Olly47

In my couple of acres of sycamore, ash, willow, chestnut, elm, birch, etc. over the last 40 years the only problem I have had was Dutch elm disease, and this was before using spikes. In my humble opinion, the tree attackers are not waiting patiently for me to spike holes "to aerate their inner whatsits", they get on quite well without my help. How many ancient carvings, nails, fencing wires are there in the bark of healthy trees? Trees also get naturally damaged all the time without having their wounds treated. My pruning is for safety reasons.

Thank you “sime42” for your encouraging words. It is nice to read comments about using a bit common sense, using ones own judgment, and not rubbishing us non professionals. I am one who has free climbed trees for many years into old age and a few years ago became more conscious of my safety. So, when I use srt I have ascenders, a descender, and backup friction hitch on a seperate line. I am going to try a sliding fall arrester so I dont have to keep moving the hitch. Also use a backup safety line when using spikes where possible. I do only use a pruning saw aloft and maybe a bushmans if needed. Reference to the friction question, it is the abrasion on the rope I was thinking of to prolong its life. I am not bothered about the trees. I dont fancy the strap and ring type of savers as there must be a lot of strain and strength reduction on the rope from the narrow metal rings. It is the rubbing of the rope on the crotch or branch of the tree I was wondering about. The tube type of thing going over the rope looks ok but is there an easier way to do this? I would still like some more info on my “weird spikes” query. Just go to YouTube and search with 20160914GoProH4. (Look at device FR-100.) Olly47.

Does anybody know about these spikes I saw on YouTube from Japan. Just go to YouTube and search with 20160914GoProH4

I occasionally climb and prune my own deciduous trees. I wonder if I need to protect my semi static rope where it goes over the branch/crotch. If it is necessary does anybody have any advice on what to use. Maybe I could make something myself. Cheers, Olly.