Do you use ladders?

[Mozza]

ladders should only be used in 3 cases.If the 1st branch is to high to throw a rope over,if the stick is to wide to shin or proteced thats my view

 

Surely a throw line will go higher than any ladder pal??

[Tree Man Tom]

Wouldnt use one on a takedown as id just spike up, would use one on pruning jobs though were i cant wear spikes, just to access the first branch. Thats unless i can throw a rope to the first branch. (dont own a throwline)

[alex_m]

I would much rather walk casually up a ladder than footlock for 20ft. I can't see the problem with them for access.

Plus on lots of occasions we have needed them to access neighbouring gardens over the fences.

[broadsword]

i use them on a daily basis as i am carrying mainly block pruning out at the moment in westminster. the fastest and safest way to gain access in this situation. try using a throwline in very close proximty to 4 storey town houses and parked cars on pollarded plaine trees thick with re-growth. ive tried and either got it stuck fast or nearly put someones window through! also we work on a bonus system and cant afford mistakes as they slow us down and cost us money so a ladder is the best option.

[Heads up]

i dont see a problem with working from a ladder provided you are stropped on, and not cutting anything that you cant maneouvre to avoid clattering the ladder. i do all the time for small bits and pieces.

 

Ditto that steve also have someone foot it. I'd honestly be abit lost without a ladder. Use one most of the time.

 

I'm a ladder lover!

[skyhuck]

I do think ladders make you look a little less professional.

 

People always expect us to have some, when we just use rope and harness they seem amassed. When I throw the rope they often say "you've done that before" (and I ain't that good)

 

I think when they see someone going up a ladder they think thats something they could do and makes our work look a little less skilled.

 

These are only my thoughts, I sure many or most will disagree.

 

I just like the fact that I can carry a smallish bag round the back of a house and have everything I need to climb a 100ft tree.

[Al Duffill]

I use a ladder mainly to access smaller trees and a throw line for larger trees, though sometimes it would have been quicker to use a ladder after missing the target crotch for the 100th time and phrases such as ; "ooohh, that was close!", "He's hit the woodwork" (John Motson style) and "Heads!!" (as the throw bag comes hurtling toward the ground after being stuck on the smallest twig in the tree, narrowly missing a groundie staring at their boots!) start to become irritating. Yes, I know it was close, I threw it, stand just there a second while I get this bag out!

[Dean Lofthouse]

I use ladders a huge amount on domestic work.

 

If you work on big trees all the time I can see no need for them unless you are ascending 15 -20 trees a day deadwooding.

 

I have used ladders to access a conifer up the outside and up through the inside.

 

I use step ladders almost daily for hedge trimming and for small fruit tree pruning.

 

Ladders dont make you look less professional, they are essentail in some cases, extremely efficeint in others and in some cases the job cant be done without them

[John Hancock]

Not very often to be honest. We use the commercial jobbies now which weigh a hell of a lot, usually end-up leaving them in the yard.

[old snake]

I use a ladder mainly to access smaller trees and a throw line for larger trees, though sometimes it would have been quicker to use a ladder after missing the target crotch for the 100th time and phrases such as ; "ooohh, that was close!", "He's hit the woodwork" (John Motson style) and "Heads!!" (as the throw bag comes hurtling toward the ground after being stuck on the smallest twig in the tree, narrowly missing a groundie staring at their boots!) start to become irritating. Yes, I know it was close, I threw it, stand just there a second while I get this bag out!

 

:lol: that sounds very familiar!!!