Stay the course when entering tree...

[Gopher]

Good day everyone.

I had a very productive day, but was questioned as to why I kept trying to shoot my throw line into a certain spot in this large white oak. I told the guy (that I like and have done work for many times) that it is the only really good place to ascend the tree.

You see, I had to get up to a height of approximately 60 feet to cut the double top ouot of a winding, leanig black cherry tree that had grown through it, and we were removing. He also asked me if I thought I could go up the cherry, and I answered with a resounding, "Not on your life!"

Well, it did take many shots (OK Sanborn, it was seven!), but I soon was in proper position and cut one top out of the cherry. I then redirected over about 10 feet to get the other "top" out, and showed them why I wasn't attached to the portion directly below me. I yelled, "Clear" and they were like, "What?", and I said, "Watch."
I then put about 25 pounds of weight with one foot onto the limb (about half-way out it's total length of about 25 feet and it cracked. I then pushed a little more and it broke off near the trunk, where that lateral wasn't in the best of shape inside. The diameter of the limb ws about ten inches at the break point.

Moral of the story is two-fold; one, if you know where you can safely be, do not compromise and two, sell your knowledge and get hazards removed before they get you or your customer.

Thank you for listening. Be safe and enjoy your work. I sure do.

Gopher

 

[treeclimber165]

Thanks for sharing that, Gopher. Sounds like you earned a notch or two of newfound respect from your boss today.
I've had days when I couldn't hit a particular crotch with the Big Shot for love nor money. It can be frustrating at times but I'm usually in a much better position when I persist and get the crotch I'm aiming for. The worst part is getting 'coaching' from a non-climber standing beside you and waiting for you to get yer butt up the tree.

 

[Gopher]

Stay the course....

That is exactly what was going on today, too. Late afternoon, we already had a number of trees done, and he was wondering how many attempts I was going to make. Of course I was ticked because the first shot I hit, but a twig snared my weight, and I lost the crotch in my attempt to undo it. Not to mention the sun was not in a great location at this point either!

Thanks for your reply Treeclimber165. It was a good day, all were happy with outcome, we were safe, and the right tactics were used.

Gopher

 

[treeman82]

Gopher, I had a day like that this past winter. It took me 7 shots to get my slick line set with the big shot because of getting deflected by suckers, or hung up in broken branches. HAD to get a BIG hanger out though.

 

[Greg]

I'm still terrible at judging the power of my big shots. I can blast it over the intended branch but I always seem to pick up 10 others behind it that I didn't want. But I now am pretty good at isolating the branch with the throwline --- love that zing it. I've been using Zing it for about a month now and have not broken it once!! I have given up on trying to keep it in my throwline bag, went back to a bucket for throw line storage.
Greg

 

[mikecross23]

I'm finally grasping how to not over shoot with the big shot. Take-n me long enough but I hit two perfect one shotters with a swoosh this evening.