Much of our time is spent in the crowns of large trees. We are up there for a number of reasons, but primarily, we are pruning trees to make them safer.
 Using ropes and gear specifically made for climbing trees, we move around the trees, removing deadwood, broken limbs, limbs with tight angles of attachment, and reducing weight on horizontal limbs. WE DO NOT PRUNE WITH SPIKES ON!
Throw balls are used to set climbing lines in the tree. A good toss can reach heights of 80-90 feet. Climbers install friction savers from the ground, which prevents damage to bark cambium.
The climber has to get as high in the tree as he can, in order to have a good angle on the rest of the tree.
Work positioning is key to getting the job done safely. Here, Todd reaches out with a polesaw to remove deadwood at the end of a White Oak limb.
 In larger trees, our climbers might be up in the crown of a single tree for three or four hours. |
