Advice trimming branches with Mistletoe

[John from Cle Elum]

Hi
I am in Washington State. I have a couple of Doug Fir with Dwarf Mistletoe in some of the lower branches. The broom has not spread to the trunk. Aside from the mistletoe the trees look healthy. These are some substantial trees (20" dia) that I would rather not loose. The branches are the lowest branches on the trees but they are still about 25' up. What is the best way to trim the branches. Climb with spikes (never done it), rope saw, ladder, really long pole saw, or ????.

Any idea's would be appreciated.

John

 

[Del_]

Rope climb.

 

[old CB]

I deal with a lot of dwarf mistletoe. (Here it's on Ponderosa Pine.) Unless you're an accomplished climber--and even if you are--I would use a pole saw from the ground if you can. Saves time and effort.

Maybe you need a pole saw for just a few limbs, but if you have much use for one you'll want to spend enough for a quality blade. The homeowner made-in-China blade will cut a few limbs, and maybe the extending handle will serve, but for regular work you'll want better. I have two pole saws--one is a Stihl, and the other (that I prefer) is a homeowner handle modified to take a Silky blade--that thing will cut!

Dunno if you're a pro or not, but when removing a limb from a tree you want to cut just outside the branch collar rather than flush to the bole of the tree.

 

[John from Cle Elum]

Lucky for me mistletoe does NOT spread between species. I only have the Doug fir kind in a mixed stand. Having two feet on the the ground, even standing on the roof of a truck, sounds good to me. What is the reach on the homebuilt and the Stihl? I will invest in what ever works and is safest. I am assuming both are not powered.

 

[old CB]

The Stihl is 21' long. Being 6'2" with long arms, I cut limbs pretty near 30' up. And then it's stand on the pickup--I've even cut from the roof of the pickup--they don't teach that in class. But past that it's climbing. I'm going to climb and remove mistletoe tomorrow from a Pondo.

I had a powered polesaw once and didn't like it. It's awkward to use, and its reach isn't long enough.

My cobbled-together pole saw is a fiberglass extendable handle that only reaches 15', but its Silky blade is something else. Silky is what you want in a hand-powered saw. (Their pole saws are overpriced, however.)

 

[John from Cle Elum]

I will be looking to buy a used Stihl. I would rather stand on a truck that climb a tree. That will take care of most of my issues.

Not a pro but I have ten acres of forest that need attention.

 

[Ted Jenkins]

I often go 60' with just a sling shot. My homemade rope saw seems to get it done every time. Not sure what you can buy that won't break under a good load. Thanks

 

[John from Cle Elum]

Ted
What do you use for a cutter on that rope saw?
John

 

[old CB]

So it's almost a rule in this business--no ladders. With good reason. People go up on a ladder, cut a limb, which swings down and knocks them off the ladder and into the ER.

But today, for instance, I was preparing to set a climb line when the homeowner said "I've got a ladder--you can get up there with that." Which was the best approach, quicker and easier entrance to the tree, which had plenty of limbs for climbing. And the whole job was in a 40--50' tree. I do not cut from a ladder, but for entrance to the tree I sometimes forget that it's a time saver. It's something else to consider. Once you're in the tree, however, you want to be tied in for work--saddle, etc.

 

[Ted Jenkins]

Ted
What do you use for a cutter on that rope saw? John

I have been using 3/8 chain. To get the chain to cut with out binding has been a challenge with plenty of trial and error. I often use two 100' 1/4 or 3/8 line to get to most accesses. Its for those jobs that seem to need a special touch. Climbing in some cases is much faster, but when there is a reason not to it is the way to go. Thanks

 

[Ted Jenkins]

So it's almost a rule in this business--no ladders. With good reason. People go up on a ladder, cut a limb, which swings down and knocks them off the ladder and into the ER.

But today, for instance, I was preparing to set a climb line when the homeowner said "I've got a ladder--you can get up there with that." Which was the best approach, quicker and easier entrance to the tree, which had plenty of limbs for climbing. And the whole job was in a 40--50' tree. I do not cut from a ladder, but for entrance to the tree I sometimes forget that it's a time saver. It's something else to consider. Once you're in the tree, however, you want to be tied in for work--saddle, etc.

Yeah I had a tree removal that was moving with red ants. Climbing was a nightmare so with a ladder it made getting up the tree doable. Thanks

 

[BC WetCoast]

Species of mistletoe are victim species specific, however there are several species of mistletoe.

If you have a taller stem that is infected, you should look at smaller stems of the same species within 50' radius of the infected tree. The seeds from the infection shoot out of the mistletoe 'plant' and can travel a fair distance.

 

[John from Cle Elum]

I have not seen any more mistletoe on anything nearby. It is the only Doug fir within 100ft. I did have a cluster of mistletoe on another part of the property. It hit only Doug firs in a stand of mainly pines. They were turned into firewood .