Tree Inspection: Ever Got A Nasty Surprise?

[Live Oak]

We pay the 2nd highest comp premiums in Michigan next to roofers. I know when a tree has a hidden defect when it wobbles beneath my feet. I try not to think about it & just take it down in smaller pieces. Guess I figure when it's my time God will take me.

 

[ropensaddle]

We pay the 2nd highest comp premiums in Michigan next to roofers. I know when a tree has a hidden defect when it wobbles beneath my feet. I try not to think about it & just take it down in smaller pieces. Guess I figure when it's my time God will take me.

If I have a defect below that makes it wobble I will get a crane or minimum tie guy ropes in every direction to prevent the spar from movement.

 

[tree md]

It can and will happen which is why I usually take lighter loads these days.

Same here. Either that or make an undercut on something if it is big.

 

[tree md]

If it is to the point that it is wobbling I am either going to find another tree to tie into or call in a crane. Not that I haven't climbed them when they were that bad when I was younger, I have, but I have never rigged off of anything like that.

 

[Live Oak]

If I have a defect below that makes it wobble I will get a crane or minimum tie guy ropes in every direction to prevent the spar from movement.

The winters here take the crane option off the table often times because the cement moves each season. Tying the spar off is a good idea. What is your technique for that? How high do you tie it?

 

[ropensaddle]

The winters here take the crane option off the table often times because the cement moves each season. Tying the spar off is a good idea. What is your technique for that? How high do you tie it?

I will tie it mid tree and tension 4 to one strong side first then opposing directions until I am thoroughly satisfied the tree can't move. I do not recommend it however, if a crane is accessible, it would be a much better solution but guying is better than wobble. Note: much caution in even attempting this, as if not done equally and systematically it could cause fail before the climb.

 

[Live Oak]

I will tie it mid tree and tension 4 to one strong side first then opposing directions until I am thoroughly satisfied the tree can't move. I do not recommend it however, if a crane is accessible, it would be a much better solution but guying is better than wobble.

I appreciate the incite. I will try it out. I carry 12 ropes on my rig so it should not be a problem.

 

[ropensaddle]

I appreciate the incite. I will try it out. I carry 12 ropes on my rig so it should not be a problem.

Be careful, I don't recommend it, just have done it a few times in the past to reduce risk. It is peta to lower limbs through and climb around and crane is way better. It can help stiffen though and reduce risk somewhat!

 

[ropensaddle]

If it is to the point that it is wobbling I am either going to find another tree to tie into or call in a crane. Not that I haven't climbed them when they were that bad when I was younger, I have, but I have never rigged off of anything like that.

Unfortunately I had to learn to mitigate risk while working as a danger tree foreperson around electric lines. The company would not even consider a crane, so; I done the best I could to reduce risk.

 

[treemandan]

That is a good reason not to fly up into a tree you are about to work off of. I am sure some say I take to long getting up ( not really though) but getting a good perspective is key.
Sure there are guys who say they are quicker than me but them are the ones who freeclimb and get tangled up in the rigging. Quicker than me? Yeah right! At what?
I do usually take my time spiking into a tree. I am looking, feeling, thinking... thinking how many ways there are to get ####ed up.

 

[ropensaddle]

That is a good reason not to fly up into a tree you are about to work off of. I am sure some say I take to long getting up ( not really though) but getting a good perspective is key.
Sure there are guys who say they are quicker than me but them are the ones who freeclimb and get tangled up in the rigging. Quicker than me? Yeah right! At what?
I do usually take my time spiking into a tree. I am looking, feeling, thinking... thinking how many ways there are to get ####ed up.

That helps keep you safe and a good preliminary work plan imo.

 

[treemandan]

Be careful, I don't recommend it, just have done it a few times in the past to reduce risk. It is peta to lower limbs through and climb around and crane is way better. It can help stiffen though and reduce risk somewhat!

I have this ##### of a ##### that I plan on guying at least three times. No acess for machinery but someone , somehow has to get up in position to make the cuts. Pics to come.

 

[treemandan]

One time I was up what appeared to be a healthy red oak. It had some low big streched out limbs. I was tied in at the top and was walking out the first low limb. I had my lanyard on the limb right above me. These were big limbs; 20 inches + at the trunk. I was about 15 feet out when the limb I had my feet on just fell away. It was there one second gone the next. The guys had to scramble to get out from under it and I was left hanging from the lanyard which saved me from swinging back to the trunk.

 

[tree md]

I have this ##### of a ##### that I plan on guying at least three times. No acess for machinery but someone , somehow has to get up in position to make the cuts. Pics to come.

Looking forward to them pics Dano!

Be safe!

 

[sgreanbeans]

I hate surprises as-well, You can never get more money for your time, well, I have never tried, figured it was my fault for not seeing it, I think I will get a set of bino's myself. Have u guys ever gone back and asked for more mula?

Some, u just cant see unless u are looking down, by then, it may be to late. One of the reasons I think it takes thick skin to do this stuff!

 

[treemandan]

I hate surprises as-well, You can never get more money for your time, well, I have never tried, figured it was my fault for not seeing it, I think I will get a set of bino's myself. Have u guys ever gone back and asked for more mula?

Some, u just cant see unless u are looking down, by then, it may be to late. One of the reasons I think it takes thick skin to do this stuff!

Of course I have had some I wished I had ask for more on but to answer your question; not really. Its just not proper whatever the circumstance unless the circumstance has changed since you put a number on it.
I have worked with others who have done it. They would take me to the job and I would look at it and say " You want someone to climb up there on that!!??"

 

[tree md]

I hate surprises as-well, You can never get more money for your time, well, I have never tried, figured it was my fault for not seeing it, I think I will get a set of bino's myself. Have u guys ever gone back and asked for more mula?

Some, u just cant see unless u are looking down, by then, it may be to late. One of the reasons I think it takes thick skin to do this stuff!

Yes, I have asked for and received more money.

In the second scenario I mentioned in my original post I came down out of that tree and took a big chunk of the rotten wood I had pulled out of a cavity on the way down and took it to the HO. I told him I had hoped to do the job without a crane but upon closer inspection I would not be able to. He told me that it was OK, that he had been told by two other services that the tree was unable to be removed without a crane. He told me to go ahead and give him a price for the two other hazard trees that he wanted out as long as we were bringing in a crane. I told him that if we agreed on a price to remove the other two trees that I would try to remove the tree I had come out of for the original price. I ended up quoting the whole job for 10.5 which I had originally quoted the one tree for 28. He told me to go for it. We brought in a 64 ton crane and picked three trees over his house in 10 hours from setup to tear down.