Natural Crotch Climbing and Damage to Trees

Ethan_Wall

Ethan_Wall

Location
Pittsburgh Pennsylvannia
I understand that natural crotch climbing can damage the cambium of a tree because it is located right beneath the outer bark. However, how prevalent is this damage? Is it really that serious of a problem to tree health? Have climbers seen the effects of natural crotching on the job? (examples besides scarring of the cambium region. like die back etc.) Obviously this topic is based on situation and tree species.

I would imagine that a well scarred cambium region could potentially girdle an entire limb. Has anyone seen this? Your thoughts. Pics?
 
When I started climbing, I was always taught to avoid NC'ing due to the damage it caused. This was engrained into my mind, and I had assumed people have found true correlation between rope caused cambium damage and tree health issues. Since I haven't done it, I haven't seen damage in trees I've returned to years later.

It can also depend on the season, which I'm sure you've also considered, as some species are extremely tender in spring and early in the growth season (in temperate climates for sure). Swingdude...you wanna chime in on this based on what you have seen in the 12 month growing season, and what some other guys are doing technique-wise down there?

I'm thinking of my lanyard, since it is NC'd all the time. Though it rarely sees true full vertical suspension, I run it slowly if I'm in that situation, and I've never seen real damage to the cambium as a result. I'll have to run it in SRT more often, now that it has a small tech cord add on.

I can imagine that the overall health of the soil and tree would determine it's ability to recover from partial girdling. I say partial, as it seems unlikely that a climbing line could impact the underside of a limb, though I'm sure it is still somehow possible.

I'm thinking about the climbing line as well, with all the debris getting pressed into the weave. I'm sure that would lead to premature wear on the rope.
 
Thin barked trees are the most susceptible. I've seen tops die back to the point at which a climber tied in, on several poplar trees. A thin barked species has less tolerance for this.

It seems that glazing of the bark is generally the only real damage done on the thicker barked species, IME.

The real question is why wouldn't you use something that would reduce the amount of work you have to do and limit the potential for collateral damage done during operations?
 
Gotta agree with Dylan, thin barked trees see an instant effect from NC climbing, however that said I personally use a FS all the time, prefer RING/RING had a pulley saver found too much friction at the hitch thus passed it on to a friend ( derail ). I am the only one down here who uses them unfortunately. But tropical trees are rather tough and heal fast ( compartmentalize ). I just love trees and respect them as living organisms. I really would not like someone to rub my neck with rope back and forth. The marking left from NC rigging and climbing is more unsightly than unhealthy in tropical trees but I could be wrong. Those marks could take a day or two to start healing which is quite fast it just leaves unfavorable markings which sucks.
 
Re: NC Climbing and Damage to Trees [or ropes]

When false crotches appeared and became widely used one of the benefits that everyone noticed was that our ropes were lasting longer. Much less snagging than wrapping it through a branch union.

There are soooo many benefits of using a FC!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thin barked trees are the most susceptible.

[/ QUOTE ]Oh and Ethan, don't forget that most trees are thin barked where you make your tie in point.

You are not girdling the whole branch but surely from a security point of view the most dangerous part. Especially the top side of all broad leaved trees is eventually THE support system to keep the branch firmly in the tree.

And yes, Years ago I have seen damage done to the trees. Trees that I have climbed a couple of years before and (for me) new trees that have been climbed by fellow arbs.

I think you have to keep in mind that the mail reason to use False Crotches/Friction Savers/Cambium Savers is the healt of the tree, BUT...

I use them in take downs too.
The friction in your climbing system is always relative constant and low, your gear lasts longer and last but not least. Your gear doesn't get that mucky with algae when climbing in the rain.
 
It is your body! Reduction of friction is optional, but you pay with your body...

Damage, you bet. I had a limb fall off in a customer's yard once where someone had killed off the cambium 3 years prior with a rope. I suspect the crotch was used for lowering, but same diference. It WAS an older stem with thickish bark.

Rope longevity - that really should be a no-brainer. When I first started, at the end of a day of rigged removals, the rope stood up all by itself. One rope, one removal. That is quite the economic price for the job.
 
[ QUOTE ]
This coud be another reason to switch to srt!

[/ QUOTE ]

One of many.

But...if the TIP for SRT is flexing while the climber is moving there is some friction and potential damage. If there is a concern about tree damage install a FC. My inclination would be to set the SRT line and ascend. Then, climb to the TIP and install a FC in the tree. Using a small screw link or biner to capture the tail for removal and a larger biner makes for an easy in-line installation. If there is a concern that moving rope might unscrew the link run the downhill side of the rope through a pulley in the screw link.

This pulley works fine and is priced right:

http://www.cmi-gear.com/catalog/pulleys/pullspecs.asp?partnum=rp142
 
Wraptoring up and descending from the Wraptor does close to zero damage.



Wraptoring up and descending from the Wraptor does close to zero damage.
 
As a tree climber instructor, I can see the damage on the tree. We teach how to climb in a tree in the same spot each year. About 45 students per year climb with natural crotch. This is the first step before instaling the false crotch. So the tree we climb are not in good shape and each year, a couple of big branch died and broke. So I think that tree can really suffer damage from the NC. The tree are Acer Saccharinum and the DHP average are 20 inche with 70 feet high and more. They are mature tree. I think at this point the tree can be less productive to produce new wood. But I know we climb to much time in the same tree. Another think that can damage the tree are the limb walk event with a FC. You can broke a lot of branch by doing it. It's not good to climb in a tree at all.

Sorry for my poor english writing, I'm better in french.
 
Do what you can in French that you think we may understand.
It is good fun, Oui and c'est bon tu anglais. Meilleur than mon francais Non!
wink.gif
 
Use a TIP that cinch at top. Running bowline to top. SRT, no rope movement during climb. But if time is no problem. Stick a FS up there. Keeps the FS sales going. Stimulate the economy. I own one and havent used it for years.
 
[ QUOTE ]
As a tree climber instructor, I can see the damage on the tree. We teach how to climb in a tree in the same spot each year. About 45 students per year climb with natural crotch. This is the first step before instaling the false crotch. So the tree we climb are not in good shape and each year, a couple of big branch died and broke. So I think that tree can really suffer damage from the NC. The tree are Acer Saccharinum and the DHP average are 20 inche with 70 feet high and more. They are mature tree. I think at this point the tree can be less productive to produce new wood. But I know we climb to much time in the same tree. Another think that can damage the tree are the limb walk event with a FC. You can broke a lot of branch by doing it. It's not good to climb in a tree at all.

Sorry for my poor english writing, I'm better in french.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats some good english right there!!!!!
 
I've seen damage to bark from the throwline I used to install my FC. Thin line like Zingit applies a more focused strip of friction compared to a bigger rope.

I don't know what the solution is (except maybe to use a lighter FC), but I think we should be more aware of it.
 
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