Climbing spikes are a simple and effective tool for Arborists. Being able to dig the spikes into a tree provides climbers with solid footing and flexibility when moving around the tree.
However, climbing spikes should only be used on trees that are being cut down or in parts that are being removed. The spikes penetrate the bark of a tree and dig into the living circulatory tissue beneath. Each hole punched into the tree disrupts nutrient circulation, traumatizing to the tree creating unnecessary damage. This is important as the holes also provide an opening for diseases and pests to get in.
Each time climbers spike up a tree each step puts 2-3 inch wounds in a tree, and climbers wearing spikes can potentially create 2 or 3 hundred of those wounds causing severer damage. Spike marks eventually kill the tree; damaging the trees vascular system right below the bark.
If climbers must use tree climbing spikes it is recommended to use them responsibly by cleaning the spikes with alcohol after each use to ensure no fungus or disease is transferred from a sick tree to a healthy one.
So why would climbers use spikes if they are harmful to the trees? There are a few exceptional situations where using spikes is appropriate, such as
- When the tree is being removed
- When branches are more than throwline distance apart and there is no other means of climbing the tree (for example: when there are no branches lower than 50 feet), with no access for an aerial lift device or crane.
- If the tree is to close to power line and cannot be accessed safely by other means, to reach and injured climber.
