some actual tree work

[Daniel]

 

[moss]

Why do so so many tree people do rigging where it seems just smaller pieces could be cut without any rigging, making it faster and causing less hitting and bashing of other parts of the tree and adjacent trees.
I know one reason to keep a branch as long as possible, is to reduce chipping, smaller lengths of larger diameter wood, as it is more damaging to the main cutting wheel and anvil, than long as possible lengths of larger diameter wood.
It looks like there was enough open ground space for to just cut and drop smaller or even bigger pieces of the branches.
I'm not trying to criticizing anyone here, just curious. I rarely do rigging, unless it's imperative.

"Rigging" is a term that includes a massive variety of techniques, more gear, less gear etc. For example light rigging with a long sling runner to catch and hold something, probably the most minimal, Then all the way up to craning out half of or whole trees, that is rigging. Pull line on a spar, that's rigging. So if you say "Why do so many tree people do rigging...?" you're dismissing a huge part of what tree work is on a daily basis.

When you refer to "open ground space" to drop pieces on then think about leach fields, inconveniently placed ornamental trees and shrubs, structures, extremely tight urban drop zones, as mentioned: power lines, at times surrounding or cris-crossing through tree crowns, fragile surfaces (driveways etc), perfect expensively maintained lawns, it goes on and on. It's great fun tossing pieces from up high into tight drop zones but everything I mentioned is finessed with smart rigging per context when throwing pieces or letting them fly off the cut is inviting insurance claims.

And unexpected bounce, everyone has their story about the piece that took off after it hit like it had eyes for that fence, window or vehicle. Rigging, it's what's for lunch, ie: a tree worker's bread and butter.

No tree worker with skills is bashing other parts of trees when they rig. The opposite (bashing other trees with rigged pieces) is called hackery.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, a well executed rig is a lot of fun, we need more fun in our work, makes the day go better.
-AJ

 

[Daniel]

I've worked with climbers that used to work for a company that had a no divet policy. You weren't allowed to bomb anything on the grass to prevent lawn damage. EVERYTHING HAD TO BE RIGGED. While that's an extreme position for a company with an upper-echelon clientelle when someone asks "why people rig so much".. that's not even worth answering.