Tree climbing kit?

[8ob]

Found its much easier using a knut or michoacan friction hitch!

I was happy anchoring on arm sized branches with DRT but going higher scares me with that. Pulleys make a huge difference.

Used a dynamic climbing rope, tied a triple fishermans loop quater way up the trunk ( so there is plenty of rope in system). Used a ring and sling to make a decent anchor to feed it through and then sling and carabiners to clip it higher up. Apart from the dynamic rope, this would count as SRT. I was attched by prusik, but next time might try my Grigri.
If a branch snaps, I should have a nice soft catch at the previous clip.

Starting to drop the tops
View attachment 416221

You worry me Kram, snotty old Birch of that size is normally in decline, be careful.

Bob

 

[mtt.tr]

You worry me Kram, snotty old Birch of that size is normally in decline, be careful.

Bob

Yup they are a tree i pretty much refuse to prune, they are better felled and replanted in my opinion.



@Kram Honeys are offering a free splice per rope order use code "SPLICEME"

 

[Kram]

Yeah I saw that, might get another.
I saw the DMM 15% offer but forgot the code at checkout, HB said they would refund it.

The birch so far seems fine, nice bendy wood, its never been topped so it looks healthy. I agree about not pruning them, they seem to be known for quick rotting. Lower branches have been pruned but the trunk is solid. Its giving me far more confidence than the decaying sycamores a few weeks ago or and previous ones I climbed like ash.


Btw I have been watching these videos.

https://youtube.com/@arboristBlairGlenn

 

[8ob]

The birch so far seems fine, nice bendy wood, its never been topped so it looks healthy. I agree about not pruning them, they seem to be known for quick rotting. Lower branches have been pruned but the trunk is solid. Its giving me far more confidence than the decaying sycamores a few weeks ago or and previous ones I climbed like ash.

Just be careful, a Birch can look a picture of health while the root system is mush. Once they get to about 9" DBH be wary.

Bob

 

[Kram]

New gear lots of cord for prusiks. already have some sewn loops and eye to eye slings but too expensive I will tie E2E with triple fishermans. Knut is my prefered hitch so far..
Dmm revolver to try.
Expensive Simarghu bridge ropes!

Last week I started a new job as a groundy/hedger. Today spoke to the trainer guy and he said he can assess me for the tickets as soon as Im ready to do them

 

[Kram]

Just be careful, a Birch can look a picture of health while the root system is mush. Once they get to about 9" DBH be wary.

Bob

This reminded me, there is a pocket of rot where a branch has been badly pruned some time back. I saw it before I first considered going up.

Found a handy stick as a measure. It will go in as far as my thumb

Best its removed soon before it becomes unsafe to climb..

 

[mtt.tr]

This reminded me, there is a pocket of rot where a branch has been badly pruned some time back. I saw it before I first considered going up.
View attachment 416326View attachment 416327
Found a handy stick as a measure. It will go in as far as my thumb

Best its removed soon before it becomes unsafe to climb..

It's surprising though how strong some species are, I've climbed some monsters that are badly rotted just still incredibly strong.


Body language of trees is the book to buy if you want to learn more.

 

[8ob]

This reminded me, there is a pocket of rot where a branch has been badly pruned some time back. I saw it before I first considered going up.
View attachment 416326View attachment 416327
Found a handy stick as a measure. It will go in as far as my thumb

Best its removed soon before it becomes unsafe to climb..

Often surprised at the state of some reasonably healthy looking trees. This old girl was well past its sell by date, twas a bit of a lump.

As was this one we dismantled and lifted out from behind a garage

 

[Kram]

Knut hitch is great for the flip line. I wont be using a rope grab block again!

The left trunk that I topped the other day seems to be far more wobbly now than I remember! Wondering if the sun has baked all the moisture out.

Most teams would have a tree this size done in a morning, so I have to consider if doing it over a week is less safe.

Not too much left. Plan to top the rest today and block down to the single trunk atleast.

 

[mtt.tr]

Knut hitch is great for the flip line. I wont be using a rope grab block again!

The left trunk that I topped the other day seems to be far more wobbly now than I remember! Wondering if the sun has baked all the moisture out.

Most teams would have a tree this size done in a morning, so I have to consider if doing it over a week is less safe.

View attachment 416512
Not too much left. Plan to top the rest today and block down to the single trunk atleast.

I really would advice removing the long stubs, they can do some serious damage if you slip.

Poles are always wobbly once the brush is off, I can only guess that it's because the air resistance drops.

 

[Kram]

@Kram Honeys are offering a free splice per rope order use code "SPLICEME"

Trying to decide what to get. I have the 45m Liros reef.
Im thinking I dont need 45m for a second rope, 30 should do but its not much extra for another 45m

Liros Ignite or Yale Sunbust (the cheaper options). Yale better quality?

Liros Ignite Rope - 1 Splice - Honey Brothers

Liros Ignite Rope - 1 Splice from Honey Brothers. The largest equipment specialist in the tree care industry.

honeybros.com

Yale Sunburst Rope - 1 Splice - Honey Brothers

Yale Sunburst Rope - 1 Splice from Honey Brothers. The largest equipment specialist in the tree care industry.

honeybros.com

 

[Norsk]

What system are you climbing on?

Ropes are all pretty much the same,unless they have a really soft weave and pluck to easily.Concentrate on getting as much time aloft as possible and learn how to make what you have work.All the kit in the world won't make you any good,you have to gain experience

I contract climbed in Germany and the UK with one three strand rope,four biners,two prusiks a willans T22 and a pair of spikes.

Today I climb SRT on a zigzag under a rope wrench. I have a lot more climbing kit but it rarely gets used since I mainly do takedowns.

Harnesses and techniques have come a long way,I have been climbing full time for 25 years.

 

[Kram]

I am really struggling to get my head around the running bowline knot. I can tie a normal bowline no problems but capturing the long end is defeating me! Spent a while practising it around my arm, but a good 20 mins wasted tieing it wrong on the tree. In the end I used double fishermans as my rigging knot. Watched lots of youtube but none of them show it well.

 

[mike os]

Just more practice... like everything

 

[mtt.tr]

As above just practice.

Tbh I don't use it all that often most likely as when I went IRATA it's a no no.

Half way through an ash reduction, just waiting to lads to be back with the chip wagon.



Took out some road side Conifer last week.



I think I prefer subbing over running the show.

 

[mtt.tr]

Bit of a hole, that was just the nature of how it had grown.

 

[Kram]

Nice. I worked out the running bowline and it was a great help. Im about to go up a second neighbours birch to assess it, similar to the first except he wants to keep it - everyone else wants it gone!

Theres one bad lower stub cut from years ago which has started to rot into the trunk but is small.


Is there any way to top a birch, seal the wound so that it wont cause rot? I realise it will make a high maintence tree, but that is no problem while I live here...


Also just ordered some spare chains from Rotatech, I think somone recommended so hopefully they are good. £28 for three delivered.

 

[mtt.tr]

Sadly not, birch trees really are throw away that is just how nature made them. They are brilliant firewood though.

Sealing cuts is a big no no as it causes further rot.


Rotatech chains are decent, though i have had ones which are case hardened but once you have filed under that they are fine.

 

[Kram]

This tree splits into 5 or so trunks, the crotch is flat and has had pigeon nests, some small pockets of rot visible but it appears solid. I am not sure what to thinkiin terms of long term safety of the tree.

My rope is less than half way up the tree.

Theres several bad pruning cuts with very small rot pockets on lower main trunk but nothing like the other birch.

Sealing cuts is a big no no as it causes further rot.

I couldnt find much on the subject.
Fence posts and telephone poles used to be creosoted which should stop any attack or decay but would it kill the tree?


I have some of this stuff

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GTOYNLS/

 

[Kram]

I might get this for bigger branches without needing to take saw up, but I'll need to make up a scabbard for it. Any other cheap, larger hand saws available that come with a scabbard?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Expert-Soft-Grip-Curved-Garden/dp/B00142K2A6/

Another thing I'm after is a smaller combi can/petrol can. It was rare to need more than a litre petrol and half L of oil (probably 4 refils on my cs340). Does one exist?