Climbing conifers

[Tree-Taylor]

I was just wondering how you guys set a line in a thick spruce or pine if you're deadwooding. I hate starting from the bottom and fighting my way up. Any tips?

 

[cashmoneytreeboy]

spike the side, the customer wont see then when you get to the top throw the spikes outa the tree your the professional here

 

[BostonBull]

First tip is to ignore everything the non professional above me has already stated.

I will normally advance my line as I go, or throw over a few good sized limbs near the top, and bring my system up on a floating system. Tie off to a port a wrap, gri gri, etc etc at the base. Don't forget that this system puts more stress on the tree/limbs/soil than a normal DdRT system does so pick good strong points.

good luck and stay safe!

 

[Blinky]

I throw to get the rope over two good live limbs and footlock or hand over hand until I can stand on something. Then I climb the tree and work one side from the bottom up until I need to advance my TIP. I do the other side on the way back down.

Spiking the side the client 'won't see' is lame unless there is a safety issue. I don't have my Pruning BP handy, but I think I recall it being acceptable to spike thick barked evergreens when they can't be safely climbed another way.

 

[tophopper]

I will use a ladder to get as high as possible then ALT to the top. No need to over complicate things

 

[bowlegs]

Throw in as high as I can, tie one end off and use my unicender, clearing a line is too much of a pain.

 

[southsoundtree]

if too thick to reasonably set a line, as spruce can be, you might just have to work your way up. I'll leave little stubs to stand on while working (no spikes), then clean on the way down. They may cause you difficulties, but there is no easy way, just easier ways.

 

[KevinS]

Definately no spikes unless it's a removal. If it's thick that means there is branches and yes it's a pain in the neck but don't make your self look basd by leave spur marks behind word gets around. 2 ways I use is have your friction hitch on the ground like a belay for your grounds man less to get caught. Or rope to the bottom of the crown and once your into the branches use a double ended lanyardclip your rope on like a tail out of your way. It might be more of a pain climbing through a thick crown so minimally thin if you can but real climbers don't have to wimp out and grab the spurs nothing but more tree time will get you better.

 

[KevinS]

cashmoneytreeboy I hope your kidding. Butt one of our competeing companys I have seen where they put up the ladder so you don't see the spur marks unless you look up. Not only does it make you look lazy and unprofessional but you can screw over a perfectly good tree. Remember word of mouth spreads fast.