How do tree surgeons climb trees?

Have you ever wondered, “How do tree surgeons climb trees?” In much the same way as rock climbing, tree surgeons use ropes, harnesses, and safety procedures to ascend and work safely in trees. It’s a question that often sparks curiosity, considering the heights and complexities involved in their work. In this blog post, we’ll unravel the mystery behind how our tree surgeons in Hampshire navigate the canopy to perform complex tasks like removals and height reductions.

The Tools of the Trade

Before we delve into the technique, let’s talk about the tools. Tree surgeons use a combination of specialised equipment to navigate the heights of trees safely and efficiently. Tree surgeons use a work positioning system, which includes ropes, harnesses, and hardware, to safely climb and work in trees. All climbers must ensure their work positioning and climbing systems are properly assembled and inspected before use. These tools include:

1. Climbing Harness: Tree surgeons wear specially designed harnesses that distribute their weight and provide support while climbing.
2. Climbing Rope: A strong and durable climbing rope is an essential tool, allowing tree surgeons to ascend and descend with control.
3. Carabiners and Clips: These are used to secure the climbing rope to the harness, ensuring a reliable connection.
4. Climbing Spurs or Spurs: These are spiked attachments worn on the boots to grip the tree’s bark. Because they can damage the tree, we only use these when we are performing a complete tree removal where the tree’s health is no longer a priority.
5. Ground Gear: While climbing gear gets us up, our specialised ground gear like stump grinders ensures that once the tree is down, the landscape is left perfectly clear.
6. Climbing System: The climbing system is an integrated set of equipment, including rope, harness, hardware, and may feature mechanical devices such as friction hitches or mechanical ascenders, all working together to provide safe movement and stability in the tree.

Climbing systems include the rope(s), the climbing system, the harness, and all hardware in the system.

Other equipment, such as slings, pulleys, and mechanical aids (like cherry pickers), may be used to complement the main climbing system, depending on the job.

How Do Tree Surgeons Climb Trees?

Now, let’s answer the question: How do tree surgeons climb trees? The process involves a series of strategic steps:

1. Assessment: Before climbing, tree surgeons assess the tree’s health and structure from the ground to ensure safety. They must inspect trees for hazards such as high-risk fractures or storm damage. Every piece of equipment, from harnesses to carabiners, is meticulously inspected before each climb to ensure all gear is safe and functional.

Qualified tree surgeons will always assemble the required equipment carefully and inspect every component before use, a standard upheld by our expert and insured arborists.

1. Securing the Rope: A tree surgeon throws a weighted bag tied to a thin line called a throw line over a sturdy branch above. This rope is then used to pull up the climbing line, which is anchored at a suitable tie-in point, often at a strong branch union. Knots such as a running bowline or friction knot are commonly used to secure the rope at the branch union. The climbing line can be anchored using a base anchor (basal anchor) at the trunk’s base or a canopy anchor higher in the tree. A base anchor secures the rope at ground level, while a canopy anchor secures it within the canopy, each offering different advantages for ascent and descent.
2. Ascending: Tree surgeons use a variety of climbing techniques to safely climb and descend trees. The Doubled Rope Technique (DdRT), also known as the Moving Rope System (MRS), involves an adjustable loop and a friction hitch, allowing the tree climber to ascend and descend with relative ease. DdRT enables self-belay and easy rope retrieval, making it a widely used method for tree work, especially in smaller trees. The Single Rope Technique (SRT), also called the Stationary Rope System (SRS), uses a single, anchored stationary rope that does not move with the climber. This technique is particularly useful for mature trees or large trees that cannot be easily free-climbed, and is typically faster and easier on the body. Mechanical ascenders and other devices may be used to facilitate ascent on stationary rope systems.
3. Positioning: Throughout the ascent, the tree surgeon uses the rope system and work positioning system to safely climb and access different parts of the tree. Adjustments to the climbing line and anchor points allow the tree climber to reach the desired location for tree work.
4. Working in the Canopy: Once at the desired height, the arborist can perform specialised maintenance. This usually involves crown reduction to manage the tree’s size, deadwood removal to improve tree safety and health, or crown thinning to improve light and airflow without sacrificing the tree’s natural shape. Tree work is performed once the tree climber is safely positioned, and the trunk may serve as an anchor point for certain climbing or rigging techniques.

Tree climbing techniques include free climbing, but modern arboriculture relies on advanced rope systems such as the Moving Rope System (MRS), Stationary Rope System (SRS), and other climbing techniques to ensure safety and efficiency for both ascending and descending trees.

Tree surgeons are trained to continue their duties in less-than-perfect weather, such as light showers or moderate winds, but will halt operations in perilously windy or very bad weather to ensure safety. High winds can destabilise trees and heavy rain increases the risk of slipping, so responsible professionals do not climb in such hazardous conditions, and understanding how tree surgeons work safely in the rain highlights the precautions involved. Safety is always the top priority for tree surgeons, and every piece of equipment is meticulously inspected before each climb.

Experience and Expertise

Successfully climbing trees requires both experience and expertise. The same standards we apply to our precision hedge cutting and large-scale site clearances. It’s about understanding tree biology and making informed decisions while in the canopy.

Responsible professionals always prioritize safety and will not climb trees in terrible weather conditions, ensuring they remain firmly grounded to prevent accidents, and our dedicated emergency tree work team is on hand when storms cause dangerous damage.

See Us in Action!

Curious to see how tree surgeons climb trees in action? Check out our video gallery here to witness the art of ascent. Our skilled arborists at East Hants Arborists Ltd showcase the techniques we use to provide expert tree care in Surrey, Hampshire, and Sussex. If you have a tree that requires professional attention, contact our professional tree care team today for a free consultation.

Understanding how tree surgeons climb trees gives a new appreciation for the precision and care involved in their work. The next time you see a tree surgeon at work, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the artistry behind their climb..