For more than 30 years, Arbor Age magazine has been covering new and innovative products, services, technology and research vital to tree care companies, municipal arborists and utility right-of-way maintenance companies
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/560672
www.arborage.com ARBOR AGE FALL 2015 19 TRAINING & EDUCATION Another method involves a series of small shallow cuts on the compression side, once again creating a "weak spot" that the pole can begin to release its pressure into. Both of these methods require patience and the willingness to step back between cuts to watch for movement. STORM SPECIALS Storm work can be an excellent time to employ some the specialized cutting techniques available in the tree crew's collective mental toolbox, such as the key notch and the knee cut. The knee cut is excellent for dealing with trees suspended on overhead obstacles, whether it is wires, other trees or houses. In effect, a notch is made on the upper surface of the fallen tree with the backcut underneath and the tree "felled" away from the obstacle. The key notch, while gear and set-up intensive, is very useful when dealing with big wood under a lot of pressure. In short, a key or tongue is formed between the two sections of the tree or piece that keeps it stable though completely severed. This key can then be pulled apart from a safe distance through the use of a winch or mechanical advantage. NEED A LITTLE DISTANCE HERE Storm cleanup is a situation where tree crews must be "on" — paying attention to every piece and part of the situation that might affect their safety — but it is also an excellent time for crews to increase their margin of safety, or error, by creating a little distance. This is easily done through the use of commonly available tree tools such as pole saws, push sticks, pole pruners, or the all-time favorite "chain saw on a stick." Any and all of these pieces of gear help tree folk be farther away from the "danger zone" when final cuts are being made. While using these tools will not always be possible due to specific situations, crews should always have their use in the back of their minds when doing storm work to increase distance and safety. If it is not possible, hopefully this fact will help make the crew member more aware that the closer he or she gets, the more danger present, and he or she will examine/act accordingly. Crews should also be thinking outside the box to increase distance — perhaps using line lifters to place pull lines or finding creating ways to use throw line. Nothing is better for quick hanger removal and hazard reduction than throw line; and the ragged ends left aloft can always be cleaned up in later, and safer, conditions. Storms certainly can add hazards and complexity to an already dangerous and complicated profession, but tree crews that understand that storm work requires focus and attention to detail, along with some of the basic techniques discussed here, can clean up after a storm safely and efficiently. Michael "House" Tain is a contract climber, splicer, educator and writer associated with North American Training Solutions www.northamericantrainingsolutions.com and Arbor Canada Training and Education www.arborcanada.com. He is currently located in Lancaster, Ky., and can be reached via e-mail at house@ houseoftain.com. Though relatively small, and created for training purposes, this spring pole illustrates the challenges of safe removal. Key components are operator safe positioning, and cutting in the proper place/alignment with the forces involved. PHOTO BY MICHAEL "HOUSE" TAIN