RopeKnight

Help a fellow out. Please elaborate.

Yes instead of pruning off a limb one could perform the stem trace and let nature take its course. When and Where ever it is appropriate. Thanks I had not looked at it that way. I have been practicing stem tracing to control growth, water sprouting and to encourage adventitious growth on tree stems and limbs. What it does is tie up energy, reduces translocation of material and with timing concentrates hormones released at bud break and onset of growth. Crown maintenance yes. It works. Similar techniques are applied to Bonsai. I learned this practice as a Horticulturist for use on Fruit trees, Training young trees and Floriculture.

SAFELY EFFECIENTLY EFFECTIVELY WITHOUT FEAR Why are you here? Because you are serious about learning more and there are questions in need of answers. The TRUTH’s 1. DEATH and serious injury is a reality in our industry. 2. The WISE Investigate, gather data and experiment before concluding. 3. CONSULTATION with experts in Engineering, Bio-mechanics, Physicists, Plant scientists is crucial for full comprehension in a subject that involves tree workers lives. 4. Time is limited. Decay progresses thus increasing to hazard potential 5. Time is valuable. 6. Flexibility does not ensure strength. Wet wood versus Dry(er) wood. 7. Wood will gain strength as it dries. 8. The strength of wood can be compromised when it dries too quickly. 9. Decay organisms are affected by moisture. Decay Organisms dormancy/vigor is reduced with a decrease in moisture. 10. Trees/limbs are material conducting living levers. Greater moisture/weight at the levers end of hazard tree/limb can increase hazard potential of said limb 11. Water in a trees system can be reduced with the strategic removal of water conducting Xylem The Problem(s) As a trainer and Arborist, I have learned about one problem that every single serious Arborist faces and this problem will definitively help you, or break you from accomplishing your goals! Our problem is to confidently know what a given tree or limb is capable of supporting. Supporting the working weight of the climber including the working weight of the rigging. What can a limb support? Green versus dry(er). A new technique that when strategically applied can accomplish both Weight reduction and a net gain in structural strength. We are trying to solve a problem for all climbing arborists! The problem is with knowing what to expect from trees. We can put a man on the moon yet the life of arborists is consistently being sacrificed. Specifically with hazardous trees and the forces we apply to them. Example: A highly Skilled, Knowledgeable and Athletic Arborist is in charge of the removal or dismantling of parts or of the whole tree. In the process of dismantling a tree with incorporation and application of all the most up to date equipment and practices present today, the tree fails at or below the rigging point and the climber is seriously wounded or KIA. It has happened and continues to happen. Please, thoughtfully consider your system. Now step back in time and consider situations where you or a colleague has been injured or killed. Now imagine the same scenario with an increase in structural strength and loss of weight from a compliment technique added to the system. Preventable? I really look forward to your feedback, and guess what! I experience exactly the same thing as you do.

I am not aware of this huge billet of ally. Wow sounds really dangerous. Can you share more information about this billet. Who are these people throwing into the air. Arborsits throw weights into the tree. Right? They shouldn't be throwing if they plan on hitting themselves and property. What are you throwing? Whats your system? How do you feel about Lead?

Russell during the Olympics.

My nic name with the 1st tree company out of school was "Two Snips" Horti gone Arbori. I love to prune and climbing in a tree with a small tiger for a friend is pretty cool to.

50% Wow! I had no idea it could be that much. But in a controlled Kiln process. Wikipedia for what it is worth if the tree dries to quickly looses strength. I am sure it can happen if all the drying conditions are optimal. Thanks for the info.

In Toronto worked next door to Gordon Lightfoot. Our #1 climber had it out with him when he told us to keep it down. Big mistake because our #1 was also #1 addict and crazy. I think he told him to get back in the house and make us some sandwichs:lol:

Do you practice any Dwarfing techniques like stem tracing and root pruning? Apply Bonsai principles to Canopy trees, ornamentals and fruit trees.

Secateurs than.

I agree! And hopefully said tree removal is at the same time as a drought.

Sympathetic pruning? Please explain I like the sound of that.

As an intellictual well if you thinks so, thanks, but I'm not sure. My brain works differently for some reason. Might have to do with a few to many bonks over the years or the alcohol poisoning in grade 9 or, or, or and or I will care for trees forever, no retiring for me even if I have to do it on my a hands and knees. Over ten years. fractured ribs a couple times, bruised shoulder, punched by few dead heads. There isn't a better vocation in the whole world except m/b Pro Beer taster. With regards to water weight and strength. I need to do some more research. Thanks for your patience with this.

Hey, I was born in Thompson, Manitoba. Cool! It is in interesting point being comfortable in a tree that is green opposed to drier or dead. So what you and I percieve as more or less dangerous differs. What is stronger green or dead wood? Many variables to consider.

Good fun and another incredible intelligent Canadian. Go Leafs Go!

I am guessing here that it would not be an issue with the SAFE WORK Practices. I am not suggesting creating a greater hazard potential, it is removing the cambuim and a few rings closest to the cambuim on the root flare and up into the main limbs/leaders. So percentage wise m/b 100cm DBh and girdle of 1cm( m/b 3 rings) is only 1% of the wood. 2 cm may be more effective. It may suffice to have to only girdle sections of circumference or perpendicular to the vertical plane of uptake below a leader or limb or just at the root flare. Many, many things to consider. Really appreciate the input, you all are quite thoughtful in the attempt to make sense of this. I like that the potential at the end of the day the loads we experience are lighter, the load handled in the tree, load hauled to the chipper is lighter and the load transported.

I would suggest charging home owner to do it. In some cases the home owner might be able to complete the task with good instruction.

Happens a few times a year where I have to put up barriers till the work is done or install a rope to support the tree/leader/limb. People seem to wait till the tree is at its most dangerous.

I set a line on the tree or part in question and give it good rocking. generally if it bends as normal I will climb it, if it has wobble or wiggle I have to decide if today is a good day to die. Usually cut and throw if possible, if it has to be rigged then it usually means alot of pole sawing and pole rigging from a safe distance till the weights off. I have set up high lines. I have partially cut and Rigged pieces and come out of the tree and winch and snap it off and lower to the ground. I have on one occasion referred it to a Aerial lift company. When it moves at the ground(sink or lift of flare) we set up 3 ropes for anchoring. If I need to climb above the rot we add a rig to support if it fails. One Rot and split pine was shored up with Beech planks plus 2 2" straps and a 4" strap so it wouldn't blow open. I hope I get to do it for a while longer. I love climbing pruning and knockin em down and try to be as safe as possible so I can keep at it injury free. Knock on wood. New technique is an option and may help me with something in the future

Totally agree with the necessary flex as well. Depending on flexibility of the species, the season(dry or wet), timing between girdling and the operation, where on the tree you girdle, and other varialbles missed at this point, we need to work on this technique a bit more for better understanding of cause and effect. For example removing a tree in Yard in the middle of the summer we can see those limbs dropped in the morning have already wilted by noon. We know it dries up but to be qualitative about it is difficult. I know if I am in hazard tree, any weight reduction in especially the tips( the weighted levers ends) will be most welcome.

Makes perfect sense what you are suggesting. Cut myself more with a hand saw. Never been cut with a chain saw with it running in hand any ways. Knock on wood.

I looked at the pics first and your comment second. Hard to make out fully. Perfection is tough! Don't beat yourself up over it. Next time prune a little harder. You know its going to grow. And you may feel better about the efforts. As long as the cuts are approprtiate. and the tree looks good, alls well.

Thats cool! Once a month I wonder if I should be in this top. I have climbed over a questionable areas to prune/remove and bring up the pole saw to get some weight off to compensate for my wt and the work forces. I have peeled a tree like a banana and snapped limbs off from the ground to get the tree a little safer to work in. I like this new technique. Doesn't require much energy and seems to be pretty effective. and I like as many options as possibe. I am glad you down graded it to strange. Sharing ideas, experiences, thoughts and opinions and caring for trees and one another is what it is about. Hope it helps save a life/limb. Alls well.

I do and they keep leaving cause the brush is to heavy. I am hiring an apprentice and groundie for any one interested. Seriously the number of conducting rings able to take up water ranges from species to species and varies from a few to twenty rings. The most effecient rings being closer to the cambuim and the least effecient further in. Removal of a few rings will create a gap that cannot be bridged. I am confident the technique when applied will result in decrease in limb and wood weight. What I do have is my own qualitative proof and just lack technique specific quantitative proof.

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