the_thomas•1mo agoProlific Poster

Pro tip: Heard a guy at the supply yard say he never spikes a tree under 30 inches DBH, and it got me thinking about bark damage on younger maples.

What's your personal rule for when to start using gaffs on a removal, especially with thinner-barked species?

3 comments

3 Comments

My rule is basically "can I hug it without sliding down," which has led to some bad calls. @alexw75 has a point about safety over bark on a removal.

violatorres1mo ago

The arborist exam actually says to avoid spiking any tree you aren't removing. I've seen too many young maples get permanent damage from that choice. It's about the tree's future health, not just the current job.

alexw751mo ago

Lol, that guy's rule is a great way to get a bunch of ugly, scarred up 29 inch trees. My personal rule? If I'm taking it down, the gaffs go on. A dead tree doesn't care about its bark, and a live one won't miss a few spikes on its way to the chipper. Trying to footlock a skinny, slick maple is a good way to meet the ground way too fast.