Loading…
8
Warning: My boss makes us use spurs even on pruning jobs
I've seen this practice split arborists into two camps. One side says it's efficient and secure, while the other claims it damages the bark and should be reserved for removals. Where do you stand on this issue?
4 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In4 Comments
jordan_young7mo ago
Push back on this a bit. I've used spurs for pruning for years without major bark damage by being careful with how I climb. Like, I avoid them on young trees with smooth bark but find them fine on older oaks or pines. Idk, the time saved is worth it on busy days.
6
avery3057mo ago
You ever go back and look at those trees five years later, @jordan_young? Because "being careful" with spurs still punches a bunch of holes in the cambium. The time you save now just means the tree spends years sealing up those wounds instead of growing. It's a lazy shortcut, even on rough bark.
2
christopher767mo ago
Okay, but are we sure every single spur hole causes years of healing? I mean, @avery305 makes it sound like the tree is basically crippled, but trees are pretty tough, right? If jordan_young is being careful on older trees, maybe it's not that big of a deal... the tree might handle it fine. Plus, in the real world, time saved can matter for getting work done. Not saying to be reckless, but maybe it's not always as lazy as it seems.
3