No Crane Access

[maloufstree]

Just wanted to hear other professional thoughts on this tree. No possible crane access. Just wondered any ones thoughts on if the root structure would be suitable for climbing. The retaining wall was put in 2 years ago and this year the tree did not leaf out. It's an large account that I've had for 2 years now. Its a resort that spends a lot of money with their trees. I just hate to turn it down, on the other hand its not worth me or one of the guys to get hurt. I wouldn't think twice about climbing it but the retaining wall scares me. If you are looking at the tree to the right there is 4 from the trunk to the wall and in front there is 7 feet. Thanks for any input, Craig.

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[TreEmergencyB]

it looks like they buried it with the wall?

if so 2 years ago that tree was well established there then got buried and died i doubt it rotted that much in 2 years that it is unsafe to climb. you could take that wall down and pull all the dirt away see what it looks like drill it maybe you can find out for sure

from what i seen id climb it.

 

[Tree Pig]

Climbing it wouldn't be a huge stress to me. Rigging off it on the other hand I would think twice about. From the pics it looks like you have a spot to cut and chuck or bomb stuff out too. It may mean spending more time cutting small piece to avoid placing a large amount of external force on the tree but I think it could be done.

 

[Tree Pig]

it looks like they buried it with the wall?

if so 2 years ago that tree was well established there then got buried and died i doubt it rotted that much in 2 years that it is unsafe to climb. you could take that wall down and pull all the dirt away see what it looks like drill it maybe you can find out for sure

from what i seen id climb it.

No wall no support (as little as it may be) on the root ball that side of the tree. But I do agree on climbing it, at least as far as can be seen on the pics.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

im under the impression that the tree was there before the wall so the root ball is under the ground not in the wall and if is in the wall you should just notch and drop it right where they dont want it for being idiots!!

 

[Rftreeman]

I've seen and done worst trees. I would say it's safe to climb and rig from but just be careful about shock loading anything and run your lowering rope through at least two crotches for more support and less stress on one leader.

 

[Tree Pig]

im under the impression that the tree was there before the wall so the root ball is under the ground not in the wall and if is in the wall you should just notch and drop it right where they dont want it for being idiots!!

Yeah if you really look at the pics you can see the start of root flare at the base of the tree, and you can actually see exposed roots sticking out under the bridge. Looks too me like they cut back the ditch and put in the wall. And from the pics it looks like in doing so they had to remove a large section of the roots and judging from the crown its a pretty large section.

 

[John464]

You can rig it to the taller tree in the far right. Looks like a perfect rigging point from the picture and if its too far away a floating pulley in mid air anchored to the tree would work as well. I cant really say its safe to rig off the dead tree without actually being in the canopy.

That tree looks like another perfect job for the spider lift to me. If its a large account that doesnt care to much about spending money contact one of your local guys who has a spider lift. Give them a grand, charge 3 grand, have your crew clean the debris.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

You can rig it to the taller tree in the far right. Looks like a perfect rigging point from the picture and if its too far away a floating pulley in mid air anchored to the tree would work as well. I cant really say its safe to rig off the dead tree without actually being in the canopy.

That tree looks like another perfect job for the spider lift to me. If its a large account that doesnt care to much about spending money contact one of your local guys who has a spider lift. Give them a grand, charge 3 grand, have your crew clean the debris.

or rent one

 

[TreeClimber57]

Just wanted to hear other professional thoughts on this tree. No possible crane access. Just wondered any ones thoughts on if the root structure would be suitable for climbing. The retaining wall was put in 2 years ago and this year the tree did not leaf out. It's an large account that I've had for 2 years now. Its a resort that spends a lot of money with their trees. I just hate to turn it down, on the other hand its not worth me or one of the guys to get hurt. I wouldn't think twice about climbing it but the retaining wall scares me. If you are looking at the tree to the right there is 4 from the trunk to the wall and in front there is 7 feet. Thanks for any input, Craig.

Personally, I don't think I would hesitate in climbing it. However, I am somewhat interested in the history. Was that wall built up around the tree, and the root ball is buried somewhere underneath. Or did somebody cut the roots and earth from around an established tree and then build the retaining wall to hold the dirt/root ball. If they did the later, then a little thought may need to be put into this. However, I think it is still a project you can do safely with care and tools (just take you time). (what do you have for lowering device)

 

[maloufstree]

Porta wrap is what we use for a lowering device. I'm not sure and i'll have to find out about the how the wall was installed

 

[TreeClimber57]

Porta wrap is what we use for a lowering device. I'm not sure and i'll have to find out about the how the wall was installed

I have 3 Porta wraps, and they should do the job. I also have 2 Hobbs lowering devices, a couple of rope winches, etc.. (have not purchased a grcs yet).

Look at the wall closely, then make your decision. It would not stop me at all, but may make my plan of attack slightly different depending on what I found.

 

[treemandan]

Is it an elm?

What a mess. Whose idea was it?

I have guyed a few before climbing. Maybe you can move the bridge and drop it? Whatever they built looks real, uhm, hack. Why did they do that anyway?

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Throwball lines into the tips and give em a good shake to get an idea how strong things are, have one guy spend a couple hours doing it before you send any crew there. He could get some of those limbs laced up and ready to be secured to bull lines instead of sending a climber up.

I would also definately beg or borrow a grcs and have a good power pruner handy if things are a little shakey. The GRCS just makes the take down SMOOOOOTTTTHHHHH compared to a rope brake, and that can make all the difference in questionable trees like that.

 

[maloufstree]

It's a Pin Oak and they do things like this all the time. Before consulting with anyone. I try to explain to them that I could help with some their planning on site and could give the trees a lot better chance, they agree and then call me and show me something like this. Its frustrating, they have probally lost 40-45 trees of this size due to construction/root compaction or adding dirt around these mature trees. Its money in the bank for me but I still hate to see it happen.

 

[maloufstree]

I forgot to mention that they have spent a little over 100 grand on this little island.

 

[Jeff_Cochran]

i'll be in austin this weekend for the climbing comp . i'll climb it. we'll pull test it, then guy it off.

 

[teamtree]

Why not drive a bucket truck up to the opposite side of the ditch and reach over. Or you could use a spider lift and just walk it over the bridge like they show in there adverstisements.

Looks like you could cut most of the stuff to land in the ditch and then just fish it out. Seems pretty straight forward to me but I am sure there are a 1000 different ways to skin it.

 

[conlan]

Don't worry about the wall

If you are worried about the tree uprooting and falling over because of the wall, it is highly unlikely the weight of your body is going to cause this big tree to fall over. It might however, cause one of the stems you are clibing on to break if the tree has been dead for a while, so pick the biggest and most vertical, central stem to climb and go as high as you can. You can use a pole saw to reach to the top of the tree and trim off as much small stuff as you can and just let it fall to the ground; it shouldn't cause much damage if it's kept small. Once you've done that maybe you can pull bigger sections with a rope into the ditch area (other side of the wall) as your drop zone. This way you can keep from dropping anything big on the pathway and avoid breaking it. It will be a little more work for the groundsmen to drag the stuff up out of the ditch, but at least you won't have to rig off anything that looks weak or decayed. Always look for a drop zone to pull stuff into if you don't trust the tree. Bid the job high and do it yourself. Don't let another tree co. in there because the client might start to go to them for quotes in the future. Good luck.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

as i look at the pics again and without being there in person if you can get the large limb off the left in the 1st pic and some back weight cant you drop the whole thing in the ditch area rent a mini skid to pull it out the time youll save you could maybe replant the bushes and stuff you destroy??? just a thought cant really see unless im standing there?