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I finally picked a climbing setup after 3 years of flip flopping between spurs and a harness and bucket
Been doing tree work solo for about 4 years now. For the longest time I kept switching between climbing with spurs or just using a bucket truck for everything. Spur climbing is faster for me on big pines but man my legs feel it the next day. Bucket truck is easy but I can't get into tight spots near houses. Last week I had a huge oak in a backyard in Salem with zero truck access so I had to spur up. Ended up saving like 2 hours compared to what I would have done with a bucket and a pole saw. Now I'm thinking spurs are the way for anything under 60 feet. Anyone else pick one method and stick with it or do you switch based on the job?
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jakewhite9d ago
Whoa hold up. Spurs on a live oak is a bad idea man. @anna491 knows what's up with that dead elm but on a healthy hardwood you're just stressing the tree out. The cambium gets damaged even if you wear pads. That's why arborists usually only spur up on removals or dead trees. For pruning or climbing live oaks you gotta use rope and saddle. Spurs are fine for pines and dead stuff though. Just be careful what trees you poke holes in.
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Heard Dave from arboristsite say spurs on live oaks is asking for rot later?
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anna4919d ago
Rolled my eyes at my gear closet the other day realizing I've got three different rope setups and two pairs of spurs in there but still use the same beat up saddle from 2018. Spur climbing on a 50 foot dead elm behind a fence beats dragging out the bucket truck and hoping the neighbor lets you park in their driveway. Last time I tried the bucket route, had to fold the thing up just to get past a parked Prius. You end up picking the tool that makes you feel like less of a moron when you're done, right?
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