lowest dia. TIP

[SWAMPY036]

I got a call back today on a huge sugar maple and two smaller ones my question is what is an acceptable dia. for a tie in point. The tree has about a 70' canopy and is close to 90' tall. Their are no mushrooms or any fruiting bodies, and the root flare looks great. All leave are green no dead branches. The trees are blocking view of water. I want the min. SAFE tie in I like to be around 8" but on this job I am going to want to be able to work as much of the tree with out setting another TIP. Like I said I am looking to see what you guys are using for a safe standard. Thanks

 

[jrparbor04]

well,,,my two cents,,,sugar maple is a pretty hard tree in the first place,,,make sure the branch union is not a weak union from just looking at it,,,i have tied into a branch union no smaller than 5 inches and i weigh in at 165lbs

 

[ozy365]

Tie in around the stem using the lateral to peg the heighth. If the lateral busts out, you are still tied to the stem. TIP will slide down stem to next lateral.

If it is a removal, wear spurs as well. Will help you move horizontally, but kinda negative on the limb walking.

 

[BostonBull]

I would say 6" would be the smallest I would tie into. Maybe 5" on sugar Maple, but like what was said above make sure the crotch is good.
This is based on me being 200lbs.

What weight are you? For all we know your a 125lb flyweight or a 250lb monster.......you'll get better results posting this info I think.

 

[moray]

Diameter is only one factor. Limb orientation makes a huge difference. A branch union slanting upwards at 45 degrees could be a lot stronger than one that is horizontal. Are you going to be limb-walking all over the place, pulling sideways at obscene angles, or just sedately rapelling to the ground?

When I first started climbing I knew my judgment of the wood was poor to non-existent, so I did a lot of experiments stressing and breaking pieces of wood that I had cut. I soon learned, happily, that I had been hyperconservative up to that point. With those experiments behind me, and a lot more experience off the ground, I still try to be conservative, but a 2 inch limb, in the right orientation, is sometimes plenty. Other times even 6 inches seems too risky. This seems to me to be one of those situations where experience and judgment are everything, and a rule based on diameter is almost meaningless.

 

[lawmart]

moray i think you hit the nail right on.

Good strong limb oriented the right way 2" not a problem you are on spurs the only time you have weight on the union is when you put your lanyard on and position your self to make the cut, otherwise your weight is on your spurs. But i always try to get the highest point and 3-4 inches is standard for me @ 5'-7"180# (they say muscle weight more than fat). but there is always exceptions Willow, popular etc.....
I also 17 years of judgment behind that decision when i first started they said 6" but i soon put that aside.


Lawmart
playsafe

 

[SWAMPY036]

5'10" 180lbs and yes spurs I have worked taller trees. Your climb line stays at a good angle. This tree is almost as wide as tall so yes I am going to be pulling climbing around obstacles. I will stay with good union and 6" if I have to reset then thats fine. The good thing is it is pretty open to bomb most stuff out of the tree. the lawn has yet to be put in.

 

[booboo]

lots of variables

There's lots of variables but the single most important thing is to tie in around the stem, not the lateral. This could save your life. Period. Also, you can use a smaller TIP because the stem is absorbing some of the stress applied by your weight on the rope, thus getting you a higher or more central TIP.

Variables include, species, live or dead wood, angles and stresses from the rope, weight of the climber, spurs or no spurs, branch union, angle of the crotch etc...It's subjective and comes with practice.

I'm 160# and use the diameter of my wrist as a general rule on healthy hardwoods. Larger TIPs for junk like poplar and willow and funky angles. On my avatar, if I ever get around to putting it up, you'll see me tied in to 2 2" laterals out of a whorl on a spruce for a straight rap to the ground off the spar. That was plenty on that one for that purpose.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

As stated, it all depends, but on hardwoods with a perfect union, I will tie-in on 2 inch wood w/o any concerns.

If it is a lateral with a lot of flex I will bounce it and maybe go up on it.

I'm 245#, put the saw, boots saddle... I'm getting close to 275#

 

[nytreeman]

Tie in around the stem using the lateral to peg the heighth. If the lateral busts out, you are still tied to the stem. TIP will slide down stem to next lateral.

what I've always done you can get away with alot smaller lateral and the stress is spread out on the stem not just the limb

 

[Climb020]

I usually go with a general rule of 3" but there have been times where I have tied into 1-2" branches. Like what has been said already all depends on the wood and placement.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I know a fellow who will tie into very small wood after tieing several backups into the stem.