Tree Climbing Books

M

Mintopop

Location
Alberta
Hi everyone,
I’m not totally unfamiliar with tree work - I’ve done bucket work and groundwork.
I want to learn how how to climb trees, and for various reasons the usual routes (be taught by a master, go to college) aren’t available to me at the moment.
I saw the ISA sells quite a few tree climbing guides, and I was wondering if anyone had recommendations one way or another with these?
Mostly looking at the Tree Climbers Companion, Knots at Work, and the Tree Climbers Guide. Would these be complete enough to teach myself how to climb from ground to tree safely? Any alternative recommendations?
 
If you have no option to go to a climbing school, or learn from a good professional, buy all three of those books. They will definitely get you going the right direction. Also, check out on YouTube the two channels Educated Climber, and Climbing Arborist. there are many excellent climbers, and great teachers on YouTube, but there are even more who look good but will teach you very bad habits, so beware.
 
Thanks for the YouTube recommendations as well. I’ve heard a few people say they’ve learned from YouTube, but I know I don’t know enough to tell a good climber from a “lucky” one. I’ve only been in the harness a few times and the guy who got me up there was also using some extremely outdated methods, but I loved the view nonetheless.
 
If you take things slow, keep new techniques, hitches, and gear just a few few feet off the ground until you really understand how they behave, I think eventually you could climb around safely and have some fun.

If you’re planning on running chainsaws, cutting and rigging up there, you’d be crazy to try it without guidance from a seasoned professional.
 
Oh I absolutely will not be bringing anything sharp up there! I’m mostly doing it for recreation/exercise and to build a foundation for the day when I’m able to learn from experts
 
Jonny said:
If you take things slow, keep new techniques, hitches, and gear just a few few feet off the ground until you really understand how they behave, I think eventually you could climb around safely and have some fun.

If you’re planning on running chainsaws, cutting and rigging up there, you’d be crazy to try it without guidance from a seasoned professional.
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I came up through rec climbing, started doing small side jobs in my neighborhood, deadwooding etc. I bought a used Stihl 192t on Arboristsite and it sat for 4 years. During that time I did everything with hand saws. Learned a lot about positioning and light rigging techniques. If you’re not in a rush it’s a great way to learn how to climb and work in trees. When I finally started running a saw at height I was ahead of the game. I only had the saw yanked out of my hands once ;-) Go small and live long.
-AJ
 
Honestly even in the bucket I found myself favouring the handsaw and pole pruner for the vast majority of small jobs, especially considering all the chainsaws around here are rear handles that always seem to be just too big to fit into whatever weird space I needed to get in
 
Mintopop said:
Honestly even in the bucket I found myself favouring the handsaw and pole pruner for the vast majority of small jobs, especially considering all the chainsaws around here are rear handles that always seem to be just too big to fit into whatever weird space I needed to get in
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So you're working for a tree company currently?
 
I was until we all got laid off. I’m doing forestry-related office work now, but I’m realizing now how much I miss actual tree work even though this pays way more :( l
 
 
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