How to Pick the Best Gear for Tree Climbing

[@turdferguson2982]

I planted a tree yesterday and ordered everything I need to cut it down from you. Hopefully the gear gets here before the tree becomes a hazard.

[@mikeshoemaker596]

😂

[@Wannabearborist]

😂😂

[@shawngustafson430]

Hahaha 😂

[@TreeCutterDoug]

Really great run through of the basics. The pop-ups make for a great visual example, without having to juggle a ton of gear. Well done sir.

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@LadDox_]

VERY helpful, Nick. Thanks for taking the time to continue putting out this high quality, valuable vids. For someone new to the industry, like myself, these videos have been extremely helpful

[@DavidWilliams-wr4wb]

i am partial to a weaver wlc 7 arborist saddle , i’ve used weaver for 45 years professionally and all around just an industrial strength saddle, i can swing all day and have no worries with it

[@padthai411]

Thanks this really solidified my confidence in getting my first setup. I climbed as a kid with a club, we jumarred up an SRT and absailed with a baby rattle, and lots of crevise points, overhangs and good good training. I'd never get into climbing without a course unless I had that training from a kid. It's like learning to swim, you have to have learnt to float before learning to swim, and jumping in the water without knowing how to swim, is like climbing just from watching a how to. I really advise anyone who wants to learn, to at least go out with someone who climbs and do a few practise runs, with no agenda other than just getting familiar with the handling. It's your life on the end of the line and it's not worth throwing it away because you didn't learn properly or enough or practise. Be wise, be safe, and live to tell the tale. Oh and climbing is addictive.

[@Bythirteen]

awesome! This could have been twice as long and I would have still watched it completely through and appreciated every minute! As a recreational climber of less than one year now, I can say that I am still slowly figuring out which tools/accessories I need to further my mobility in the tree and this was incredibly helpful and reassuring as to the decisions that I've made to date. It's a daunting (and expensive) hobby to undertake, but the challenge and reward has made it extremely worthwhile.

[@Bythirteen]

watched it again a week later, love this video! :)

[@brixtonalden6848]

Instablaster...

[@rudihenryjan1927]

This is a great video. Thank you from an arborist in London, England! Rudi, The Berkeley tree company.

[@kennethsizer6217]

This is definitely one of your best! TONS of information! So many toys, so little time

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kennyaustin2253]

Yes, too much info. After this, I'd rather just fall outa the tree.

[@mona3367]

Thank you for the spanish translation. I am deep Brooklyn and my husband is deep Mexican - This HELPED. LOL

[@beningram5938]

great video really informative, id love to have a more up to date version for 2024

[@TerrellWillams]

I watched the entire video again! Looking forward to competing in my first climbing event

[@joshpomponio2993]

Thanks Nick like of of your vids it helps to see an break down gear when we don’t have it in our hands to see it be safe

[@tree_monkey3120xp]

Great video Nick that will definitely help get a new bee started and helpful to a guy like myself been in the game 12yrs! Stay safe!

[@scatoutdebutter]

Thanks for making this video.

[@MattJonesYT]

I think the reason for choosing buckled spurs over velcro is the velcro can get clogged with sawdust and not stick but the buckles are going to hold on no matter what.

[@awesometopics1988]

Very awesome video very informative if I am right handed which foot asunder do I need a right or left then also which hand ascended would I need as well is one left the the other right

[@inb4tehlulz]

Nick, I think this video is actually helpful for some new climbers, I appreciate it not being a notch commercial and it felt genuine.

[@docsvet720]

Get real. This guy's a salesman

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

Glad you liked it, I try to give people an honest review about stuff. With Notch, I am certainly biased because I work on the product dev team, some of our products we aim to make as premium offerings and others are more value-oriented and that definitely plays into my favorites! We have a lot of really premium stuff coming soon, keep your eyes peeled.

[@zwigoma2]

I work in industrial rope access and I'm wondering why you wouldn't use an ascender with a cam, also we use alpine butterfly's to the harness, and wondering why you'd use two half hitches. for me DRT is to have a safety line. I'm not having a go at you i'm just wondering. peace mate.

[@ShawnBatt]

I have a good amount of love for TreeStuff. In particular, your videos tend to have good issue selection and perspicuity, so that I am much less inclined than average to speed up the playback to spare myself the extra verbiage. Nevertheless I offer a quibbly critique: a book might be a good choice for gaining "education," and often outperforms in-person instruction, but tree climbing is pretty dangerous, so the question of education might deserve a little more careful attention here. It doesn't take much investigation to find out KZbin videos likely outperform even "classic" books when it comes to concrete knowledge like this. Compare any randomly chosen 7 TreeStuff videos to the book. Compare the book/in-person combo to just the book. Note a few things about cost of various options, where the fluff is, etc. cheers

[@georgelake1972]

Thanks Nick great video now I can compile a list of goodies

[@AlfA01]

I've got the Gecko Classic Aluminum climbers and the pads just eat my shins and calves up. I end up with blisters at the pad contact points every time I wear them..

[@JonsDailyHustle]

Awesome video. I appreciate your knowledge shared here

[@DucatiMTS1200]

Nick - thanks for creating such a useful overview. I'm just starting to learn this stuff and your video sure helped me alot.

[@pawel_woloszyn]

I make thinks like You. The anchor hitch blocks prusik , and prusik was stack under dem, and don't braking.............................

[@sempi8159]

Great video! Thank you!! Especially schoeing the products and prices!

[@Thundermuffin93]

Wow. As someone who just interviewed for tree climbing job, this was an awesome video to answer about a billion questions at once. Thank you for providing multiple options within each recommendation btw. Cheers!

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ElPsicoProfeta0993]

Super useful video! I'd like to ask what's the difference between these harnesses and regular rock climbing harnesses? Could I use a rock climbing harness for tree climbing?

[@johncitizen3227]

Super helpful, no attitude.👌🙌👍

[@jpallen719]

As far as climbing gear, first and foremost if you don’t know what you need then you do not have enough education or training. Started with a ISA certified arborist trainer, they can coach as to gear when your ready.... safety first.

[@biggus6633]

Great video. Nice job with the editing too!

[@TerrellWillams]

I watched the entire video. Thank you.

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

Thanks for watching!

[@PatrickBrandt]

Great video, Nick! Thank you for putting it together.

[@lucasgould8602]

I turn my anchor bend around after I tie in so my prusik knot doesn't get caught under the horizontal ridge of the anchor bend during ascent (when the prusik collapses.) I've noticed that a 30" 4/3 VT will extend slightly beyond the ridge of the anchor bend, but using a 32" cord might do the trick. A distel or schwabisch will get caught under the anchor bend, so always separate the tails and set those prusik knots after collapsing them especially when tying in DRT with a terminal anchor bend. For example: When I do an SRT ascent and switch to DRT to work, I use the distel underneath the rope wrench, so the transition is a bit quicker/secure. Just takes time and a few unintentional descents to get used to what knots you're using. A splice is nice but I've also found that even a tight splice can get catastrophically stuck in a tight crotch, perhaps during repositioning - whereas with a typical rope has a better chance of working its way out (in my opinion.) Unlimited amount of pros and cons to every single aspect of the trade I suppose. Sometimes I'll rock a closed blake's hitch when im feeling LAZY and dont want to rummage for anything more than a carabiner/rope.

[@tonymoore5568]

You also show a lot of viedos but how do I find them. Sorry to be a drag but a lack of experience on my part

[@ianpatterson6202]

What a great video, I am just starting out and of everything i have watched this has to be up there with the best of them, thank you.

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

You're very welcome! We also have it in spanish, www.treestuff.com/espanol and are also working on a rigging video.

[@tree.walkers]

Nick, good idea about using lanyard as a tempo-chest harness. Thanks!

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

You bet!

[@lancerudy9934]

How do you get the rope into tree and tie rope to tree???

[@juderandasan1000]

very helpful but better if you did climb ang demonstrate how to use those things.

[@marcelinopacheco6002]

Great Video. Thank you. Greeting from Phoenix Az

[@davparksoh]

Wow - what a great presentation! One thing that wasn't covered for me: throw bag slingshots - is there a 'best' in this group for distance & accuracy? Really appreciate it - got another sub -

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

APTA is the best in my opinion, or the big shot! -nick

[@toporkata5218]

How much for all the basic gear ?

[@joshuacook4273]

Can’t believe the sequoia is more expensive than a tree motion or a sentinel over there; the sequoia is the middle ground over here in the uk!

[@jakerau8804]

Good tips and instruction man🍀🤙

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

Glad you liked it!

[@matthewharvey8755]

I love my notch gecko gaffs. Oh and my Notch Sasquatch rope. My safety blue is 2nd runner up, but only because I haven't used Yale yet. I got enough gear to take out a tree for under $600. Not counting my stihl. Great video, yet again and as always :) (I do really want a zigzag and the notch sentinel, possibly after a couple paychecks)

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

Good call!

[@SmfPawgy]

Great video

[@SmithTrek]

Love all the videos learning so much from your amazing content, I can’t Help but notice how much you sound like Alton Brown the famous cook 👨‍🍳 and the glasses I’m convinced you’re related !! 😂😅 Great Work !!!

[@rogersylvester6127]

Please make a video. It's MY OPINION That attaching a Chain saw with a short rope or Lanyard to your Climbing Belt is DANGEROUS. WHY ? it's O K to hang the saw after a cut on your belt with the metal clip on the saw. Here is the rub with Lanyards. IF you make a cut on a tree Limb and your saw hangs up in the Limb , if it Binds in the Limb do to various forces, the Limb falls and takes the saw with it, if you are Lanyard'd to the saw you will be Pulled hard with the weight of the tree Limb as it falls. If the Lanyard does not break you have a serious Problem . Therefore i STRONGLY recommend never attach your chain saw to your Climbing belt with a Lanyard. Finish your cut, then hang the saw on your belt with the metal clip on the saw. Roger

[@JadeCruz-m5y]

Been thinking about that lately. Should be standard practice

[@taylorc2542]

The limb will be falling too, thus losing its compression on the saw bar.

[@lukeg4806]

Can you use your harness for DRT and SRT techniques? It’s really confusing that one is labelled as a SRT harness and the other is DRT, but surely the SRT can also accommodate for DRT techniques aswell? And vise versa ?

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

Yes. Any harness we sell is equipped for both techniques. The Petzl product uses SRT in the product name which is a bit confusing, marketing!

[@miguelsandoval4093]

I being looking for this video long time ago, thanks nick!

[@Saymyenameyo]

Good video

[@ColbysToolRivew]

this video keeps my attention unike some of the people trying to explain things

[@ashking2797]

Any chance you could review the Notch Gecko Quick Connect Lower Spur Straps It's what everyone talking about but they almost seem to gud to be true.

[@mehacecalo]

Agradezco los subtítulos en español, siempre q se pueda, suscrito sin duda

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

de nada!

[@jakerau8804]

Thanks Avgn

[@johndoe-k3b4w]

Just bought the tree climbers companion ty.

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

Nice!

[@tonymoore5568]

Where can I get the book that you are referring to? Thank you

[@0rder666]

You should do a video on the protos helmet. I personally love it. Especially because we work with faces hield

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

Noted!

[@leolibre19]

Nick and Treestuff great video. Could you post here all the links to the other videos that you mentioned on this video? I want to continue educating myself with more in depth information with the videos that you recommend us, but I went to the treestuff youtube page and there are so many videos that I was not able to find any of the referred videos. Thank you brother.

[@Zobavajaina]

I've met Jeff Jepson, great guy. Best tree climber in the Iron range. His son makes custom knives.

[@gnarsick]

How many carabiners and what style would you recommended initially?

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

4 Oval shaped carabiners is a great start!

[@iditarod4081]

What's with that big puffy Beach box the throw line comes in do you need all that Airy space

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

It folds up to a small compact triangle! That way when you're putting your line back into it, it has high walls and a large area to get it all in easily and keep it contained. Then when you fold it up, it's held tightly so it can't jostle around and get tangled up when it's in the truck.

[@iditarod4081]

@@user-ku2qb1pq7e thankyou

[@davidcoleman3240]

Nick why does tree service recommend and always use alpine butterfly instead of figure 8? FirefighterDave426

[@davidcoleman3240]

I did climb back in late 70s

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

Easier to untie after loading. Bi Directional, cant roll out.

[@theoutdoorangler1173]

I’m in a small budget. Could I get away with a $60 black diamond or Petzl climbing harness. I don’t have the money to spend $400 on a tree saddle. How much more uncomfortable are climbing harness. Thanks

[@NZastawny]

Just an opinion here.. if your using it for recreational climbing you could maybe get away with it, although without D rings you'd have a tough time using a lanyard if you were able to at all. As far as for a work scenario, I would never fully trust anything except atleast a basic climbing saddle. A weaver cougar is a cheap option thats okay to work in, i think its the updated weaver puma now. But if you want something truly comfortable and versatile get a tree motion or monkeybeaver. You get what you pay for

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

@@NZastawny Like Nick Z says here... the biggest difference isn't comfort or safety, its the lack of dee-rings and the resulting inability to use a lanyard.

[@dutchtennhard2860]

Nice!

[@mvblitzyo]

pretty cool Nick ..

[@nils8485]

To me its definitly the distel carbon or the distel aluminum

[@colsinclair7793]

What's the best rope to use when using zigzag?

[@tittyrino]

Any Kernmantle because they don’t milk or flatten out. Yale Safari is awesome 11 mm actually 11.7

[@l.h8473]

Throw line

[@WOLFDEMONJORDYN]

My husband is trying to learn how to use the gear thqt has a harness that goes over the shoulder. Like the kind hydro use on the poles

[@redmanrm1]

Skip first 3:40 to save time

[@SlamminGraham]

WTF do you do when you get to the top?

[@jackberdine]

Probably good to talk about chainsaws as well. Separate video?

[@creatednordestroyed5339]

tree stuff don't sell chainsaws

[@Era-lk1lo]

Kask are really good lightweight and do not get in the way

[@jmichel70]

Thanks

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

No problem

[@freakasis]

You need links to those videos if you want to get more views.

[@BadHorsie1]

Or just use a lanyard and flip line and spikes

[@ppavlic]

Need a new video on all the Notch gecko spurs!

[@coymangus]

This was a real sale to the website. Not much teaching. So thank you

[@lancerudy9934]

Dry ??

[@davesteier-xf5lh]

Whoa whoa whoa!!! You need the anzi chainsaw protective class III jacket! The class III bibs! Class III GLOVES! A neck gator class III boots! Chainsaw proof! SOCKS! then you need a set of chainsaw CHAPS, to go OVER the pants, and another set of chaps to put on in reverse because otherwise the whole back would be left open! Then you the chainsaw proof helmet LINER, I’d get 2 they should be cheap.. then you need the Knights Suit get the high nickle content NOT THE TIN! then you need to cover yourself in a tarp, so you don’t get pitch all over you… then wrap yourself in TIRES! like the mischilin man in case you cut yourself accidentally or fall out of the tree… make sure you’re wearing your signature black and red flannel shirt underneath get the 14oz flannel cuz 9oz is just too thin.. make sure you got the wrangler cowboy jeans (as underwear)

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

cool, thanks

[@borkbork7]

No footlocking? 'Sup?

[@bleedingmetal]

Where do I start? KZbin at 3:30 in the morning.

[@jerrynonofbss2588]

Prices have doubled now. Damn.

[@tdillpickleh4684]

I don’t know anyone that would pick the sequoia over the treemotion. Except someone who doesn’t spend much time in a tree.

[@sparkybigtime1353]

I don't know why everyone is talking so great about this video. I understand it is useful to have an idea of the stuff necessary to work on trees and that you are giving personal preferences on each item, but claiming this stuff is "basic" gear that is "needed" is incredibly false. You can climb a tree safely and fairly efficiently on 2 prusik friction hitches and there are known techniques for making climbing saddles out of sections of rope so claiming you need hundreds of dollars in gear just to get up a rope is just wrong and could cause a lot of people who have genuine interest in the subject, but have no good entry points to the field, to be quite discouraged. I took my first tree down with a climbing rope, 2 prusik chords, some throw line tied to a rock filled pouch of duct tap, an Amazon branded sitting harness and flip line, Amazon branded ANSI compliant helmet, some gardening gloves, rigging rope, spare rope for tag lines etc, a rigging ring and sling, and a Port-a-wrap. Buying all of it in 2022 cost me less than $500, yet one of the items you listed cost that. The video itself is informative, but it is by no means a "basic" gear list, which should be obvious considering a lot of these tools didn't even exist that long ago despite trees being cut down by people way earlier than the invention of the rope wrench.

[@jonathansage2147]

100% agree. This is a high-end set of gear if you only wanted to buy pieces once and get really into tree climbing. It also has some glaring omissions. You mentioned using a flip line, there's no mention of them in this video and for climbing a Douglas Fir I view them as essential kit. It also makes no mention of a Bigshot, which is essential kit in the PNW for climbing fir trees because the first branch is often 40+ feet off the ground. I just bought everything I need to take a limb that is hanging 50 feet up down from one of my trees, I didn't buy the cheapest options, but it's still all under $600, including the Bigshot which was over $200. He also never mentions that you should avoid spurs unless you intend to cut the tree down.

[@tonymoore5568]

You show a lot of information but to a new climber as my self I get way be hind and lost. It is not your fault but my inexperience.

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

There are category-specific breakdowns that you might find helpful. Thanks for sharing your feedback, we will work on it in the future!

[@treeclimber]

I'm the one who buys things from far away in your shopping mall. Every time you guys shop at a shopping mall, I feel... ignored... Don't make excuses for Corona 19. If there's a reason, we need to communicate with the buyer. You guys do as you please, not at all. You people who are only eager to promote and who don't communicate with the people who purchased the product... We run shopping malls as much as we promote them. Pay attention to the buyers. You're the ones who just talk, send e-mails, wait, wait, and don't reply.

[@sceayr]

I would also say, never climb alone.

[@momorach6158]

Merci momo france

[@DaveJohnsonad5nm]

Could have been a good video and I tried to watch but the sound effects with popups was annoying. I know it was to draw attention to the popup and that's fine just way to loud and annoying for me.

[@Psy6o]

Sell me some of your older gear

[@borkbork7]

Yeah, a hook on the D-rings and a climbing hitch and you can walk up the tree. Why all that unnecessary stuff? 6-7 mins of this vid is the meat.

[@bobbyhempel1513]

I got rope.

[@turdferguson2982]

I just use a ladder..... For the really tall trees I zip tie two ladders together. When I price jobs I just ask what the lowest bid was and say I'll do it for half plus the firewood. You guys with your fancy equipment and insurance can't compete with me and my poulan pro. Chumps.

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

Thats a hell of a strategy man. Dont die.

[@leovardikar6292]

Lmaooo

[@justinmiller2914]

Macho edgy boomer over here like I climb trees blind folded with broken legs and to get down I just fuckin dive straight onto my head from atop the tree cause what do I need my brain for other than breaking falls?

[@turdferguson2982]

@@justinmiller2914, says the bucket baby.

[@buenosairestouring6986]

Too fast your demonstrations of knots. Especially with your hands in front of it...Looks like a show.

[@jettmorris6985]

Every single product from each category you are “recommending” the highest end shit. The throw line you “like” is $329.99 LOL. for people starting out you can get that with the ball for $29.99 and it will work fine. Just an example

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

A hank of dynaglide is $42. Definitely not the cheapest throwline. Zing it is a good option too, but it isnt as stron.

[@moihawk666]

everyone is assuming tree climbing for work.... i came for the fun... none of this is helpful.

[@AttakruffiLeticia]

I won't the video of this

[@user-ku2qb1pq7e]

We wont either.

[@skateboardist1686]

I’m sorry but I don’t like this guy. Has he survived a really bad fall before or something because I get a “victim” vibe from him. I’m sure he is leaps and bounds nicer than me better man than me richer than me everything more than me but I’m just curious what his deal is.

[@lancerudy9934]

W.r.t.??

[@finnaliagator4457]

Imagine needing rope and 500 dollars worth of equipment to climb trees.

[@permacultureplanets7417]

Watch some videos of what happeneds when you don't have it.

[@connorsmith2205]

Enough Paracord and you can give yourself a 30% survival rate and a little bit of fun