BenR

We managed to make time for a bit of fun too though:thumbup1: We setup a pretty massive traverse between two emergent trees about 50m apart!

However, the strangler/non strangler hypothesis may not be the only factor at play. The bark roughness appears to have a significant influence on the abundance of vascular epiphytes and bropyhtes in the canopies of non strangler trees Rougher bark provides an easier substrate for Bryophytes to colonise, which is turn help retain moisture and make it easier for the larger vascular epiphytes to colonise trees. Further factors to be considered are the density of the canopy, micro climate and tree age/size. Canopy density is directly correlated with the amount of light available at different strata within the canopy. Thus, as a general rule many of the trees studied appear to have a greater abundance of epiphytes higher in the canopy. This gradient of light and abundance is strictly a hypothesis and requires further analysis of the data collect. Micro climate, will enevitably play a role in determining the type and abundance of epipyhtes present. Purely from observation, several species of epiphyte were found at one site that were not present on any of the trees sampled at another site. The age and size of trees is also an important factor determining the epipyhtes present. Larger trees not only have a greater surface area of bark providing more potential sites for epiphytes, but the larger trees are often older, contain more deadwood and get more light in the upper strata of the canopy. All food for thought until the data is fully analysed.

Epipyhtes are sampled from 1st and 2nd order branches. The number of species, height at which the species is found, compass facing and branch order are recorded for each sample. Epiphyte sampling yielded some interesting results. It appears strangler figs have higher epiphyte species richness and diversity due to the structural complexity of their growth habit providing a better environment for epiphytes to colonise when compared to non-stranlger trees. On average we would find 10 species of epiphyte per tree on strangler figs, compared to around 5 species per tree on non-stranglers. First up a baby strangler fig, Just starting it's attack on the host tree. The project was great fun and we even got to take some students up into the canopy:001_cool:

A few more, finishing up with the first epiphyte we collected.

Over the summer Grant Harris and I began the first study of the canopy on the island of Buton, Indonesia. The project involved sampling epiphytes in the canopy of the rainforest. Forest canopies are understudied extremely diverse and contribute a huge amount to nutrient cycling, biodiversity, modifying micro climate and climate globally. I thought I'd just put up some photos from the trip and later on I'll put up some video too A few of some of the wildlife:thumbup:

Hi everyone, I am a freelance climber based in the Kingston area of Surrey. I have 5 years under my belt and a year an half of that time was working on trees out in Australia. Just putting out feelers for work as I have just got back from 2 months in Indonesia running a canopy research project over there. I am happy to travel and will work in London and the surrounding area. Give me a call for rates and dates. Ben 07542164388 Couple of photos from work in oz to help liven up a boring thread

Like Rob mentioned just be aware of the forces. You can obviously get a higher anchor point with 1x force rather than 2x. To complicate matters even more if you base anchor and spread the load over enough forks that are pulling in the right sort of directions you can re direct off some surprisingly skinny stuff. Its all about the angles!!! Most of the time I anchor at the top (fixed on removals, retrievable on a prune) Theres less stretch because you are using less rope in the system and it means you dont have to worry about working near the down leg of rope in a tree or with over enthusiastic groundies near you base anchor.

Snakebite is pretty static, maybe not as much so as 10mm AP, but it doesnt cost as much either. Globe is supposed to be pretty damn static too.

sterling htp/snakebite is the bomb for access, if you can get it. New England Escalator is supposed to be very static too!

Hi Judge, I know the inventor and have tried it and have my own thoughts.. Just curious to hear why you think it is unsafe?

That avatar is brilliant

Prunethesh1toutofit

That is one big old oak. Be a shame for it to go Would be good if they tried to reduce/retrench first before felling it.

Have to second Adams post.. Use a false redirect if you are coming back to it.. Either that or push away from the fork with one foot and use the pantin on the other. Or if the fork will take your full weight.. strop into it. unclip the wrench slide it over the fork and clip back in the other side of the fork.. Then just pull your tail through.

Stihl, To be blunt. Whoever decided this was a good idea is an idiot. You have just significantly reduced you customer base.. It's a no brainer.. We provide evidence of being a pro user. You send us the kit we need... Guess there is nobody there with a brain.

Hi Gerbutt. If you are using it for access just shoot as high as you can and base anchor the rope, bearing in mind the forces and the anchor point. If you want to work the tree on the wrench and need to advance your line, I choke the rope off, ascend and slap a throwbag on the end of the line to advance. Then anchor it at the top however you like. Retrievable or fixed, there are lots of different ways.

Try a shorter hitch before you make a new tether or something Arran. Its easier and it might just sort it. Real short 3/2 vt maybe? I run quite a short hitch if i can, less sit back

Ive gotta second Tom. That "10mm beeline" aint 10mm... Ive not had a look at a dog bone, but if you taped the tip of the hitchcord tight would it not squish enough to squeeze it through?? If you can get 10mm ocean poly in you might be able to squish 10mm AP down a bit..

Thats how I tie off SRT on a stem. Can then retrieve it with the alpine side and choke it off again assuming you've not left a load of pegs. It just slides down to you. I use a 5wrap blakes on mine Tom, its a bit quicker to tie the prussic for me. Do you choke a ropeguide off on stems Rich?

My uni is so worn I can descend slowly full chaff by only pressing on the top bar with my pinky (11mm blaze)... haha Bad times. only 11.7 in the uni now..

Everything has its use in the right place. I hear you on the rigging point placement. I just don't like having them on the stick. I always have the option of resting with the line choked off too. I guess its whatever gets the job done for you and everyone is different:001_smile: Andy makes a good point about doing what your employer wants. Good thing I'm self employed:thumbup1:

Its a locking brummel splice for the whoopie. Make the brummel first while you have both ends free to feed through each other then form the adjustable part. But if that is confusing you make a loopie instead! Ive got 13mm tenex tec with a pinto rig loopie

I never leave pegs. 1 I don't need the mental help from having a peg in the first place. 2. If I do slip I dont want a peg in the ribs etc and 3. They hang stuff up when rigging. You wouldnt need pegs to make you feel safe if you choked you mainline.

I hate them! Heavy cumbersome and not cut proof. strop and choked rope with descender/wrench/uni/whatever underneath for quick bailout in case of emergency. If I did cut my strop I would rather fall back a little way on a choked line than skid down the pole to the base with a rope looped loosely around the stem!! Soft locked fig 8 is the most cost effective and safe way of doing it if your are using a rope strop.