tying into sprouts

[DR. P. Proteus]

I was in a pre-topped fagnolia today, nothing compared to the realization of being tied into a big old silver maple that's been racked a few times and the sprouts are to big for a top handle and the rot is deep.

I will take a high TIP for getting around and then have a TIP from the trunk plus my lanyard to cut with. hell, If the high TIP breaks while you are scootin around its not so bad as when you got all yer weight on it cutting.

The time has come for when people ask me to prune trees such as this I say I can't. The fagnolia I did this morning took so much time in thinking how not to screw it up more. Not so bad on a little tree but, really, there is not much hope for those sad maples.

 

[DR. P. Proteus]

We quit doing removals of anything but some hazard trees, invasive, and nuisance species a while ago. I'd rather sell a pruning job than a removal any day, from both an ethical and profitability standpoint. Smaller trucks, smaller chippers, smaller crews, and more billable hours....a winning proposition.

You would hate me. I just ran a bunch of 8 to 10 year old birch trees through the chipper. They were up against the house, already needing attention, some to help phototropic growth.

When I took them out you could see all the other more suitable trees and shrubs that will fill into this Mac Mansion's façade. There was even a "dwarf corkscrew weeping" beech ! That is the prominent tree you want to have room for.

 

[sac-climber]

I don't hate you doc....birches are on the list for sure. Especially River Birch!

 

[treeseer]

What kind of help does phototropic growth need? Directional pruning to lessen sprawl. Nevemind--off with its head! and feet!

I do hate you--Murderer!--but since there's a good replacement budget, you are forgiven. This time.

 

[DR. P. Proteus]

I don't hate you doc....birches are on the list for sure. Especially River Birch!

Yup they was river.

 

[DR. P. Proteus]

What kind of help does phototropic growth need? Directional pruning to lessen sprawl. Nevemind--off with its head! and feet!

I do hate you--Murderer!--but since there's a good replacement budget, you are forgiven. This time.

I think there were 15 different trees in an area 30' x 30' plus the house and growing right over the utilities... GAS man GAS!

I swear I uncovered a beech specimen that said thank you. I think this stuff is designed to be removed over time as it grows.

I almost recommended pollarding but that is only because I'm nuts.

Showing up to remove river birch that has been reaching over the house for the last 40 years is fun though people don't like how much it cost.

These trees were crammed in by the builders.

 

[gorman]

I think there were 15 different trees in an area 30' x 30' plus the house and growing right over the utilities... GAS man GAS!

I swear I uncovered a beech specimen that said thank you. I think this stuff is designed to be removed over time as it grows.

I almost recommended pollarding but that is only because I'm nuts.

Showing up to remove river birch that has been reaching over the house for the last 40 years is fun though people don't like how much it cost.

These trees were crammed in by the builders.

Ahhhh, the old "let's cram as many freakin trees and plants in this landscape and make a killing in the mark-up"

 

[treesmith]

Sometimes a tree just has to go

 

[oldboy]

I'm lookin at a job where I'd be climbing out onto pre topped cottonwood sprouts to piece down tops, was thinking about bracing sprouts to solid fatwood or to each other with some dimensional lumber. I suppose the anchor into the fatwood should be long enough to come out the other end since there is probably some hollow in it...

 

[jomoco]

Since no one has given a definitive answer to the original poster's question, I 'll give it a shot.

I prefer to stay tied into a primary wood junction at all times. However this does not stop me from redirecting my TIP onto secondary or even tertiary wood to gain an optimum upmost support point.

Many times tying multiple tertiary upper branches together to gain the needed height for a sweet redirect is the best choice. Should all the tertiary branches fail like dominoes? Sure you'll take a ride, but you won't hit the ground before the primary TIP catches you.

Jomoco

 

[miko0618]

I wish there was more scientific answers in our field. That someone would go test stuff just to gather info

 

[treeseer]

That 'someone' is you! Too many variables for formal research to do any good.

In general, I've learned to trust the trees. They haven't let me down yet.

 

[miko0618]

I saw that coming

 

[BuckmasterStumpGrinding]

Use an aluminum ladder instead of lumber. The idea is that if it you take a ride the aluminum will bend and hang on instead of snapping with the branch.

 

[no tree to big]

Use an aluminum ladder instead of lumber. The idea is that if it you take a ride the aluminum will bend and hang on instead of snapping with the branch.

Unless the ladder just kicks out and you tumble to the ground haha

 

[BuckmasterStumpGrinding]

Tie the ladder to the tree instead of lumber. I don't know for a fact that it will hold but it seems safer to me.

 

[arborjockey]

I've strapped all the shoots together and used the cluster but try not to climb on a single one . One broke on me 7' off the ground in a speedy descent. It would of been funny but the branch came down 2" from the GM of the hotels car.....and I looked like an ass.....on my ass

 

[Dillweed]

You can tie-in on a spar. Just use a false crotch with a friction saver. Use a long one and wrap it twice around the trunk if it makes you feel more safe.

 

[treeseer]

You can tie-in on a spar. Just use a false crotch with a friction saver. Use a long one and wrap it twice around the trunk if it makes you feel more safe.

Good tip! So many ways to get to where you can make the right cut.