Rigging Down a GIANT White Oak Tree

[@spelunkerd]

What I like most about this channel is the thoughtful and honest self analysis, with real time troubleshooting and emphasis on things that didn't go quite right.

[@zaccheus]

Thanks man! That really encouraging feedback. I primary goal is to produce content that can help other folks learn as I learn 🤷‍♂️

[@trimbaker1893]

Hi Zaccheus, George here. I was asked to remove a big dead oak three days ago. I set up SRT and gaffed my way up to study the tree. It is next to a studio with a slate roof. this tree is about the size of the one you are cutting in this video. give or take twenty feet... I made my way up the tree, figuring my plan for the next day when I would have a ground man for help. I set my rigging line from a crotch that would work for getting the limbs down. big limbs. This tree is taller than the ones around it so I could not rig from any of them. While I was moving around the tree I saw a glimmer of light. There is a split running up the tree for six feet that I can see. I can see right through it. the split opens when the wind blows. I carefully came back down and went home. I got up the next morning around 0400 and thought about that split while I had coffee. After breakfast, I drove over to the job and told the customer that i would not be removing his tree and that he should call a big tree service company and get a crane . I think the tree would have failed on the first big limb I rigged. I thought about putting a strap around the split, but I would be gambling with my customers studio. I feel like I avoided a bad Humpty Dumpty event. sometimes I say no. Another good video Brother, thank you.

[@zaccheus]

Wow, that sounds like you definitely made the right call! Thanks for sharing! Your story definitely illustrates the value of inspecting the tree on your way up. I think you definitely made the right decision.

[@trimbaker1893]

@@zaccheus thanks, I figured you might think so too.

[@Sethhaun78]

Very smart idea 💡..understand completely. Sometimes equipment is needed ..but then it's not mostly and takes all the work..folks see it and get all goo goo gah gah..God bless

[@claythelin4346]

Pretty crazy that you’re already producing video as quality, informative and entertaining to watch as August and Jakes videos even though they have years on you! Obviously August is that grand daddy of knowledge but you’re doing an incredible job and I’m sure he’s proud. Just saw a video of his and he was wearing your shirt!!

[@zaccheus]

Haha, thanks Clay! August really is the grand daddy of internet tree work. I sent him a couple early on and it made me feel quite good to see him wear them in his videos.

[@MrEvanb93]

What video is he wearin your shirts that’s cool as hell

[@zaccheus]

@@MrEvanb93 There are a couple, but here is one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpukZ6VjhKd0fKc

[@samuelluria4744]

Clay....are you MY CLAY??? JERSEY???

[@claythelin4346]

@@samuelluria4744 I don’t think so man, Last name is Thelin my guy!

[@Notchemandwatchem]

Nice job! I like how you don’t over work yourself, I’m the same way. Love your rigging set up it’s spot on 👍 That is definitely a man size tree 💪 great content

[@zaccheus]

Thanks man!

[@Tom-tq5oq]

I just found your channel recently and this is great stuff. In an industry of egos it takes a bigger person to leave in simple seemingly insignificant mistakes that could potentially be criticized by the ignorant. Don't get me wrong you're doing a hell of a job and are very safe in your rigging and chainsaw skills, unlike a lot of other channels. Keep making videos cause this is all really good practical info 🤘

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Tom! I really appreciate hearing hat you noticed my chainsaw safety. I'm not perfect at it, but it's my goal to set a good example for those entering the industry.

[@billroberts3864]

Zach, you understand the art of teaching. You tell us what you are planning to do and the limb does not cooperate. However you leave the sketchy parts in your video so we all can learn about what made a limb not follow your desires. Keep being a fantastic teacher. Blessings to you. (Watch out for nubs snagging the rope.)

[@zaccheus]

@billroberts3864 thanks Bill! I definitely do some embarrassing stuff sometimes, but it's worth it to me to share if someone else can learn from it.

[@ianbarnett6027]

Great video. Always look forward to watching them. Thanks.

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Ian!

[@JLMTreeService]

Big one there!! Love the colors on that new rigging rope!! Like your videos man keep em coming!!

[@zaccheus]

Thanks!

[@br-dj2ti]

Great video buddy has always very nice work nice set-up nice everything and I also like how you took the extra time to put that pull rope in a lot of guys won't do that they think all it's going to go and if it ever doesn't something bad could happen I always take that extra minute 2 minutes to set up pull-rope if I have to like you said it's quick it's easy extra security why not God bless stay safe

[@zaccheus]

Hey Bill! It seems liie thY are a lot of things like that in tree work. Just a few extra .inutes can save a bunch if time later or maybe even an injury 🤷‍♂️

[@1975dbryant]

I like that xsre biner in your 3 way rook swivel pulley, for tending to your tail. Works in harmony for that rope runner. Think i'll give that a try😊

[@zaccheus]

I saw a fella on Instagram do it and this was my first time trying it. It wasn't perfect, but worked pretty good!

[@geoffburnham3967]

Love watching your work. Keep your videos coming.

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Geoff!

[@andrewsidons7820]

Nice work mate. You do some very thoughtful explanations which I appreciate because thats how my brain works also. Good on you for bein a great example and showing your failures and discussing other options. This industry doesnt seem to promote too much humility. Where abouts in ohio do you work? Im headed over your way from australia to visit family near ft wayne indiana. Would be fun to come work for you for the day. Been doin trees here for 12 yrs

[@zaccheus]

Thanks man! That's super cool, I'm in Canton, Ohio

[@EJGentleman]

Great work. It is good to see how to deal with things in various situations. Looking forward to the final work on this tree.

[@zaccheus]

Thanks! I hope to have it posted at the end of the week!

[@MrEvanb93]

Awesome that’s a tall one with a one hell of a canopy as well. How many hours were you in that tree?

[@zaccheus]

Oh I can't remember for sure, but I think maybe we had 6 or 7 the first day and 3 or 4 the second day. We were able to fall a pretty big stick so we didn't have to spend much time rigging wood down.

[@joshuaarneson5694]

37:57 love that!!! You push yourself or employees too hard it's not fun anymore. Then you don't enjoy what you do. It's a job of passion and love of doing it.

[@zaccheus]

Absolutely, and it all comes down to the estimating. I used to estimate low all the time and we were constantly rushed to get things done in the time that I thought it would take. Better estimating makes everything better.

[@nightfighter7452]

​@@zaccheustell that to my manager lol

[@zaccheus]

@@nightfighter7452 lol, if he wants it to go faster, ha can come drag brush 😂

[@leolechasseur8817]

Very Nice job. Can you give me a feedback on the rope raging blue from all gear? Does the color fade over time?

[@zaccheus]

I've never used raging blue. The red hasn't faded yet though!

[@Jrthetreeclimber]

I seen your left leg shake a little lol, when u were climbing under the branch 😂😂 but amazing video!!

[@zaccheus]

Lol, you'll have that sometimes 😂

[@lalo-zf2gu]

Great video work and composure, been seeing a lot of these unique kind of wood chopping videos that are satisfying and helpful

[@zaccheus]

Glad to hear it!

[@alotl1kevegas860]

Great video man. Where did you get the new rigging rope at? Was that a revolver you used for your redirect?

[@zaccheus]

I get as much stuff as I can at endors here in canton. Here is a link. www.endorstreegear.com/collections/new-gear/products/5-8-raging-red%E2%84%A2-husky-multi-pro-bull-rope-by-all-gear?variant=40005558337614 It was an edelrid roller carabiner. I think I got it free at a show or something 😅

[@br-dj2ti]

Just curious to buddy when you took them couple longer tips when they're worried about the rope coming back across you couldn't you have put a block out there and just roped them straight down just curious what your opinion is thank you God bless

[@zaccheus]

Thays an excellent thought. Using a block like that would have been the most reliable solution I could think of. The first one was out over the building and the second one was pretty close to the building.

[@Darrell_Wilson]

I always look forward to your videos. Watching that rope almost go on the wrong side and seeing how bad that could have been, causes me to check things more closely when I'm cutting trees and also brought to my mind the things that i have done that was a few seconds or inches away from ending up very bad. Stay safe !

[@zaccheus]

That's great, man. I'm thrilled to hear it! Risky management is always a tricky thing. Seems like there are two parts, the risky you k ow you're taking and the risk you don't know about yet. One is combated with experience and the other wisdom. Some days, it feels like I'm pretty low on both 😅

[@Darrell_Wilson]

@Zaccheus you hit the nail on the head about the two risks ! I'm glad we can learn from it. Very thankful we can say, "It almost went really bad"

[@zaccheus]

@@Darrell_Wilson absolutely!

[@leolechasseur8817]

Nice work. Is this rigging rope static or dynamic i really love this color

[@zaccheus]

It's pretty low stretch, a little bit lower stretch than stable braid I've been told.

[@John-nu2lj]

love your work mate. Regarding pulling the rigging line up with your tail and getting pulled about, if you get the lads to pull the sheet bend up to the block then you can just pull it over. I hope that makes sense.

[@zaccheus]

It does! I fail to cover the situation fully in the video. We tried that and the block was big enough that the knot went through it 🤦‍♂️

[@Zogg1281]

21:13 That arborist is also a Sloth!!! Awesome way to climb 😂😂

[@zaccheus]

Lol, thanks man 😅

[@spiercevaughn]

Hey man! What GoPro mount do you have? I need to mount mine haha. Great footage! I live white oak removals. They smell amazing and have great wood to rig.

[@zaccheus]

Me too! Aside from all the bark, that are a great tree to work in. I just had something thay I think came with one of my cameras. I replaced it with some off brand from Amazon. It wasn't worth it though. I should have bought a gopro brand.

[@evanvandeusen9573]

don't forget to smash that like button 😃

[@zaccheus]

Hahaaaaa, that's right! I'm so bad at promoting this channel 😂 thanks for your help and for letting me film this work!

[@AverageHouseHusband]

How does the Rope Runner Pro compare to the Akimbo? Only having experience with the Akimbo I have no idea what I'm missing.

[@zaccheus]

I definitely prefer the akimbo to the rope runner. The only thing the RR has going for it is cost to rebuild and it does move up the rope with less resistance than the akimbo. That being said, they're both great and safe devices when they are set up correctly. It all comes down to preference 🤷‍♂️

[@AverageHouseHusband]

@@zaccheus I really like my akimbo, but some people don't and swear the RRP is a masterpiece. Thanks for sharing your experience with them.

[@zaccheus]

@AverageHouseHusband I have heard such opinions and I think there are plenty of reasons to prefer either direction. Everyone is different 🤷‍♂️ a lot of people bought the akimbo when it first came out and couldn't figure how to adjust it properly.

[@br-dj2ti]

That log you took buddy at around 1405 when you're saw got pinched a little bit that piece look like to me a lot bigger than 500 but as you know videos can be deceiving I thought maybe was around 1,200 was a nice piece great job

[@zaccheus]

It might have been heavier indeed. I didn't do the math on it. The log charts sayd that at the diameter where I cut it, it would have to be 9ft long to be 1,200 lb.

[@br-dj2ti]

@@zaccheus yeah it was a nice rig definitely buddy it was a good piece

[@jf6305]

wouldn't a butt tie have the same impact as a mid-tie if the rigging point is well up from the load?

[@jf6305]

20:30 that was a doozy

[@zaccheus]

In a case of negative rigging, yes, but if the rigging point is nice and high above, I don't believe so. The piece theoretically has less rotational displacement before the rope catches it. Therefore it has less time to accelerate and therefore has a lower velocity when it loads the rope. However, I believe it would probably be possible to develop higher forces if you were to set thing up wrong because you woul have the opportunity to introduce more slack into the system.

[@Treehandler]

Trees gotta be 110’. Really great video, footage and editing really well executed.

[@zaccheus]

You're probably right. I wish I had a better way to measure these trees 🙄 Thanks!

[@robloxplayer-bu1it]

Great job brother i like the saying...do the job cause u like it not till u dont...very wise thinking

[@zaccheus]

Thanks man. It's just good stuff that my friend Bo told me. He's really good about that kind if thing.

[@readifer]

Zach if you don't mind my asking what tree service did you work with before going independent? I really enjoy your content and your technical know how. I've learned a lot from watching your content.

[@zaccheus]

I don't mind at all. I've actually never worked for a company other than my own. I just started out helping friends and neighbors on the weekends. It's been a long journey, and lots of folks have taught me so much along the way.

[@readifer]

@@zaccheus That's incredible impressive man! Good on you. Your technical SRT really reminds me of climbers I've met who've been trained by large formal tree businesses. The fact that you're completely homegrown running jobs on your own is seriously impressive man! Keep safe up in those trees!

[@zaccheus]

@Art.Boriculture Thanks man! I'll do my best!

[@bioniclife]

That Silky comes in handy!

[@zaccheus]

It's a lifesaver! Way better than using a chainsaw on the little stuff

[@ClellWise]

Zach, I really appreciate your honesty when you admit that you made a mistake. Wondering if you've ever considered using a safety hook when rigging limbs to speed things up.

[@zaccheus]

Thanks, Clell! I think you're talking about what some folks might call a double action snap. It used to use one, but as I watched my own videos, I saw it opening up as the branch loaded the rope and hook occasionally 😬 so I quit using it. I have found using the CMI shackle with a slic pin to be pretty quick, but my favorite is a steel carabiner and sling. When I used that, it's impossible for the carabine to get side loaded. That set up is in some of my videos. I only use it for smaller rigging.

[@forzajuve4845]

what strand rope is that?

[@zaccheus]

The raging red is a double brain with a double carrier. I don't know the strand count off of the tom of my head though. The climbing rope is a 32 strand kernmantle rope.

[@personwhoexists4491]

Do you like the rope runner or the akimbo better overall?

[@zaccheus]

Definitely the akimbo. I just use the rope runner on big trees because it's a little cheaper to rebuild.

[@personwhoexists4491]

@@zaccheus interesting. I just got a rope runner and I'm honestly dissaponted in it.

[@zaccheus]

@@personwhoexists4491 I'm sorry to hear that. What left you feeling disappointed in it?

[@personwhoexists4491]

@@zaccheus too much pressure needed to descend when full weight on it, regardless of adjustment. Also inability to drag tail which is a fairly common occurence. Coming from a prusik in a VT

[@zaccheus]

@person who exists mmm the tail dragging is a bit annoying. It doesn't seem like a big deal to add a carabiner to the tail, but it is for whatever reason. Have you tried it on different ropes?

[@Buggy13061985]

Fantastic work 👍

[@zaccheus]

Thanks!

[@brandonswan9247]

Great job.

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Brandon!

[@toddjacks8288]

Awesome job brother

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Todd!

[@leonardvirtue5753]

Nice 😊 🤠👌👌🤙👍🏋️‍♀️

[@froster4324]

Its not often if ever I use a 5/8 rope but man that thing is pretty. Does it only come in that size?

[@zaccheus]

Same here, I had to buy the rope for this tree 😅 All gear has 3 sizes. Raging blue is 1/2" (10,500 lb ABS) raging red is 5/8" (19,500 lb ABS) and raging orange is 3/4" (23,000 lb ABS)

[@froster4324]

@@zaccheus I appreciate that info!

[@Sethhaun78]

That rope makes we want one even though dont need it...very nice..

[@zaccheus]

Haha I'd been wanting one for awhile and this tree finally required an upgrade 😅

[@pekerja27]

Pohon nya terlihat rapuh , apakah gak takut roboh ketika di panjat?

[@zaccheus]

Good question, some kinds of trees are stronger than others. This is a very strong one.

[@TheFiredog3]

I am not a expert by no means, just a homeowner with all the gear, but shouldn’t your ground guy be letting out that rope a lot faster once it clears the house and not letting it swing back towards the house ?

[@zaccheus]

In an ideal situation, yes. There was a lot going on down there, though. They didn't have a machine to move anything, so the rope man was doing his best to get the pieces as close to the pile as possible before letting it hit the ground.

[@dewey5391]

Oak is so heavy, I see why you weren’t roping out whole branches

[@rickstafford5316]

Nice work Stay safe

[@zaccheus]

Thanks!

[@redbeardtree1776]

great job! if you cut the back and work your way up to the top of the limb it will hold oh longer. i have a video of a pine i did in winter with limbs over a deck i think its call small pine removal shows what I'm talking about better then i can write on here

[@zaccheus]

I think I know what you're talking about.

[@redbeardtree1776]

@@zaccheus enjoy your videos!!

[@StinkyPete69]

Carry a pocket wedge with you. They're super handy to have when chunking wood and like the situation you had where your line was slightly behind, you can use that wedge in the face to help kick and roll it out a little more. I keep mine on a retractable id cord on my belt

[@zaccheus]

I have a couple in the bag and a retracting device aswell. I used to keep it on my harness, but I used it so rarely that I took it off. I'm not sure what you mean by using it in the face though. I only ever use wedges in the back cut.

[@StinkyPete69]

@@zaccheus in some case when you need that extra bit of directional roll or kick, you can put a little piece of the wedge in the side of face cut. Say you put it in the left side, as it comes down it'll help give it more right roll and vise versa. I've been experimenting with it when felling sticks and in the tree, works ok. I can't remember if it was on a treason video or somewhere else but they showed this trick when felling.

[@zaccheus]

@Ben I gotcha. I don't depend in my cut for too much. Any time I have a critical piece, I put a rope on it. Some of the logging tricks are just a little too sketchy for me 😅

[@philosborn1840]

Wow! a rope with 19k rating, trick, does it have a steel core? LOL 🇨🇦🇺🇸

[@zaccheus]

Hahaha, that's what the manufacturer says! As far as I know it's doubke braid polyester 🤷‍♂️

[@susanmarshall817]

Nice work

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Susan

[@CuttingEdgeKyle]

You should find ground guys that know how to run ropes

[@zaccheus]

I'm a contract climber so I don't really pick my groundies. What do you think this ground guy could have done better?

[@WilliamMoxey-on3ih]

That's a monster there. I watch plenty of climbing vids I'd put you up against any of them

[@zaccheus]

Thanks William! That's super encouraging to hear

[@HansvanOostende]

perfect work

[@masongreen1871]

What part of Ohio are you from

[@zaccheus]

Canton area and surrounding counties

[@Ismailpercil]

Pekerjaan yang butuh nyali tngguh pak

[@zaccheus]

Thanks!

[@lucfournier8222]

oh lord ! as i am getting dressed to go cycling this vidéo pops up .will watch it this evening with pizza..!

[@zaccheus]

Lol, you always find these videos at a bad time Luc 😂 hope you had a good ride this morning. The weather was beautiful here in Ohio.

[@davidleathers7152]

Could the guys on the rope not let those pieces run a bit more? I feel like there’s a bunch of unnecessary stress being put on the tree doing it that way.

[@zaccheus]

A swing is one of the best ways to load a rope. I think there were maybe a few rigs that could have run a little better, but there also wasn't much room to run stuff in. The weak link in the system was surely the rope which has a breaking strength of 19,500lb. The tree could absolutely support more than that because of how we loaded it with our block arrangement.

[@davidleathers7152]

@@zaccheus awesome. It’s hard to see everything in a video, that’s why I asked. Either way, I love your videos. I’ve learned a lot in the short time I’ve found your channel.

[@zaccheus]

@davidleathers7152 glad to hear it! My content is far from perfect, so don't take it as gospel 😅 I'm really glad it's been helpful

[@johnfahey7215]

couple hair raising moments, there Z-Man! Please be safe, Brother. I enjoy your videos 👍😎

[@zaccheus]

Haha yes there were. I'm always working to keep those to a minimum. I wouldn't have thought, but making videos out of the work helps keep me honest. Glad to hear it!

[@osagejon8972]

As always a good day was had by all

[@zaccheus]

Absolutely!

[@emmanuelperez9720]

I just came to see if the 100% agree that there was so much unnecessary swinging 🙄

[@zaccheus]

Mmm, I'm not sure what you're saying. Did I swing the limbs too much?

[@emmanuelperez9720]

@zaccheus the ground guy, let the branches swing a lot, at least 2 times, almost hit the house

[@zaccheus]

@emmanuelperez9720 Almost only counts for horseshoes and hand gernades 🤷‍♂️ I often specifically instruct groundies to hold limbs above obstacles before lowering them all the way. It's more reliable than trying to time a swing and drop.

[@emmanuelperez9720]

@zaccheus got it, I really enjoyed the video. I just want to point that out. But I understand what you saying. I'll keep learning

[@osagejon8972]

Remember that what is seen in the video is two dimensional and distorted at that. We ran the pieces as best as we saw fit for the situation. The tree was so tall that nothing came close to the building but it's very hard to tell in the video. I nearly always get uncomfortable and sometimes almost sick watching videos whereas climbing I don't feel that way just so different one to the other.

[@NONCOMMIE322]

Google windsock

[@zaccheus]

Can you be more clear about what you're suggesting? I'm not sure I understand.

[@NONCOMMIE322]

@@zaccheussorry, I should have mentioned for a microphone.

[@zaccheus]

@user-fq1pe3vl8e ohhhh ,I gotcha I though you were talking about for am airport or something 😂 I do use a dead cat these days. I'm sorry about the wind noise in this video.

[@NONCOMMIE322]

Where in Ohio? I'm SE michigan

[@zaccheus]

@user-fq1pe3vl8e Probably too too far away then! I mostly work in Canton Ohio, but this job was in Medina County, about an hour north west of me.

[@daniel_913]

Dude, your groundy is a clown. Allowing big logs to be swinging in the air nearly hitting the house. A good groundy should be letting the logs run down into the open drop zone, not swinging in the air smashing into everything. You should have pointed this out to him.

[@zaccheus]

@@daniel_913 I hear your opinion, but it’s not always appropriate to try to get a piece all the way to the ground on the first swing. Sometimes it’s appropriate to let things settle down before lowering them into an elevation with obstacles.

[@HansvanOostende]

Nice work