spiking (spuring) to tree's

[Will Heal]

I have had to spike up trees in the past when pruning trees near power lines.

They were tall woodland ash which had no lower branches that were in reach of the poles to put my rope in. We were not allowed to use a throw line because of the power lines. We went up the back of the trees as carefully as we could so not to leave too many gaff marks. There was no other way. Spikes were removed as soon as we could reach the first branch.

If you are careful, how much damage does a gaff mark really do?

It is not

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Gary Prentice]

Growth over spike marks is like papering over cracks. There is a potential for decay and/or dysfunction to be initiated.

 

None of this is new, it's in Shigos books from the 1970 and 80's

[Vespasian]

that's as I have said but they where determined that it's was alright but I was saying that's it was against the law so I am rong to so it's a 50/50 tie between us he pointed out a video on you with a guy saying it's ok to spike he spikes every tree is works on in America and the tree should have it under control with in a few seasons I think he was called bucking billy ray on youtube any how do as I always have done and argu my point to them don't use spurs on a tree the isn't being removed

the reson I use spurs on lombardy popular is because I've always taken them down only ever reduced one wich was only about 50ft so was easy

 

If Buckinbilly says its OK, then its OK.. I subscribe to his channel, the man knows his stuff..

[Will Heal]

Growth over spike marks is like papering over cracks. There is a potential for decay and/or dysfunction to be initiated.

 

 

 

None of this is new, it's in Shigos books from the 1970 and 80's

 

 

Is it worse than correct pruning cuts?

Not trying to be argumentative and I know it's not good practice, but just interested.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Stubby]

Do you mean incorrect pruning cuts ?

[Joe Newton]

If Buckinbilly says its OK, then its OK.. I subscribe to his channel, the man knows his stuff..

There is almost never an excuse. Justifying it like that is just plain lazy.

 

If you're going to attempt to do something, start out by doing it right.

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Arbtalk mobile app

[Steve Bullman]

There is almost never an excuse. Justifying it like that is just plain lazy.

 

If you're going to attempt to do something, start out by doing it right.

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Arbtalk mobile app

 

 

Spot on

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Gary Prentice]

Is it worse than correct pruning cuts?

Not trying to be argumentative and I know it's not good practice, but just interested.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

 

If you mean correct pruning cuts, I'd imagine yes. Correct cuts would be small, exposing little heartwood, and in the best position for compartmentalisation

 

If incorrect, I suppose it depends on how incorrect they were- topping a birch with 30 cm plus wounds, probably not:lol:

 

I'd recommend pruning spikes if only pruning:biggrin:

[Marc]

I have climbed many trees historically spiked and have never seen an issue caused by it, the wounds are small usually to bark and sapwood not heart wood and the tree deals with it.

Personally I hate spikes and find it far easier to climb without them and that it's good professional practice to not use spikes during pruning operations or any works where the tree is to be retained.

 

Does it damage the tree and cause long term issues I have never seen any evidence to support this.

[Will Heal]

If you mean correct pruning cuts, I'd imagine yes. Correct cuts would be small, exposing little heartwood, and in the best position for compartmentalisation

 

 

 

If incorrect, I suppose it depends on how incorrect they were- topping a birch with 30 cm plus wounds, probably not:lol:

 

 

 

I'd recommend pruning spikes if only pruning:biggrin:

 

 

Ok thanks,

Yes, I meant correct pruning cuts, apart from those ash I mentioned in my first post I have never felt the need to spike any tree I haven't been removing.

After all that's what ladders are for[emoji1]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk