Stopped by a big tree care job in Austin last week and noticed nobody was using climbing spikes on the live oaks

The crew was all using rope and saddle technique on removals too, which I thought was weird since I always figured spikes were standard for taking down a whole tree, has anyone else seen this shift away from spikes in urban work?

2 comments

2 Comments

skyler_white28d ago

Wait, they're doing full removals without spikes on oaks in Texas? That sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen if somebody slips on that smooth bark.

the_rose28d ago

Yeah, the smooth bark on oaks can get sketchy when it's wet. @skyler_white I think in Texas they just use a ladder and a rope harness if the tree's not too big, your mileage may vary though. Had a buddy who did it that way on a live oak last summer, worked fine but he was really careful with his footing.