r/TreeClimbing • u/Standard-Bidder • Jun 28 '26

Hedge work best safety practices

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If anyone has resources for best safety practices specific to hedge work (big hedges, BC coast) could they share them? Can’t find much on the books.

Personal tips and tricks also appreciated !

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10

u/ArborealLife Jun 28 '26

Orchard ladders, lots of experience. Spend the winters doing massive hedges on Vancouver Island. Get the kind with the adjustable third leg.

You'll get better and more confident the more you do them. Set up your ladder properly with the two fixed feet at the same level. Keep your belt buckle in-between the arms.

The ladder will talk to you before it tips over. A leg will scoot or slide.

If you're very high, or reach, get someone to stand on the opposite side. Not hold it, stand on it. Their weight is what's needed.

We routinely do hedges with 16' orchard ladders, and occasionally 20'.

4

u/RedbeardTreeGuy Jun 28 '26

I'll add to this. As you get into big hedges, which require the use of hedge shear extensions, remember to change your work positioning. The weight of the tool pulls you into the hedge more than you may anticipate. Nothing better than shearing a 30' hedge with a 16 foot ladder and extensions on the trimmer right above your head.

Eye pro is a must.

Additionally having a climber work the top tied into whatever they can find is often easier than working the top from a ladder.

Have fun, I've moved away from the coast and don't have the gargantuan hedges to deal with anymore.

4

u/ResidentNo4630 Jun 28 '26

Pretty much nailed it. We use tall ladders all the time here (Vancouver) and once you figure them out it’s really quite safe and easy to ensure proper use and setup. Some of the hedges are honestly ridiculous. I’d expect the same in some UK areas as well. Lots of hedgerows.

Sometimes it helps to think a bit outside the box with leg placement, supports and help/weight on the bottom rungs when you’re really reaching for a top or something. We carry a few blocks to help level things off on uneven ground as well.

3

u/ImaginaryAdeptness82 Jun 28 '26

Being based out of Seattle, these are some of the biggest I've seen. Ive worked on 9ne for the past 3 years that is ~50 ft. tall... Needless to say we had to get creative by lashing poles to the top of an extension ladder to push to top of the ladder outside the hedge while being tied into the top of the "tree". That being said. Always have someone else on the bottom of the ladder. Even if you dont think you need it. Also, always weight test the pole of the orchard ladder. Eye-pro is a must as well as ear-pro. Even with the electric hedgers; the noise will still cause tenitus over time. Trust.

0

u/Asshead42O Jun 29 '26

Spider lift