What Could Be More Important Than Knowing These Things?

Here we have an easy tree on a pretty hot day. I thought it might be a good opportunity to share some of the more foundational practices to tree climbing. This video is far from a comprehensive list of that you need to know, but hopefully it helps you get a little closer.

[@laneman8777]

You've become my favorite learning channel for tree work because you explain everything you do and why. I've learned a ton, keep up the videos and stay safe.

[@zaccheus]

@laneman8777 thats awesome man! I'm glad to hear it!

[@nomad2076]

Don't be so hard on yourself man. That was quality work. A lot of us are learning as we go and we don't have videos catching out mistakes. Stay safe man

[@austinsmith3749]

Another fun one! Thanks for bringing us along, I enjoy watching you explain things while you work

[@Lexcommentyoutube]

6:30 we call that a spear or "spearing the branch" since the branch rockets down and spears itself into the ground, great for when the only spot to drop branches is right in close to the trunk or trees with tangly vertical stems. We do it with a high angle upwards cut from the bottom of the branch like you did, then the top cut slightly up the limb so it breaks like a step cut

[@TimothyRobnett]

Great explanations, all the skills of an outstanding teacher along with the humility of a great leader. Well done.

[@zaccheus]

Thanks man, that's mighty kind of you to say.

[@Billster1955]

It's always good to rewatch your videos. You've got mad skills.

[@zaccheus]

@@Billster1955 thanks bill, that’s mighty kind of you to say

[@johnfahey7215]

I watch a LOT of fellers, (Nuts319), good example, and tree people such as yourself, and the common denominator is always just simple physics! Angles, levers, and fulcrums. I appreciate your method of articulating what your doin and the reasons. Thanks. The Old Retired Laborer 😄👍

[@zaccheus]

Tree work really is a lot of simple geometry and physics. Thats one of my favorite parts about it. Thanks!

[@samuelluria4744]

I concur with the appreciation for articulation! 😜

[@Daniel08353]

Wow you’re really good at concisely explaining what to to, how to do it, and aftermath explanations

[@zaccheus]

Thanks man!

[@plmengineer9238]

I am gobsmacked at how well you read the weight characteristics of a limb and with your appropriate notch cut how accurately you decide its fall path .. you must have a sixth sense .. staggering 👍

[@zaccheus]

@@plmengineer9238 haha, thanks. It’s about it 50% experience and 50% hoping for the best sometimes. If I don’t know something will work for sure, I don’t do it and that has kept me out of a lot of trouble.

[@optimusprimum]

You just blew my mind with your connection point on the knee ascender. That’s so cool.

[@zaccheus]

Hahah, thanks Optimus!

[@rickdebacker100]

I too am trying to figure that out at this very moment... I can't see how it takes any weight off of the bridge connection though when you step into it. Is is merely to hold your weight as you step with the foot ascender, or is it actually Making a positive climbing step? I see it as like me climbing a ladder with a sore knee. Take a right climbing step, then stand on the left while taking another right step... looking forward to more info on your setup.

[@josetapaia3945]

First of all, great video! I am starting in this business. When cutting the stick down, I looked at it and thought maybe cutting it in three parts for safety. Again, I am new but loved the way you explained the hole process. Thank you for sharing!

[@zaccheus]

Welcome to the industry! That's a great thought, I did take a little extra risk by falling the whole stick because it had a little lean toward the house. My experience with red maple made me confident that we could get it to go where we wanted without the hinge failing prematurely which would have allowed the stick to fall into the house. I'm generally not a huge fan of sending huge pieces of wood put of a tree unless I can assuredly land them flat. Seem like too often they become unpredictable if they land any other way.

[@josetapaia3945]

@@zaccheus Thank you very much! I truly appreciate your response! I mean it! You do provide great advice and guidance! I am a fan! You have great experience and I am sure when I get more under my belt I will not be afraid. That's a promise!

[@zaccheus]

@@josetapaia3945 Haha, I'm sure you'll do great! Just like any climber, I'm still learning plenty of things too so it's always good to check what you learn on KZbin with a mentor if you can find one.

[@josetapaia3945]

Thank you very much for the vote of confidence!!! I am looking forward to making a difference!

[@marklam8548]

Thanks... you're a good man.

[@Buggy13061985]

Deine Videos sind sehr lehrreich! Vielen Dank!

[@zaccheus]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for the feedback!

[@dan-dan-da-treeman]

I'm sharing this with my crew. Excellent rundown. Thanks for taking the time for this excellent work.

[@zaccheus]

Thanks man, hope it's helpful for everyone!

[@aarons3203]

Nice job! Can you please do a video on how you set up your knee ascender with the Akimbo or how you use your Akimbo as the ascender? Looks cool!

[@zaccheus]

Yes, yes, it's on my list of topics to cover as work slows down this winter

[@GreenPowerFarm]

That tip tie was a great tip idea!

[@daveoseas]

I'm recently subscribed. I'm really appreciating your explanations, in each of your vids. Many thanks.

[@zaccheus]

I'm glad to hear it David! Thanks for subscribing and for the feedback!

[@havespurswillclimb]

Enjoyed the video. Nice tree to work in. Fun.

[@zaccheus]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carlobernardi1387]

Thanks for the great pointers...😁😁.. again you make it look easy..

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Carlo! It is easy once you've done it enough times!

[@claythelin4346]

Superrrr informative! Thank you!!

[@rickstafford5316]

Great job I like the open areas to drop cut. Those are the best. Stay safe

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Rick!

[@samuelluria4744]

Just a little note...at 17:00 you mentioned making sure to have the rigging point "out" from your cutting position, on a tip-tie, so that it doesn't come back and hit you. This is good to be cognizant of, certainly, but just so everyone knows, this is absolutely NOT a guarantee against the limb coming back at the climber!!!

[@zaccheus]

Ah, yes thank you for bringing that up. Something that often get overlooked in tree work is that a limb on a rope is a double pendulum which can swing back farther than ir original position under the right cricumstances.

[@samuelluria4744]

@@zaccheus - Bingo!

[@toddjacks8288]

Great job brother

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Todd!

[@mhpjii]

Excellence can be found anywhere!

[@StihlChainsaws]

Good advice to tell new climbers that tieing into the rigging spar should be last resort or only used in specific situations. STAY SAFE

[@zaccheus]

Thanks man!

[@liamgamble7986]

Hi Zacc, East Coast Arborist here. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was always taught that when making snap cuts or slash cuts your undercut or weakening cut should always be further out (or in the case of a slash cut directly flush with) your second cut to prevent the chance of your saw becoming pinched in the falling limb or branch. That way should anything fail early it mitigates the chance of your saw being brought with it, both preventing potential saw damage from falling or worse the weight of the branch being placed on your saw lanyard and ultimately yourself. I enjoy watching your videos, and the quality and knowledge you demonstrate regularly.

[@MrJoeylama]

That's how the ISA book teaches it. They say to separate cuts with chainsaws and cut with them in line when using hand saws.

[@zaccheus]

@@MrJoeylama Thanks for sharing! Any thoughts on why you should misalign cut with a chainsaw? Is there a hidden danger in lining them up?

[@zaccheus]

Ah, yes you are correct, I should have mentioned that. 😬 It is most certainly possible for your saw to get snatched away from you. The challenge is that if you make the weakening cut farther out on the limb, the butt of the limb will sit on the little shelf that is made until enough angular displacement has occurred in the limb to pull it off of said "shelf". For that reason, it probably would be best practice to line the cuts up. I'm not sure I see a danger in lining them up with a chainsaw, so if @Joey Lama has any insight as to why ISA recommends keeping the top cut back, I'd love to hear it.

[@liamgamble7986]

@@zaccheus I'd gamble the ISA standard there is to prevent any risk of the chainsaw being snatched, which I assume would be possible with an in-line cut if there is any margin of error by the user.

[@zaccheus]

@@liamgamble7986 That's kinda what I thought it might be. A respectable principle to follow.

[@michaelwhiteoldtimer7648]

Very nice video, lots of info

[@zaccheus]

Thanks Michael!

[@alotl1kevegas860]

I built a launcher exactly like yours. Works great 👌

[@zaccheus]

Glad to hear it!

[@brandonkalksma7115]

Great video! Realy helpfull for a beginner climber like me

[@zaccheus]

Glad to hear it!

[@alexanderslawncare]

Nice video

[@InDisTREETV]

excellent cuttin🤙 stay safe stay healthy

[@zaccheus]

Thanks!

[@PriffEV]

I've heard it said that a bounce test is a bit more risky than a static test with two people, as the bounce can create more force, and since its sudden force it can cause damage that then makes it fail once you're climbing. Also, a minor sidenote is i notice you using a suicide grip on the saw quite a lot. And I get that having the thumb to push can make it feel a bit easier, but it really gives you a significantly worse grip in case of a kickback or something. Wrap those thumbs around the handle properly!

[@zaccheus]

I've never heard that about a bounce test and I don't quite understand how that would necessarily be the case. Id like to know more about that. My thinking was that if I ever fall into the rope, it wouldn't be a static loading of the rope, so a static load test would not properly mimic an incident in the tree. And you're 100% right. It's a bad habit that I developed before I knew better and I've been trying to correct. Far from perfect yet ad you can see 😅

[@samuelluria4744]

The difference in loading between a bounce or static is negligible, when comparing either of them to dropping 8 or 10 feet in the tree, so if that tight margin between the bounce and static is what you're counting on, you might be up a creek already anyway. As far as grip on a climbing saw?? Come on, man...

[@zaccheus]

@@samuelluria4744 Good thoughts man, makes me think I should be testing my rope a little better even 😅

[@samuelluria4744]

@@zaccheus - When we are talking about testing, we're talking about the limb, the line, and all the parts of the mechanisms, right? The line itself is not something I would bother testing, per se. One thing I try to be aware of is how sometimes your life is hanging by a tiny little metal pin somewhere in the system, which is subject to only so many cycles to failure....

[@zaccheus]

@@samuelluria4744 yes yes, primarily test the tree, but the whole system ultimately, rope, bridge, anchor components all of it. The bounce also helps set the line intk a rest position and set the anchor so you dont get any un-fun suproses on ascent. When climbing on the akimbo, it's always good to give it a bounce to make sure the adjustments are right for the conditions that day. Sometimes I loosen it up for DRT and it's just one way to verify that it got set back.

[@dutchdog804]

Nice job as always brother. Who would want to save a gum tree!

[@zaccheus]

Haha, fair thought! Maybe I shouod have volunteered to take it out. 😅 I always like to see young trees in urban settings. Seems like I take a lot more down then people are planting.

[@jbbolts]

hey man.... would love to see more details on that cannon! .. thanks for sharing

[@zaccheus]

Seems like a few people have been asking, maybe I'll do a video on it soon

[@jbbolts]

@@zaccheus im sure its simple enough what im most curious about is if there is any wadding under the throw ball, but the valving and the whole build in general too... Im sure it will be a popular video... thanks

[@zaccheus]

@@jbbolts those are all great questions! I'll make sure to over those details for yah!

[@WildAcresFarms]

@@zaccheus we need a video on your throwball launcher. Seen a few others, but Never enough videos of things that go boom.

[@zaccheus]

@@WildAcresFarms hahaha, I'll see what I can do for ya 😂

[@rickdebacker100]

Great video! I was looking for the video you mentioned somewhere else about an alternative to a knee ascender that you use. Can you provide a link for that? Thank you!

[@zaccheus]

Aw, man I'm sorry, I haven't made it yet. I'll make it here in a but. I release a new video every weekend. It'll be here soon.

[@maksumachunk6811]

God job teknic

[@philosborn1840]

That’s interesting what type of a system you had on your left foot when climbing. Maybe you will show it in more detail next time. 🇨🇦🇺🇸

[@zaccheus]

I can possibly talk about that a little more sometime, thanks for stopping by!

[@philosborn1840]

@@zaccheus 👍🏻🇨🇦🇺🇸

[@yupyupyupnup]

The cord to hold his weight as he lifts his right foot ?

[@zaccheus]

@@yupyupyupnup pretty much

[@DaveyBlue32]

It’s basically just like an arm assist … he steps then with his right hand he’s pulling up his body and getting in position to take another step… I think that’s his little cheater line so he is using his left lag in conjunction with his right arm to move his body up into the next step… I don’t know what the guy’s around his area call that little lift assister ??? I’m hoping he sees this and tells us as I’m curious of it’s name too?!! Kicker rope?!! LMFFAO!!! The Lifting My butt up this tree a little easier kick rope??? 😂😂😂😂👏😜🍺

[@geekay4703]

10:00 This is really species dependent but I prefer not to put a wide face cut on the underneath, instead just make a cut from the top down with no notch. This way it will rip down and off the tree which allows it to hang on longer. The only downside is you have no control over when it will break off (may even need to cut it off) and how and where it lands below the tree. But you are practically assured it will hug the tree and away from avoidables. I just tell the groundie to back away and wait till it's down. Be careful with it though, species such as maple (especially norway), white pine, tree of heaven etc. have really brittle wood that doesn't bend much before breaking and may come down before folding hit tip first and bounce the butt into whatever you want to avoid. BTW, I hate the word target to describe things to not hit. Who the hell came up with that term?

[@zaccheus]

Lol, I know what you mean, I aim for targets in ever other part of my life, I try to call them obstacles, but I get it mixed up too sometimes 😅 You're absolutely right though, you can peel stuff out and it usually requires less cut time. I only prefer the open face notch because it works in more species, I feel like I can be more consistent with it, and there is no risk of pulling on your flipline. It's only real downside is the cut time and that it tends to not work as well on larger limbs. As I'm sure you've experienced, both methods can send the limb back past the tree if you're not careful.

[@geekay4703]

It must be noted, my preferred method is not formally taught. Consider it more like the dark arts.

[@zaccheus]

@@geekay4703 Haha, this is true, I think every skilled climber does a little dark arts stuff here and there 😅

[@geoffreygreen297]

I was curious as to what foot and knee ascenders you are using and how much damage to the rope they are doing? Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@zaccheus]

I use a notch jetstep on my right foot when trimming, a edelrid tree cruiser on my spikes when spiking and I used the akimbo as my knee ascender. None of them are doing any damage to the rope that I am aware of. If I was to see that any damage resulting from any device use, I would discard it immediately. My last Akimbo started damaging my rope when it wore out. I have a video on that coming out in a couple days.

[@MrJoeylama]

@@zaccheus that is such an interesting use of your akimbo. Does it work because of the self tending function of the device? I've never heard of anyone doing that

[@zaccheus]

@@MrJoeylama It really doesn't tend super easily and has a bit of drag to it. What I'm doing might even work better on an RRP, just as long as there is no set back. It's my own original idea as far as I know. It doesn't work as good as a knee ascender, but I like it because I don't have to carry an actual knee ascender and there is very little to setup.

[@jamesgodfrey6651]

@@zaccheusman genius knee ascender idea i am trying that next climb, i normally use the systeme 3A knee ascender which has been epic but the splice and elastic parts wear out over a year and a half.

[@zaccheus]

@@jamesgodfrey6651 Thanks, I will definitely warn you that it's not as efficient as a knee ascender. Most of my rope walks are 50 ft or less so it works good for what I do.

[@mreggbird]

More important than knowing? Doing it, experience... :p Fun vid as always!

[@zaccheus]

You're absolutely right! Ypu know us youtubers, gotta use a catchy title to grab your attention 🙄😅

[@jakubhostinsky4482]

2:03 I like that I'm not the only one who do it this way :-)

[@zaccheus]

I think it's the way it's supposed to be done 🤷‍♂️ I definitely don't know of a reason to skip it.

[@Kaizen747]

What mechanical friction device are you using for your lanyard? Looks like a mini zigzag

[@zaccheus]

@Kaizen747 in this video i was using the petzl zillon. Since then I've also tried the ART Positioner. Both of those devices sit on a shelf now, and I just prefer hitch cord.

[@Liamwillow]

Nice video ,have you made a review on them spikes (edelrid ) iv heard good and bad about them …

[@zaccheus]

Sure thing! I haven't had them for too long, but I'll add that to my list of videos to makes

[@Liamwillow]

@@zaccheus appreciate it 🤙

[@sireliot2149]

Hard to judge branch size due to camera lens, anyone else? Great work

[@RC-Heli835]

Is that launcher some kind of home made launcher? I noticed its a PVC pipe and valve.

[@zaccheus]

@RC-Heli835 yes it is! I have a video about it in the channel here

[@zacharyb8751]

Hey! If you don't mind answering, but what foot ascender are you using that works with the spurs? Lots of situations that I would like to use something like that in. Appreciate it, stay safe!

[@zaccheus]

Sire thing! An ascender on my spurs has been a game changer for me. I use the edelrid tree cruiser which is specifically made to mount on my edelrid talons. I believe Climbing Technology sells a unit that mounts to a bracket that clamps right on to about any spikes

[@zacharyb8751]

@@zaccheus thank you for the response! Just found the channel and I’ve seen a few really cool and helpful things that you do. Thanks for putting out the content and be safe!

[@zaccheus]

@@zacharyb8751 Thanks man, super glad you've found the content useful!

[@gregoryb7011]

What ascender was that that you were using?

[@zaccheus]

Tree cruiser is mounted on my right spike

[@jdude000]

What kind of rig did you use to send up that climb line at the beginning?

[@zaccheus]

If I recall correctly. I used an air cannon. I have a video on it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4SsoHuDrbVnr80

[@jdude000]

Thank you

[@justinsigmon1878]

Climbing tree yesterday and kept gaffing out any tips on Climbing them slick limbs?

[@zaccheus]

Aye, some species are worse than others. Sharpening your haffs might help if you haventvalready tried that. There are some specific file angles that help them stick

[@justinsigmon1878]

@Zaccheus it's a maple when I gaff in and put weight on it my gaff slides down slicing thru tree bark lol

[@zaccheus]

@Justin Sigmon Aye that definitely sounds like they could stand to be sharpened. Here is a video that has some general basics in it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHi6knyPiq1kZrc I'm not an expert on the matter, but I think thats how you do it unless your spikes came with an angle gauge for sharpening.

[@tylerwilcox2551]

How do you like the Talon's? Lookin at then or the carbon fiber gecko's. I have the aluminum now but want to upgrade

[@zaccheus]

I like them alot. I never really think about them which must mean they're plenty comfy. I haven't ever climbed on aluminum spurs so I can't offer any comparison there. I can say they are way nicer thank my old steel bucks and the ascender is super sweet.

[@speshulk1207]

I have Talons with the TreeCruiser ascender built in. They're not super-light, but the padding on them is so comfortable I don't notice I'm wearing them like I do with my old Buckinghams.

[@zaccheus]

I'll add too that steel will likely outlast aluminum or carbon fiber 🤷‍♂️

[@PriffEV]

I know a couple of guys who had the carbon fiber ones and hated them. They're not as adjustable in length for example, and one of them got a pair with different lengths and was just told "that's how it is"

[@ronjr5432]

What are you using for your intercom between you and your guys.

[@zaccheus]

I use Sena SMH10 units. They come with a helmet mounting kit and everything. Been using them for 5 years and the first one I ever bought finally just died recently. I'm satisfied with them. No great for long distance, but good enough for the price.

[@7000nepoklonilos]

Привіт з України. Дякую що виставляє таке класне навчальне відео.

[@zaccheus]

Thabks for watching! I hope it was helpful!

[@claythelin4346]

Do you own your own chipper and chip truck? If not do you rent one or have a different company clean up? Very curious lol

[@zaccheus]

I used to, but not anymore. I just do contract climbs and no-clean-up work for the most part. This was a no-clean-up job

[@claythelin4346]

@@zaccheus Oh awesome! Thanks for taking the time to reply, your vids have taught me more than a lot of big channels!

[@zaccheus]

@@claythelin4346 You're welcome! Thanks for letting me know that the videos are helpful. I love learning and helping others learn.

[@LouStoriale]

If Billy Strings became an harborist.

[@zaccheus]

😂

[@caleb-bq5jk]

On the last top your climbing line and lanyard were right next to each other kinda defeats the purpose of having both

[@zaccheus]

Yeah, I know, I have a bad habit of letting them get to close. I've been working on remembering to separate them. Thanks for pointing that out 😊

[@stephendouglassd]

I just subscribed because your name and your in a tree, do you collect taxes as well 😄 jk, awesome job here, helpful stuff!

[@zaccheus]

Hahahaa, I actually do collect taxes. Only sales tax, but I do have to pass it on to the state 😂

[@gregoryb7011]

Is there any chainsaw cancelling mike you can use while making your videos? I love all the info you give but the screaming chainsaw between each comment is a real pain in the ears.

[@zaccheus]

I wish knew of one, I might be able to do something about that in the editing too. Thanks for the feedback!

[@jeremybartlett1706]

You said "for all intensive purposes"... It's For all intents and purposes.

[@zaccheus]

👍

[@bradnotchad]

A broken wekk pump ain't shit. Youd recover just fine

[@zaccheus]

You're probably right 😂 wells can get real expensive real quick though. If I ever had to drill a new one, I've heard of them being $25k around here

[@j.debolt]

this dude is the calmest and most level headed dude in our industry.. most guys in this industry are complete wack jobs, that you want nothing to do with in life a complete embarrassment on jobsite’s and in life, this dude is solid🫵🏼

[@zaccheus]

Thanks man, I really appreciate the encouragement!