Different Way On Spruce Removals

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Did this method feel better to you Roger? Youve done tons of these conifer removals so I am really interested in your feelings on this.

[/ QUOTE ]Sure it did, Mark.

But, typically, I'm not worried about some sway when topping out a sound tree, be it via rope or a free drop. That said, I like lowering small tops, and will almost always run the line myself, usually with a natural crotch and a stub or two for some friction.

What is worrisome would be a leaning, crooked and spindly alder. I would leave lower limbs on a tree like that if it had any, and it didn't make the climb up harder. However with such a tree, especially if there are any defects (common with alder) I would avoid lowering a top at all costs. I've been at this 38 years, and I don't plan on going down with a top, that's fo sho!!
 
I have done it the 2nd way if limbs are large and over a target if I need to give extra control or piece limbs down its the way to do it. But if you can just bomb everything I do it the 1st way
 
I like to have a TIP, most of the time it's solely for my own comfort. I'll just throw a line up and over a good high limb and tie the base off away from the tree so my climb line doesn't interfere until I get up to near where I want to take the top down anyway.
Or, I'll set a high TIP, cutting and throwing only what's in my way to get there and then set my rigging where i want to block the top out and descend to drop, rope, or speed line the limbs from the bottom up. I don't like roping a top out over a bunch of branches that might break as a result and fall on whatever you're trying to protect. Wouldn't have a problem with it if you've got a huge drop zone with no ropes involved.
Especially if I'm going to be cutting and throwing a lot of limbs that will be kind of heavy, I find a TIP handy as you are not as concerned with how a sudden change in balance might make you spike out and drop it. You DO have to be concerned with how that might wrench your back and/or wrist though. Figured that out the hard way.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UrqsBu6-wU

Here's an old video of some spindly Douglas-firs. 1:10-5:10 isn't worth watching but the rest of it gives an idea of just how much some of theses trees will move around. I had a high tie-in on a larger tree in this instance but I have climbed and lowered many tops out of trees like this without one. A sound skinny spar such as these can deflect a huge amount from vertical without being in danger of failing.
 
Great stuff Gord! At about .30, I thought you were trying push that tree over to your left. Clearly, you weren't as I continued watching. Besides, it's hard to push a top when you're not lanyarded into it.
Love the movement....and cutting above your head and one handing. ..at least, unlike this crazy old fart, you had two hands on the saw when it was overhead........

John, there must be a better way, right? Surely, Daniel would know.....

ummmmmmmmmmm

At .55 of my old classic that most have seen, I self lower a top via a natural crotch and get a bit of a fun ride

http://youtu.be/L2wMdGPEPfc
 
All right!

I've got a question for the PNW veterans here.

Which would you rather have to rig down on any given day, a live thriving fir tree, or a one year dead fir tree?

That's Gord, Roger and Sir Reginald now that he's gone rogue outlaw!

Do you prefer your victims fresh, or cured?

jomoco
 
I thought certain ficus, torrey pines and such were the sappiest stickiest tree species to deal with, until I got into a healthy thriving fir tree!

Good grief!

It bled so profusely my 200's trigger got gummed up and locked wide open, requiring a gasoline scrub down! My ropes, my lanyard, my gloves and myself.

Girdle the bleedin fir first for a year!

Far less sappiness, and less weight to catch when rigging!

You a brave man Gord!

jomoco
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I will often leave branches attached before the top comes out if there is a root problem or some kind of trunk flaw.

Gord that is some amazing sway. I used to think the pine we have here in the Carolinas had sway.

Jomoco, GREEN for me any day over a dead one; as I have fallen over with a dead one.
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Jomoco, GREEN for me any day over a dead one; as I have fallen over with a dead one.
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So you've got fir trees in N Carolina?

When?

At Christmas?

jomoco
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Not many that"s for sure. We do have a little Hemlock though.

I have climbed a Douglas fir Guess what city this is.
 

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[ QUOTE ]
I'll always go for the live tree although dead Douglas-fir isn't much of a worry. Dead Grand Fir is another story though.

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Live or dead doug fir over grand fir any day.

Although I've only been full time on the conifers for a year now, I'll always look for the zip-line option over conventional rigging. A single stem, and all that height in ones favour....its fast, uncomplicated with less manpower needed.

When using a high tip I've also found that climbing SRT reduces the amount of resin on the line because its obviously not moving up and down.
 
Ever notice that fresh ficus sap has the same consistency as rich unpasteurized milk?

Trees are our passive heaven sent lookouts!

Much like the proverbial canary in the coal mine?

jomoco
 
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