Let’s Talk Rigging
Tree-removal rigging may be the least-understood discipline in all of tree care, yet it is one of the most called upon in our daily tasks. Some of the first jobs ever completed in the history of arboriculture involved removing dangerous trees before they failed. I would also argue that it is the most dangerous part […]
Ins & Outs, Ups & Downs of Rigging Rope
Rope may seem simple, but close inspection reveals it is complex in its construction as well as in its application and use. This is especially true with ropes for climbing and rigging in tree work. This article will look at the selection and use of rigging rope. Universally, manufacturers say that selection of a rigging […]
When do you retire rigging rope?
I once told Don Blair I thought I could tell when to retire a line that had always been used in natural crotches by the visible wear, but I asked, “How do you know when to retire a line that has only been used with a block and a lowering device?” Kind of at a […]
Urban Rigging: Working in Tight Spaces
Urban rigging is, essentially, tight-quarters rigging. While you can find this scenario anywhere trees need to be worked on in close proximity to structures, it is nearly the norm in urban environments, from the street trees that have found a way to thrive in their impossibly small curbside planting pits to the backyard big boys […]
Looking at the Elements that Make Up a Rigging System
In this article, we’ll take some foundational rigging concepts and reintroduce them from a new perspective. Some of this information is well known and almost common knowledge, but some of it, I find, gets missed in early training or overlooked in the daily grind. Some of it could help us avoid the abuse we sometimes […]