Damage by spurs

[westphalian]

What damage do spikes do to hardwoods?
Would introduced disease merely be cosmetic or can it kill a mature tree?
Not thinking about commercial damage to the timber

[Steve Bullman]

Some might argue it wouldn't do anything.  But any wounding to a tree beyond which is necessary should be avoided.  If you can't climb without spikes then get someone in who can do it.  Spikes for removals only 

 

I took some cross sections from some previously spiked Beech trees several years ago, wish I still had them.  every wound had healed over nicely inside but the scarring was quite visible on the outside to the trained eye.

[woody paul]

Surly any tree with TPO no spike should be used on any timber which is being left, seen tree trimmed by utility cutters with spike makes all off them and tree trimmed by contractors for neighbours of one of my customers how owned tree was spiked all the way to the top when there was plenty of limbs to stand on but could not be bothered.   

[treebark]

Got called to do an emergency job a couple of years ago.  An Oak tree that a company had turned up to do.  Its top had split out.  They had climbed up to the top and come down again, telling the customer that it wasn't possible.

When I climbed up it the trunk was spiked all the way to about 10ft below where the break was, they didn't even get to the top.  There were a stack of branches all the way up the tree to climb up to, it was ridiculous.

 

Very much doubt it could kill a tree but obviously can open up the possibility of infections

[benedmonds]

Having only ever worked in domestic/amenity arb I was mortified when my guys told me one of the experienced (5+ years climbing) qualified freelancers put on his spikes to undertake a DW and lift on a lime..  My team stopped him and he didn't use them..

[Mack]

I must admit I once put mine on for a horrible crack willow job in the middle of a woodland.  Thats the only time though.  Hard to believe someone would put them on for a thin barked tree such as a lime, which are generally pretty easy to climb up anyway

[GazN]

spikes for take downs only.

[Darrin Turnbull]

I've used spikes for ascending once or twice in twenty years.

Couldn't set a ascending line in a Black Locust , once at the top the spikes get lowered down.

 

[Valeman]

take downs only for me.  Never say never though.  There may come a day when its absolutely necessary

[Mark Bolam]

Only ever up the back of the tree here.