Tall Cottonwood = scary? Made to top!

ClimbingTN

ClimbingTN

Branched out member
Location
Columbia
I have this cottonwood on my property. I’ve climbed it a few times but, never more than about 50ft. It’s probably 100ft to the last TIP that looks big and safe. Tree is probably 120ft. I’m always near the trunk/spar and not on a limb. I also, use two systems because It looks so massive to me. I’ve been to about 70ft in other trees and felt safe. Heights don’t seem to bother me unless things feel sketchy. I’ve used 28ft ladders and man lifts my whole life. I’m comfortable in trees with a lot of branches. Suggestions to get past this weirdness or should I be listening to my gut telling me to stay out of it. Craig
 

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Pray. Lol. I pray a lot when climbing. It helps me when I get the jitters.

Other than that, more experience. If you're nervous there you either don't have a solid ground crew (likely as it seems to be a rec climb) or you just haven't been there before.

Look for ways to compensate as you climb higher. You said you are using multiple TIP, so use strong unions and advance. It might take you using poles or throw line to advance high enough. Just keep trying.

There's no hard and fast rule. Some folks Willie out where others are comfortable. As I've gotten older things scare me less, but I move more methodical. It takes time.

Is there anything in particular that's worrying you at that hight? Is the tree in decline? Do you know what you're looking for as you climb to know what's safe to climb on and what's not?

I've been in 3" tie in points in cottonwood with no worry, but I knew what I was looking for as I advanced. That's the most critical part. It's not included or decayed or a sucker, it's healthy and vibrant. Can you take pictures where you're comfortable so we know what you're dealing with?

Either way, you're awesome for trying. It seems like you're doing things right and trying to learn and grow. Thank you for reaching out. I hope some others have words of encouragement to help you as well. 70' is no small feat. You can do it.
 
I have a DIY air cannon and can get easily anywhere in the canopy. The photo provided probably doesn’t do the tree justice. It’s pretty massive with laterals 2-3 ft and the base about 4ft. It’s probably more experience and unfortunately I don’t have a experienced climber to coach me. I’m also likely not 100% confident in my equipment. I have good Samson ropes and all ANSI rated climbing gear so…IDK…more experience I guess. That’s why I usually used two systems to climb on a wide spread tree like this. Usually I only use one SRT or MRS and of course lanyard. I do know what to look for, I’ve been to Arborist school. Thanks for the comment. Craig
 
Pictures never do justice. Cottonwood can be huge. And they're not the strongest wood. Air cannon is fine and all, but there's something about struggling once in a while. Physically working the tree could help. It lets you feel how it moves and assess things as you move.

School only does so much. There's things I wouldn't have climbed at year 5 that I'd be comfortable doing now. What school have you been through? What's your purpose for using two systems? What part of your gear are you unsure about?

When I'm training apprentices, I love to get them in a situation where it's uncomfortable, then tell them to let go. Once they realize what their gear is for, and what it takes to get back on top of a limb they generally do better. Biggest thing is making sure your TIP is safe. If you can't evaluate what you're climbing you need to do more research on risk tree analysis. It's an ongoing process for climbers not just for consultants or salesmen.

I guess to reiterate, what is it that worries you at that height? It looks like the leaders spread a bit, and there's no nice central TIP, so it takes some work to feel out where you need to be. What's your goal for going higher? I find myself lost in rec climbs because work climbs have definitive goals that I can force myself to accomplish. Rec climbs lack that (without me setting them) and there's no loss for me not meeting them. If I don't climb well enough I don't get paid and my clients are not happy. Motivation is a big deal sometimes.
 
I will agree. An air canon is great for work, but if you are out to have fun climbing, leave it home and work for your enjoyment. Way more satisfying than shooting a line near the top. Also you get to know the tree as you work your way up and can stop when things become sketchy to you. With the air canon you really don't know what is up there holding you.
Just keep climbing and get more and more comfortable. Trust your gear. Don't trust the tree if you can't see what is going on.
 
That's a beautiful cottonwood. It looks healthy to me. I don't see many like that around here; usually just a fat old trunk with a bunch of suckers that have regrown to good sized branches. I don't think I have anything meaningful to add; I think what's been said here is very sound advice.
 
You may already know this but keep the TIP close to the trunk and keep the tree in compression. A dead softwood 2x3 loaded in compression is very strong.

I had a 130’ tulip poplar (liriodendron tulipefera) in my backyard very close to our home. It took me a year to feel confident enough to get to the 110’ mark to properly remove it. I was more confident in my rigging capabilities but the height was a concern. I’m media trained and only do trees part time. If I had a veteran climber on the ground, I’d have been more confident and comfortable. I just kept going up the tree and tried to go 5’ higher each time. I remember going to about 90’ and quickly wrapping 2 lanyards around 2 different limbs. I was then tied in 3 times. I was terrified to have to undo them to descend!

Keep going up, keep safely pushing through the fear. If your gear holds you at 3’ it will hold you at 300’.

Just yesterday I was removing a 70’ black locust that left a 14” dia stump (it was a thin pole) and it was very windy. I left stubs for hand and foot holds during gusts as I was in a 5” leaning top and it was trying to throw me off my gaffs. It was the same type of terror experienced in our backyard poplar. I pushed through the fear, cut between gusts, and got the tree down without slate roof damage or injuries.

Sometimes your brain will tell you “you’re going to die”, “you shouldn’t be doing this”, “get out of this situation” Obviously we have to determine if the perceived danger is real or imagined. If imagined, I try to silence or ignore the part of me that’s fearful. Sitting still too long can reawaken the fearful voices but working a plan keeps them at bay.

Keep pushing safely through the fear and you’ll be at the top of that Cottonwood soon enough and it will feel great. It will be a physical and mental accomplishment.
 
I pretty much liked everyone’s posts because I got so many great responses. I was out on the patio this morning drinking my coffee. The cottonwood is now losing most of its leaves. I’m thinking I can climb you but, the tree was taunting me. I starred at another cottonwood for months and went up it several times DRT to get to the 70ft mark. Brando mentioned the wide spread and yes that’s one thing that concerns me. If I work my way up, I’ll have about 10-15ft between TIPs. I think I’ll need a short length of throw line and ball to advance. Air cannon gets me anywhere but, working it may give a sense of accomplishment each gain. I’m going to try this on one system and trust my equipment. I’m proficient in SRT and DRT. I’ve been up it a few times to the junction with 4-5 leaders. I was under them but, my first goal is to stand on them. We shall see! Craig
 
ClimbingTN said:
I pretty much liked everyone’s posts because I got so many great responses. I was out on the patio this morning drinking my coffee. The cottonwood is now losing most of its leaves. I’m thinking I can climb you but, the tree was taunting me. I starred at another cottonwood for months and went up it several times DRT to get to the 70ft mark. Brando mentioned the wide spread and yes that’s one thing that concerns me. If I work my way up, I’ll have about 10-15ft between TIPs. I think I’ll need a short length of throw line and ball to advance. Air cannon gets me anywhere but, working it may give a sense of accomplishment each gain. I’m going to try this on one system and trust my equipment. I’m proficient in SRT and DRT. I’ve been up it a few times to the junction with 4-5 leaders. I was under them but, my first goal is to stand on them. We shall see! Craig
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You can throw a rope with a throw ball attached to the end to advance your tie in. I wouldn't mess with a throwline while in the tree
 
I use a steel carabiner almost always, specifically because I like the weight for advancing in the canopy, and even just for getting around trunks.

Also, I don't know you're finances, but I finally allowed myself to buy a captain hook, and I am feeling like after I bought my first foot ascender, wondering why I waited so long.
 
Matias said:
I use a steel carabiner almost always, specifically because I like the weight for advancing in the canopy, and even just for getting around trunks.

Also, I don't know you're finances, but I finally allowed myself to buy a captain hook, and I am feeling like after I bought my first foot ascender, wondering why I waited so long.
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I've yet to try the hook.
 
southsoundtree said:
Neither have I.

A Grapnel (on TreeBay, currently) helps for some situations.

I bought a ladder snap, after I forgot I had one, to try as a hook.
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There's definitely situations where the ladder hook would be awesome, providing a more secure connection, but the retrievability of the captain style makes it more useful for me overall.

I wish I had a spare to mail around as a loaner. As a newer climber with fewer ingrained habits and well developed techniques, it does for me what the zigzag did when I first started climbing. These tools have allowed me to practice the fundamentals in a way that yields more immediate results, which keeps me super pumped to keep practicing even when it's not for pay; it becomes so much fun.

I continually have more and more fun doing this as I progress in more advanced techniques, which is part of why I am eager to work with as many badasses as I can- that's the best way to learn the meat and potatoes of this stuff, and that makes it more enjoyable to do constantly.
 
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