Advice to Construct a Tree Climbing Safety Line

[KD9239]

Hi Folks,
I hope I am posting in the right section! I was hoping to get some advice. I am half way through a tree project I started last year. The plan is to build a tree house on an existing Oak Tree, mount a secondary platform about 10- 15 m high and then eventually build a zip wire from the platform.

I started the project last year, so far I have built the tree house. I've attached a couple of images to set the scene.

Throughout the project, I've had one eye on the objective(s) and the other to try and achieve it sustainably and without harming the environment or the tree.

My conundrum is that I want to be able to climb further up the tree to complete some additional works, in order for it to be safe. I'd like to mount a semi permanent safety line, using steel rope and some anchor points. Initially I'll use a ladder to get up the tree. Possible a DIY ladder eventually of some description.

I was hoping to get some advice on the installation of a safety line. I had in mind some form of wire, that I could be harnessed to as I climb the tree, then a wire up the tree to connect to as I work. I have a high end harness with carabiners.

The tree last year. The treehouse is about 2.5m from the ground. As you can see from the image below its about 2m tall.

This year...2020

The rear of the tree has a platform. Its now boarded and measures about 5'x5' roughly and is intended to allow access to rear of the treehouse for maintenance and also to climb up the tree for tree maintenance, and any other works I need to do.

So my next intention is to hang two lengths of steel rope, one is intended to facilitate the use of a Cacoon hanging tent, essentially a chair which will be used on the front decking area. The next length of rope will be use to support the rear of the platform.


Before I embark on either of these tasks I'd like to install the safety line. Any suggestions or advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks...

 

[climbstihl]

I'm not entirely sure how you want your safety system to work, it sounds to me like you basically want to build a via ferrata in the tree. I don't think that's the best idea, although it would be possible to some extent and could be used relatively safely. I do think there are much better systems you could use to secure yourself in the tree.

 

[Jonny]

My initial thought is to set up something like what we use to work trees with a friction saver and climbing line. When you’re done working, the friction saver and rope come out of the tree and if you like, you can leave throw line in the spot to make it fast to install next time.

Very cool project, I hope to see more updates as it progresses

 

[KD9239]

Thanks both. So if I was to construct a via Ferratta to climb up the tree. I could construct a high level anchor line around the circumference of the upper trunk...would that be good plan?

 

[climbstihl]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "high level anchor line".
I do have some other questions though. What kind of harness do you have exactly? How exactly do you plan on connecting yourself to the cables?
Are you going to use the system for fall arrest/restraint, or work positioning?