self-taught backyard arborist?

if you have the full gauntlet of rope and anchor-building skills, how bad of an idea is it to apply those to some backyard tree-rigging? I'm not talking about the mechanics of cutting branches and taking down a tree, I'm just talking about rigging safely. This would only be for minor deadwood clearing.

I chatted up and watched a tree trimmer who does a lot of work in my neighborhood. There is a whole different set of techniques they use to protect themselves draping rope over limbs. Pros also need to move faster than a homeowner.

It all depends on the size of the project you want to do. The techniques are very different if you watch them, and they are up there with specialized tools. You can probably do some smaller stuff, but stay well within your limits.

I will say this, even as a climber, tree work is one of the things I'd still readily hire out. I live in Maine and you always here about people killing themselves or dropping trees on houses because they tried to do something themselves.

heights + chainsaws + heavy pieces of wood = time to call in the professionals

To put it another way, how safe do you think a professional arborist would be climbing?

Better to ask over at arboristsite.com/. Some of their gear is fairly specialized (e.g. ropes and harnesses) but the basics of ascending and descending a fixed line are pretty much the same. With a bit of common sense, an experienced climber should be able to do the basic stuff safely, though perhaps not as efficiently as a pro. Wouldn't use a good climbing rope though, a static would be better. Lowering heavy branches is what could get you in big trouble if you don't have a clear drop zone. With a good pole saw (such as a 21-foot Silky Hayauchi) you can do a lot without leaving the ground.

I had five big Silver Maples at my previous house.
I didn't use a climbing rope, but I used two 15' sections of 1" webbing as daisies.
All the cutting was done with a 12' pole tree pruner. It was slow going and quite a workout, but I think I kept it pretty safe. (Or I was blissfully ignorant of the risks I took.)

As both a climber and someone who has worked as an arborist I would say you can do it, but be carefull of a few things. Most importantly ckimbing gear (ropes and webbing) is not cut resistant so you need to be very mindfull of anything you are doing with your saw. This goes X 1000 if you are using a chain saw. It's scarry how easily weighted webbing cuts. Also, all your gear is likley to get covered in sap and abraded pretty badly. Depending on what you are doing it might not be worth the cost in gear and the potential to get hurt doing it yourself.

To answer Evan’s question an arborist would not necessarily be a very safe climber. Some of them would be, but I’ve worked with some pretty old school (or old school taught) guys that did some pretty sketchy and inefficient stuff. Some of them remind me more of the rappeller types that love to spend hours dicking around with gear, but don't really know a whole lot about how to use it.

Peter, I climb trees for a living and can answer any questions you might have.
Can you post a pic of the tree.
Depending on the kind/size, you might be able to use a throw bag to set your climb line and hip thrust up versus using buck strap/gaffs and such. this will also save you from getting gaff punctures in the tree.

I occasionally do work for a tree company and Evanand Clyde are right, the techniques and tools are very different from what climbers use. I would say just hire someone. If you must though, go with a pole saw if you can reach the branches from the ground.

Good luck,
Brooks

I read that as 'abortionist'... wow was I off base. I'm glad you're not trying that in your backyard.

Ive done it. I just free climbed up to where i wanted to work and used some slings to anchor myself when cutting. just make sure there is some redundancy in your system and dont be stupid. I did that to prune some dead branches on a fig tree, nothing major.

That basic stuff is pretty easy, use your brain and always think about what might happen if...

Short story. So, we were ice climbing in this quarry area and as I was getting to the top the owner of the quarry came up and asked if I would cut most the trees off the top because they were getting in the way. I said "sure" so he busted out a 22" saw and had me haul it up after I set up an anchor on the trees farther back. I then proceeded to send 60ft trees pummeling down the cliff much to the delight of the alcoholic owner as he swilled cheap beer. It was pretty sweet ;)

Check out my Facebook group "Chainsaws are my favorite tool". facebook.com/group.php?gid=…

Not a big deal.

Its not a big deal if you can anchor a top rope (duh). Use a prussic, or in tree lingo, a monkey fist.

I have a small property in Port Angeles, WA that has twin Doug fir trees in the 70 ft range. Last summer I spent one of the most fun weeks of my life cutting out the dead wood and thinning branches. I used a manual pole saw/lopper and a pocket pruning saw. I set an anchor below the crown, fixed a line, and used a grigri w/ascender backup. No near death experiences and beautiful views of the neighborhood, PA, and the Olympics. I say do some planning, and go for it.

I am an arborist and own a tree service, and for basic stuff its not a big deal, you'll figure it out. The running bowline is a good knot to know for tying off limbs you are going to lower with a rope: netknots.com/html/running_b…. Like someone else said, any rock climbing rope is going to get trashed. Use static if you have one. Climbing trees is super fun, but waving all manner of sharp stuff around in them is super dangerous. Use your head, you'll be fine!

Thanks for the helpful advice. I don't have immediate plans, but am just curious thinking about my big oak tree. Much of it would be too much for me to do.

I will say, however, I was hoping for a bit more contentious discussion and debate.

Peter L K wrote:[...] I will say, however, I was hoping for a bit more contentious discussion and debate.

STFU n00bs! everybody knows the only way to get up a tree is to use a tactical grappling hook and a rope gun...your prolly gunna get yoreself kilt. i know what im talking about becouse im on the innernet alot!

[Is that better? Tree trimming is fun. Lop the weight off in many small chunks and you'll be fine.]