Would you climb these dead trees?

[96coal449]

Last year I was in a rotten red oak. About 50' tall with a 20'' dia base. Roots were still holding well with an inch of punk surrounding the spar. My spurs found solid interior wood wherever I set foot. Tree still had most of its branches of about 2'' dia and larger. Close to a dwelling with no room to drop, I set a double ring sling and 1/2'' rigging line. Removed most of the branches save the top. One thing I love about using rigging rings, sometimes I leave them in the tree and pull over the top with them still set. If they get damaged it's not like I wrecked a block. Rings are cheap.

I felt extremely at ease during this removal. Even with the conditions and the HO, my friend, running rope. I even had to get out on some of the limbs for tip tying. It was all about that gut instinct. It felt good and I went with it.

 

[southsoundtree]

What would a tow-behind lift have cost?

Looked kinda open and accessible. How much room did you have?



The idea of swinging into another tree if one unexpectedly starts to fail is a great idea. Getting unhooked from your compromised tree under load is doubtful.


I have 2 heavy- duty zip-ties (breakaway lanyard connection) on one bridge ring. I don't want to have to use them.


I've Heard that a pendulum fall from 30' to the side is about as much impact as free-falling 30' down. A person has no real control in how they will swing into the support tree.
I use a groundworker's belay on my tail as possible if I have (choose) to with a tree like that.

 

[SeanRuel]

In possible root compromised situations Rig stays like tall ships- one against lean is good, 2 like rigging a gin pole is better, 3 got many an upright dead white pine spar around cape horn in a gale

 

[climbingmonkey24]

Tow behind lift would not have fit, a self-propelled might have. It was an enclosed backyard with minimal access.

Had we encountered anything that made us feel it wasn’t safe to climb, that would’ve been an alternative option. Although it’s questionable if the lift would’ve reached the height of the tallest tree.

And I agree @southsoundtree, the idea of swinging into a nearby tree shouldn’t be taken lightly or with the impression that it comes without risk. But if you are going to do this kind of work, I’m not sure you could say anything is one hundred percent safe. It’s more about risk management and finding ways to improve safety when you can (in my opinion). And in the case of climbing a dead tree and being tied horizontal into a nearby one, you’re basically balancing the scales as to which you think could be more harmful. But that’s something every climber / owner has to figure out for themselves what that limit is and where they draw the line right?

 

[96coal449]

The idea of swinging into another tree if one unexpectedly starts to fail is a great idea. Getting unhooked from your compromised tree under load is doubtful.


I have 2 heavy- duty zip-ties (breakaway lanyard connection) on one bridge ring. I don't want to have to use them

Or possibly a shorter climb line with a quick mechanical? ZZ comes to mind or, a Zillion with a long flip line?
Just a thought. I wouldn't want to be a pendulum either but it beats a free fall....I guess. Now I gotta go find some wood to knock on.

 

[climbingmonkey24]

There was a scenario I was in quite a few years ago. Declining tree, didn’t want to just be tied into it, etc. Fortunately in this case there was two trees nearby and I was able to tie in to both with my climb lines in opposite directions. This would serve the purpose of minimizing a hard swing.

Obviously not all of these situations have the luxury of there being a nice setup like that to work with.

 

[96coal449]

I carry a small DMM rigging hub in my kit bag. Reserved strictly for a tie in point.
Never used it yet. Half the time, I forget it's there.