How to optimize tree limb removal: The best method.

Speed-line Kits available at MonkeyBeaver.com

[@Leave_Nothing_Stock]

"1 year of experience, 35 times in a row" might be one of the better quotes ive heard from a tree video. More people should hear that

[@SteelheadTed]

Yup, there is a lot of wisdom in that one quote.

[@michaelpowers7429]

Glad someone else said it, my first thought. That’s a damn good quote

[@opendstudio7141]

Always entertaining and informative. It is no small thing to be able to function comfortably. Running a crew, plan camera shots, keep up with audio, battery life, narrate simultaneously and keep a train of thought. But with all that experience, you make it look effortless. 👍

[@DELARVS]

totally.

[@sarnajyotichakma1985]

😅

[@user-qp5lr6kl5k]

August, you are a professor at the university of tree fellers and each of your videos is a lesson. You are already doing a great job teaching us all many tricks. THANKS I'M WATCHING YOU FROM ITALY

[@mvblitzyo]

really appreciate the split screen , gives ( the viewer a great view of what your doing in the tree , on the ground and in real time ..

[@purryegbert8609]

A mix of new school and old school is valuable to me. I love to always learn. Working for people stuck in their ways can be defeating! Love the Vid!

[@CreeksideMaplesHomestead]

New to your channel about two months ago. I’ve been in tree removal for many years but new to the climbing part of it. I thank you for all your lessons. You teach without knowing you are. Awesome stuff. With regards to speed lining, it works so well to deposit limbs right to the chipper. Saves so much time when we don’t have to drag brush. Set up properly, there is very little need to pull brush. Learned that from the best, namely, you sir. I’ve binge watched most of your videos and feel like I’ve gone to college and took a crash course on all things arborist. Thanks again. Appreciate it. Thanks as well for the spiritual side of things. Being an ordained minister for many years, I really appreciate your faith. Take care. God Bless.

[@havespurswillclimb]

Hi August. Enjoyed the video. Speed lining is a great technique and fun too. To avoid problems with the lanyard rope grab at awkward angles, sometimes causing the lanyard tail to turn over, I use a Kong Italy - Ovalone DNA Twist Lock ANSI Carabiner for my lanyard connection to saddle. It permits 90° rotation of any connected device (descenders, rope clamps, fall arresters, etc.), optimizing the operating alignment. Provides ergonomic handling of your rope grab.

[@Niko-po9oi]

First year owning my own tree service so we work with limited equipment. I bought your speed line kit and it helped us do a job I couldn’t have completed because of said limited equipment. Awesome idea and I’m definitely glad I pulled the trigger on the kit. Thank you sir for all the knowledge and just plain cool videos

[@swagtech_]

It is no small thing to be able to function comfortably. Running a crew, plan camera shots, keep up with audio, battery life, narrate simultaneously and keep a train of thought. But with all that experience, you make it look effortless

[@ongridself-reliantfamily1751]

I would totally do $5 a month for lessons on shooting and editing video from you. It seems to be fairly different from the normal vlog style or highly produced videos that other channels talk about how to make. Thanks for another informative video.

[@PickettMusic]

Man I had to climb a bit in college...on trees that were a lot easier to work on than what you're doing here. Great video, as always!

[@AugustHunicke]

Mike 👊🏼😎

[@warped2875]

@August Hunicke For that Petzl rope grab, use a Petzl carabiner with one of their CAPTIV corner traps to keep it from cross-loading or misaligning, as it were. ...or use a corner trap made for the 'biner that you are currently using.

[@hulkthedane7542]

How often do you check the state of your ropes?? You do not talk much about it in the videos...... and what are your parametres for shifting them out??

[@user-us7en2bh6f]

I’m one of your “little old ladies 80 yrs” watching in the uk. Fascinating and fastidious work by you and your “boys”. I’m absolutely hooked on your first rate recording and story telling, better than any tv program and educational too. Please don’t stop. Bless you Gill. ol

[@AugustHunicke]

Thanks. You are the ones I love!

[@arborymastersllc.9368]

Will subscribe to class. 5$ is too cheap. 25$ for basic, 100$ for response to limited number of personal questions. Hourly for personal consultation, via zoom etc. 500$/hr.

[@tompinnef6331]

Perfect timing. Just popped up - #7. Thank you for the video. Hope the crew / family and you are doing well.

[@1eingram]

I think it's cute when you say "KZbin, if you're watching "

[@chichitex1252]

Great video! The world is so beautiful up in that tree!❤❤❤

[@joshhearne2796]

Only trouble I've found with speed lining is you need a tall tree to do it. But it definitely has it's advantages. I've speed lined over a river and a hedge straight to the back of the chipper which saves tons of time for the ground crew. Also using the speed line kit to increase production when negative rigging also is a great idea. Oh and August love watching your videos, I love tree work I still climb aged 40, and would you believe i can't wait to watch more tree videos when I get home. So the money ain't great but I don't do it for the wedge I do it because I love it! I'd love to see some reduction videos, if you do them over there the other side of the pond??

[@LongsQuest]

I'm 60 but, In my younger days I did some rock climbing. Found your channel and now I have a few less trees in my yard, of course from the top down😁. Thanks for all the video's.

[@kyledisch4034]

love the video august, hope you had a great thanksgiving with your family!

[@robinelston5966]

Great vid of course! As a new climber I guarantee I'm going to keep the stubs cut short, I don't want to gaff out and be stopped by a snag in the loins. I think I might rather take a little ride over that, I have no desire to be so personally connected to Psalms 38:7-8 Blessings Sir, stay safe.

[@christilton350]

If you use the petzl carabiner you can attach the little clip that screws onto it and it keeps the grab from moving. I had same problem

[@joeyfrost7184]

Did the same thing to my bridge. Kept rotating around and looking spooky from time to time. Great advice 👌

[@warped2875]

It's called the Petzl CAPTIV, but they only fit certain Petzl carabiners. I use quite a few of them.

[@davidc2012]

Glad to see the drone was back up & running fairly easily!

[@NHlocal]

Friendly neighborhood drone repair man..... 😁 I appreciate you sharing all these little nuggets August. Keep yourself safe! 😃👍❤🌲 Randy

[@wdguild1]

Hi August, love the commentary and really appreciate "most" of what you say. Have been watching your channel for the last 3 years and enjoy it all. Best wishes from NZ.

[@TheRooster1122]

Great job August,,, Your efforts are very much appreciated my friend.. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@rickstafford5316]

I love the speedline kit. Works flawlessly Nice work as always.

[@ForestApps]

Awesome video! Thanks for finally showing safety and production can mix in saw work. Good Sawing!

[@bbila8361]

I especially enjoyed the audio of the ride down attached to the top. We hit the ground with a thud and heard wind chimes like we had gotten clocked in the head. 😂

[@OhMac86]

Hello. Thank you for the wealth of knowledge you provide in your episodes.

[@CreeksideMaplesHomestead]

The video course aspect is a great idea. We have been videoing now for over 3 years. Have learned a lot. Learn something new everyday. Filming your work is great entertainment. Our son in law is a professional photographer and graphic designer with web and video creating. He’s taught us a lot and has really helped our channel and videos. Take care

[@erichailperin-lausch262]

I am one of your electrician viewers. Thanks for giving us a shout out. I would watch electrical KZbin if I could find anything half as good as yours! Any viewers have recommendations for really good electrical work videos?

[@rossco3775tv]

Lovely work as always. Have a MB speed line kit and 2.0 harness in sunny Australia love them both. . Crazy how 2 stoke saw in slow mo sounds just like a 4 stroke very cool👍👍

[@mvblitzyo]

the last top with your camera , the wind chimes were a beautiful sound !

[@BPeterson730]

Nice work and editing for your audience. Yeah to bad all the background noise but real world live stuff right there. 👊

[@reevedusnik2162]

Dude!!!! You're AMAZING, I would love to learn how to put a KZbin channel together. I have a GoPro and I'm willing to pay to learn. Please and thanks. Regardless of KZbin instructions, I have to say that you have already taught me a huge amount of confidence for many awkward situations that manifest in tree work. I can't thank you enough for your clear and concise detailed information. You're the MAN!

[@user-vc5og4dz2c]

Man you really are the coolest, calmest most humble dude. After what I do then to watch you. It’s a shame it isn’t like that everywhere. In fact I don’t know of anywhere it is. You really have it figured my friend. Thanks for the calmly showing how it could be done ✅

[@budlvr]

I'm sure Damien will not get a little sleep tonight! Great video August!

[@lifeoftreedom]

I'd 100% be up for a subscription class. At $5 a month I'd bite your hand off for a KZbin content class. I'm in the UK, approaching fifty and I've been re-training as a tree guy for a 18 months after 20 years at a desk job. I'm now working two days a week as a groundie and occasionally I get to climb and cut. I'd intended on recording much more than I do when I get my own treework so I'd love to learn from your approach. So far I've got nine videos on my channel and seven are tree related. Though a few of those are me when I was *just* starting out. I'm further along now, still have much to learn, but I find myself too caught up in the work to record, or I miss the shot, or I have my back to the camera, or I use helmet cam when I should not, or I have it angled incorrectly...etc etc... The editing is another hill. It's all great fun, but I'd be right up for a subscription class. I appreciate all your content.

[@bobwiese6128]

Thank you so much, Brother August! 😊

[@matthewforestieri6895]

Thanks for answering my question!

[@br-dj2ti]

Great job August as always. I don't like using carabiners for my lanyard. I like a quickey or even something smaller. I guess you could say carabiner a dmm O. I think it's called they work great but I know you know what you're doing. God bless you, my friend.

[@kingslew1866]

Thanks August! I enjoyed that... 👍👍👍

[@MikeBrooks12550]

Hey August! Great video!-looks like you got a lot of positive feedback on the video course! My current hurdle is learning how to monologue-just not used to talking to a camera that's for sure.

[@anglertales]

I'd pay a subscription to learn how to film and edit. I love all the different aspects you include in your editing and want to learn.

[@johnnycornernorthshorelegacy]

It would be great if you did a seminar on making videos. Wanted to do it but not sure where to get started.

[@dirtrocket9]

You make great videos bro... !

[@efo1358]

One Spur at a time! 👌. Save Grants Pass from Tweaked Out folks! I’m respectful of your work as a fellowship of arborists. Just be respectful of the Community and be honest! I’m inviting to be with my sons gathering for Christmas and Willingly coming up from the BayArea! 👍🙏❤️👊🤙

[@jordiarnau3759]

Gran trabajo!! Tanto en la tala del arbol, que ha sido espectacular como en la gravación de las imagenes. Un saludo desde Girona.

[@iang.pinetownkzn8489]

absoltly enjoyed this video

[@jibiroo]

I would gladly pay for some lessons on shooting and editing you are an exelaint teacher. I’ve picked up a lot from watching you through the years. Hope you do start a channel for that I would be all in at whatever price!!!

[@DCTreeServiceLLC]

Bro gotten so many tips from you starting out climbing would love to work for you got cdl also

[@prothompson]

I would gladly sign up. Count me in!

[@GRTRanchadventures]

Not a tree guy but but my education is in engineering so I also like efficiency, just wondering if it would be faster to clip your slings on when you went to the top to set the line. Then clip them to the speed line as you climb back up and cut. Seems like it may save some time even if you didn't sling them all. I dunno just a thought I don't know anything about climbing trees but I like learning about things I don't understand thanks for all the free entertainment and education!

[@billweihl2859]

Way to go Damien, one little crash and that job was done for free. Laughing..... All in good fun fellas. Another good job well done.

[@jordysandino6577]

Great video sir . Question I like the saw what the brand and model sounds like electric

[@mississippijohn1432]

Always great, and im definitely down for the subscription homie. Stay safe my friend.

[@Stihlcutting]

Count me in with the editing! I'd definitely pay

[@SteelheadTed]

30 years of experience or 1 year of experience 30 times is really a profound observation.

[@williamfleenor7687]

The people that say speed lining is stupid just don't understand it 😂They would probably love it if they tried it

[@danielnavarromolina3964]

Good video

[@stuffdustindoes]

Hell yeah to the class! I’d be more than willing to pay a monthly subscription for an education from you bud 🤙

[@mvblitzyo]

@ 14 min ya say guys have 30 years experience , but one time at 30 years haha , I met a so say climber, says he's got 10 years of experience at 10 times of one year . he bad mouthed me bad I just showed him how a real professional attitude smiled , later that day he was trying to set a line a fellow co-worker says hey Joe I never seen you toss a line ? I say im ok 45' tight spot I nailed it ! [ mic drop ] .. God bless you younger folks ..

[@MrWabanga]

When you use straight line rigging without the bundle system you are taking 4-5 times as long to remove limbs from the pole in my opinion. August has really changed the efficiency of tree work with this product

[@dalerichmond7551]

I would be interested in that class even though I am retired I like to hunt and video on my hunch and editing would be nice to know

[@RobertRichard-bo5tu]

Hey August sorry for the longer comment, but I’m curious what is the reason for the little cuts that you add to your notches? 49:46 is it similar to doing a full open face, like just to add a slight bit more rotation? Also when you drop that piece of wood with the full on open face. Was that smaller or larger than 1/5 I assume an open face would add more rotation. I am familiar with the 1/5 trick. I would like to learn what kind of notches I would need to use to get more or less rotation?

[@mshandvrktrmetal1240]

👍👊💪 From Denmark. Thanks!!

[@user-ug2hg7bl6o]

Speedlinding definitely is not stupid not only because it will ultimately speed things up once the speed line is set and established but in most cases can cut the amount of workers needed to do a job when the need for hauling brush to a chipper or a truck/trailer is eliminated and the speed line moves the brush to to chipper or truck. Ultimately a guy can do most of the work himself with a long enough speed line and a block to reverse it back to the solo in tree or on my F550 will tie it to the contractors bed ladder rack and let it intentionally swell a bit so it collapses right before the truck or on the trailer or with bigger limbs and a groundie or two at most can do the same amount of work that I have seen other companies do the same exact type of removal with upwards of six guys plus so yes while it may take a few extra minutes to set up, the end result will save you money on the guys you would be paying out at days end. I went to contract climber for a company one day which I brought everything I would possibly need and being my truck was in the shop I rode with the crew from the yard and I was told at days start that they run on minimalist setups and told me to pack light. The reason why I didn’t work longer than a day was because they rather have nothing they would need and then would ask me if I had something and I had three of them at very least but had left them in the yard in the trailer and they didn’t even have rigging rope on their trucks or anything so I was obviously frustrated by days end to work your ass off is part of the profession that’s not even a question but to do more than one needs to do intentionally seems ridiculous to me where as some older hands don’t want to take the time or think it’s stupid to be spending the extra 10 minutes on setup of a speed line but then they pay out an extra 4 guys who could be on another project or second tree and ultimately the outcome becomes unquestionable as to how much money is saved by having a speed line set up. I am not in my 20’s or my 30’s if so I would have been using brawny stupidity or brains yet now at 44 years old I find it much more rewarding in saving my body from the work a rope can do instead of my ego and grunting brush out to the chipper . It seems to me that part of the job of a good climber would be to get the most efficient method out of the ropes and equipment over using muscles even more so when trying to avoid structures or fences. If you have a leaner it makes it simplified as long as you don’t compromise the safety of the climber in a leaner meaning that the tree is structurally sound enough to have a climber in tree and speed line established then that is a good for pretty much everything I do regardless if it’s faster to drop brush straight down one must think that isn’t the end result and brush be then hauled off to the trailer or chipper from below the tree. Thank you sir as usual and hope you had a great holiday with your family!

[@harmaforest]

Thanks again for the great tips. Did that Husgvarna T540iXP battery last the whole time of the fall and did it have a bli200x battery attached? Greetings, Anssi, from Finland

[@AugustHunicke]

Yep, whole time. 2bli

[@joshedwards8328]

Enjoyed the video. I would be interested in learning how to create a channel, edit, and so forth!! I’ve been thinking about doing a channel or at least starting to video some of my jobs. I own/operate a small tree service in central KY. Mostly bucket truck work but I climb when I have too. I’ll keep an eye out if you decide to go through with it. Thanks for the videos!! God Bless!!

[@irvinlanda1748]

Hello August I was just wondering where did you learn your rigging techniques for tree removals and safety line pretty and rigging techniques and also climbing I would love to pick your brain to learn as much as possible

[@joegreenwood1443]

Very good.

[@CounTreeGuy]

How do you get the guys to get muscle memory tightening the rope and taking the limbs off? I keep trying speed lining but my guys who are usually great are SO SLOW when we speed line!! So instead of them being busy all day just dragging the stuff from the tree to the chipper and me cutting ass soon as they’re out from under the tree, I’m standing there waiting for them for half the day.

[@aapoisotalus]

Im interested in the course! Is it possible to visit MB shop or is it only web store? Would like to buy some souvenirs

[@bjertnestrefelling8839]

Hi August. Thanks for many instructional and inspirational films. (I started treeclimbing 10 years ago at age 50...) I have a question I usually don´t climb to the top first when speedlining. Instead (when possible) I climb to the first limbs, and attach the speedlinerope as far up as my arms will reach, usually attach multiple slings, and let them "sail" down. When all limbs at this height are gone, I climb up and repeat. Obviously, in this fashion one has to attach speedlinerope multiple times, and this takes time, but time spent climbing to the top first is saved. So maybe there is´nt nescessarily an advantage timewise either way. I do feel however as I spend less energy not having to climb past all the branches first. OK here comes the question: What is your take on having the rope attached far above the branch being cut as opposed to more or less at the same height? Any other insights on pros and cons on both strategies will be most welcome. AND Thanks for designing the suspenders. I love them. And as I climb most trees with (ported of course) 50cc saw, the suspenders really improves my work situation. Keep up the good work :)

[@AugustHunicke]

Faster to go to the top first. So much less work in the long run. The details as to the attachment point of the speed line with regard to your second question are too many for a comment section.

[@Jimmy-co3rk]

Love my mb 1.0

[@biffking8198]

Hi August What happens when you need a Pee do you go to ground or stay up the trèe

[@DCTreeServiceLLC]

I’ve worked offshore drove trucks nothing compares to the excitement of climbing

[@robsimons1163]

We had a triple locking biner come off a speed line the other day. Somehow loaded and rolled the outside of the gate and rotated the biner off.

[@AugustHunicke]

Cray Zay

[@TheRooster1122]

AUGUST…… What type of Saw ya using seems to really cut decent? Thanks again for the advice and videos my friend… Merry Christmas to you and the Family .🎄🎄🎄🎄🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼

[@AugustHunicke]

Husky 540i

[@morg52]

Long drive? What happened to the pilot training?

[@takumi2023]

nah don't let people tell you how to do your job. if what you're doing works and isn't worst then what other people suggest, there's no reason to adopt it. at best, listen, ponder the possibility, and, if safe, test, otherwise keep it as an idea in the back of your mind and move on. got vertigo watching the ride down from the top lol thanks for that. (i call it that because i don't know what the official term more like the fear of heights it's more a tightening of the cremaster muscle)

[@dunkinj15]

What’s the bottom of the speed line setup look like?

[@mvblitzyo]

hi there, August ( Joe from California ) just wanted to say we got another fan of MonkeyBeaver harness ! I met a guy on a job to find out were both fans of you Reggie and traver , I let him try on mine with the suspenders , he was impressed to say the least , I mentioned that I met you at Arbor fest west in Sacramento California LOL .did you ever get a chance to think about that leaf question ? from church that day ..

[@AugustHunicke]

Sadly, that Leaf subject is just a faded memory

[@stihlsteadman]

I love the quick flip of the saw at 05:02 side note I can't tell Ya how many time's my MB kit has paid fo itself but I can tell Ya it's adamnlot 😂🍀🤙🌲

[@tonygiorno689]

I remember way back to my first year climbing I gaffed out and a piece of a larch stabbed the hell out of my leg. Ever since I strip the pole like young lady working her way through college

[@58dorsett]

I notice you work without gloves. What with bark, and pitch, etc. I'd think it would be easier on your hands. Personal preference, or good reason?

[@AugustHunicke]

I use them when I have them.

[@user-dn1gr7wt2q]

I'm interested in your filming an editing class ..

[@PrevishHomeandTreeServices]

I have to chuckle that some folks would not see the obvious gains in speed lining. To me it’s like saying you’d prefer to carry your groceries up 4 flights of stairs instead of one! But seriously, unless the chipper can be backed up to the drip line of the tree unobstructed, or perhaps you’ve got groundies to burn (or chimpanzees working for peanuts) why wouldn’t you? Truth is many people are afraid to try new things and/or don’t have the patience to hone something a little till they see the gains:/ August I’d sign up for that class…count me in if you do it.

[@TheModernArborist]

Interested!!!

[@curtiscastor3019]

So question sir, when you speed line its always excurrent trees (at least videos I’ve seen) can you do this with decurrent trees? I live in the Midwest where conifers or even tall straight trees are rare and everything grows out instead of up Thank

[@AugustHunicke]

It’s less helpful there because height is important due to SAG.

[@JohannaHolland]

People really like to challenge you by putting their lawn furniture right under your cutting site. 😂

[@mlasson]

Very cool speedlining. I’m just wondering if it mightn’t (is that a real word?) be easier or faster to shoot a line and rope walk to the top? You’d need a longer rope though I guess since you would want to base tie. And also I’m amazed how you don’t use gloves, you must have some sort of gorilla skin hands. 😅

[@bradcastaneda]

Just curious-you climb up then rappel down to set the slings, then climb back up to cut and send. Why not just set a sling as you climb up, cut it, then move on to the next and repeat? Seems like twice as much climbing.

[@AugustHunicke]

Because if you do it that way you have to reset the speed line 100 times. Faster to set it high and then blaze thru the job.

[@bradcastaneda]

@@AugustHunickeI think I did a bad job explaining, or maybe I’m just an idiot. Climb to top, set speed line, rappel down. Then start climbing up and when you encounter a branch hook up the sling, cut it, send it, then move up to the next and repeat the sling process. Basically just slinging and cutting each branch individually as you climb the tree, speed line is tied at the top of the tree the whole time.

[@AugustHunicke]

@bradcastaneda that’s often the exact recipe I follow.

[@5153flash]

You make that look easy. Once I got over 20 ft you wouldnt be able to get fingers to release from the tree!!! Ok,,maybe 30 ft. lol

[@neenee8194]

I'd totally be that guy to either say start cutting thing up or just to start cutting stuff up 🤣 Patience comes with age I guess

[@scrapmanindustries]

Only problem with the speed line is if you don’t have a second guy there’s a lot of up and down the tree

[@RKHarm24]

On Belay!

[@timbroome212]

What ever happened to Mr. Zappo? I haven't seen him lately.