Removal without spikes?

[VTMechEng]

I have read a few poeple on here state that either they or someone they know will do removals without spikes on. While I know this question must sound elementary, how would you do a removal without spikes? I would say about half my experience has been with removals and never have I seen one done without spikes. Thank you for your help and everyone STAY SAFE.

 

[tinman44]

cut it from the ground? then you would even have to wear a belt or flipline

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

i do it because my strategies are so switched over to non spike climbs, and then to exercise those skills more too (especially at first on ez ones when trying to get hang of it at every easier oppurtunity).

Now, blocking out, or climbing steep, clean verticals on removals, more apt to use'em. But in fairly well scaffolded removals; or wearing them all morning because i need them once or twice, i make do without. If one section of a tree is coming out, and i can isolate it to spike only and it is steep or blocking out wood of it self with no were else to stand i wear em. Sometimes even on removals, i might climb up, then get them off as dead weight.

It is just what i've gotten used to and exercise to increase skill in.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I would never do a removal w/o hooks.

 

[underwor]

None of the companies I visited in Russia had ever tried to use spikes. The technique they used was a double lanyard setup that worked very much like spikes and they climbed with about the same speed as with spikes. I am going to try to get a video of their techniques this summer. If I do I will post it on here. I think it would be ideal for palms. None of the problem with the spur shank biting into your leg all day and no holes in the tree.

 

[tnttreeman]

I would never do a removal w/o hooks.

Me either. Been doing removals with them since day one and couldn't imagine doing it otherwise.

 

[topnotchtree]

I kinda got the impression VT was askin how you go about blockin down wood from a removal without spikes on when only the spar is left. That would be a neat trick! It all depends on the tree. Many times you can strip the tree to a spar, or till just the trunk is left, and notch and flop from the ground.

 

[clearance]

All I can add to this craziness of removals without spurs is a very sincere "put the crack pipe down"

 

[alanarbor]

It stands to reason, if you can climb a tree w/o spikes to prune it, why couldn't you do it on a removal? I don't know why you'd want to, but what ever creams your twinkie.

 

[huskycandoit]

If your taking out the big pieces of the trunk how are you suspost to be tied in? And what would you stand on?

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I've done a lot of removals without. Like alan said it stands to reason if you can climb without then you could remove without. I never really plan on it but I do so few removals and don't generally carry my spikes around with me because when I'm pruning they're just extra equipment to haul around. I end up forgeting to take them with me and I'm not about to spend an hour going to get them. Lately I've been keeping them in the box with my rigging gear though so I've always had them when I needed them.

 

[alanarbor]

If your taking out the big pieces of the trunk how are you suspost to be tied in? And what would you stand on?

I'd probably have my climbing line choked off with a running bowline (or one of those fancy FS setups) plus lanyard around the tree. I would use a big loop of 1/2" line, girth hitch it around the stem, and use it for a foot suppourt.

It would be a PITA, but it would work......at least hypothetically. I am assuming a larger stem here, with a relatively small stem, loop runners would work for your foot step.

 

[JonnyHart]

Doesn't sound to practical.Or stable. Or safe. Or comfortable.

 

[tnttreeman]

Much easier to stand on the little steel plates on the bottom of my spikes.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I do it the sam way Kenny does, keep the spikes off for the canopy work and then put the gaffs on when they won't be in my way. A lot of my TD'd are spreading trees


I guess if you don't climb alot of big trees w/o gaffs you cannot see how it would be done.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

If your taking out the big pieces of the trunk how are you suspost to be tied in? And what would you stand on?

Dan, ask your brother he saw me remove a Maple recently w/o hooks.


Now on that note I was trying something different. I find it a lot easier just to put the hooks on.


But working the canopy w/o hooks like JPS said sounds interesting!!!

 

[Redbull]

I'm with JPS here as well. Working the canopy without hooks is a lot easier for me as well. When it's time to block stuff down, I'll "hook up".

 

[Ny finest]

It sounds like you guys are rather leisurely(hook up,Unhook)About work.No time schedules??I'll "unhook" on some removals but not when blocking the trunk is in the picture.

 

[VTMechEng]

I asked this question because in a few other threads some people stated they will do removals without spikes and I didn't understand how. Never hurts to ask right?

 

[Lumberjack]

I do 90% of my removals hookless.

About a time schedule, how long does it take to hookup? It takes me about 2 min, plus about a min to pull them up to me. So, while they are clearing my last piece i rigged down, I hook up.

For blocking down the trunk I hook up if its easier. Messing with footloops is a waist of time and effort.