First time climbing tree ever! any tips what I'm doing right and wrong

[@AnunnakiThomas]

For me it was hardest to trust the gear. Once you trust the gear and realize you are not gonna fall unless something goes wrong,the easier it is to adjust and become comfortable. Stand up vertical as possible,don't gaff out but climb closer to the spar,you will know what's comfortable to you. Keeping your legs straight and locked in makes a huge difference. Keep safe!

[@Johnnyreengo]

Then it becomes hard to trust the tree haha

[@radicalstihl1266]

Hard to trust your gear when your not wearing a hard hat!!! 🎉

[@corybranch7499]

​@@radicalstihl1266 hard hat ain't saving shit from 35-60ft😂

[@radicalstihl1266]

@@corybranch7499 worst justification ive ever heard

[@corybranch7499]

@@radicalstihl1266 okay well go put a helmet on and go try it out at about 15-25 ft tell me if it helps you.

[@CBe-ot8vu]

Always vlimb with 2 bucking belts/ropes. Some trees have branches. You unhook one put it over the branch then put the second over so you Always got 1 bucker connected at all times

[@dubmob151]

Yeah, wondering about the process when trees have branches. Unless you're just cutting them all as you go up -

[@jthopkins2544]

Spike spike flip. I've been climbing trees for only 4 years now, and the most basic fundamental thing that has stood out to me, no matter how high you are, just look in front of you and remember, "spike spike, flip"

[@lizardking2716]

I think of that one E40 song go stupid Now spike,spike flip, flip😂

[@mcauleyman]

Right no matter how crazy the tree, you just gotta take it one step at a time. Focus on the next step not the whole tree at once! You focus on one step at a time and before you know it your at the top like it was nothing.

[@supermike35444]

i love this . i do this. now i will say this . every tree.

[@WillCutAndRun]

Great advice man. I didn’t realize I did this. The heights don’t scare me at all but we are way more focused on the tree that we are climbing than the vanishing earth beneath us 😂

[@coolramone]

Where do you get the spikes and the belt?

[@JZ909]

Use your main climbing rope to create a cinching anchor. There are a couple ways to do this, either with a friction saver, or simply looping your rope around the tree and reattaching it to itself (you will need specialized gear, like a rope wrench, to add friction so you can descend on this). It will make the ascent slower and more laborious, but with just a lanyard, you have the potential to fall all the way to the ground if you gaff out, and eventually, you will gaff out. It also gives you a bail out option if something goes wrong and you need to get to the ground quickly.

[@robmcdougy8922]

I got a few for you but this isn't intended to be rude so please don't take it that way! 1 don't jam your spur in let your weight do the work so it's easier to get back out 2 tighten up your lanyard your body needs to be a bit more parallel to the tree, it'll help catch you sooner and hold you better on a palm 3 helmet is a good idea incase you slip you can hit your face pretty good 4 secondary climb line double wrapped around the stem just incase 5 usually three steps per lanyard raise 6 double check all your equipment connections before ascending(lanyard,climb line, spurr straps, biners) 7 spiking up a palm... not good for palms, it leaves holes that don't really go away. Other than that just get used to being uncomfortable👍

[@adventuredave2446]

my only counter-argument is it's harder to tend a lanyard with a full wrap on the tree and until you're comfortable it's easier to stay leaned back a bit and just flip. and to hell with the tree I've seen so many people in the tree industry that didn't belong there, my insurance it's worth more than any Palm or in my case Pine as I'm from New England

[@robmcdougy8922]

@adventuredave2446 im not saying to full wrap the lanyard but do that with your climb line if you don't have a clinching set up or an adjustable friction saver. I think were both on the same page in doing that with a lanyard sucks. You can keep them all loose and advance anyone of those in your hands with your lanyard to ascend without extra tending.

[@fever360]

If not a spike, what would you use for grip while climbing a palm?

[@robmcdougy8922]

@fever360 there's a few things you can do. They make palm tree climbing stands that are metal platforms that attach to the tree for ascent, they make motorized versions too, there are rope systems you can make and tie to your feet instead of spikes and there is always the option to use a bucket truck/areal lift.

[@erikdelorge6591]

Can't me good good for a palm. It looks like his third run.

[@tomcatt998]

U R doing better than my first time climbing 👍👍

[@alexworks9659]

I’ve trimmed and removed a bunch of palms. Buckingham Tree Squeeze is my “go to” system. Along with wire core lanyard, they flip about the same and with both on while ascending, it helps prevent rotation on a leaner and you can bail anytime without doing anything else(bees, rats fire ants, centipede bites, etc), also you can loosen wire core and descend on a straight vertical palm without removing wire core( it’ll just dangle below you a bit). Smaller steps and don’t need to kick in quite so hard( saves your knees) pretty good for first time!🤙🏽 video of yourself actually helps see what you’re objectively doing vs what you feel like you’re doing.

[@bradnotchad]

For something as smooth as that I would do a full wrap with my lanyard or use my floater (prusik with biner) to make it nice and tight. If you gaff out its probs gonna be a nice ride all the way down. You could also use your cinching life line in conjunction with your lanyard (hold them and advance them together). Everyone here seems to say trust your gear but I think you're trusting it too much. You have to understand that this line of work IS trying to kill you and you have to be smarter than it.

[@davidtheartist1497]

...🤳🏿👀🫡🤐

[@traceykays433]

Good advice

[@justinbuchleiter6836]

Came to comments hoping to find this! Solid advice ❤️❤️❤️

[@coreykey2300]

Just keep doing it. You should have a clinching canopy anchor with a descendable system as well. The main reason is if you get injured you can quickly and safely get down to the ground with out having to spike down

[@alsmith1392]

Looks good for the first time .. hang in there. Keep it up.

[@gaving7293]

Don’t rush yourself take you’re time and be safe there’s always a learning curve

[@richpitty]

Careful on the palm trees brother they can be pretty treacherous from the fiber like stem and a second flip line or line with a zig zag would be smart too I almost always have to a steel core flip line and my zig zag but keep climbing bro we’re all still learning

[@ToddW-po4bt]

Those Queen Palm trunks can be hard as concrete being sun-beaten and weathered like that, so you kinda have to set your gaffs firmly. I usually use a non-core lanyard and do a full wrap around the trunk, and just tend it at the 9 and 3 position close to the trunk. Always have a climb rope with a descender/ascender device with you. Always have a helmet with chin strap engaged.

[@robertsheffey8894]

On narrow or very smooth trees I’ll pass the lanyard around the tree an extra turn so it will cinch quickly if one of my gaffs fail which happens all the time. One lanyard is soft and is for work positioning, the other steel core for use when cutting.

[@guillermomarquez1]

Don’t kick so hard you’re own weight will do the trick you get tired faster doing that don’t climb queen palms using spikes that can create infections on the tree plus it makes the trunk look horrible other than that it’s just repeating and gaining your own confidence on going faster the sky is our limit also get your self a good helmet and a good setup in case you need to get off quick and if you like what you are doing soon you will be flying from tree to tree in no time also invest on your gear you will work more comfortable you will be glad you did your life is worth more than that be safe always happy climbing brother and mashallah.

[@leighclarke1622]

Chuck a helmet on and Double choke your flip line on a smooth spar mate. It may be a faster climb up without it but it’ll also be a faster fall down it too 😬 Good form for a first timer though👌 keep it up and stay safe 👍

[@matthewmcpherson1149]

Been a climber for a few years and you are doing really well for your first climb, only thing I can say is trust your gear, if your spikes are sharp you shouldn't have to kick them into place you should be able to just walk up like a ladder, it will save a lot of energy on the really high climbs but otherwise your doing great! Stay safe and keep going after those tops

[@HankHill44]

My first time looked so bad You're doing great

[@trimbaker1893]

oh, and take time to enjoy it. If you gaff out, you are just going to drop about a foot and get thrown into a tree hug. You are ok. Let your bones help you, don't make your muscles do it alone. Stand in your spurs. : )

[@andrewm3235]

Thankyou I found this helpful. I gaffed out my first time today at 30 feet, I fell like you said about a foot and was thrown into a tree hug. Felt like it could have been much worse I got myself back into position and recompossed myself before going back down for the day.

[@trimbaker1893]

@@andrewm3235 good job. really, good job. tomorrow, you will have thought about why you gaffed out, a hundred times and you will be jabbing spurs like you mean it and watching out for dead bark and all the other stuff that can cause a gaff out. oh, and dont spur your climbing line. allllllll that stuff! good job. and thank you for saying my words helped. : )

[@andrewm3235]

@trimbaker1893 feeling much better after getting back up a few times and creating a second tie in synch out of my climbing line.

[@andrewm3235]

@@trimbaker1893 thankyou again and all the best to you!

[@trimbaker1893]

@@andrewm3235 right on. try to remember that no matter how many trees you climb or cut, it is the first time you have climbed "this one" or cut "this one" stay fresh. good job.

[@moon_dog4]

Nice , maybe kick in a little more to set spike more firmly. When kicks out it can often contact opposite calf.Not a minor ingery. Commenter suggested 2 buck straps is right on.Also buy the kind of straps that have adjustable and have the inner safety cable. A small nick in a rope by a chain saw usually cut it completely. Learn how wood strength and hinging varies by species. Never free climb or trust deadwood , and always tie into the main trunk, not the side branch.

[@winstoncutts896]

For your first go at climbing, your doing great

[@senseiborwick5259]

Hey man looks pretty good. Toughest part is having patience with the rigging and cutting

[@Treeclimbinfoo]

Very good and stable for your first go! Don’t get any more upright, you want the gaffs going in at about a 45 degree. Your instructors should have you in a helmet with chin strap (not a hard hat). You should also be on a climbing line, pre-set in the top. Makes tree work exponentially safer and easier. 20 year vet in tall PNW trees here.

[@ethansmith1997]

I know this comment was 9 months ago but I have a question as a new climber myself… how do you run a pre-set line in the top of a tree when there’s no limbs to throw over and/or there’s a bunch of little scraggly limbs everywhere in the way??

[@amandahugenkiss]

@@ethansmith1997 Drone

[@KingOfTheLosers13]

​@@ethansmith1997you use a line launcher.

[@thamacdaddy82]

Throw bag over the top and you can get a line in if you want.

[@otrevizo6542]

I would say dont fall is the best advice i got 😮

[@zaharahmurad3598]

Don't look down...just go Good Job

[@kylelangridge3751]

You need as secondary tie inn. AKA friction saver AKA lasso cinch AKA life line AKA repelling rope AKA hand line AKA bail out! I think you get the message…. Always have 2 points to tie into, if you ever have to pass a branch your going to be putting yourself in an extremely dangerous situation. Good luck

[@ETERNITYISHERE]

Hey, boss, are both of the lines hooked to the same part of the harness?

[@TheTeviel]

Usually you climb to the top before you start trimming to tie the lifeline

[@thamacdaddy82]

This is a palm not a Eucalyptus. No life line needed, no double lanyard.

[@chasingwaves11]

First inspection of the tree !! Make sure you know what you’re climbing .. second for a first timer use one choker and flip line .. Fall protection is important! Also hand at the base two to three feet of the ground and practice gaff outs ! This way your brain is will get used to when it happens and you don’t freak out lol .. Also it’s easier said than done, but keep those legs straight! You are definitely going to be feeling soreness later lol. 😂 Try not to spend too much time on the picks.. if you can hang and cut do that until you build those leg muscles .. Practice practice is the best approach

[@larrynewman8275]

Hard hats make you look cool, professionally and smart all at the same time.

[@23nightwingkurtis]

First time climbing, you have good form

[@khristianmartinez5296]

Looseing that fear was a big first stem dont look down look forward firm grim and ur good bro make sure u have good gear as well always

[@edgartheincredible]

Get closer to the tree when you’re flipping your line up. You’ll advance way more and save your energy. We got a lot of palms out here in Vegas

[@lwhowell4387]

Sharpen your Hooks so you can just step them in. No need to kick or stab them in. Always lock your knee back when climbing and in work position. You might find yourself upside down otherwise. Having the courage to try is half the way to success. You're doing good. Practice, practice, practice.

[@StihlRunnin]

Ah I think you just made me realize how dull my shit is. Still sinks deep enough sometimes I’ve got to soldier step to get em out. 😂 messes up my rhythm and everything! 😑🤠

[@DiscountTreeClimber]

When I was first started, I took little steps until i got used to it. I used a 1 step 2 step flip method, as you grow in skill and trust the gear more you can do a 1 2 3 4 5 6 of small steps and flip or go for 1 2 3 4 medium steps and flip. It all comes to preference but keep the practice up, you seem to be doing good and I hope you get even better man.

[@josealfredovaldezaragon5047]

You're killing the palm tree she's so much pain right now 😂

[@kintsugimaybe-tg7pt]

Safety Tip: Before trusting all your weight going up on your next step. Make sure you drive the spike in all the way, (JAM IT DOWN IN THERE) , that way you get better at trusting your gear. If the spikes fail , which at times they do. That lanyard is what stops you from falling to your death or either your zigzag secured on the pulley of the tree made. Have fun and welcome to the Arborist life. I'm 18 years in this year and I taught myself, then I went to Smitty's, Piekarsky & Sons, John's affordable tree service, to learn what I didn't know. Then I embarked on my own to save my clients thousands while making content living.

[@marksandor2830]

Helmet. Some put their climbing line around trunk also. Make sure you cut all stubs, they come up fast into your crotch if you fall.

[@hellscraper007]

@toploppers6 if you do the lifeline/climbing line you can run it through a carabiner attached to the back of your saddle so you dont spike your line ;)

[@shawnmetcalf3492]

@@hellscraper007now THIS is top tier advice.

[@joerowell6937]

Always 200% tie in. And tighten your buck strap as your ascending the tree

[@alejandrov610]

You can try the treesqueeze bucking ham

[@slothonarope]

Palms are the best to learn on for sure. Get closer to the tree it hurts less. I recommend using lineman gaffs (easier to balance on) and climb with a lanyard AND a climbing line. Spiraling down royal palms when gaffing out is no fun. Also get the velcro straps for your spikes. (West Coast Climber lower spur straps version 1, dont get the fancy buckle) Your feet will thank you. Franks makes the best pnw boots for 350$ the true "Patriot" s'

[@SkylarCreel-l2c]

Get closer to the tree ❤

[@coolramone]

I need the foot thingies and the belt thingy. 🌲

[@LiberPater777]

If you don't even know what they're called, I'm certain you need knowledge far more than the gear.

[@kumardigvijaymishra5945]

I have seen those foot gears, but can't remember more than 'climbing legs'

[@coolramone]

@@kumardigvijaymishra5945 I have a tall tree near my house that if hit by a tornado or hurricane would cause some damage.

[@AverageHouseHusband]

I'm a bit new but, a tree like that I would be sure to have a cinching lifeline.... Gaffing out would be a fast trip to the bottom.

[@ClimberinChrist]

Tighten your lanyard as you Go up. Slightly too lose for comfort, and it might not stop you if you gaff out

[@willsanchez19]

Great job brother.

[@NoahEargle-ku4ld]

That ending though 😂. Chris… 😅

[@adventuredave2446]

you're doing an awesome job slow and steady pay attention to your foot sets and try and stay focused on the job and not where you are in the tree

[@HOWTOGOTOHEAVEN]

I need to learn this thanks !

[@Treesusb]

Your doing good, just keep going

[@pastelambong]

I would have another line (top rope system with top/bottom anchor) to serve as a backup and also as rapid descending system (rope wrench) just in case. There is a video of a guy falling off a palm tree with this system when he cut off the trunk and the tree shook him and he slided down real fast with the linesman belt

[@aldairsanchez7096]

Helmet, always have your PPE checked and ready and worn

[@josephalmond7170]

are there like spikes on the boots that they're planting into the trunk? that's cool as hell

[@punchion]

I want to see the descent. 😅 Harder to climb down than up.

[@BIGGIEdudeMungus]

Tighten up your flip line or climb line whatever you wanna call it and make sure your feet are really steady and stuck good into the palm or tree before anything else

[@ReverendUncleRuckus]

flip line and climb line are two separate pieces of equipment

[@DanielEaton-o4o]

Trust your equipment & your good

[@evankelly9547]

The closer your upper body is to the trunk more dangerous it is. Lean back hard as possible for safety (the angle it creates will make it hard to gaff out)

[@john-bullenglish6343]

You should use a synching style lanyard. If you gaff out, there’s no notches on that tree to grab you. Other than that, look’n good

[@Johnnyreengo]

No, that’s only for dropping a big top or making a cut.

[@cgfitnessandarboriculture]

If climbing on spikes for any length of time or to any kind of height without a tie in point I usually cinch my climb line around the trunk and advance it up with the lanyard as I go. Yea sure many will ascend with just spikes and lanyard but I feel every climber should do what they are comfortable with and there’s nothing wrong with being extra cautious.

[@john-bullenglish6343]

@Johnny Rengo show me a picture of you climbing a vertical single spar tree with a surface as smooth as the one in this video, and only then you should be giving advice. I know you’ve never done that. There is a way to climb a tree like this with a normal lanyard however it involves positioning your hand in a way as you climb that cinches your grip between both sides of the lanyard and the tree with your thumbs pressed into the tree. If you gaff out, your arms are positioned in a way that allows you to support your body weight and not fall straight to the ground. I’m sure you’ve seen videos of lineman falling straight down off telephone poles. Explaining this to the guy in the video is too complicated. Just use a syncing lanyard

[@rogerbarnett8412]

@@Johnnyreengo Wrong.

[@donavanlafontsee1194]

3 things I can say to help is take smaller steps, trust your gear, toes out so they don't catch and try not to have bent knees

[@HTCvideos]

Tighten the lanyard a little so your more upright. It’ll take a bit of the weight off your feet and waist. It will seem sketch at first if ur unsure of footing but it’ll make you last longer in the tree. Best of luck👍🏼

[@dubmob151]

Opposing opinions on the angle, some say more slack in the flip line for more bite with the spurs, others say less for less effort in holding position with the legs. Is it a progression with experience?

[@wolverinebear5357]

Tie in with main climb line an keep choking it above you until you reach you destination, that if something happens you can repel down safely an not gaff your way down

[@BobBob-js1pz]

Maybe take smaller step. I like to take slightly smaller steps while spiking up a tree . Short but steady 💪

[@Golden_Dragons_bb8]

On the far side, how is the adjustment adjustable part of your flip line tied into the d-ring?

[@kboutdoors4599]

Set spikes a bit more firmly and take your time no need to rush, it’s your life, be safe

[@ericharris893]

Put a Prusik on your lanyard my friend. Might send it a little to hard on that type of tree without it

[@jean-lucgauthier416]

We bring a second rope along and do sliding bowline knot all the way with it to have a second (safer) system, actually learning this at tree pruner school

[@SmfPawgy]

Can you explain in more detail! I’ve been lookin for a safer way to climb palms

[@M.barajas93]

You need a friction save buddy🤙 it’s saved my life plenty of times

[@carcasscruncher9354]

What's that?

[@Intoarblife]

@@carcasscruncher9354not sure what he means exactly but if you loop the rope again it will bite on itself. A lot of us have experienced gaffing out and sliding down to the bottom it’s not fun

[@carcasscruncher9354]

@@Intoarblife I would imagine it to not be fun. Also, maybe a separate rope to slide up above as you move up that's hooked to the harness, maybe that's a friction thing?

[@Intoarblife]

@@carcasscruncher9354 I was so tired when I posted a reply I made no sense. A friction saver stops your rope from running against the tree bark. Instead you throw something over the branch with smooth rings that your rope pass through while working. Google it you’ll see what I mean..

[@shawnmetcalf3492]

@@carcasscruncher9354a friction saver is two metal rings attached by a to a sling/rope and you can put it around the base of the tree. You then put ur rope thru the two rings and and it’s like having a crotch with no friction.

[@conanteng9492]

What gear did u purchase? What brand pls. Thanks. I need to do that as well.

[@kokyk8018]

I get pain from the spikes i cut a few trees last week an it still hurts from standing on a branch with the spikes i wonder if they sale something to make them more comfortable

[@FreeTheWrld]

You're a hero big bro, I'm just climbing tree's for fun with no gear but it really probably the most terrifying thing I've ever done

[@Dred13657]

A helmet would be a good first step

[@Lifted_TrailBoss_910]

Small steps at first till you get use to it if not your gonna be tired before you get to the first branch

[@Rashawn-lt7zd]

Here in barbados we just used the spikes no rope

[@williamandrokovich4717]

Those spur pads could be raised a bit.

[@CarlPanzram-p7g]

I'm surprised no one suggested at the time he was climbing that you need 2 safety lines to avoid falling and breaking bones. and the strop should be fed around the tree with the strop looped to act as an anchor should you slip. he's asking for a fall.

[@jondewling1704]

To help save your knees. Switch your lead foot. Don’t always go left first. Or always right first.

[@cameronjones5722]

Being scared. My dad used to tell me it’s like using a sharp knife knowing it’s a sharp knife. If you’re scared an thinking of the worse it’s likely to happen best foot forward you got this brother

[@yessirrr5182]

And then you got pacific islanders running up trees fast lol

[@relaxwithnature841]

I’d maybe use a choker. I would fall on that setup

[@davidh.holmes1379]

my advice is,,,, GET A DIFFERENT JOB! lol yall are a special breed! much respect!

[@dcesani3224]

Tree like that use a bucksqueeze, sure it’s not free climbing but you won’t die. For one, your not locking your knee. That spike is a chisel, get the right angle. Two, you’re making your second move before your first is complete. Their your looking down.

[@nathanaelmedina2775]

Hard hats are essential to living long in this profession. Other than that your looking fine

[@Bigredkarl]

Use a second flip line as backup

[@HaRdScRaBbLe707]

Take your filpline and wrap it twice that way if you spur out you won't slip all the down the tree

[@benito22100]

To me the most important it is the life line which he doesn't have if he slide ,it is a free fall around the tree

[@AmbiTV]

Try it hugging the tree and leaning back further. Let me know which one feels more stable.

[@em625111]

Frictions saver will be better

[@kravengarcia6540]

Always be tied in twice

[@crisleonardzapatamaldonado258]

Amigos un saludo de.chile

[@grahambarden1845]

Dude ive never done this but aspire to and ur not getting into those explosive stand to reach for more tree and make ur way up stair r faster two at a time. Idk dont know what it is here but it’s learning and small step to leaps in no time

[@ericholland-cr1nt]

Just keep moving the and the more scared u get the more tired u get so try to stay calm

[@special442]

I think you should learn about SRT and DRT. I would have shot a beanbag over-the-top that canopy and got it the land the center of the three new

[@special442]

The three new fan leaves

[@EVUK-bd2vn]

My Kingdom for a low-cost 10-20 metre platform boom-lift aka man-lift - or a tree-cutting company that uses them instead of long, heavy dangerous ladders and long heavy pole saws etc. But we'll no doubt have to wait for China to start exporting them globally and selling them for $10-20k instead of the $35k-$65k they currently cost... Paul G

[@FabianHernandez-uj5im]

hi friend don't keep the cable too high or too low from the waist level no big steps hit the trunk harder make sure the spikes get deep enough you need to know how to rappel and learn the Blake's hitch etc

[@SkylarCreel]

Don't use no untrusted equipment if it ain't yours don't use it !!!!! Big facts

[@mikehoncho7539]

Buy a friction saver or a tree squeeze and stay tied in the whole time you climb.

[@the2Atreeclimber]

A small tree like that with super smooth bark is the best and easiest way to start someone out on spikes for sure

[@rogerbarnett8412]

Except that is not a tree and has no bark.

[@the2Atreeclimber]

@@rogerbarnett8412 I need some of what you're smoking LOL definitely some kind of palm tree with very smooth bark lol

[@rogerbarnett8412]

@@the2Atreeclimber Ummm, Palms are grasses. Technically, they are not trees, and do not have bark.

[@the2Atreeclimber]

@@rogerbarnett8412 tEcHnIcAlLy

[@VPangpCha]

Make sure your knees are always bent with one knee above the other as you climb up and down. If you’re constantly keeping your feet leveled with each other and straight instead of bent , you’re gonna put a lot of stress on your calf muscles.

[@93rwolf]

I've heard the opposite and experienced the opposite as well. Keeping your legs bent uses a lot more energy than locking them out when working in the tree.

[@VPangpCha]

@@93rwolf let me make It more clear. Have your knees bent with and your back out if you’re just standing still on a tree is what you should do. And trust me if you lock your legs out, you’re gonna be using Way more leg energy and you’re gonna get tired fast that way trust me I’ve done it. I do it for a living.

[@davidropon679]

One step at a time one limb one cut 😃

[@Qjones54]

Not having a main line attached is a big Wrong for me. That lanyard is 2nd peice of protection not main life support.

[@cubanito813martines8]

Omg where is the friction saver😂

[@eggsack806]

Is that a queen palm? Most palms could handle spikes, but queen palms don’t like them too much.

[@xavicasanovas3106]

It depends: if you are aiming to dismantle the tree, then it's OK to use the spikes. Otherwise, the wounds you make with the spikes will damage the tree for good. There are alternatives to get up a tree or a palm tree without using spikes, which is easier and faster too. Only using the lanyard is not the most ideal. If you have to descend fast in an emergency situation at any time your lifeline should be working and installed as well.