have two tie ins while making a cut

another thing do not use the same crotch for a rigging and a climbing line you can burn through your climb line when letting the rigging line run against it whether its under or above it

and since your just using a saddle spurs and a flip line just out of curiosity how do you climb above branches or crotches that you must get above with only one tie in devise?

2 in 1 lanyard?

 

[no tree to big]

2 in 1 lanyard?

but is that what he has? probably not

 

[Jusley]

I do sincerely appreciate the positive information.

I'll scour youtube and see what I can pickup. It's true I don't have much chainsaw experience because on the ground I never saw much need for them and dislike the noise.

Earlier I asked about books and dvd's. I'm certain I can learn anything from a book. With careful application of knowledge and thought a person can do anything. I'm certain that before NASA went to the moon everybody said "You'll get killed" but they went and came back alive.

I can see about finding someone to show me how it's done but I'll never work for anyone.

As for knots, I already know quite a few and tend to pick them up quickly.

 

[ddhlakebound]

I do sincerely appreciate the positive information.

I'll scour youtube and see what I can pickup. It's true I don't have much chainsaw experience because on the ground I never saw much need for them and dislike the noise.

Earlier I asked about books and dvd's. I'm certain I can learn anything from a book. With careful application of knowledge and thought a person can do anything. I'm certain that before NASA went to the moon everybody said "You'll get killed" but they went and came back alive.

I can see about finding someone to show me how it's done but I'll never work for anyone.

As for knots, I already know quite a few and tend to pick them up quickly.

I'm having some trouble understanding your perspective.....No need for 'em, and too loud??? What's wrong with you man? :msp_confused:

You can learn lots from books and vids, but no teaching/learning tool can cover all the variables. The info in the book or vid is static. Climbing and cutting is dynamic. Now, no mentor, or live trainer can cover all the variables either, but they can certainly use experience that you can't get from a book to safely solve approaching problems before you ever realize you're about to encounter the problem. Or you can learn those things yourself, with all the time and risk associated with not having any experience.

How little are you willing to work for per hour, because doing removals (even smallish ones) with a handsaw will mean that it takes you 3-4 times longer than the people you're bidding against to complete the job.

If you're glued to only using hand tools, then you should focus on learning to climb out to the tips of the branches, up into the tops of the trees, and learning how to properly prune, along with when, why and where to prune. Then your hand tools can effectively make money at a worthwhile rate.