How far on a limb can one safely reach ... ?

F

fakerubberduck

Location
Florida
Rookie recreational climber question ...

For the tree service climbing pros

by way of saddle and rope climbing techniques
Is it possible to trim manicure branches
at there end where they get very thin
extending out 20-30ft from tree trunk on a 50Yr old oak.

How far on a limb can one safely trim
on rope and saddle ?

No bucket truck access ...

P.S Branches are oriented mainly upwards
not horizontal where one maybe be able
to branch walk.
 
So it is common practice to use power pole saw while hanging on ropes, I only ask because I've seen many videos but all i've found is of climbers doing cuts at or near the trunk never seen anyone pruning near the tips ?
 
fakerubberduck said:
So it is common practice to use power pole saw while hanging on ropes, I only ask because I've seen many videos but all i've found is of climbers doing cuts at or near the trunk never seen anyone pruning near the tips ?
Click to expand...

In most cases if a climber isn't getting away from the main trunk, they probably aren't doing a very good job of pruning the tree... (species/situation dependent of course). I don't know any off the top of my head, but there ought to be plenty of videos on Youtube with good climbers doing long limb-walks and getting out to branch tips in spreading trees. Maybe someone else can chime in with a video.


oldoakman said:
Not a power polesaw. Too heavy and bulky.
Click to expand...

My go-to pole saw for in a tree is a Silky Hayauchi with the Hookfox, but a while back I saw a video from EducatedClimber where he used a battery pole saw in a tree (as part of a removal) and for the right situation it looked like an excellent tool, made me want one myself actually. The gas ones are way too heavy but the battery one looks pretty small and light.

 
cerviarborist said:
@fakerubberduck , what part of Florida are you in? Depending upon your location, there are some very competent Floridian production arborists who know how to work at the tips. Trying to get advice on those techniques in a text based forum is like trying to get a haircut through the mail.
Click to expand...
Speaking of haircuts, I'm ready for prohairbition to end. I'll need a black market special soon if things don't open up soon.
 
Back on topic ...

The more skilled a climber becomes the further out in the canopy they can work. Also, being able to climb with multiple ropes and flat rope angles takes dancer and gymnast skills.
Add to the physical climbing skills there is the knowledge about what to prune that has to be learned.
 
@ATH
I ran a one crew operation so anyone who wanted to learn was immersed from the beginning. Starts with cutting up brush for disposal. Leads to shrub this hen small tree pruning from the ground. All along they were expected to pay attention to what climbers are doing and learning moves. My way isn’t unique I know.

by the time someone was on rope and cutting they would have a good foundation
 
Tom Dunlap said:
@ATH
I ran a one crew operation so anyone who wanted to learn was immersed from the beginning. Starts with cutting up brush for disposal. Leads to shrub this hen small tree pruning from the ground. All along they were expected to pay attention to what climbers are doing and learning moves. My way isn’t unique I know.

by the time someone was on rope and cutting they would have a good foundation
Click to expand...
Didn't mean to imply you'd do otherwise...just wanted to throw that out there as I see people getting all excited to climb asking very basic tree care questions. It sounds like the OP here is coming from a rec climbing background wanting to do some pruning - and correctly. Certainly nothing wrong with that! My comment was more a suggestion to somebody wanting to start as a working climber: learn trees first.

I'll be taking on my first full time employee who wants to climb. He has been through ACRT climbing school and is graduating college with a forestry degree. Certainly has a good foundation and is enthusiastic. I'm excited to get him into the trees...but this is even a reminder to myself --- make sure his understanding of pruning is down before sending him up!
 
27RMT0N said:
In most cases if a climber isn't getting away from the main trunk, they probably aren't doing a very good job of pruning the tree... (species/situation dependent of course). I don't know any off the top of my head, but there ought to be plenty of videos on Youtube with good climbers doing long limb-walks and getting out to branch tips in spreading trees. Maybe someone else can chime in with a video.




My go-to pole saw for in a tree is a Silky Hayauchi with the Hookfox, but a while back I saw a video from EducatedClimber where he used a battery pole saw in a tree (as part of a removal) and for the right situation it looked like an excellent tool, made me want one myself actually. The gas ones are way too heavy but the battery one looks pretty small and light.

Click to expand...
I saw that video as well and agree, I want one now.
 
I've been cutting my own hair for over twenty years now, and I'm only on my second $15 electric clipper. Cheapo buzz cut for the win!!

Handling a pole saw (even an electric one) while hanging on a rope is a real trick. The reaction from moving the saw or applying pressure as it cuts spins you in the opposite direction. It probably gets easier as you learn how to position your body and use your safety lanyard to help hold you in place, but I've never felt the need to use mine in the tree that much.
 
Tom Dunlap said:
Back on topic ...

The more skilled a climber becomes the further out in the canopy they can work. Also, being able to climb with multiple ropes and flat rope angles takes dancer and gymnast skills.
Add to the physical climbing skills there is the knowledge about what to prune that has to be learned.
Click to expand...

I knew that my gymnastic and dance background would be helpful!

Bouldering is also a super helpful somatic database to have under your belt when you get into technical prunes
 
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