Tree work in very cold weather and snow.

[Gavint]

Hi All,

 

Does anyone have experience doing tree work in extreme cold or snowy conditions?

 

I'm fairly new to tree work, having started since I moved to Germany from Canada in 2011. I'm planning on returning to the Great White North in a couple of years time, and the plan is to continue on as an arborist there, because I'm loving this work.

 

As a landscaper in Canada, there is the perennial problem of Winter (with a capital W) to deal with. What to do? Clear snow? Go on pogey? Starve in the dark a little? Generally it involves a little of all of the above, I never found a good solution in ten years working as a landscaper there. Since I've never done tree work in Canada, I don't know exactly how the season works there, and whether it can be a good bridge over the winter.

 

My question is, how much can be done in extreme cold and/or snowy conditions? Tree felling is an obvious go, so long as you can get your fingers to work, but is there a cutoff temperature where it becomes harmful to the tree to prune? Are there any considerations with regards to climbing gear not working properly in cold conditions? What are the particular hazards associated with climbing/felling/crown bracing that should be taken into account with very cold weather and snow.

 

I appreciate all your comments!

 

Cheers,

Gavin

[ward.S]

 

 

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[ward.S]

 

 

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[ward.S]

Not extreme cold but heavy snow

 

 

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[Stubby]

Not extreme cold but heavy snow

 

 

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Pruning that one to about an inch from the ground .......

[Gavint]

Yes, but was that pruning cut harmful to the tree?

Edited February 13, 2014 by Gavint

[josharb87]

Worked in -30, heavy snow

 

Ropes and hitches freeze solid, carabiners freeze, skin sticks to metal, trees can be very brittle

 

The novelty soon wears off

 

I know of company's that go home at -25

[CJM]

I'm guessing you'll have to work in all weathers hot and cold otherwise it won't be a viable business, we won't have the temperatures in the uk that you'll get in canada so it's hard for me to comment but as a business owner and the the weather is very cold for a few months at a time I'd want my lads out working or I'd go bust

[treeseer]

Liners for gloves recommended--worked through a few winters in Wisconsin (near Canada) and frostbite snuck in before I knew it. Now my fingers turn yellow when chilly; not a pretty thing.

[Bob Morris]

In the province of Alberta - specifically southern Alberta ('cause that's where I worked) most tree companies will offer snow removal and some offer Christmas light installation. A snow shovel a back pack blower and a plow on your truck can keep you working through snowy winters.

As for cold weather, as another post above states, branches become very brittle as the temp heads for the low minus 20's and you can do much damage. Unless it's a take down it's probably best to leave for more clement weather.

 

Oh, one final thought, if you have to go on pogey in Alberta you're doing something wrong - it's booming.

 

Best of luck:thumbup1:

Bob