Old Sycamore

[Backpain]

Been working on a old sycamore probably about 20m high and just wondered if anyone has the same fellings I got when climbing it. It was mostly covered in ivy and there was lots of dead wood on it. Generally, I'd say it felt very spongy and the branches very bendy. Lots of large branches had rot in them, upto to 6" stuff and some were dead at the ends. The tree officer said it was fine and not dangerous. I don't normally have a problem climbing most species and size of tree's but this ones been giving me nightmares. Thanks god its over. Has anyone ever felt like this?

[Paul Jenks]

I have climbed a few trees where they didn't move right. Often they were dead and it was obvious. You do get a feel for really dodgy trees. (For any HSE reps any views expressed on here about climbing dead,dying or dangerous trees are not the views of the company and are definatly all past tense, never to be repeated ever again, honest).

Sometimes live ones wobble a bit and further investigation shows something nasty lurking in a buttress.

I'll assume from your name you've climbed a bit. I trust my judgement. Trust yours.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I have climbed a few trees where they didn't move right. Often they were dead and it was obvious. You do get a feel for really dodgy trees. (For any HSE reps any views expressed on here about climbing dead,dying or dangerous trees are not the views of the company and are definatly all past tense, never to be repeated ever again, honest).

Sometimes live ones wobble a bit and further investigation shows something nasty lurking in a buttress.

I'll assume from your name you've climbed a bit. I trust my judgement. Trust yours.

 

absolutley, your gut is your MOST valuable tool, trust it, not the guy on the deck!

[Backpain]

There was a cavity at the base which the officer said had heald well (not in those exact words as you'd expect). The tree still stands but I feel like I've conquered my nemesis Been climbing 24 years and absolutely trust my judgement and follow my instinct, they're usually right. Thanks PJ