Horizontal stem tops out close to TIP hieght, multi stem tree, how to climb?

[Marc]

Looking for a little wisdom here, I wish I had a picture of the tree, but I don't.

Tree in question is a multi stem red maple. Four roughly equal diameter leaders that split from a single trunk about 10 feet up. Three of the stems continue on up for another 30 ft or so, at a relatively steep angle, say 20ish degrees from vertical. One stem rises at a similar angle but only about 20 feet, where it bends away from the tree to near horizontal and continues out horizontally for another 10 feet or so and then brushes out from there. I don't think it can really be limbwalked if I'm tied in on one of the other stems because at that height the climbing line would not be much below horizontal.

Optimally I'd cut the stem at the trunk (tree is being removed) but it overhangs another small ornamental tree so it has to come down in pieces. How'd you get yourself out there safely and smoothly to make the cuts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tree Pig]

Looking for a little wisdom here, I wish I had a picture of the tree, but I don't.

Tree in question is a multi stem red maple. Four roughly equal diameter leaders that split from a single trunk about 10 feet up. Three of the stems continue on up for another 30 ft or so, at a relatively steep angle, say 20ish degrees from vertical. One stem rises at a similar angle but only about 20 feet, where it bends away from the tree to near horizontal and continues out horizontally for another 10 feet or so and then brushes out from there. I don't think it can really be limbwalked if I'm tied in on one of the other stems because at that height the climbing line would not be much below horizontal.

Optimally I'd cut the stem at the trunk (tree is being removed) but it overhangs another small ornamental tree so it has to come down in pieces. How'd you get yourself out there safely and smoothly to make the cuts?

Thanks in advance.

Use a lanyard and spikes, you can wrap the lanyard around the tree once to prevent it from slipping on steep angled limbs.

 

[Marc]

Use a lanyard and spikes, you can wrap the lanyard around the tree once to prevent it from slipping on steep angled limbs.

Thanks, I've wrapped my lanyard on smaller stuff for security before but didn't know if it had enough friction to keep from falling off one side or the other. I feel like I'm almost going to be on my hands and knees.

 

[Carburetorless]

Thanks, I've wrapped my lanyard on smaller stuff for security before but didn't know if it had enough friction to keep from falling off one side or the other. I feel like I'm almost going to be on my hands and knees.

What's wrong with hanging underneath, or off to the side of it?

 

[Tree Pig]

What's wrong with hanging underneath, or off to the side of it?

again you're proving you do not do tree work.

 

[Zale]

Sometimes tree work isn't pretty. Spike out the limb with you lanyard around it. It can be a uncomfortable feeling not having the support of your climbing line. Take small pieces and take your time.

 

[Carburetorless]

again your proving you do not do tree work.

I do more than you.

 

[Tree Pig]

I do more than you.

lol

 

[Carburetorless]

lol

You spend too much time trolling to do any tree work.:msp_tongue:

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Sometimes you just have to fall back on the ole straddle and scoot.... Ain't pretty but it gets er done.

 

[Tree Pig]

You spend too much time trolling to do any tree work.:msp_tongue:

your the only troll here.:msp_thumbdn:

 

[beastmaster]

The old butt scoot, not pretty but sometimes works. I still make sure I have a good tie in, just in case the branch was to break while you were out on it. Some times using a few slings can give your feet somewhere to stabilize you while making cuts.
If the branch looks like it'll hold you, you can shoot a line out over it from the ground and SRT up right where you want to make your cut, That way you save all that trouble of having to climb out there. Iv been doing that a lot on trees lately, it can save you a lot of time and trouble. Situations that would of been difficult(like your scenario)are easy using SRT some times.
It just with out a higher tip you can't take no weight off of the limb, so make sure it'll hold you. Polesaw sometimes help too if you can get the right angles.

 

[Marc]

The old butt scoot, not pretty but sometimes works. I still make sure I have a good tie in, just in case the branch was to break while you were out on it. Some times using a few slings can give your feet somewhere to stabilize you while making cuts.
If the branch looks like it'll hold you, you can shoot a line out over it from the ground and SRT up right where you want to make your cut, That way you save all that trouble of having to climb out there. Iv been doing that a lot on trees lately, it can save you a lot of time and trouble. Situations that would of been difficult(like your scenario)are easy using SRT some times.
It just with out a higher tip you can't take no weight off of the limb, so make sure it'll hold you. Polesaw sometimes help too if you can get the right angles.

Thanks beastmaster, I considered doing SRT straight up there (well, DRT, anyway), but reconsidered because the bend looks suspicious to me. I can't tell from the ground but I think that stem might have had another limb headed up that broke off and gave it the odd angle it has. I'll probably tie in on the next closest good stem and then spike up this problem one so I can take a look before venturing out. And then I'll be tied in somewhere else just in case.

And thanks everyone else for the help. To you guys who said tree work sometimes isn't pretty- you guys must have seen some of my past work!