Rope-assisted tree climbing technique

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Tree climber on a trimmed oak

The rope-assisted tree climbing technique (officially called rope climbing technique (SKT) ) is a rope technique used in forestry and tree care that goes beyond pure tree climbing . The methodology includes climbing and rigging techniques, professional use of the chainsaw on the tree, special wood retrieval and return techniques as well as safety measures . The rope climbing technique SKT is a work process recognized by the professional associations.

basis

Trees are mostly climbed with rope-assisted tree climbing technology . In contrast to free climbing on rocks, the rope is used in certain tree climbing techniques (especially the double rope technique) to support the climber and enables, for example, "walking on the branches". The climber can thus reach the entire crown of the tree, right up to the fine branches.

Thanks to the use of modern rope technology when climbing trees, almost every branch on every tree can be reached even at locations inaccessible to technology ( aerial work platform , crane). Only dead and extremely fragile trees or branches, as well as crown areas near high-voltage lines are not accessible.

In tree care , in addition to general maintenance and tree renovation work, it is now common to completely remove trees using rope climbing technology, which is one of the felling techniques , but differs fundamentally from felling because the tree is not laid in one piece , but rather broken up into parts while standing becomes. The pieces are usually retrieved by helpers via controlled lowering of the rope, with possible access also with a crane or with the gripper, in exceptional cases also with the helicopter.

The rigging , as an important working method of the SKT users (rope climbing technique users) describes rope techniques in tree felling and maintenance in order to bring tree parts to the ground in a controlled manner.

Training and exercising

For commercial use, acc. Occupational health and safety regulations, appropriate training in rope climbing technology (SKT A - C), a valid first aid training and the occupational medical check- ups G41 and G25 (until 2010: H9) are required. The dangers of falling and hanging trauma are particularly responsible for this. The three-stage training and certification is carried out by a professional climbing school and the professional association .

It should be mentioned that with successful completion of level A climbing and the use of the hand saw and with level B climbing with a chainsaw is possible. At the same time, from level B, the user can also be used as a supervisory person or take on construction site responsibility.

Personal protective equipment

Tree climbing equipment

Complete and good climbing equipment, which must be checked regularly for wear, is essential for the safety of the tree climber.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) for a tree climber:

Felling a tree at a problem location

Series of images of a tree felling at a problem location: it is in a built-up area all around and cannot be "laid" under any circumstances. Because of this long-standing problem, the tree has grown excessively and can no longer be salvaged in one piece. Even if it were to be rescued with a high-performance, modern truck-mounted crane or by helicopter, the trunk would have to be broken up into parts while standing. However, because the trunk is not rot, it can be removed using rope-assisted climbing technology.

  • Work steps

  • Preparation: The trunk has been delimbed halfway, the stumps allow easy access, but the rope can get stuck - making a safe descent impossible.

  • The tree climber delimburs the cutting zone of the top of the tree

  • Determination of the direction of fall and execution of the felling cut , control of the free fall area

  • Separating cut

  • Controlled dropping of the top of the tree over the remaining side branches - if there was no free fall zone on the ground, the top of the tree would have to be lowered in a controlled manner using special rope techniques

  • The critical moment: the tree rebounds strongly if the lowering technique is incorrect, and the tree climber then has trouble finding a secure hold

  • Ready-to-use keys , now from bottom to top again - this way the branches don't get tangled

  • Basic delimbing method The branches are folded down and only then separated cleanly. As a result, they fall in a more controlled manner and do not splice towards the worker

See also

literature

Web links