Lucky break in a beech

arborpatrol

arborpatrol

Location
Rochester, NY
I was climbing a mature and very limby beech tree this morning to retrieve a hanger. It was raining earlier in the day, so the tree was wet and a bit slick. I decided to ascend the tree by climbing the many branches. I used my lanyard and climbing line to remain tied in at all times. At about 30 feet up, I threw my climbing line over a 4 inch branch right at the collar. I removed my lanyard and prepared to advance. I grabbed on to the same limb I was tied in to, but about 2 feet out. As I went to pull myself up, the limb broke cleanly right out of the collar. The tree was so full of brush that the limb got hung up almost immediately. In addition, my feet were on the branch below, so I didn't fall. It took me a second to realize what had happened. I had put my rope on to a dead branch. My rope had come off the end of the limb when it broke. I quickly, but calmly, put my lanyard around a good, living, 8" branch and continued my climb.

The dead limb was well hidden in the tree. The bark was wet like the rest of the tree, so it didn't stand out. The tips of the limb went out into the foliage which was quite dense. Had I taken a few extra seconds to look at the branch, I probably would have seen that it was dead. I think I wasn't expecting any dead wood to be in the tree because there were no other dead branches (that I could see).I wasn't rushing, but I still didn't do a thorough inspection. I really did get lucky. Now I have to apply that lesson every day moving forward. It really could have been much worse.
 
Change in climbing techniques would help too.
Never just hang a climbing line over a smaller branch but always over the branch and around the trunk.
This has two advantages.
1. In case of a braking branch you are still secured in the tree.
2. While advancing in tree you are able to climb on and above the branch you secured yourself 'over'.

This way a unseen bad anchor point isn't fatal.
 
Wolter, I'm guessing that the tree was probably too big to go around, but your point is well taken.

While there has been some well founded opposition to the technique, this is a good argument FOR setting a line from the ground.

Glad you're safe!!!

-Tom
 
I was still working my way up the trunk, so putting a line around the whole tree would have been more difficult. But, to be honest, I chose the limb right in front of me. I wonder if the limb would have held me if I had sat on my rope (remember, the rope was right at the collar).
 
Glad you can take this lesson to the next tree. A little different outcome and it could have been the last tree you ever climb. Glad you are OK.
 
I enjoyed my walk back from Union Square today with my eyes in the trees most of the way. Watching them sway back and forth in the wind. The tall elms in Tomkins Square Park were fantastic. I come home to read this. I should have come up for a visit. Stay safe out there, Josh.
 
the first lession I ever recieved about tree safety was during play climbing at about 5 yrs or so. Mommy told me not to hold or step on to any dead branches. as I work in trees now fifty years later I still remember her advice every day.
 
[ QUOTE ]
the first lession I ever recieved about tree safety was during play climbing at about 5 yrs or so. Mommy told me not to hold or step on to any dead branches. as I work in trees now fifty years later I still remember her advice every day.

[/ QUOTE ]

I learned not to trust dead branches when I tumbled through a cherry tree, ending up upside down, shoulder in the lowest crotch, then drop a little more to the ground, on my head. Gotta love green bones. I was really knocked around, and laid down for an hour or two, then was back at playing. Definitely did not tell mom or dad.




Glad to hear that you didn't fall at all. Its a good reminder to us all.

This could have been one of those cases where an SRT access line, with trunk tie-off could have meant redundancy for the limbs between the top TIP and the ground. Two people bouncing on the line to test the TIP would likely suffice for a remote set TIP, whether SRT or DbRT.
 
Good lesson. It's easy to rush the access. Go with a wrapping the rope around the trunk as suggested above or get it around at least two limbs. Glad your still with us!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom