Tree Climbing

Please spare all the sarcasm and snarky remarks (my favorite part of MP)

Here’s the deal. I live on Long Island. Not a rock in sight. Literally!  A couple of bean bag size boulders left from the ice age.

So, looking around, out of my climbing garage, there are lots of trees!  Yes, I know!! I climb the gunks all the time as weekend vacations , CT, NH, Acadia... but on a daily basis I need to get out and explore.  I’ve been toying with this for years. Any info on the topic? And I’m not looking for the arbor advice.  I know I can buy the gear and climb any tree. I also know all about acending ropes, rescue, etc.  I’m looking for anyone who took this as an endeavor as a means of adventure in your area.

As a kid growing up in Florida, yes. Climbing Australian pines with my brother and then daring each other to go higher to the smallest possible branch was our Everest/El Cap/5.12 free solo before we knew such things existed beyond our little forrest.

That said, my brother and I tried to recreate this fond memory at a family reunion. We were both in our mid-30's and just a little bit heavier than those halcyon days back in the Sunshine State. We made it up several trees we used to climb, but it wasn't quite as exhilarating. And people look at you differently now.

Yeah I live in Brooklyn and and have done a fair bit of tree climbing over the years, never with a rope.

London plane trees are the best in my opinion as there is often a rather technically difficult boulder up to the first limb Which are generally high enough to be interesting but not so high you need a rope, and the smooth bark demands precise footwork and good open hand Sloper technique/strength, and either compression or laybacking skills depending on the diameter of the trunk. 
Once you get to the limbs it’s fun but generally not technically demanding in the way that bare trunk Climbing is as the branches tend to be pretty close together. 
The bark on these trees sort of exfoliates, and you often need to clean the relevant holds fairly well. I think they are pretty common out on the island.

Have fun!

Living in the Midwest, I can definitely empathize.  I've always thought that if you wanted to go higher, protecting a free climb up a tree should theoretically be possible if you sling large enough branches.  Obviously, you're still going to want to avoid falling at all costs, as a fall could break a branch and the landing is just about always awful, but it would probably keep you off the ground if you were smart about it.

I'm also looking to start this as a recreational and exercise routine in my area. There are tons of huge trees to choose from. After acquiring some needed gear to climb safely with of course. I did arbor work for about 12 years and it was really something I enjoyed and I got so much satisfaction from it, even though it was for a paycheck. I had the thought of doing it again for my own pleasure for a while now, it was like why can't I do this for fun?! Following this thread. Here's a good article about this. ​https://www.explore-mag.com/Recreational-Tree-Climbing-Your-New-Hobby-YES-It-is-a-Thing​​​

Challenge yourself by climbing the underside of a leaning tree. Use pre-placed (or go ground up) slings girth hitched around the trunk with whatever biner combo you're comfortable with to clip in to. Treat it like a sport climb.

Try not to use the same tree for more than a couple of ascents to prevent damage to the cambium.

I am a ISA board certified master arborist and I approve this message. 

You live out on LI? You should go check out Wildwood and East Marion. Some great bouldering. Love the scenery at East Marion

You should read, The Wild Trees by Richard Preston.

Thanks for all the great responses. 

Bolt holds and hangers to some big ass tree on lead. 

Start here, you’ll find equal parts good info and snark/scarcasm http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/

​You said that you’re not interested in the arbor route, but using a rope system will allow you to explore further out, especially in the large multi-stem silver maples commom on Long Island.

The real trick to climbing trees though, is to get paid while doing it.

I've thought about "leading" up trees using slings before. Appealing in theory, but a fall would be nasty no matter what way you slice it, and it typically turns 5.easy after you get to the first limb. If climbing is what you're after I'd look into building a woody if you can find the space. If you're dead set on using trees and finding adventure you can always find a big ol sturdy tree, get up it, and hammock camp between limbs. It's always given me the heebie jeebies just thinking about the swaying in the night so I've never done it. If the trees are on your property or hidden enough from the owner/public's view you could build a wooden crack mounted to the tree. Not exactly LNT but it could probably be done without too much damage to the tree.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCL0SBCDzOE
I always enjoyed this clip.

If you're looking for a small amount of tree climbing equipment PM me (petzl I'd for sale)

Or this one...

I free climbed up a big cottonwood tree on top rope when I lived in Nebraska.  It had giant tuffas and sidepulls.  It was pretty fun.  I also would do aid tree climbing and do huge pendulums to other trees or over a creek.  It was fun.

. Mobes wrote: Bolt holds and hangers to some big ass tree on lead. 

Like this?

"I know I can buy the gear and climb any tree. I also know all about acending ropes, rescue, etc."

Then what are you asking about?   

Briggs Lazalde wrote:

I was curious about this. Is practicing ice technique on dead trees approved? Does it feel similar? Is it ethical? When the ice isn't in, do people use dead trees for training? I wouldn't see why not. Theres a perfect tree for it at the local drytool crag and that'd be nice to train on it.

Not smart. Dead trees can be decayed and unstable. 

YGD

Russ Keane wrote: "I know I can buy the gear and climb any tree. I also know all about acending ropes, rescue, etc."

Then what are you asking about?   

I wanted to know if anyone (I’m sure) has pursued climbing trees as more of adventure ( perhaps in the mind I’ll admit) than buying spikes and getting to the top. - hope that makes sense. 

Kind of fun to think, there is a tree, or rock, or structure that no one has climbed before and your going to climb it. For nothing more than the sake of climbing it. And just as a kid, pretend your on an adventure and make it fun, technical, risky, etc.  and I’m all about using my ropes, etc to make it safe. 
And believe me, if I had access to rock on a weekly basis this would never be an issue!  

How about......

You try it.  Instead of asking if you should try it.