Certified Arborist Spike-Climb Pruning > Reason ??

Re: Certified Arborist Spike-Climb Pruning > Re

Here is the v crotch limb. I at this time 2009, I would prefer to see a reduction to that limb, then a year or two later, the complete trimming cut.

Another isa cert said it's too big to trim off and it should be left.
 

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Re: Certified Arborist Spike-Climb Pruning > Re

that was a year ago, so I'm now going by the picture as you and it looks like to me that there will be another with a weak v-crotch in the future.

I say trim it off in 2 or 3 years too.
 
Re: Certified Arborist Spike-Climb Pruning > Re

[ QUOTE ]
However, the testing question style is very convoluted and is influenced by collegese. ...This is something that could easily be corrected and allow many with great field experience to acquire certification, which would be a benefit to our industry.

[/ QUOTE ]Easily? I dunno; writing those questions in any dialect is not easy. Got some examples?

you shoot us some and i will look at some study guide verbiage that could be translated into treeguyspeak, okay?
 
Re: Certified Arborist Spike-Climb Pruning > Re

[ QUOTE ]
ok, here's the pictures, i'm finally following up on a post. this from 2008. another isa arborist said these roots should NOT be cut.

[/ QUOTE ]

Those kind of roots, I cut away almost monthly, too.
 
Re: Certified Arborist Spike-Climb Pruning > Re

[/ QUOTE ]

Those kind of roots, I cut away almost monthly, too.

[/ QUOTE ]

They grow back every 30 days?

You got some great growing conditions, I reckon!

grin.gif
 
Re: Certified Arborist Spike-Climb Pruning > Re

While working on treelawn trees I end up being asked a lot of questions by residents about their own trees, and it usually ends up as a good opportunity to promote arboriculture. Almost without exception I don't suggest specific contractors, but do emphasize the need for a certified arborist to assess the condition of their trees, and suggest that they hire a company with certified arborists actually doing the work on the property.

As yet my best explanation of the value and the limitations of ISA certification is to compare it with the ASE Mechanic certification. You should take your car to an ASE certified mechanic, but don't be fooled into thinking that a certified mechanic won't take you to the cleaners.

Personally the ISA certification means more to me as group within our industry, raising our own standards of work. Many people respect certification, but act more on their own impression of the arborist's knowledge and integrity.
 
Re: Certified Arborist Spike-Climb Pruning > Re

[ QUOTE ]


[/ QUOTE ]

Those kind of roots, I cut away almost monthly, too.

[/ QUOTE ]

They grow back every 30 days?

You got some great growing conditions, I reckon!

grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Guy ...

I think your sense of humor keeps growing every 30 days
grin.gif
 
Blowing the dust off on this one.. There is a huge state wide company which does horrible work, con clients, fear tactics, and just plain lie. The heads are ISA, and some of their workers. In the fine print of their contracts they state the crews are required to climb with spikes for safety on all trees.

They are setup kinda like a franchise, and hire "independent contractors" based on commission. They shafted the local crew, so they declared mutiny and started up their own show on the Island. He owner of the new business is ISA, as well as a few of his climbers. I've had two or three conversations with this guy, and he doesn't know or is willing to ascend via rope and spikes anything he cant set a ladder on.

Got a call from another Arborist who found this out and is livid, making sure I knew incase if I was referring him to anybody.

ANSI still has language so vague that it leaves spiking prunes up to personal discretion

The ISA BMP's use similar language

TCIA's language is a little stricter, but they also say if the lowest limb is 50' and the bark is thick it's ok.

This is archaic, and the miss information that climbing without spikes presents a hazard is total bullshit.

In my time as an arborist, I can only recall once or twice of being on a crew where no one could hit the first few limbs in a tree with a bigshot. Spikes were used to set the initial tying then lowered out of the tree. Once we broke the band, and no one could hand throw that height, so we packed up and ordered a new band to come back to work the job.

I hope some ISA staff start listening up, and get with current practices. The pruning standard hasn't been updated for a decade, and is no longer current with ANSI. With modern techniques, spiking prune jobs is beyond passe. Or just a incredibly rare case (once or twice in a decade). I get tip toeing with pole spikes in a large douglas fir or redwood, but even after 20' or so youre poking the cambium. I also get the "low value" argument, for needing to set rigging in a leave tree as part of a big removal project. However, most of the country isn't redwood land, and even in Dougfir land, there are better/easier/as safe or safer ways of ascending.

What can be done?
 
If your business has a website and social media, you can add a paragraph or two to try to educate the public.
Facebook can reach far and wide sometimes. Short and to the point description with a pic or two would probably garner more reads than thousands of words, right?

Idk how else you can educate your local public besides during estimates and consultations.

Good old one to bump, sad thread but good conversation!
 
It's an everyday thing for alot of companies in western NY state. I used to do it, thought it was the only way, didn't know any better. A Sherrill catalog kinda opened my eyes, then found Arboristsite and learned more, back when it was the only tree forum around.
 
My guess is that ISA and ANSI will keep as an option for pruning with pressure from the utilities. Line clearance is the largest sector of the industry, and from what I can tell, the spike trees more often than not.

I do not think that is acceptable...but it is what it is. If they can keep the tree from taking out lines, that is what they are there to do - not provide for a healthier tree.

Obviously, this isn't all inclusive. Many utility arborists do a good job caring for trees, but unfortunately they seem to be the exception.
 
Northwind said:
That "collar cut" looks a little flush to me.
Click to expand...

I'm no arborist, but I know you shouldn't cut the branch collar off...yet there were guys here that were trimming tree branches from a bucket truck for road and wire clearance, and I'd bet EVERY SINGLE branch they removed, they took the collar with it. Every cut was as smooth and flush to the trunk as if Happy the Homeowner had done it.

So when those trees rot out up high and the treetops start breaking off and falling into the road...more work. Job security!
 
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Woodwork said:
....

So when those trees rot out up high and the treetops start breaking off and falling into the road...more work. Job security!
Click to expand...
I think you are giving them too much credit. I doubt they know what a branch collar is so they're not cutting it off on purpose. When the tree fails due to excessive decay half of them will be retired. None of them will make the connection that their work caused the failure.
 
Guys around here get up in the morning, put their underwear on and then their spikes. Some of them know about the branch collar but they have no idea WHY they shouldn't cut into them. Oh ghost of Alex arise!
 
Yes, EVERGREEN TREE CARE SUCKS!

If anyone wants a concussion, my employee can give you tips before and after.

Tips after a concussion, go sit down a few minutes, then back to work.



Bottom of the barrel.


IF you're a POS climber, you need spurs for safety. If you're a professional, you don't.

I can't remember a tree I've not been able to rope-access. Granted, we only get small trees here in the PNW.
 
Bango Skank said:
It's an everyday thing for alot of companies in western NY state. I used to do it, thought it was the only way, didn't know any better. A Sherrill catalog kinda opened my eyes, then found Arboristsite and learned more, back when it was the only tree forum around.
Click to expand...
I guess it's especially bad here in NY cuz I'm in upstate (capital region) and everyone does it. It's all I saw my first almost 10 yrs in the business. Then I got on a legit crew of certified guys that do both residential and line clearance called Earth Care...they don't spike any trims.
Then I got on here and got into the books and awakened. It's sad because there's a lot of guys I worked with that would end up firing a guy if they "wasted time" setting lines. One guy I knew would be made fun of so bad and he even brought his own big shot to work!
 
Woodwork said:
I'm no arborist, but I know you shouldn't cut the branch collar off...yet there were guys here that were trimming tree branches from a bucket truck for road and wire clearance, and I'd bet EVERY SINGLE branch they removed, they took the collar with it. Every cut was as smooth and flush to the trunk as if Happy the Homeowner had done it.

So when those trees rot out up high and the treetops start breaking off and falling into the road...more work. Job security!
Click to expand...
"Job security" is definitely the way a lot of these hacks look at this
 
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