Working up high, HUGE Sycamore

Follow along with me as I spend a day climbing and talking about decisions for pruning a huge old Sycamore. Sorry, not a lot of action shots here because I managed the camera myself. Some good perspectives from up high.

[terryleimonis]

"Heads up!!" "Wha?? All clear?" "It is now!" Every single tree job LOL!

[Thissafakename]

You should add at the minimum a cambium saver to your climbing system. Love your videos thanks for sharing so much knowledge!

[nigelwylie]

A comment from one of the non-arborists in your YouTube community here: I am in awe of you guys for your rope skills. I have done some sailing in my time, and learned some basic knots to get by as a Deck-Hand (don’t know many of the names, but how to hitch a fender so you can release it quickly, how to attach a sheet (bowline) I even learned to make a monkeys fist. But what you guys all do looks complex, and your life and the lives of those below you depends on it being right all day every day. The knot I am interested in particularly is the one you use to secure huge lumps of trunk to lower them to the ground once cut. The forces on them must be intense. I have never seen a video of how you tie that. What is it called, why does it work so well, and could you do a video including how to tie it? In my experience most knots have used in other applications, so even though I’m unlikely to ever fell a tree (too much respect for you guys since watching these vids!) it would probably be useful for other things.

[johnschlesinger]

Fascinating to see how you plan the work, and carry it out with complete safety! That is a wonderful tree.

[maxx]

What a beatiful one of a sycamore, despite all strange cuts made in the past, really nice tree i´d say

[marbleman]

We have a lot of Sycamores here. I like the way the tree looks white with slick limbs & trunk. An unusual looking tree, for sure. Ya know...I'm still amazed with your 25 yr. old video from the other day with Mike way, way up in that tree and scurrying around like a squirrel...that was awesome.

[kengamble]

HEAD UP!! plop WHAT ? Haha 😂
Yeah, the ol body has a way of reminding you how many years have gone by huh, but I think you're doing great ! 👌
Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍 👍

[prairiemushroom]

Blair,
Always enjoy watching you and your son climb and all the other content. One thing I'd suggest (esp. if making safety videos) is always backing up the tail from a Blakes hitch with a stopper knot - Blakes can roll out over time and stopper knot is basic practice (even with a longer leg left out of the hitch). And about descending, always I use some backup on descent - I favour a Munter on a proper carabiner on my harness's right leg loop - but figure eight etc. is OK too. Never want to go down on just the hitch knot (even with say a Rope Wrench), in case you hit a slicked up section of rope, etc. - we climb in winter up north and a hitch knot can give you a quick ride down if it ices up. Some thoughts about the climbing from another "elder" guy in the trees (although way, way up north where it's not as warm as your neighbourhood - wishing).

[Scott.Farkus]

That Blue Streak is some tough stuff. I've got a hank of it that I've had longer than I can remember, and it still looks fairly new.

[craigmooring]

What a job! You get to climb around in a tree all day, and someone actually pays you to do it.

[northbayboy]

here in Napa our Sycamores are already bear of their leaves but this one looks like it has nice new growth

[michaeldougfir]

Nice climbing video. And you answered one of my questions: what about encountering old, bad cuts. Stubs, etc. I fix them and always have. Just like you did. But I had nothing authoritative to go on. (Shigo chemistry, or anything like that.)

[julianalderson]

much respect" little old fashioned" but works, no tiles broken.

[tymesho]

awesome tight camera work. more of this if you can, please? (my word to let the ground know something was coming down - "HEADACHE"!)

[nomad-pqywiyv]

Excellent point about not using spikes. Have you ever tried using a haas velox ascent system it is a fairly easy system to adapt to even if your use to older climbing methods and I think it makes it easier on the body.

[tymesho]

do they still manufacture "Safety Blue"? I used to use that exclusively because of the longevity. if your unfamiliar, to check on it's wear, you just twisted the rope open a bit to expose the blue threads inside, if they were broken, you knew it was time to replace it. little stretch and tough as nails, loved it.

[arborist]

200' of blue streak was my first climbline...which wasn't too many yrs ago..been runnin calimine

[coilstreeservice]

That's an interesting taut line hitch you're using there! 3 under 1 over?

[johnasumaa]

If I were presented with such a problem as the homeowner, my first impulse would be to remove the tree.  Aside from ecological and aesthetic considerations, is removal an option or not?  I love the tree, but the potential cost of re-roofing or structural damage would have to be my greatest concern.  I don't expect my solution would be either popular or acceptable.

[arboristBlairGlenn]

You need to think a few steps ahead while you work. Plan your work then work your plan.