Ropes courses and trees

1

123tree

Is there any type of authoritative guide to "Best Practices" for building and maintaining ropes courses in trees? I'm specifically looking for details about managing healthy trees that have ropes course elements already built in them.
 
Are you a member or in contact with ACCT? They have members that understand trees as well, or better than, arborists and they know about their courses.

What tree/element issues are you dealing with?

Pictures are important.
 
I got an education on this the other day when we worked on a ropes course doing some pruning. There was some issues we were told as the state inspector had just checked it out.
 
I know photos would be ideal. I'll work on that. The primary concern is the potential for girdling. Specificaly resulting from the wooden hardware (platforms) and the cables wrapped on trees. The platforms are thru-bolted at bottom and then "clamped" at the top, squeezing the trunk and potentially killing cambium cells. Frequent adjustment is needed to allow for trunk growth. Secondly, this course is built with cable wrapped around the trunks, with 2X4 blocks used as "pads" to spread the pressure. Most of these wrapes have slack in the loop to allow for trunk expansion. It is my opinion however that thru-bolting would be healthier and less maintenace (excect for poorly compartmentalizing trees). I think bolting would be better too for installation of the platforms. I'm simply wondering the "experts" have come up with some standards. I've browsed the ACCT site but haven't found what I'm looking for. Maybe I'll contact them directly
 
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It is my opinion however that thru-bolting would be healthier and less maintenace (excect for poorly compartmentalizing trees). I think bolting would be better too for installation of the platforms.

[/ QUOTE ] Thru-bolting or -cabling sounds better than clamping--ack! Also, hanging some corners of platforms on chains can allow some movement while being very stable.

Check ANSI and BMP on support systems--relevant stuff in there.
 
A few years ago I worked with the ACCT Standards Committee when they were beginning to write their installation standard. There are some really good people there.

Cable wrapping is NOT acceptable in arbo work or in ACCT accredited/certified courses.

Who has done the certification of the ropes course in the past?
 
Thanks for the insight guymayor and Tom. I have put in a call to ACCT. I would like to get my hands on the ACCT Standards guide that Tom mentioned. The ropes course is new, and this is the first time I've been called on to inspect the trees with elements built in them, so I don't know what accrediation/cert they have. I'll find out. This is great help. Many thanks!
 
I just got a call today about the same situation. I'm being called in to inspect the trees in the existing ropes course and look at some potential trees to expand into. He said that most everything had been throughbolted. Im going out next week and will take some pics. As far as what I'm gonna look for, Im thinking along the lines of compartmentalization and spread of decay around the hardware are some of the main things, along with girdling issues and any other tree defects. Any other suggestions as to what to look for?
 
Agree with the above. Your list is a good one, though what we see as defects or deformations are often positive growth, like the rib on page 32 of the Nov TCI

Cross-loading is a biggie--see page 31 of the Nov TCI for an extreme cross-loading failure. Tree was the topic of a past thread here--that's how I heard about it!

Also (per BMP) look for opportunities to do light reduction pruning to lessen movement, if that movement stresses the hardware or attachments.

The Support BMP is essential to understand and follow for this work--ropes courses ARE Supplemental Support Systems! I gare-on-tay the client will respect your citations to the BMP as it guides you. Pretty powerful tool for $8, right, Tom?

And the power goes both ways--if you consult on this system and it fails, you want something solid to stand on.

Have fun!
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If you're doing work/cosulting on ropes course you should be familiar with ACCT standards. Arbos are expected to abide by A300 and Z133 after all.

A few years ago I did a presentation at the ACCT conference about being an arborist or a rope tech. The talk was well recieved and I found some interesting discussions later
 
Thanks for the advice Guy and Tom. Guy, was that info in the 2010 November issue? I didnt see where it came out yet online.

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If you're doing work/cosulting on ropes course you should be familiar with ACCT standards. Arbos are expected to abide by A300 and Z133 after all.[ QUOTE ]


Do you feel like it would be worth me buying the ACCT standards, or do you think the BMPs and ANSI standards for supplemental support systems would be enough?
 
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info in the 2010 November issue? I didnt see where it came out yet online.

[/ QUOTE ]Yeah they are slow putting it up on their site for some reason. Hard copy I got a few days ago (november is always out early as it is their expo issue), and yesterday they sent the link to subscribers:

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/9cadda7d#/9cadda7d/30

Subscribing is free, even to nonmembers--hint, hint. The Zingaro piece is important for PHC folk imo. I hope the support article makes sense; I'm never sure...
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thanks guy.
so, if you dont mind me asking, when referring to sideloading in this situation, Im assuming it would be in respect to the anchors/bolts causing the limb to sideload on it, which would cause failure? I can definitely see where some weight reductions could present themselves.
 
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... when referring to sideloading in this situation, Im assuming it would be in respect to the anchors/bolts causing the limb to sideload on it, which would cause failure?

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Yes, as spelled out in the standards. Don't leave home without em, neighbor!
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I'd *hate* to get a call after an incident to review a report that did not comply with them.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I just got a call today about the same situation. I'm being called in to inspect the trees in the existing ropes course and look at some potential trees to expand into. He said that most everything had been throughbolted. Im going out next week and will take some pics. As far as what I'm gonna look for, Im thinking along the lines of compartmentalization and spread of decay around the hardware are some of the main things, along with girdling issues and any other tree defects. Any other suggestions as to what to look for?

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What course are you going to, Nich? I just did an inspection for a course today. I'm going back out in a couple weeks to do some pruning for clearance and views.
 
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