Pruning

[futbalfantic]

How does one maintain their position while pruning a tree? I was flopping all over the place while trying to do so.

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[beastmaster]

Not sure why your flopping all over the place for. Its all about leverage. Get your lanyard in the right place, then lean a little, and place your feet so gravity and leverage locks you in. You should be stabilized and secure on each cut you make. Using a climbing line along with your lanyard can make this even easier and safer. This will some day be second nature to you.

 

[RandomWoodsman]

Like beast master said use your lanyard to keep you in position also keep the slack out of your climbing line. Another thing that will help you on limbwalks is to set your line in the highest crotch that will support your weight as this makes for a more vertical pendullem do as you walk out there will be less force pulling you back and also if u miss step and swing back there will be alot less drop

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Tell us your gear and technique, and we'll be able to give you better advice. If you're swinging around, sounds like you're not using your T.I.T.S.

 

[KenJax Tree]

Yeah Tie In Twice Stupid


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[futbalfantic]

Having a lanyard would have helped out a lot. I was tied in only DRT could very well be the cause. I will try that next time.


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[sgreanbeans]

Yeah, gotta have that lanyard. Work - Positioning - Lanyard. Safety/climbing line to get you there and to keep you from meeting the sidewalk, lanyard to hold in place while ya work. BE CAREFUL. Before ya go up and start cutting, pick a tree and have some time and practice putting yourself in weird positions. Even with a hand saw, have a double tie in. You may think u cant cut thu a line with a hand saw, but ya can, pretty quick. If it is tight and has a load, a quick swipe of a sharp handsaw is all it takes. Happened here a couple years ago, a kid (not mine) cut thru his line and didn't have on a lanyard, took a small ride, but walked away. Very lucky. Watch some of ArborMaster vids on the ISA website. Ken goes over some basic climbing and you will get a better idea of how to move around and stay put when ya need to. Not sure what kind of lanyard ya got, but a 2n1 is a good choice. That way ya kinda have 2, I have a few different ones, some real pricey gadgets, but I prefer the 2N1 as I can configure it to hold me suspended in the air with leverage. Sometimes you will need to have your safety tight, other times you will want it slack, so ya need to practice before ya go and start cutting. That way you are not trying to figure it out when it really counts. Never learn on the job, always try out new gear or techniques on your own time. It is a quick way to loose confidence when you are seen trying to figure something out on a job. If you are really committed to learning, try and find a pro to teach ya, I know that is beat to death, but it is the safest and fastest way to learn. How I learned, getting yelled at by the dude, while in the tree.

 

[snowyman]

Don't drink alcohol.

 

[SecondGenMonkey]

I quickly learned two things (for the record, I never spike while pruning):

1. Leverage is your friend. Positioning yourself for maximum leverage in that lets you lean where you need is key.
I often find myself in positions where I'm using a leg as a lever to hold myself, like looping it over a branch and hooking my foot under a strong stick.

2. Learn to use poll tools... learn well. A poll tool in the right hands can make you able to climb 30-50% less in any given tree. Just learn to manipulate it so you can make proper cuts.

Edit***

I thought this was obvious, but I'll add it anyway.

Use your ropes. Positioning lanyard and safety lines can be set in some majorly advantageous positions.

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[RandomWoodsman]

Agree on the first and last but not on the second learn to limbwalk and get good at it, pole tools in the tree if you are a beginning climber will make you lazy learn to get out there and work the tree