pruning

[treeman82]

I have a question for you guys. I know its gonna sound dumb... but I have to ask it anyways. I was pruning a black oak a few weeks ago, didn't have to go into too much detail. Just get the big stuff out (DWP). I tied in at 55 feet off the ground and proceded to work the crown. My question is, do you find it easier to work one side of the tree, come down, and then work the other side. Or is it better to keep switching around at one level and work your way down? The path of my rope was often obstructed by a scaffold branch and therefore didn't allow me to get too far out on limbs.

 

[mikecross23]

Every situation is a lot different so it would be hard to say what way is "right or wrong." I just finished deadwooding a large live oak this morning. I used three different tie in points and double crotched probably about ten times to access the entire tree. Lots of redirects allowing me to drop down to the tips of lower branches. I was in the zone this morning!!!

 

[treeclimber165]

That tree you did sounds like it was fun, Mike. I got to do some awesome Live oaks this week also, all jammed up for our fun climb tomorrow!

Like Mike said, every tree is different. When I approach a tree to clean out, I plan my basic routes as I'm picking my tie-in point. I 'see' myself accessing each lead and where I need to be tied in to do it. Most typical trees I can tie in once and access the whole tree. Many times I need more than one tie-in or else I need to work my way down one side and then redirect my lifeline in order to work the other side. But I aim for working the whole tree from top to bottom, swinging back and forth is a lot easier and faster than working up and down.
Big Live oaks can be a different story altogether. Many times you have to attack each lead as an individual tree, or work several trees as one tree. I worked a canopy of Live oaks the other day and worked parts of 4 different trees from one tie-in, then redirected to a fifth tree to trim it and finish the first four and banged out two other smaller ones on my way down.

 

[TREETX]

It is always easier to go side to side than down and then up and then down.

If you can get good access, back up and the down again.

What I mainly preach is TOP first!! I hate watching climbers work a tree from bottom to top and then have to shake all the hangers loose.

I have often thought that it takes a lot more than being able to dance around a tree to be fast, you have to work a tree smart. That is what makes you fast.

 

[treeman82]

I am not sure if you guys have pin oaks down there, but that is the kind of branch structure that I am referring to, just a little more spread out.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

If you are setting your lines with a throw bag, would it be a good idea to set 2 ropes in the tree?

 

[treeclimber165]

Originally posted by rich hoffman
If you are setting your lines with a throw bag, would it be a good idea to set 2 ropes in the tree?

In certain situations where you have two relatively separated tie-ins, it can be a big time saver. Once you have both lines set, you can switch lifelines as necessary to work opposite sides of the tree(s). Or say you have one very spearate lead on a monster tree growing too far away and/or too high to reach it from your main tie-in. You can set a second line in that lead and swap over to work that lead when you get to that point, then swap back to your main line to finish the tree.
I'll do it when it will save more time than it takes to set the line.

 

[William Hord]

pin oaks

here in missouri we trim alot of them done 6 last week alot of times you have to cut your way to the top but it is easyier for me to one side at time every tre is different thanks bill

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

In a large spreading tree it is hard to do anything work everythign you can get on one TIP then move to the next. Sometimes there will be a lot of up and down motion.

I will try to work my way up the tree, especialy if I have to get long branches out of the top and need to trip a trough out.

When i get to the TIP I may move it right away.

If i stop to do some work I will survey the area and get everything I can at the time, sometimes it is easier to work out one limb then climb down to a lower one then walk out both.

Like most everyone else I prefer to work from the top down, and try to limit the the amount of rope climbing I have to do.

 

[ropensaddle]

I look at work needed pick my tips shoot my big shot where i want my lines then hook up that wraptor and skit it