Climbing and Rigging: Recent Episodes
International Society of Arboriculture
This ArborPod™ series offers videos that can help an arborist identify parts of a line; select and use the appropriate knots; and learn about other equipment, resources, and techniques valuable in a variety of climbing and rigging scenarios.
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This Climbing and Rigging Podcast has two parts: 1. Rip demonstrates how a mismatch cut can help to remove a branch that’s too big to handle on your own, but too small to set up rigging by using a mismatch cut. 2. Rip and Ken show some of the cautions about using a classic drop cut for removing a large limb.
This Climbing and Rigging Podcast has two parts: 1. Ken demonstrates how to use a face notch to cause a limb to swing in a desired direction after cutting. 2. Ken and Rip show how to use a face notch to lift a limb during rigging operations.
Rip and Ken discuss basic chain saw safety while in a tree. The accompanying quiz covers this episode plus the episodes Making a Felling Plan, Working the Felling Plan, Felling with Forward Lean, Limbing, and Bucking. (A,T,L,Bp)
Rip demonstrates different bucking techniques in the tree removal process to safely cut a tree trunk into shorter, manageable sections.
Ken demonstrates how to properly cut different tree limbs from a fallen tree so that you avoid injury yourself and your equipment.
Rip and Ken tackle dropping a large oak with heavy forward lean demonstrating the bore cut technique to help avoid a classic barber-chair situation.
Ken Palmer takes chainsaw in hand and puts the felling plan from the last episode to work dropping a huge oak.
Ken and Rip prepare to drop a large oak tree, going through a five step process in making a felling plan.
In this second podcast on cutting the proper notch when felling a tree or chunking out pieces of stem, Ken and Rip examine depth of cuts, and the advantages of an open faced notch. The accompanying quiz covers this episode plus the episodes; Chainsaw Field Maintenance, Chainsaw Bar Maintenance, Chainsaw Chain Maintenance, Chainsaw Chain Sharpening, and Notches part 1(A,T,L,Bp)
Ken and Rip are back in the field with chainsaws in hand demonstrating the most efficient, and safe ways, to notch a stem when dropping a tree.
Keeping the business end of a chainsaw in good shape means more efficient cutting and less chance for equipment failure. Rip Tompkins runs through some do's and don'ts for sharpening the chain.
Keeping a chainsaw in top working condition involves more than just tuning up the engine and sharpening the chain, Rip Tompkins takes a look at chainsaw bar maintenance in this episode of Climbing & Rigging
Ken Palmer runs through a basic five step process for tuning up your chainsaw in the field, and making sure it runs properly before use.
In this episode Rip Thompkins demonstrates the safe way to start a chainsaw. The Available quiz covers this episodes and the previous episodes: Distance of Fall & Half Hitch vs Marlin, Blocking with a Speed Line, Chainsaw PPE, Chainsaw Selection, and Chainsaw Safety (A,U,T,L,Bp)
Ken Palmer and Rip Tompkins runs through the safe use of a chainsaw, explaining reactive forces, and proper grip and body position when making a cut.
Rip Tompkins runs through what to look for when picking out a chainsaw for use in the field.
Ken Palmer goes shopping for the best in chainsaw PPE, looking at chainsaw resistant pants and chaps, and how they work to stop a running chainsaw and save a workers leg, and possibly their life.
Rip Tompkins demonstrates blocking out a piece of stem using a speedline to carry the piece over obstacles directly below.
Ken Palmer covers two topics in this month’s episode of Climbing and Rigging; first examining if placement of a half hitch in a rigging line when blocking out a stem, can affect how far a piece falls, and the advantages of using a Marlin hitch in the same situation.
Rip Tompkins finishes the job of rigging out a large piece of stem, and shares tips on keeping the climber safe in the process. The accompanying CEU quiz covers the episodes Natural Crotch Rigging Tips, Natural Crotch Top Removal, Top Removal with Arborists’ Block part 1, Top Removal with Arborists’ Block part 2, Butt-Hitching (Blocking) Techniques part 1, and Butt-Hitching (Blocking) Techniques part 2. You can click on the titles to view these podcasts. (A,U,M,T,Bp)
Rip Tompkins demonstrates a work positioning trick with the lanyard, and rigs an arborist’s block in preparation of dropping a large piece of stem, in this month’s edition of the Climbing & Rigging podcast.
Rip Tompkins finishes the job of topping a tree using an arborist’s block, paying particular attention to safe work positioning, and any lean in the piece being cut.
Rip Tompkins demonstrates taking the top out of a tree using an arborist’s block rigged below the cut. In this first part he sets up the rigging paying particular attention to a safe descent of the large piece once it’s cut, and safety for the climber.
Rip Tompkins goes old school and shows a safe an effective method for removing the top of a tree using natural crotch rigging.
Sometimes all you need is a rope, as long as you rig it properly. Ken Palmer walks us through two natural-crotch rigging scenarios where getting it right can mean the difference between success and potential failure.
Topping a tree can be one of the most dangerous jobs an arborist can do. Ken Palmer and Rip Tompkins walk you through the forces at play, and tips on mitigating those forces, when topping. The accompanying quiz covers the episodes Rigging Force Experiments parts 1 and 2, Dynamometer Drop Tests parts 1 and 2, Work Positioning When Topping, and Forces in Top Removal (A,T,Bp)
Blocking out the stem once a tree has been limbed out puts the arborists in a precarious position, the climber needs to be close enough to safely make the cut, but runs the risk of the reaction forces from dropping a large piece of wood flipping the lanyard and climbing line off the end of the stem. Rip demonstrates techniques to secure yourself before making the cut, and how to set up your climbing line as an emergency life line.
Ken and Rip intentionally create a worse case rigging scenario to test the forces ropes and equipment can be subjected to in the second part of the Dynamometer drop tests.
Ken and Rip demonstrate the dramatic amount of force created when dropping large pieces into a rigging system. Using dynamometers to measure at both the anchor point and at the in tree rigging point.
Peter Donzelli explains the many variables that go into the amount of force a rigging system is subjected to on the job, and how understanding these variables can be used to determine the best way to reduce the force on a system.
Ken Palmer and Pete Donzelli demonstrate, with dramatic results, the forces a rigging line can sustain when loaded with a large limb.
Rip Tompkins finishes safely removing a large piece of stem using an arborist’s block rigged directly below the cut. The available quiz covers the episodes: Speedline with redirect and ground anchor, knotless rigging, knotless rigging and speedline, and basic blocking parts 1 & 2 (A,T,Bp)
Piecing out a large stem with no rigging points above the work requires the proper use of ropes and blocks. Rip Tompkins walks you through part one of Basic Blocking Techniques.
Efficiency and speed are the end results of combining knotless rigging with a speedline in removing small to medium size limbs. Rip Thompkins walks you through this time and energy saving combo of techniques.(A,U,M,T,L,Bp)
Looking to increase your efficiency dropping small or medium limbs? How about eliminating a time consuming step; tying knots. Rip Thompkins walks you through a knotless rigging system.
Ken and Rip put several techniques together to fly out a large limb to a safe landing zone away from a traditional anchor point.
Ken Palmer demonstrates creating an anchor point when you don’t have a tree right where you need it. The avaialable quiz covers the Climbing and Rigging episodes: Fishing Pole Technique, Drift Line, Static Removable False Crotch, Spider Balancer (parts 1&2), Speedline (parts 1&2), and Floating Anchor. 1.5 CEUs (A,U,M,T,L,Bp)
In part two of “Speedline” Rip Thompkins points out the hardware and rigging in use to fly out a large limb from the top of a tree.
Ken Palmer and Rip Tompkins show a safe and effective way to speed-up moving large limbs from tree to ground with a re-directed speedline. In part 1 Ken lays out the hardware and ground set-up needed to safely fly large pieces of wood down from the top of a tree.
Rip Tompkins completes the delicate task of lowering a large multi-limbed branch away from obstacles using a spider balancer rig and drift line. This episode completes the two part series on this complex rigging scenario.
Large multi-limbed branch to remove with targets below? Rip Tomkins walks you through part one of the Spider Balancer and Drift Line Techniques in this episode of Climbing and Rigging
How do you cut the forces on a limb in half and increase rigging efficiency? Watch as Ken Palmer demonstrates the installation of a Static Removable False Crotch on a limb high overhead.
How do you lower a large cut limb without disturbing the branches below? Rip Tompkins demonstrates the drift line technique using two anchor points to fly a limb to a safe landing spot.
What do you do when you have to rig out a large limb with no anchor points above the work? Ken Palmer explains the Fishing Pole Technique that reduces forces in a system while safely rigging large sections of a limb for removal.
Ken Palmer concludes the two part series of creating and using mechanical advantage in tree work. In this episode he uses multiple pulleys to dramatically increase the output force applied to a rope. The available quiz covers the following Climbing & Rigging podcast episodes: Redirecting the Load Line: Part 1 & 2; Bend Ratio, Rope Angles and Reaction Forces; Tip Tie & Lift: Part 1 & 2; Fiddle Blocks; and Mechanical Advantage: Part 1 & 2. 1.5 CEUs (A,U,T,M,L,Bp)
Arborists can pull on a rope with the force of their weight, but how can they create a greater output force with the same amount of weight? Ken Palmer discusses the basic setup of a mechanical advantage in this first part of a two-part series.
Fiddle blocks are a great tool to help control the lowering of a large limb. Scott Prophett demonstrates how to get a 5:1 mechanical advantage using a fiddle block.
Rip Tompkins explains tip-tying limbs in this continuation from Tip-tie & Lift: Part 1 (released 24 January 14). Watch the conclusion of this segment as Tompkins makes the hinge and backcut on a large limb.
Rip Tompkins explains the value of tip-tying a large limb during a tree removal. Learn about force and how to change the moment arm based on placement of the cuts on this episode of Climbing and Rigging.
On this episode of Climbing and Rigging, learn how the bend radius of a rope affects the fibers. Ken Palmer explains rope angle and reaction forces in a way that makes them easy to understand.
Learn how to redirect and control the load of a limb using a primary block, a redirect block, and fiddle blocks on this Climbing and Rigging episode.
Rip Tompkins and Ken Palmer explain the importance of strategically positioning an aerial lift and how to direct a load line so a rigging piece falls in a specific landing zone, on this episode of Climbing and Rigging.
Ken Palmer discusses keeping a limb more static during removal by using this technique called balancing. Watch this episode of Climbing and Rigging to learn how to position a limb with a good balance point. The available quiz corresponds with the Climbing and Rigging podcasts on the following topics: Guy Lines, Cut & Chuck, Natural vs. False Crotch, Natural-Crotch Rigging, Port-O-Wrap III, Butt-Tie & Drop, Tip-Tie & Drop, Role of the Ground Worker, and Balancing. 1.5 CEUs (A,U,M,T,L,Bp)
The ground worker is an essential part to a rigging team. Learn about communication techniques between the climber and ground worker that may help make rigging operations safe and successful on this episode of Climbing and Rigging.
On this episode of Climbing and Rigging, learn when to tip tie a limb and how to use the tip-tie-and-drop technique. Identify the important safety precautions to take when using this technique.
Learn the techniques for using the butt-tie technique during a rigging operation. Find out which knots may help control the descent of a large rigging piece on this episode of Climbing and Rigging.
Learn some tips and techniques on how to use a Port-a-Wrap III when establishing an anchor point for your rigging system on this episode of Climbing and Rigging.
Rip Tompkins uses an aerial lift to natural-crotch rig a log of a dead tree. Learn about the appropriate safety tools and equipment you should consider during the natural-crotch rigging process on this episode of Climbing and Rigging.
Determine the benefits and limitations of natural- and false-crotch rigging. Learn when each technique may be more preferable to use in the field on this episode of Climbing and Rigging.
Determine when it may be appropriate to rig a branch, or just cut and chuck. Learn a few techniques that may help increase safety and efficiency for branch removals on this episode of Climbing and Rigging.
In this episode of Climbing and Rigging, Ken Palmer and his crew decide to use two guy lines to provide extra support to a leaning tree that requires rigging. Learn a method for setting-up a guy line in a second tree using a natural-branch union, port-a-wrap, and fiddle blocks.
Identify the different ways that ropes may be damaged and observe what signs may indicate a rope reaching its time for retirement in the arboriculture field on this episode of Climbing and Rigging. Successfully complete the quiz that covers material from this episode and the previous 9 episodes to earn 1 CEU!
During the second part of this episode, learn about the rope constructions kernmantle and double braid. Also, identify the parts of a rope that take the load and calculate the amount of load a rope can take.
Listen to two arboriculture climbing experts talk about the fibers and characteristics of rope and how different constructions of rope are best used in the arboricultural industry.
Explore the many facets of friction devices and the different characteristics they offer during lowering operations. Learn the mechanical advantages of the operations of different friction devices and discover how each piece can make the rigging process a little easier than just wrapping a rope around a tree.
Part two of this episode covers adjustable loop slings and the new opportunities splices have brought to the arboriculture field. You can also find out how friction plays a part with rope tools on this episode of Climbing and Rigging.
Identify some of the ways an arborist rope may be used during climbing and rigging, and learn the appropriate techniques on how to handle the rope for different functions by watching part one of this episode.
Learn more about connecting links by watching part two of this Climbing and Rigging segment. This episode covers the difference between steel and aluminum and why the size of ropes and connecting links matter.
Connecting links are designed to attach one piece of equipment to another, but not all connecting links are designed for dynamic loading. Find out the keys to using connecting links in your rigging and climbing systems.
This episode on rigging blocks and pulleys will help you understand the difference between the tensile strength and the working load limit. It also demonstrates how connecting links are commonly used to optimize the performance of each device.
As technology changes, more options for equipment is available to arborists. How do you know which rigging block or pulley to use and what are the differences between the constructions of aluminum and steel? Find out on this episode of Climbing and Rigging.
When rigging you deal with many forces and knowing how to manage them can help avert disaster. The first step is understanding those forces. This episode of Climbing and Rigging is an introduction to the science of rigging, which will help you build the foundation for many different rigging techniques. This Climbing and Rigging CEU quiz will cover the following podcast videos: Tree and Site Inspection, Fundamental Rigging Techniques, Cutting Techniques, and The Science of Rigging. Before taking the quiz to earn CEUs, be sure to watch these videos on our Climbing and Rigging podcast, which can be found on our website or on iTunes. .75 CEUs (A,U,M,T,L,Bp)
Learn about the dangers and benefits of different chain saw cuts used for rigging large tree limbs. This episode of Climbing and Rigging highlights how to control and direct limbs by demonstrating the three-cut method, mismatch cut, and hinge cut.
Explore the different strategies and equipment used for rigging. This Climbing and Rigging episode is an overview of techniques, equipment, and cuts used in rigging. This video describes different knots that may be used along with each technique.
On this episode of Climbing and Rigging, learn the importance of conducting a site and tree inspection prior to the climb and job performance. Also, find out what are the main things that should be observed when conducting a site and tree inspection.
Did you know there are two different ways of tying the butterfly knot? This knot can be used as a loop in the standing part of a line, and it is multi-directional and symmetrical. Watch the video to see the two different ways of tying this knot and a situation where it can be useful. This Climbing and Rigging CEU quiz will cover the following podcast videos: Clove and Marline Hitch, Half Hitch and Running Bowline, Valdôtain tresse, and Butterfly Knot. Before taking the quiz to earn CEUs, be sure to watch these videos on our Climbing and Rigging podcast, which can be found on our website or on iTunes. 1 CEU(A,U,M,T,L,Bp)
Learn how to tie the most common variation of the “French Prusiks”, the Valdôtain tresse. The Valdôtain tresse is a knot that holds securely and releases very easily. View this video to see how it grabs a hold of the rope without even tying a knot in the line!
Learn how to use these knots for butt-hitching sections of a tree. The half hitch shares the load and makes it is easier to remove the piece. Watch this episode of Climbing and Rigging to find out how to tie this combination!
Climbers often tie either a marline hitch or a half hitch in addition to the primary rigging knot on a piece being cut. The purpose is to reduce the chances of the primary knot slipping off the piece and to create a more favorable bend ratio in the line before the primary knot. The clove hitch can be used to send equipment up to the climber as a midline knot, or as an endline knot, when backed up with half hitches, to tie off limbs or sections of wood. Watch this month’s Climbing and Rigging episode to learn how to use them together!
The zeppelin bend can be used to attach two lines together for a line that will be heavily loaded. It is a symmetrical knot that is easy to untie even after loading. Find out how this easy knot carries heavy loads in this episode of Climbing and Rigging! This CEU quiz covers material from the following Climbing and Rigging episodes: Sheet Bend, Slip Knot, Cow Hitch, Timber Hitch, and Zeppelin Bend. Be sure to watch the podcast and follow our experts as they show you the proper way to tie these knots, and teach you the advantages and limitations associated with the different knots. .5 CEU (A,U,M,T,L,Bp)
Do you know how to join two ropes of different diameters using a sheet bend? The sheet bend is most easily remembered as a bowline tied with two separate lines. In this episode of Climbing & Rigging, we’ll show how you can join two ropes using a sheet bend or a slippery bend. The slippery bend is easy to untie and can be instantly spilled by pulling out the bight, but it’s suitable only for passing ropes to the climber. See in the video how these bends are tied!
You can tie this knot even with one hand! In addition to being very easy to tie, experienced climbers find many used for this directional knot. This knot is asymmetric, and it will slip if pulled from the part of the rope used to create the bight (in this instance, the working end). Keep in mind that this directional dependence is important in some applications of this knot.
A cow hitch is used for securing hardware to a tree and it is a variation on the girth hitch where it is formed with a line instead of a loop. Did you know that the direction of this half hitch should be against the bight, so that the working end exits back along the direction it entered? Learn some important features about this hitch in this episode of Climbing & Rigging.
A timber hitch can be used for securing hardware to a tree using an eye sling. This directionally dependent hitch is commonly used when the eye sling is too short to create a cow hitch. This hitch must be secured and set properly to maintain integrity. Learn some important features about this hitch in this episode of Climbing & Rigging.
There are many knot variations in the family of “French Prusiks.” These friction hitches can be tied with a variety of rope diameters and constructions and are used in both rigging and climbing operations. In this video we highlight the Valdôtain tresse (Vt) and the Machard tresse (Mt). Learn the advantages and limitations of these hitches.
This hitch is often used as an alternative to a Prusik hitch, and is tied with a Prusik loop. It can be used on doubled rope for footlock ascent. One of the advantages of this hitch is that it can be easily tied and untied when using an endless loop of smaller-diameter cordage.
In this episode, we show the variation of the Prusik hitch tied with a loop. When tied with a loop, the 3-wrap, 6-coil Prusik is used for a secured footlocking ascent. It must be tied using a smaller-diameter rope.
The schwabisch can be tied using various diameters of cordage with an eye-to-eye split-tail. This asymmetric variation of the Prusik holds securely while under load but can also be easily released allowing for a smooth descent by the climber. In this video you will also learn how to incorporate a micropulley into an open climbing system.
This is a friction hitch that is used in both climbing and rigging. It can be incorporated into a dynamic climbing system with a loop or an eye-to-eye split-tail. Learn how to tie this friction hitch and also its advantages and limitations.
The tautline hitch is a basic friction hitch that can be used either in an open or closed climbing system. This video highlights the tautline hitch and some of the critical facts climbers should know and understand about using a tautline safely and effectively in a climbing system. You’ll also learn why the tautline is backed up with a figure-8 knot. This Climbing and Rigging CEU quiz will cover the following podcast videos: The Anchor Hitch, the Buntline Hitch, Double and Triple Fisherman's Knot, Blake's Hitch, Distel, and Tautline Hitch. Before taking the quiz to earn CEUs, be sure to watch these videos on our Climbing and Rigging podcast, which can be found on our website or on iTunes. .5 CEU (A,U,M,T,L,Bp)
The distel is a newer variation of an older hitch, but performs more reliably and holds more securely. This knot holds securely while under load but can be easily released allowing for a smooth descent by the climber. In this video you will learn how to incorporate a micro pulley into an open climbing system.
The Blake’s Hitch is a valuable climbing or friction hitch, often preferred over the tautline because it stays dressed and set and does not roll out. The Blake’s hitch is incorporated in this dynamic system using a split-tail. A micropulley is added into the system as a fairlead, allowing one handed hitch advancement. In this video, learn where the friction point of this hitch is located!
The Double and Triple Fisherman’s knot is commonly used as an anchor knot attaching cordage to connecting links. This video describes the process of attaching and disabling the knot on different kinds of connecting links. Learn which type of connecting link interfaces best with this knot!
A buntline hitch can be incorporated as an anchor hitch in most connecting links. It is extremely useful when attaching cordage to connecting links with limited available space, such as rope snaps or captive-eye carabiners. This video explains why it is crucial that the working end of the cordage is positioned correctly.
The anchor hitch snugs tightly against a carabiner and is easy to untie. Although this hitch has been commonly used to attach connecting links in a closed climbing system, it can also be used to terminate cordage in connecting links within an open climbing system.