As an arborist, certain tools are essential to your profession. The same applies to DIY’ers seeking to perform or handle tree-related tasks. There are lots of these gears and kits that help with reliable and effective completion of the project. It doesn’t matter if you’re pruning, removing or treating a diseased tree.

These equipment serve your purpose. Now the type of tree task you want to perform will determine the equipment you need. Here, we’re mostly focusing on climbing equipment. As you read on, you’ll find details on the various climbing equipment and how they’re used.

Basic Equipment for Tree Climbing

When it comes to tree climbing, there are tons of equipments to consider. While some are quite basic, others are designed for specialized use. However one thing is certain with all such equipment; they allow for easier and more efficient tree climbing.

These equipment include throw line or weight, branch savers, line launcher, carabiners, helmet, flipline, harness, spurs, prusik, slings, pulleys, and rope. Every one of these gears serves a key function and serves to make tree climbing much easier and efficient. Let’s have a look at these.

i. Throw Line or Weight

With the help of the throw line, tree climbers are able to remotely set their rigging line into the tree at an ideal rigging point. A weight is attached to both sides of the throwing line which makes for easy use of this gear. Having set up your rigging point, additional equipment are set up before climbing commences.

Some reputable throw line brands include Petzl, Notch, Courant, Dreevo, and ArbPro. Others include Edelrid, TreeKit, Dyneema, Stein Skyline, Dynaglide, Bartlettman and so on. With these many options, you get to choose what brand to patronize and which product best suits your needs.

ii. Branch Savers

During tree climbing, your safety is paramount. While that is true, the safety of the tree is also factored in. This is where branch savers come into play. Also called rope sleeves, branch savers are made from durable materials and serve to cushion any friction or abrasion that may occur during tree climbing.

While shielding the tree from damage due to friction, rope sleeves also serve to extend the lifespan of the rope. Two types of rope sleeves are common. They include leather branch savers, as well as house sleeves. The difference between the two is how they’re placed.

iii. Line Launcher

As the name suggests, line launchers serve a vital function as they help with launching or throwing the line towards a specific target. It’s important because trees can be quite tall and this limits the reach of an arm-powered throw. With a mechanical gear like the line launcher, such challenge is surmounted.

Apart from helping the climber get the rope to higher sections of the tree, the line launcher provides added precision. These kits come in different designs with some taking the form of air-powered launchers or slingshots. Again, the option is yours to make.

iv. Carabiners

These are durable metal connectors and clips designed to hold all connections in place while also connecting all components of the system together. Effective use of tree climbing gears won’t be possible without carabiners. These help hold or support your weight when climbing trees.

Carabiners come in different types depending on specific user needs. These varieties include triple action carabiners, auto-lock carabiners, bent gate, and screw link carabiners. You’ll have to pick one that serves your needs best.

v. Helmet

Like other tree climbing gear discussed so far, helmets enhance the safety of the climber. These are made with protect your scalp in the event of sudden accident. Irrespective of tree height, the helmet must be worn to enhance your safety. This gear boosts your safety in the event of an accident.

vi. Flipline

Also called the safety lanyard or polestrap, fliplines give added flexibility and security to tree climbers. For these to serve the function they’re meant for, safety lanyards are designed with durable material that range from steel core lanyard or arborist rope.

Together with other accessories like spiked shoes, they help make the climbing process less stressful. To avoid confusions during climbing, it’s best to go for a flipline with a distinct color from those of other climbing ropes you use.

vii. Harness

You’ll mostly find tree climbing harnesses with D-ring loops on the sides. This tends to be quite different from harnesses used for rock climbing or other kinds of climbing activities. In a nutshell, harnesses are essential parts of tree climbing gears or components you’ll need.

viii. Spurs

Also known as spikes, these are among many tree climbing accessories that make the process a lot easier and efficient. Spurs tend to be sharp and serve to grip the tree surface to ensure the climber is well balanced or secured. However, spurs aren’t ideal for all tree climbing jobs.

That is mainly because they cause injury to trees and could result in spread of diseases and pests from one tree to the next. These are best used for tree removal jobs.

ix. Prusik

This friction hitch tool helps with attachment of cord loops around a climbing robe. Prusik helps with the tree climber to easily ascend and descend a tree. One great attribute of this gear is that it allows the flipline to be adjusted under tension.

The convenience of this tool makes tree climbing very effective. Here, adjustments can also be made with one hand during tree climbing.

x. Slings

With slings, tree climbers get to create rigging points anywhere along the tree. With such anchor points in place, climbing ropes are easily run through a block or pulley system. Of course ropes used for slings need to be durable and should serve for a long period of time.

xi. Pulleys

Pulleys are among essential tree climbing gears you’ll need. They serve a wide range of functions including pulling up tree climbers and safely lowering loads high up the tree. This multipurpose equipment will serve all sorts of tree climbing needs.

xii. Rope

Effective tree climbing will be almost impossible without the right tools. There are ropes specially designed for this type of job. These are made to be durable and come in varying lengths ranging from 35, 45, 50, and 60 meters.

These are essential tree climbing gear and kits you might need. As mentioned earlier, they make the tree climbing process a lot easier and efficient.

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