Lowering small limbs

[sawn_penn]

The highwayman's hitch (the knot above, but without the extra turn around the branch at the beginning) was allegedly used by highwaymen (bandits) as a quick release knot for horse reins.

 

[1CallLandscape]

pretty cool knot, i never knew that one. looks pretty difficult to tie atop a swaying tree , even for us pros nevermind a rec. climber that is just getting into climbing. my advice as a pro is if your not sure about tying a cool knot
( like the highwaymans hitch) on the ground dont even attempt it in a tree.
your best off either throwing the limb (if its small) clear of the obsticle, or tying it off one at a time and lowering it to the ground. if your a rec climber play it safe. a small 1" limb can really do a ### on anything you are trying to not hit.

Attached is another way to lower limbs effectively even for a rec climber. i use it daily....alone, yes i know alone is bad....
-mike