SRT Questions! Apprentice!

[Rusticus]

Are you suggesting relying on some fronds as part of a basal anchored system? Would you really trust a system like that?

I'm suggesting relying on some fronds to keep a rope centered on the stem for a basal anchor. I do trust it with it centered in the crown. What do you suggest if you had to climb a palm tree without spikes?

 

[Chaplain242]

Are you suggesting relying on some fronds as part of a basal anchored system? Would you really trust a system like that?

Minimum two green fronds, and as Rusticus said nestled in the roots of the frond so centred over stem.

I have had one green frond tear out due to disease in the whole time I have been climbing palms, a rarity but it can happen.

If it’s dicey I always ascend, descend with Somewhat loose lanyard around trunk just in case.

 

[Stumpsprouts]

I'm suggesting relying on some fronds to keep a rope centered on the stem for a basal anchor. I do trust it with it centered in the crown. What do you suggest if you had to climb a palm tree without spikes?

It was a genuine question and you answered it, it’s surprising to me for sure that two fronds on a base tie is suitable but I don’t have the experience you do. I would think canopy tie options would be preferred.. I had heard of modified hunting platforms for palms but I’m sure those are very time consuming.

I have had one green frond tear out due to disease in the whole time I have been climbing palms, a rarity but it can happen.

What would be a branch diameter / species of equivalent strength to a fond?

 

[Chaplain242]

It was a genuine question and you answered it, it’s surprising to me for sure that two fronds on a base tie is suitable but I don’t have the experience you do. I would think canopy tie options would be preferred.. I had heard of modified hunting platforms for palms but I’m sure those are very time consuming.

What would be a branch diameter / species of equivalent strength to a fond?

Most of the time you could descend one by sliding down frond gripping through your hands treating it like a fire pole - there’s some cool videos on YouTube in Middle East of local palm pruners descending 30’ palms like this. Not really a species equivalent since palms are a form of grass, and similar to linear rope strands. If you bend them the right way they can crease, separate fibres etc to weaken it.

In the root area if rope nestled down you could probably anchor over a thousand pounds in queen palms, before the frond would begin to strip. If rope was not nestled down there is a chance it could bend frond down and slip out. Likewise if tried big swings to neighbouring palm you would want to anchor it better, as rope wouldnt want to seat in the crook of the frond as much and chance it might slip out. Use an additional trunk anchor under crown as a safety.

If rope seated and looks healthy it’s pretty safe to ascend - I still use a lanyard safety as backup, the time saving for climbing without is negligible.

If it looks sick, or storm damaged, use a lanyard around trunk as safety to ascend, and fix anchor properly when up at crown. If have to get high into crown, or on top, be sure to install an additional canopy anchored line before climbing above anchor point on the basal.

The frond that tore out on me was in a sick looking palm (salt water leak from pool) and had a bacterial infection in crown in that frond - it pulled out using my hands when I got to the top - the rope half tore it on the way up.

 

[Rusticus]

It was a genuine question and you answered it, it’s surprising to me for sure that two fronds on a base tie is suitable but I don’t have the experience you do. I would think canopy tie options would be preferred.. I had heard of modified hunting platforms for palms but I’m sure those are very time consuming.

What would be a branch diameter / species of equivalent strength to a fond?

My question was sincere too. I understand trees well, but grasses are for landscapers. I like the idea of a climbing hunting stand. I'm surprised there's not something geared up like that for arboriculture. That could be your million dollar plan!

Tearing healthy palm fronds is a workout, they're tougher than you'd think, but I've always been more concerned of my rope rolling off because they're so flexible. The angle of the surrounding petioles are they key component. I don't think I could give a proper comparison on strength.

 

[Stumpsprouts]

My question was sincere too. I understand trees well, but grasses are for landscapers. I like the idea of a climbing hunting stand. I'm surprised there's not something geared up like that for arboriculture. That could be your million dollar plan!

Tearing healthy palm fronds is a workout, they're tougher than you'd think, but I've always been more concerned of my rope rolling off because they're so flexible. The angle of the surrounding petioles are they key component. I don't think I could give a proper comparison on strength.

Hearing from Chaplain and you has been really interesting! I have always wondered what the strength of a palm is.

The modified hunting platform is a thing, a local arborist explained it to me when I was spending a winter in Maui doing tree work. He and his crew had been using it for a good bit and he thought it was the shit. I was going to go on a job with him and see it for myself but unfortunately that fell through.

 

[Gorman]

Not sure I'm quite comfortable with the basal tie just yet, kinds spooks me thinking of cutting my line etc haha
Can see how quick and easy it would be to set!
And pulling my ropes through the crown if they're rough just gives me shivers haha
Thank you for the response!

I try to base tie to other trees so that I don’t have to worry about my other rope end.