Does your tree require pruning or removal? If it’s not accessible by truck, an arborist may need to climb the tree, which takes skill and training, and once up there, he has to balance on ropes and limbs while using a chain saw!
The arborist has a special belt, called a saddle, that securely attaches the climber to the tree. Climbers should have a partner on the ground at all times.
When hiring an arborist, ask about climbing safety practices, recommends Brian Malatia, arborist at The Morton Arboretum.
Certified arborists can be found on the Illinois Arborist Association Web site, illinoisarborist.org.
Professional arborists tie into the tree in two places when using a chain saw.
“The biggest mistake we see nonprofessionals make is using a chain saw while standing on a ladder, and not being tied to the tree,” says Malatia. “If a branch falls and takes out the ladder, they’ll be going with it.”
Malatia’s climbing line holds 5,400 pounds. “Each time you bend it, you reduce the line’s strength. Tying a knot can reduce it by half,” he says.
He installs the climbing line using a 125-foot throw line with a weighted bag at the end. He tosses the bag up and over a high crotch in the tree, and pulls the climbing line through, being sure it lies against the trunk. He holds the rope and scales the tree using his arms, legs and core to defy gravity — his body is almost parallel to the ground.
Malatia, who has been climbing trees professionally for 16 years, said the fastest climbers can scale a tree in seconds.
Professional tree climbers will compete in the International Tree Climbing Championship and fair, to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and July 25 (competition only) at the arboretum, Illinois Highway 53, Lisle. Access to the event is included with arboretum admission: $11; $10 65 and over; $8 2-17. For more information, visit mortonarb.org or call 630-968-0074.
Laurie Casey is a staff writer at The Morton Arboretum.
