Is this a suicide climb?

[Climb020]

Really need more information to decide to climb it or not. Is there another tree close to tie in to? Is there a lean? If so, where is the rot in respect to it? With 60% rot it more depends on exactly where the rotten/hollow spots are. With something like that and no rome for a bucket, I would probally try to remove as much weight as possible before going up. Could use either a power pruner and a step ladder, that is within reason, or a rope chain to get some of the stuff higher up.

 

[beowulf343]

Trees still standing isnt it????????? i have rigged out ash trees in worse states ..and walked away...you could feel them lifting on the 1 butress they had suporting the decaying carcuss....... there was no way buckets and cranes could get near them and they were over roofs...one i almost refused to do ,but when my boss had a go and ?????ed out spiking half way up i had to have a go! some of the best adrenalin felling ive had! go for it!

How long you been climbing matty? I've done worse too back in my young and dumb days but don't brag about them anymore-i just thank God i was lucky enough to get away with it when i didn't know any better.

I like JPS's idea of the pull test. As long as you didn't shock load it, it looks like it might be ok. Hard to give an opinion unless you're standing right next to it though.

 

[murphy4trees]

60% should be plenty for that tree... PLENTY.... The only problem is what if you think it's 60% and it is really 80-90%... then you could be in trouble...

I concur with the pull test being the most reliable (no resistoigraph) easy way to get a sense of the tree's stability. Trees that look bad often have a lot more strength than one would think. If the tree handles the pull test I would climb it, especially if you can start to bomb a bunch of weight before needing a rope... Minimize shock loads by side swinging limbs into the rigging and tying fairly close to the balance point.

And of course pray before you go.. Seriously...

And of course there is no shame in walking away... There is plenty of work out there... this one may not be for you...

The ONLY shame would be in underbidding it.... Charge a whole lot for that tree.... Maybe you need some new gear to make it safer... and maybe you need to rent a bucket... or buy some new chains... Add it all to the bill... plus a large percentage for the pucker factor... and then some for all the time you spent here at AS thinking about it... And then some incase it takes longer than you thought cause you had to rig smaller pieces... And then some more for the uinexpected delays that might come up...

I'd say you're somewhere between 3 and $4K... maybe even 5...
What do you think you can get for that tree... are they getting prices? We probably should have started with that...

Like not how can I take this tree down... but should I take it down for $X?

What do you all think??? what is a tree like that worth in your market?

 

[(WLL)]

A gentle wind puts more pressure on that tree than a climber. If you can drop the pieces without rigging than I'd climb it. I like John Paul's idea of pulling it in different directions first. I use a ladder, and when I put it up sometimes I'll really pop it with the ladder, getting a feel for the shakiness, listening for hollows. Even a casual wind puts hundreds of pounds of pressure on the tree, once you lop a few major branches I would think the risk drops. IMO.

i agree with u. looks like an easy climb from the pics from what i see id climb it and it would all be bomb shots. i would rope nothing and whip er down in 20-30 mins. cake day 4 me. i would Surely pull in different directions and wear my crash helmet just to be safe. if you got a bucket use it and be sure to charge accordingly. a hazard looking tree like that brings in good money.

 

[Dadatwins]

Pull test with several ropes is a good option, just make sure the directions you are pulling are clear of anything in case the tree actually fails the test and falls over. If you are not sure of climbing it then don't. In my experience any tree can be removed it is just a question of getting enough $$$ for the job. Bucket would probably be the safest option. I would price the job high enough to pay for it or just walk away. Be careful.

 

[Timber_Hitch]

Looks like they graded the dirt around the base to high and killed the tree.
I killed a couple trees like that grading after a new septic system that was put in. A neighbor was a horticulture professor and told me thats why the trees died. The first pic Wow ! Dejavu

 

[treehumper]

Without seeing a broader view of the site to get a sense of what surrounds the tree and relationship to the road. But $3-4K would be in the ballpark.

With the pull test be at the base watching carefully how the trunk moves, the root plate tilting if there is anything left of it, separation between the root collar and the soil surrounding it. No need to pull it to the point you risk pulling it over!

This is a great tree to take the time and work up a detailed quote outlining the rational for the pricing. Don't be afraid to charge for doing this safely.

 

[urbanlumberinc]

I wasn't gonna say anything, but I will anyway. I see in this thread some of the culture that I've seen injure too many people (climbers and otherwise) and kill exactly two. Regardless of the situation, to assume that something isn't going to fail just because it hasn't already is just plain stupid... I can't find a better term. True, the tree hasn't fallen yet, but by that same simple minded logic - a tree hasn't failed until it does. I'm just as guilty as the next guy, and maybee more so of oversimplifying such a scenario. The odds of that tree having a sudden and catastrophic failure might be as likely as hitting the powerball jackpot, but even that happens all the time. Me personally: I'm gonna do everything I can to make the odds of that tree taking me down with it as long as possible.
-Hope I didn't offend anyone, and be safe out there

-Scotty

 

[Highclimber OR]

This is a real judgment call. Have I climbed trees that are this bad? Yes and more than I would like to admit. It all comes down to instincts and what you truly believe that you can get away with. For me personally, I would do it in a heartbeat if I could freewheel some pieces and maybe a fair sized top guided out with a rope, as long as the rot ain't too bad. If you are not totally sure about it then don't do it. An unsure climber is a danger to themselves and others, and there is no amount of money that can bring you back to life, or restore your abilities as a climber. I have heard many fortunate stories and quite a few ugly ones as well. GO WITH YOUR GUT!

 

[BarkingMad]

CULTURE of SAFETY!

"Trees that look bad often have a lot more strength than one would think."
As Mr Murphy wrote, so way too many of us think. My guess is that a good number of climbers make it as much a matter of confidence in themselves as in the structure of the tree. This attitude is what kills people regularly.
If a tree can't be cut with full allowances for it being WORSE than you think, one of these days you're going to guess wrong and we'll all get to read about it. There are so many ways to make a nasty job safer, including cranes, aerial lifts and creative rigging that it just doesn't make sense to decide that bravery and confidence can replace them all.
The issue is SAFETY and the creation of a CULTURE of SAFETY.

 

[matty f]

How long you been climbing matty? I've done worse too back in my young and dumb days but don't brag about them anymore-i just thank God i was lucky enough to get away with it when i didn't know any better.

I like JPS's idea of the pull test. As long as you didn't shock load it, it looks like it might be ok. Hard to give an opinion unless you're standing right next to it though.

13 years ive been qualified and climbing for...aint done much else with my life so gotta brag about some thing!

shockingly bad photo, but that was the butress of all that was left on a ash stem that looked fine but when you got up close you could see inotus had eaten atleast 70% away....trees are a lot stronger in that state than givan credit for...other wise it would of blown over in the first bit of wind.
So rigging out small pieces on a calm day is gonna be fine....but if your not comftable why not hire one of those platforms that can get in through real tight spaces..if thats the issue or use a bucket or crane.

 

[John Brown]

tricky removal

I would not recomend to climb that for one thing once you remove weight on one side. The base (witch is severly rotted)would shift all its weight to the heavier side that still has limbs.The tree is supporting itself by the equal weight on each side.Even with a bucket you must take equal weight off each side or it may snap and fall towards the bucket.Your best bet would be a crane and to support the tree while you trimmed.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

I would spend an hour with the throwball testing outer limbs, but a bit of weight on then to see how bad they are, if your able to tear em out pretty easily I would be looking at a spider lift. If it seem okay, and is dead around lines, if you havent got one, rent a power pruner, it allows you stay off the outer limbs and still get cuts in. Time consuming yes, but its way shorter than waiting for bones to heal.

 

[soutz]

The fact that you have doubts is enough to warrant a crane.

 

[ropensaddle]

One way not mentioned I have incorporated from countless experience taking down nasties is take a throwball set several ropes and tie them off to other trees in the area to shore up like guy wires!! I usually snug first line on strongest side of tree the other ropes make bowline on bight put working end through pulley or around tree through bowline and then cinch up!did this on a dead gum worse than this tree had ropes tied off four
directions from tree like a pinwheel, it stabilized the tree enough to get job done!!!

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

no tree is worth killing or worse permanently injuring yourself for!!!!!!!

 

[treevet]

Just for one example in the "Art and Science of Practical Rigging" video set one of the producers I believe it was w Rip Tompkins and Ken Palmer was killed when a tree he was working in fell over (not related to the video but I think during the filming) it is mentioned and a dedication to him in the series.

 

[clearance]

Looks like a 2-man bucket job to me.

Treetom, the voice of reason, anyone that says to climb it-put down the crack pipe. I mean it.

 

[Soul Assassin]

Debating on whether or not to climb this one. Any professional opinion on this tree. The bottom of this Oak is decayed more than 60%. The top is green and full of life but just take a look at the trunk. It litteraly crumbles in your hand. I took a 4 inch pocket knife and inserted it into the trunk all the way with no effort. I know if Dan Osman was a tree climber he wouldnt second guess it..but he is dead.

The first pic looks as if there are not alot of obstacles around it, maybe there is. If not, why not just put a rope on it and drop it ?

 

[Soul Assassin]

Oh man, I would never climb that. I'd get a bull rope in it...or several...tie a running bowline, tie the other end to my chipdump.....yell for evryone to run-away........put some pull on it with my truck.

Hard to tell by the pics, but I might just back cut and run, not even dare to wedge it. Then charge the homeowner four grand....lol. Good luck , if you've already done it...I'd like to hear about it.