Technique for climbing dead tree while TIP in another.

Matias said:
I use guy lines for so many other things, I don't know how it hadn't ocurred to me to guy trees during use for support.
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Once you start using them you'll never go back. Or perhaps we're climbing more iffy trees?? Just having one on to dampen rigging loads or reduce climbing wiggle, even if the tree is solid, makes life more pleasant. Can then be the pull rope for the peg. We put in two to triangulate a dead oak stem a couple weeks ago, was still unpleasant but way better.
 
I've always heard the only way to take a dead tree down is through a bucket or properly dropping it; a local tree guy "Abe" went up a dead tree locally in Stamford which led to a fatality, and now known as "Abe's Wife's tree service".
 
Sorry to Abe and family.




Climbing dead trees is part of being a highly skilled dismantler.

Sometimes, climbing dead trees is the part of being a low skill dismantler, too.

Sometimes the air just hits the fan on experts.


My retired career-PNW-logger-neighbor says they're no such thing as a dumb, old logger. Dumb loggers never live to be old loggers.







I try to explain to my crew that being a hazard tree dismantler/ feller is where the climber/ feller is going to put their head in the lion's mouth.

Support the climber/ feller accordingly.



Same thing with lead rock climbing.
 
southsoundtree said:
Sorry to Abe and family.




Climbing dead trees is part of being a highly skilled dismantler.

Sometimes, climbing dead trees is the part of being a low skill dismantler, too.

Sometimes the air just hits the fan on experts.


My retired career-PNW-logger-neighbor says they're no such thing as a dumb, old logger. Dumb loggers never live to be old loggers.







I try to explain to my crew that being a hazard tree dismantler/ feller is where the climber/ feller is going to put their head in the lion's mouth.

Support the climber/ feller accordingly.



Same thing with lead rock climbing.
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I agree with that. We climb dead trees with regularity, and with sense and caution. We do not climb dead Ash trees.

A skilled tree worker knows what is involved in doing the work safely, and knows what the risks are and how to mitigate them, and when to choose an alternate approach.
 
tomstrees said:
I've always heard the only way to take a dead tree down is through a bucket or properly dropping it; a local tree guy "Abe" went up a dead tree locally in Stamford which led to a fatality, and now known as "Abe's Wife's tree service".
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There is no bright line, sure dead trees are somewhat their own ball game, yet they can be much easier and simpler at the same time.
How dead? How rotten? What’s the the site layout like?
Remote tie in? Remote rigging point? Even without it you can still rig from a dead trees. Hell we even used one to winch over a 170’ hemlock with no ill effect.
 
It's so species dependent, there just isn't a hard rule. And of course within that, it is dependent on the specific condition of that individual tree. I climb dead doug firs all the time, many are as solid and safe as a live tree, and often easier because the brush is lighter. However one that is at a big angle, and had decay pockets for years before it died is another story. Alders and madrone get harder to get spurs in once they die and dry out, and both frequently will have old pockets of decay along with big leans. Dead grand firs get weak MUCH faster after death, and I'm getting more and more cautious about climbing them.
 
Reach said:
I agree with that. We climb dead trees with regularity, and with sense and caution. We do not climb dead Ash trees.

A skilled tree worker knows what is involved in doing the work safely, and knows what the risks are and how to mitigate them, and when to choose an alternate approach.
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Dampening branches, as discussed recently...



Today
 
I have a strict no climbing dead tree policy, especially ash. Sure I’ve lost jobs but, I’m still here. If I have a TIP in another tree or high line then sure. Be safe out there…no amount of money is worth getting hurt or killed.
 
That sounds like a fine policy and smart. The unsaid caveat being some living trees are more of a death trap than some dead ones; there are many living trees that you+I would choose not to climb too. We climb a fair amount of dead white pine and red oak which are stable beyond yr 1, and then solid spruce which are dead a yr or less. I get more nervous on declining birch or poplar than stone dead pine 9/10 times. 123_1.webp
 
I'm glad I don't have to deal with ash and other trees that get really sketchy so quick after dying.

This doug fir hadn't been dead more than a a few years, but was still totally safe, sound wood and predictable behavior. Honestly I'd have felt fine doing this even a few more years on if needed.

 
Situation-dependent.

I had one scenario where I was removing a sketchy tree, so I climbed up one, limb walked out to take the top, came down, climbed up a pine on the opposite side of the tree, set a TIP, then using both climbing systems in each tree on either side of the dead one, lowered myself into the middle and lanyard in to the dead tree while I pieced it out.

It was a lot of work, but I also happened to be doing some pruning on the other trees and had to climb them anyways.

Spiking up the dead tree while tied into another certainly is an option. If the rot and decay is so bad that your spikes are just going right through or getting stuck, perhaps you climb more manually if there’s enough branches to allow. Or you could use a secondary climb line to help advance one’s way up the unhealthy tree while having that backup line in another.

Ultimately though, as the climber you have to feel confident in what you’re doing. So even if something may work for someone else, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for everyone. Just a thought.
 
Serf Life said:
That sounds like a fine policy and smart. The unsaid caveat being some living trees are more of a death trap than some dead ones; there are many living trees that you+I would choose not to climb too. We climb a fair amount of dead white pine and red oak which are stable beyond yr 1, and then solid spruce which are dead a yr or less. I get more nervous on declining birch or poplar than stone dead pine 9/10 times. View attachment 102530
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Right on, yes! This is why I so enjoy doing forensics on failed trees. Gives a lot of insight on the characteristics in live trees that lead to collapses.
-AJ
 
climbingmonkey24 said:
Situation-dependent.

I had one scenario where I was removing a sketchy tree, so I climbed up one, limb walked out to take the top, came down, climbed up a pine on the opposite side of the tree, set a TIP, then using both climbing systems in each tree on either side of the dead one, lowered myself into the middle and lanyard in to the dead tree while I pieced it out.

It was a lot of work, but I also happened to be doing some pruning on the other trees and had to climb them anyways.

Spiking up the dead tree while tied into another certainly is an option. If the rot and decay is so bad that your spikes are just going right through or getting stuck, perhaps you climb more manually if there’s enough branches to allow. Or you could use a secondary climb line to help advance one’s way up the unhealthy tree while having that backup line in another.

Ultimately though, as the climber you have to feel confident in what you’re doing. So even if something may work for someone else, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for everyone. Just a thought.
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The "walk away" is an underappreciated tree worker decision. If a climber's imagination can come up with a cost-effective and safe way to do a sketchy tree that's good too.

Some great strategies coming up in this thread.
-AJ
 
I call this a 'V-hang'.

Regularly used for trees that lifts and cranes can't access (the majority of my work).


24"x90ish foot tipped, dead cherry resting on a maple and cedar.

20260723_165949.webp20260723_155351.webp20260723_164908.webp20260723_141829.webp


Sorry for sideways.




The ability to float anywhere in the plane of the 2 TIP and gravity is great. Add a third dimension if needed, more or less strong as appropriate.
 
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