Using spikes while pruning.

[Jon Lad]

If a climber came to do some work for me and wanted to spike a tree that needed pruning, I couldn't use them. I would think that, in my opinon, they didn't know their job properly.

[Taupotreeman]

I'll ask again. If a customer asks you to top out a tree leaving stubs etc because they want that lovely mushroom look (yeah right), whats the problem spiking it? I have no problem understanding not spiking a nice tree with ongoing aesthetic qualities etc but if you're just going to hack the daylights out of the tree anyway and leave big wounds with none back to growth points why worry about a few extra spike holes? From what I've read on here most people are happy to top a tree when money is short and surely that has just as much a detremental effect on the tree so are we saying that we must never spike a tree but it's OK to top it because we're running short of cash? Just trying to look at it from a different perspective that's all.

[andrew t]

I would not top and lop if asked anyway just tell them you work to british standard

[Taupotreeman]

In an ideal world I would turn down most topping jobs but topping of trees makes up a high percentage of work in this place because most people want a view of the lake or mountains. That includes local council. I and most of the other arb companies here would be pretty short on work if we didn't accept the work, believe me, a couple have tried not to go down this path and it has backfired big time. I try to educate but most owners just want the tree "shaped". Like a mushroom. cos that's what shape trees are in the natural world. No wonder I have no hair left.

[testcricket01]

i cant see how useing spikes would even help you, if your doing proper pruning your going to be out on the tips, spikes will just make it harder if you ask me.

[Bob Rolfe]

Look chaps, you know and I know and I know you know that using spikes for pruning is just wrong. And it's a lazy climber that does !!

[Dionysus]

any big heavy reduction on a large tree (50%+) i usually get em on, the type of cuts you are making are huge so i think the damage of a few spike marks on the tree is negligable, obviously if spiking when reducing i would take lighter longer steps and try to keep in the unions and off the spikes, for a thin or a reduction 40% or under, i wouldnt bother with em they just get in the way, most of the time they stay in the bag unless im doing stuff on a pole.

 

i think using spikes to access a tree is a copout, if your having that much trouble and getting the big jobs in why not just buy a bigshot.

[TREE-SURGEON-ESSEX]

All forms of tree surgury are bad for the tree reducing harms the tree but spiking at the same time causes more harm so in our trade it should be damage limitation.

[Mesterh]

I'll ask again. If a customer asks you to top out a tree leaving stubs etc because they want that lovely mushroom look (yeah right), whats the problem spiking it? I have no problem understanding not spiking a nice tree with ongoing aesthetic qualities etc but if you're just going to hack the daylights out of the tree anyway and leave big wounds with none back to growth points why worry about a few extra spike holes? From what I've read on here most people are happy to top a tree when money is short and surely that has just as much a detremental effect on the tree so are we saying that we must never spike a tree but it's OK to top it because we're running short of cash? Just trying to look at it from a different perspective that's all.

 

Utter twoddle and gobbledygook I'm afraid.

 

I'm too important and busy right now to give a proper reply.

 

TTFN.

[Frankie Lawrence]

In an ideal world I would turn down most topping jobs but topping of trees makes up a high percentage of work in this place because most people want a view of the lake or mountains. That includes local council. I and most of the other arb companies here would be pretty short on work if we didn't accept the work, believe me, a couple have tried not to go down this path and it has backfired big time. I try to educate but most owners just want the tree "shaped". Like a mushroom. cos that's what shape trees are in the natural world. No wonder I have no hair left.

 

But people 'top trees' because there short of monney that is understandable spiking a tree when reducing is unnecasary it doesnt make you any more monney does it. There for your comment makes no sense