Climbing Tree Stand

[quang tran]

I have a telescopic pole pruner that's extends to 65'. I've sawed off some rather large limbs with it, and the $250 price was worth it to me. Bought online about 10-12 years ago, so it's likely to have gone up in cost a bit.

 I am experienced at climbing trees from my logging days, but no longer had access to that climbing gear, and the pruning pole is much safer than climbing at my old age.

It's a good Idea ,can you post a picture of it or a link

[Keta]

Twenty years ago I would climb and cut but at 72 things like this hurt....well lots of things I did in the last 72 years hurt every day now.

[oc1]

I once fell 14 feet out of a tree growing into the revetment along a canal.  Bounced off the seawall into pluff mud with the chainsaw in my hand and still running.  Was in the hospital for a week and am still somewhat impaired almost two decades later; but I was just lucky.

Without a cherry picker, the safest way to tackle something like that is with climbing gear.  If you follow the protocols, you will not fall.  You just have to be worried about being/getting out of the way of a falling or swinging branch.

[Keta]

Damn, that hurts thinking about it.  One of the best safety items ever invented was the anti kickback on chainsaws.

[foakes]

Tree climbing to cut tall branches on tall trees is a young man's game.  And even then —- it is highly risky.

Ted's suggestion of a very long pole saw is excellent.

Also, a hand operated cutting chain with a rope on each side will do the trick.  Using an arborist's slingshot weight will get a smaller line up and over the branch you want to remove so the cutting chain can be in position.

Other options would be a cherry picker or man-lift in areas where possible.  Then a combination of hand work and mechanical work will get the job done in more steep areas.  If too steep, and the tree is a hazard —- just drop the tree. 

We had 4 trees that had branches close to the house.  2 oaks and 2 cedars.  I dropped one cedar uphill away from the house.  Then I hired a young guy about 30 to climb and take care of the other 3.  He was an Army Ranger Veteran, served 8 years, professionally trained and certified for tree-climbing.  Born & raised in Alaska —- tough guy.  Top quality gear.  Additionally certified and qualified by the Forest Service, Cal-Fire, PG&E, and SoCal Edison.  He did the 3 trees for $900.

Needed him again a year ago —- saw him at the Post Office to give him some fishing gear for him & his family.  He was moving slow because a branch he was working on decided to go an unplanned route.  Even with a hard hat, and safety line, he had a severe concussion and neck injury that has stopped him from leaving the ground anymore.

So my suggestion would be a combination of a cherry picker in possible areas, manual work from the ground in steeper areas, or just dropping the tough positioned trees.  You will open things up a little more to light, reduce fire and limb falling threats, and keep your property in safe order.

Be careful, plan each drop and cut, don't take any chances, know exactly where the branch will fall and don't let yourself or the boys be in harms way. 

Slow is fastest.

Either hire a pro, or do it with good help — but stay on the ground.

Best, Fred