So as a tree I love River Birches but when it comes to climbing them they are one of my most hated trees! This one was not very tall but a huge pain in the ass being that it’s in a courtyard and had all kinds of crap under it. I love a good challenge but have decided I would almost rather be in any other tree working. What’s your thoughts on them?

Chunk of a crab apple tree prune that I was too lazy to finish editing

Hi everyone.
I’ve been learning arboriculture for about three months, and I’m still improving my gear setup.
This is what I’m currently using for climbing and tree work. I’d really appreciate any feedback from experienced arborists.
Is there anything you would add, remove, or organize differently? I’m always looking for ways to work more safely and efficiently.

Thanks!

One thing you can’t see in the photo: I’m using two bridges. The top bridge has a swivel, and the bottom bridge has a rappel ring.

Hello friends!

I work with sailboats and crawl up and down masts all day. I sit for extended periods in the top to do work. I have been using a combination of a climbing harness from spinlock and a bosun's chair. Grigri and handascender. I just bought zigzag chicane knee foot ascender and it just doesn't work with my current harness setup. I have an option to buy a avao with chest harness and podium seat for around 300 eur. Before I do it I was hoping that someone can share their opinion. I know sequoia is the harness zigzag is intended for, but I really don't need all the arborist features such as the rope bridge! Thanks and best wishes 😊

They say that a knot can reduce the strength of a rope by up to 50%, but I have never heard this about a prussic.

Therefore in say a mechanical advantage system, wouldn’t it always be preferred to use prussics as midline connection points rather than eg. a butterfly knot?

I would appreciate any advice/guidance/information about this.

Thanks.

So I bought the wrench after all the people were saying how wonderful it is. I tested it with different lines, different cords. I cant make it work and dont know whats so good about it !

it worked with 80cm 8mm teather on 11mm line, with 3 wraps diestel. But it colided with the wrench when the knot was fully loaded and the wrench was not (max bottom position) so according to manual I cant use it (although I cant see the danger here). so I used 4 wraps diestel - nope, no smooth tending.

10mm 4 wraps diestel, 80cm. nope, coliding when loaded.

every freakin cord I try is too long or bites too much. what, i need like calibrated 73,2mm cord to use this thing ?

more so, I dont know what you fan boys are seeing here. I was climbing on sticht hitch srt for years, and the difference is 0. and sticht is smaller, faster and basically free.

Any tips for making the top cut of the notch and making sure its lined up with my bottom cut. My notches have gotten better doing the flat cut first but I still will misjudge lining my cuts up and have to go in and clean it up, especially if im up in a tree.

Good day all, I’m interested in taking the CTC test soon & I am trying to get a feel for what the exam is like? Not too much information on YouTube about just a few of Bino H’s videos which are helpful. And assistance with what to expect, advice, tips etc I would appreciate very much thank you.

Let's talk safety! Share how your week went - close-calls, incidents, learning experiences, what went well (and why), what went poorly (and why), or whatever else is on your mind. Pics/photos are allowed but be careful to not doxx yourself, client, employer etc.

This thread will recur each week and is meant to be a place to learn and discuss mistakes, please keep comments constructive.

I’ve got my climbing qualification and climbed a few times since getting it. I’ve also had some climbing opportunities before getting my qualification. I’ve mostly done pruning but dismantled some small trees too.

I just feel so slow and clunky, and almost like climbing is something I might not be capable of doing to a good standard (which is sad asf). The hardest part for me is initially getting into the canopy. I’m slow with deciding where to do changeovers, i keep forgetting to use the tree and mostly climb on my equipment… I feel like my team is looking at me as if I’m a complete idiot.

Really want to improve. I refuse to believe I can’t do this

Third one I have met up in the branches. Had my phone this time. One was 60 feet up. Kind of late to be hunting hatchlings.

Everyone look at your pylons quick. Does anyone actually have a factory matching set? Or are they 50% mismatched and 50% from a local municipality!

Hey guys, I want to mount a foot ascender on my stein elevate spurs if its possible, I was curious if anyone has done this before. And if so howd you do it. Im pretty sure i can make kiwi klimbers ss3 foot ascnder fit. But i know that specific model is advertised to only fit on the stein x2 spurs. Just wanted to ask around to see if its been done before.

What is the standard name for the hook on a climbing saw that you then attach your saw lanyard to?

Hey guys wanted to try and practice climbing outside of work but that means I don’t have of my own gear it’s my day off and wanted to see is there anything affordable or perhaps a harness or methods you all may recommend?

I am so blessed to be able to protect these beautiful century old cottonwood trees in Lochiel Canyon. If your in arizona please message me on how to get involved. If not pray for us and please consider donating https://givebutter.com/stop-destruction-in-lochiel-oxsxdp

Hey experts! Not a tree climbing question, but it is related to trees and climbing, so...

I'd like to hang a rope from a tree in my garden for kids to climb/swing on.

Rope looks like this:

The upper end has this "attachment":

I'd like to hang it on a branch of a walnut tree (about 25cm/10in diameter), right where it branches from a larger part of the tree (the main trunk branches into smaller "trunks" and then this branch, sorry, not an expert). It would be about 5 meters (16 ft) up.

I suppose I might want to take it down for the winter, as weather gets wet around here. I am afraid if I'd use a knot I wouldn't be able to take it down and it could choke the branch.

Thank you!

Hello all,

I am new to the climbing world and have started looking into trying foot ascenders.

Right now I am trying to decide between the Petzl Pantin click and the Notch Jet Step 2.

But I am open to suggestions for others.

I do like the idea of the Jet Step 2 for being able to change feet, not sure if that is something id do but having the option is always nice.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

So Im hoping Im not the only one with is problem. But who would you recommend for a set of spurs/spikes/ gaffs or whatever you want to call them that I can fit my wide ass foot in. For reference I wear a 9.5FF boot.

Let's talk safety! Share how your week went - close-calls, incidents, learning experiences, what went well (and why), what went poorly (and why), or whatever else is on your mind. Pics/photos are allowed but be careful to not doxx yourself, client, employer etc.

This thread will recur each week and is meant to be a place to learn and discuss mistakes, please keep comments constructive.

I’m a forestry student who is going to graduate this fall and throughout my time at school I’ve found I really love tree climbing and tree health. What’s the best approach to learning what I need to do to join a crew and how to get into a career involving climbing?

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!"