Djvicke1

Yeh I've heard that too and I've contemplated felling it out on the line as the tree is damaged anyway, but the power cables underneath the BT line are the problem

will it matter if when cut the slack falls onto the LV cables?

Does anyone have a number to get BT to drop a line in an emergency? Been asked to get a storm damaged beech tree on the deck, long story but its pretty urgent and it would make life a lot easier if a BT line could be dropped for a few minutes to fell a large limb out. Does anyone have a number to call to get BT to do this? Its not a main line its just feeding 2 houses and they both want it down, I didnt fancy trying to take it down myself as theres LV running underneath it on the next span this is also why just taking the line out is a problem.. any ideas or help would be much appreciated..

Dave Coleman, Climbing Arborist, Reg Coates, T&R Trees, August Hunicke, Pfannerman

Well said stihlmadasever, trusting your equipment is half the battle. Definitely learn to tie a bowline you will use that a lot in your arb career anyway. CS38 is a really fun course but can be pretty physical if you haven't climbed much before so I would suggest having a little practice before the course if you can, just to become familiar with ascending/descending and finding your balance. If not don't worry as they teach you from scratch anyway. Also buy a book called 'the tree climbers companion' by jeff jepson if you can or look at the 'beginners climbing guide' here on arbtalk I found that very helpful when I started.

Doing utility you'll get loads of practise cutting thorn/mixed hedge. Every now and then a tree. The good thing about utility is that because you mostly do awkward trees that are covered in ivy, surrounded by thorn, on steep banks and in hedges you begin to really appreciate the nice symmetrical garden trees a lot more.

I find my tree motion is really nice and comfy for recreational climbing/swinging about on nice big open trees, but I find a saw weighs it down and there are a lot of parts to get snagged. This is only my opinion though as I do utilities now and the trees are usually covered in ivy or surrounded by thorn. Treemotion is definitely the comfiest harness I've tried but I nicked the bridge with my silky which put me off working in it. Should just be more careful putting my silky away really. Now I use the treemotion for nice big smooth climbs and use my other harness (with a thicker bridge) for the messy stuff.

ok thanks, yep got a cut away

May be a daft question, but just been issued a steel core flipline and ISC rope grab from work. The flipline has loops both ends so was just wondering how do I get the rope grab on?? I know I could take the screw and bolt out and re connect mid-line, but if I dismantle the rope grab does it compromise it in any way? Thought I'd better ask (better be safe than sorry)

6m lanyard Silky 201 on caritool First Aid kit Sometimes a couple of tape slings

Thanks sloth, I really need to invest in a fungi book.

I've enjoyed reading this thread. I agree that it's important that new climbers like myself are aware of these easier climbing systems. I've been climbing for almost a year now and like many others I was taught on prussik and feel safest using it. I've always been pretty active and found body thrusting relatively simple at first but now I'm beginning to feel pain in both elbows and arms. It's frustrating because I love the job and want to be a good climber. However since watching and working with Garry (Breffni on here) and seeing the benefits of HC/SRT/Ascenders I have bought and am beginning to use a hitchclimber setup and a foot ascender. I also struggle to find the time to dabble with new systems. I hate being watched while I dangle on a rope figuring out how something works and whenever I panic or I have to do something out of my comfort zone (which is most of the time at the moment) I always switch back to prussik almost as a psychological safety thing. However I am determined to keep trying easier climbing systems because I want to learn the easiest way of climbing before I ruin my joints so that I can keep climbing in the future

Saw this on a mature roadside Oak today, I'm not very experienced (climbing for 6months) so was just wondering what is this? And is it cause for concern? It's a road me and my family travel nearly every day. However it might have a TPO on it so it might already be monitored.. ?

I love rec tree climbing and always give my gf and other friends a go if they'd like to try. They describe it as a mental and physical workout and I couldn't agree more. I would like to try rock climbing or even alpine climbing one day but I trust trees more than rock..

Thanks javelin, that sounds like a good idea, I might start doing that also a good idea to have the terms on the back

Lately I did a small cash job with no paperwork for an retired Lady who has a terrible memory, I asked her twice if she was sure she wanted a small laurel removed and she told me twice to cut it down then later denied all knowledge of it, she was happy in the end but got me thinking that I had no proof of what had been agreed. I usually do a formal quote and then an invoice after the jobs completed. Lately I've been thinking of getting customers to sign some kind of paperwork just to say they agree with the quote and are happy for the work to be done on that date etc kind of like a permit to work? Does anyone do this kind of thing? Does the quote act as proof? Should I get them to sign the quote? Also, do I need to do method statements?

In regards to limb walking it might seem obvious but a technique that really helped me was holding my climbing line with one hand as it works like a handle to balance yourself. Look for a crotch on the branch to get your leg through then you can really grip the branch with your legs. You won't always look good getting out on tricky limbs so just use any way you can to get out there if needs be, even just wrapping your body around the branch and 'shunting' your way up it To get back into the tree off a long branch just reverse every move you made to get out there. Also get used to trusting your ropes and turning away from your anchor point and using both hands as if you're using a saw. Practice makes perfect and theres no rush, take your time and be safe.

Went to see this the other day only an hours drive from me, amazing work! This and the other monster trees they have around Lake Vyrnwy are definitely worth a visit if you're in Wales. There are a few massive Douglas firs surrounding it so was hard to tell which the next tallest is, but all seemed close to 200ft! Got disco leg just thinking about being at the top on spikes!

Cheers, I'll give them a call

Anyone know where I can get my kit lolered in Powys/Mid Wales?

Scratched to bits after topping conifers with Garry (Breffni on here) but nice weather and a few laughs, all in all a good day. Another stretch of conifers and 2 large apple trees to remove/chip and hopefully be finished in time for a swift pint on friday

Really enjoyed the show! Could've easily spent a lot more time and money there, nice friendly vibe there and the 3ATC climbing was great to watch tempted to have a go next year

Stein waterproof, new fuel can and 2 Silky t-shirts could've easily bought so much more though! Had to remind myself I don't need new boots and trousers..

Nice video! Made it look easy

phew