Another Sketchy Pine

[moss]

...If you don't top the pine high, its going to take you for a ride. How are the roots? Why did it pitch over like that?

Good questions, looking at the photos my guess is the tree was growing out from under the oak on the right and the other pine on the left to get light, at least that's how it may have originally started, there could have been some heavy wet snow loading at some point when it was younger and even springier which created a permanent more extreme bend. The lower trunk straightens out nice, looks solid at the ground (without actually inspecting the base).

And great point about taking a ride taking too much of the top, with that kind of bend it's going to be an awesome slingshot, except throwing a human that way is sooo unpredictable!
-AJ

 

[rico]

This thread is a perfect example of how the internet can be both a useful tool and a dangerous weapon for young climbers. I think it safe to say that most of us don’t have a clue about this young mans actual skill level, yet we’re talking about getting a tie in and “going nuts” or lowering the whole tree from double rigging points? I understand everyone is just trying to be helpful but I find it a little irresponsible to send a young climber out to do something he is possible not ready for.

 

[moss]

This thread is a perfect example of how the internet can be both a useful tool and a dangerous weapon for young climbers. I think it safe to say that most of us don’t have a clue about this young mans actual skill level, yet we’re talking about getting a tie in and “going nuts” or lowering the whole tree from double rigging points? I understand everyone is just trying to be helpful but I find it a little irresponsible to send a young climber out to do something he is possible not ready for.

Yep this is the balancing act of internet information. When I first started as a recreational climber there were arguments about whether or not experienced climbers should post instructions on how to tie a Blake's Hitch. In the long run I have come to have faith in the common sense and sense of self-preservation in most humans. All the horror stories (Google "cutting tree limb ladder fail") are concentrated like the nightly news "if it bleeds it leads". The good news is people who post and say "How do I deal with this?" are not the ones who end up a statistic. The people who say "Hi, I'm an engineer and I'm really smart and even though I know nothing about (fill in the blank), I'm going to go do this (really dangerous task) and I'm going to ask questions and then not pay attention to anything you say because I'm so damn smart... ", are the ones that scare me. The OP has the opportunity to review all of the suggestions and comments, benefit from them and make some good decisions.
-AJ

 

[southsoundtree]

Do you have a Bobcat?

 

[climbingmonkey24]

Wow this thread blew up since I've been away.

I guess this question has climber's questioning my ability to climb on my own and work in the tree. Too each their own I guess. I was just asking for the sake of learning how other climber's would handle the situation. I haven't had to work in many leaner's like this one.

I don't recall mentioning how long I've been climbing either.

Anyways, appreciate the responses all the same. A lot of good information. Maybe the way I worded my original post made it come across as though I was "intimidated" or not ready for the job, but I was mainly asking for informational purposes to learn how others would go about handling a certain situation.

 

[climbingmonkey24]

Do you have a Bobcat?

Yes I have someone I use when I need a bobcat.

 

[oldoakman]

Wow this thread blew up since I've been away.

I guess this question has climber's questioning my ability to climb on my own and work in the tree. Too each their own I guess. I was just asking for the sake of learning how other climber's would handle the situation. I haven't had to work in many leaner's like this one.

I don't recall mentioning how long I've been climbing either.

Anyways, appreciate the responses all the same. A lot of good information. Maybe the way I worded my original post made it come across as though I was "intimidated" or not ready for the job, but I was mainly asking for informational purposes to learn how others would go about handling a certain situation.

I didn't respond to any of the first posts, but have been following this thread here and there and your original post did make it sound like you had limited experience. Now that that is cleared up, maybe you will get some better input from the guys.

 

[southsoundtree]

I'd keep it simple.

A lot has to do with the condition of the tree. If its solid and green, rig appropriately.


You could attach a speedline to the neighboring tree (without climbing) using a high-redirect/ base-tie, rather than anchor the zipline off the leaner.

540 lanyard wrap.


Sketchy:
Zip-ties for lanyard clip-in, if needed. Rope lanyard, not steel-core, more cuttable, just in case. TIP in neighboring tree. consider a second climbing line, slack if using the same tree and planning to use a breakaway set-up for your lanyard. A second TIP in a different tree might be useful, might be unnecessary.



You can swing and appropriately-sized top onto a rigging point in another tree, and keep roping down as needed, possibly with a hold-back line to prevent collateral damage.

A couple of days ago, with a paperbark birch, I was using the tree to rig itself, cutting only a back-cut until the limb/ top could fold over from gravity, or by-hand on spar chunks. Once hanging on the strap of wood, I then cut them free to load the rope/ rigging point gently, and with better line-angle, lots less swing (near house and glass railing), and no hold-back/ brake line. Zip-lined all the wood either from the same trunk (would be negative rigging, except for the strap of wood allowing me to fold the chunk over, then cut free) or a anchored on the trunk behind me, giving me an overhead zipline.
I might have to draw a picture and take a photo.

Clear as mud?

 

[Tony]

I didn't respond to any of the first posts, but have been following this thread here and there and your original post did make it sound like you had limited experience. Now that that is cleared up, maybe you will get some better input from the guys.

If that indeed the case, why is it not a pile of sticks yet?

Tony

 

[moss]

Now I'm really lovin' this thread. Carry on!

 

[climbingmonkey24]

If that indeed the case, why is it not a pile of sticks yet?

Tony

Seems like you're intent on trying to make a point to label me as a novice climber who doesn't know what he's doing.

I only created this thread to get some input on a job, not have it turn into a review on my skill level. I haven't even checked this thread in a few days and only saw these posts today. You don't know who I am, you don't know how long I've been climbing or what kind of jobs I've done, so don't automatically assume something. You know nothing whatsoever about my experience level. All it's done is derail the thread.

 

[rico]

Seems like you're intent on trying to make a point to label me as a novice climber who doesn't know what he's doing.

I only created this thread to get some input on a job, not have it turn into a review on my skill level. I haven't even checked this thread in a few days and only saw these posts today. You don't know who I am, you don't know how long I've been climbing or what kind of jobs I've done, so don't automatically assume something. You know nothing whatsoever about my experience level. All it's done is derail the thread.

Cool! As it appears that there isn't much under this tree, rigging it doesn't seem necessary. I would get a high TIP in one of the nearby pines so your comfortable in that leaner, strap on some spurs and wreak that puppy. Take a small top, a few chunks, then dump the spar. Shouldn't take much more than an hour. Easy Parcheezy!

 

[climbingmonkey24]

Cool! As it appears that there isn't much under this tree, rigging it doesn't seem necessary. I would get a high TIP in one of the nearby pines so your comfortable in that leaner, strap on some spurs and wreak that puppy. Take a small top, a few chunks, then dump the spar. Shouldn't take much more than an hour. Easy Parcheezy!

As I mentioned already, it can't just be dropped. The person doesn't want her plants underneath damaged.

It will be taken care of don't worry.

 

[tc262]

Gonna def. need a porta wrap or some device for this job I would say.

Not here to discuss your ability but this post makes it sound like you have zero rigging gear which usually relates to not much experience. Glad that you cleared it up that your a pro. Anyway, I’d have no problem pulling it over. Anything that I’m worried about not having the power or traction to pull over I’ll set up a three to one on an anchor tree if available.

 

[climbingmonkey24]

Not here to discuss your ability but this post makes it sound like you have zero rigging gear which usually relates to not much experience. Glad that you cleared it up that your a pro. Anyway, I’d have no problem pulling it over. Anything that I’m worried about not having the power or traction to pull over I’ll set up a three to one on an anchor tree if available.

I own and run a tree company. So yes I do have rigging gear.

I wish I stayed away from the computer today.

 

[SomethingWitty]

I own and run a tree company. So yes I do have rigging gear.

I wish I stayed away from the computer today.

I'm not necessarily saying anything about you, but you should see some of the outfits around here. Guys renting lifts every job and have about 3 40' pieces of home depot rope and saying they do tree work.

 

[Tree-Taylor]

and once you have the thing cradled with the two rig points you can cut chunks off the base of you cant quite lay the whole thing on the ground

Exactly what I thought of. I don't consider it lazy to only climb when needed. If you don't need to pull, the leather cambium sleeves work really well here too. Throwline over the tree to be rigged, tie off a running bowline. Then send the other end of your line with a leather sleeve to be installed at your rigging point. Easy setup for a sticky pine. Everything is controlled and the lawn is left spotless. Half the cleanup with zero damage.

 

[Tony]

Seems like you're intent on trying to make a point to label me as a novice climber who doesn't know what he's doing.

Nope. Not my intention. I don’t need to do that.

I only created this thread to get some input on a job, not have it turn into a review on my skill level. I haven't even checked this thread in a few days and only saw these posts today. You don't know who I am, you don't know how long I've been climbing or what kind of jobs I've done, so don't automatically assume something. You know nothing whatsoever about my experience level. All it's done is derail the thread.

My intention was not to derail either, but it’s simple now. Turn that sketchy tree into a pile of sticks. Show us how you did it.

Tony

 

[deevo]

Is this thing down already or what?