Climbing Trees   Andrew Joslin
  Mar 01, 2006 13:43 PST 

Hello folks,
I'm new to ENTSTrees, hope you don't mind if I join the conversation. Great
story by Bob about getting caught in a tree hugging situation.

Besides the enjoyment and inspiration of being in woods and studying nature
I like to climb trees. After climbing the same tree several times the
relationship with the tree deepens. A tree doesn't need to be climbed to
form this relationship, climbing is one way to get to it. Putting your life
in the trees arms does speed things along however. Just to reassure you,
when I climb I use non-damaging roped technique. No spurs. Also, I place a
bark and cambium protecting sleeve over any branch that I put a rope over.

I'm looking forward to more conversations about our tree friends. I'm also
looking forward to learning more about your tree measuring techniques.

Here are some sizable red maples in the Blue Hills Res. (Milton, Mass.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturejournal/sets/797010/

And photos of an impressive red oak in Newton Mass., maybe some of you
recognize it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturejournal/sets/72057594071737458/

Andrew Joslin
Jamaica Plain, MA
Re: Climbing Trees   Don Bertolette
  Mar 01, 2006 18:19 PST 
Andrew-
Thanks for the reassurance!

With the advent over the last decade of Tree Climbing Clubs across the US, one of my concerns has certainly been the impact of climbers on the smaller components of trees (though small, they may form the symbiosis/synergy that enables the tree retain sufficient resilience to the disturbances they must face over time). There are an amazing diversity of epiphytic plant communities (some obligate) associated with old-growth forested ecosystems, that are often overlooked by recreational climbers.

Going to the ICAN webpage (Int'l Canopy Network), it was reassuring to find that,
"The most important underlying message to any discussion of canopy access methods is safety, both for the climber and the tree. All of the methods used by canopy researchers have been developed with safety in mind. Trees and their attendant organisms are extremely fragile, and respect must be shown to the living systems that are climbed."

Welcome to the ENTS network!
-DonB

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International Canopy Network http://www.evergreen.edu/ican/ The International Canopy Network (ICAN) is devoted to facilitating the continuing interaction of people concerned with forest canopies and forest ecosystems around the world.  ICAN is a non-profit organization supported by a global community of scientists, conservation advocates, canopy educators, and environmental professionals. The organization is funded by subscriber dues, donations, and grants.
RE: Climbing Trees WELCOME   Will Blozan
  Mar 01, 2006 18:39 PST 

Welcome, Andrew

My cousin lives in Jamaica Plain but I do not know the trees you refer to.
As a tree climber I appreciate your protection of the trees you climb. I
hope you have been able to check out some of the photos on the ENTS site
posted by Michael Davie, others and myself of big tree climbs over the last
few years.

Will Blozan
Re: Climbing Trees   Andrew Joslin
  Mar 02, 2006 07:36 PST 

Thanks for the warm welcome. Impact on the tree is a primary concern. In my
area most of what I see growing on limbs are mosses and lichens with
lichens dominant. The way I see it there are 4 areas of impact concern with
tree climbing. The first is the understory around the tree including
potential soil compaction. The second is bark and cambium. The third is
small branches, twigs and leaves. The fourth are the other organisms (plant
and animal) that reside in or on trees. I look at as the same as when I'm
walking in the woods, keep eyes and ears open and move carefully. There is
strong support for wilderness ethics within the tree climbing community,
the dialog is ongoing.
-AJ