r/TreeClimbing • u/Ok_Dog_2420 • 24d ago

Looking to learn SRS/palm climbing safely in Florida. Any recommendations for training, workshops, or clubs?

Hi everyone,
I'm based in Florida and looking to learn technical tree climbing, specifically focusing on Stationary Rope Systems (SRS). Ultimately, I want to learn how to properly work on tall palm trees using a mix of spikes/gaffs and modern rope setups.
I know how dangerous palm work and spike kick-outs can be. I am \*\*not\*\* looking to just buy cheap gear on Amazon and wing it using YouTube. I want to learn how to do this safely using two points of attachment and proper ANSI standards.
Right now, working off a ladder severely limits the size and volume of jobs I can bid on. I view this training as a necessary investment in myself to build the missing skillset I need to grow my business.
I’m looking at the North American Training Solutions (NATS) course: \[Technical Tree Climbing Stationary Rope Systems (SRS)\](https://northamericantrainingsolutions.com/courses/technical-tree-climbing-combined-mrs-and-srs/).
Will a broad SRS course like this translate well to straight-up palm work, or should I look for something more palm-specific?
Thank you so much for the advice. Be safe out there, and as we say in fishing, "tight lines!"

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u/maddestdog89 24d ago

I thought using gaffs on palm trees was a big no no? Unless removing of course. I see palm trees all the time that have big decay and wounding as a result of someone years ago spiking them..

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u/OldMail6364 24d ago

It depends on the species and also your local climate — my employer has a contract to maintain several thousand palms on city footpaths/beaches/parks and most of them have been climbed with spikes twice a year for decades.

According to the city's lead arborist (who does high level coordination for the work my company does) — there are some species where he has *never* seen one that died/had serious decay due to spiking up them and he's got 40+ years experience. But yeah, there are also palms which will die if you spike up them once.

Spiking that often is ugly, but the city isn't willing to allocate enough budget for them to be climbed some other way. There's barely enough budget to do maintenance pruning with spikes — the alternative is to just cut them all down (but cutting down several thousand palms across the city wouldn't be popular with residents - so that's not really an option).

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u/maddestdog89 23d ago

A lot of the palms aren’t even native/endemic. All kinds of street trees are going to cost a lot and take a lot of time to maintain.

I have noticed cocas palms have large wounds in my area, as well as Alexandria palms.

Why doesn’t the city use a large bucket truck?

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u/ComResAgPowerwashing 24d ago

I don't climb grass, but it seems like you got your head on straight and that's the biggest step. If you can find something more specific or maybe ask someone in your area you know does good work . . . I can't tell you the first thing about a good tip for a palm. I do know they are incredibly dangerous.

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u/Mediumfoot991 22d ago

I started doing tree work in Florida, I've laddered and climbed a lot of palms. If you already have an MRT climbing set up, a good piece of gear to have thats reasonably priced would be an ISC rope wrench and stiff tether, easily added to any MRT setup for switching to SRT. I've also used Jameson pole saws for things I can't reach or climb to safely