Rant: Put away the climbing spikes on removals in tight spaces

I was up in Austin last spring on a 60 foot live oak removal between two houses. Foreman told me to spike up and strip it fast like usual. But that tree had major decay pockets I couldn't see from the ground. After 3 cuts I felt the whole top shift and I barely got my lanyard around a solid limb. Spikes tear up the cambium and leave entry points for rot, especially on older trees. I had to climb down and re-rig from the bucket truck instead. Now I only use spikes on dead trees or stumps, never on removals where I need structural integrity. Has anyone else had a sketchy moment from relying too much on spikes?

2 comments

2 Comments

murray.spencer26d ago

Yeah, ever had that moment where you realize your spikes just turned a removal into a game of Jenga with a 60 foot tree? Been there, stuck with the bill for a larger chipper blade after hitting a hidden spike hole.

wyatt_green3126d agoMost Upvoted

The "game of Jenga with a 60 foot tree" part really got me, @murray.spencer. That's the perfect way to describe it when you're halfway through a cut and realize you're now just hoping the thing falls where you aimed. And yeah, hitting a hidden spike hole is the worst. It's like the tree was saving that surprise just for you. Suddenly your day goes from a clean removal to explaining to the boss why the chipper sounds like a blender full of rocks.