Unlike some I will make this clean and as nice as I can...
I joined this site to try and learn more about tree climbing and care but have found most here do not practice this themselves. While some here are working as they should, too many are not so here is where proper tree care is today:
1. TOPPING IS BAD. I think most people here agree with this but it should be said. Topping will create a bad structure, can kill the tree, and looks like poop. Don't do it, there should be fines for people that do.
2. PRUNING IN SPIKES IS BAD. There I said it once and for all. The ISA, ANSI, and every research facility I know of have proven that spike wounds allow bad things to enter trees. Have spikes ever killed a tree, I don't know, but I do know any bug or disease entering a tree will hurt overall asthetics. Lets not forget that spike marks don't look too good either; we should be leaving things so the only change is what ment to cut out.
3. Always use at least double locking biners (I always use tri-locks). This is just common sense, I have even seen a tri-lock open up in a tree once (made my buddy a little nervous). I don't like the Kong's too much because there aluminum ones have cast gates that tend to break over time but the petzl ones are good.
4. LEARN NEW CLIMBING KNOTS AND FRICTION HITCHES. I am especialy talking to those still using a tautline from the tail of their rope. The tautline is old, out-dated, and shouldn't be used due to such better options. Not only do you now have the Blakes (tied with a split tail please) but things like the VT hitch. I personaly like the schwaebisch using 8 or 10 mm Ultratech. In the end a better knot will make you more productive and keep you safe.
5. STAY TIED IN AT ALL TIMES. I don't mean with a lanyard but with your climbing line. This is not hard stuff to think about, if you need to get down fast and you only have a lanyard holding you in then what? I know when we recrotch there will be a time with only a lanyard but other then that there is no excuse. This is safety and we should be practicing it as much as possible.
6. BE A LITTLE NICER TO NEW GUYS. I know they don't know much but they are here to learn so try to teach instead of tick off. While they questions may seem dumb to you now there was a time you didn't know the answer, at least they are asking instead of assuming. Just remember that we all started at the bottom.
Good bye to all and climb/work safe, you don't want to be a statistic.
I joined this site to try and learn more about tree climbing and care but have found most here do not practice this themselves. While some here are working as they should, too many are not so here is where proper tree care is today:
1. TOPPING IS BAD. I think most people here agree with this but it should be said. Topping will create a bad structure, can kill the tree, and looks like poop. Don't do it, there should be fines for people that do.
2. PRUNING IN SPIKES IS BAD. There I said it once and for all. The ISA, ANSI, and every research facility I know of have proven that spike wounds allow bad things to enter trees. Have spikes ever killed a tree, I don't know, but I do know any bug or disease entering a tree will hurt overall asthetics. Lets not forget that spike marks don't look too good either; we should be leaving things so the only change is what ment to cut out.
3. Always use at least double locking biners (I always use tri-locks). This is just common sense, I have even seen a tri-lock open up in a tree once (made my buddy a little nervous). I don't like the Kong's too much because there aluminum ones have cast gates that tend to break over time but the petzl ones are good.
4. LEARN NEW CLIMBING KNOTS AND FRICTION HITCHES. I am especialy talking to those still using a tautline from the tail of their rope. The tautline is old, out-dated, and shouldn't be used due to such better options. Not only do you now have the Blakes (tied with a split tail please) but things like the VT hitch. I personaly like the schwaebisch using 8 or 10 mm Ultratech. In the end a better knot will make you more productive and keep you safe.
5. STAY TIED IN AT ALL TIMES. I don't mean with a lanyard but with your climbing line. This is not hard stuff to think about, if you need to get down fast and you only have a lanyard holding you in then what? I know when we recrotch there will be a time with only a lanyard but other then that there is no excuse. This is safety and we should be practicing it as much as possible.
6. BE A LITTLE NICER TO NEW GUYS. I know they don't know much but they are here to learn so try to teach instead of tick off. While they questions may seem dumb to you now there was a time you didn't know the answer, at least they are asking instead of assuming. Just remember that we all started at the bottom.
Good bye to all and climb/work safe, you don't want to be a statistic.
