Professional Tree Climber On Radio 4

[Wendelspanswick]

I have caught 2 of James Aldred's programmes on Radio 4. He is a professional tree climber and records his exploits climbing some spectacular tree's around the world.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03wphhs

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bwmw4

[Wendelspanswick]

An even better link to more Radio 4 programmes on trees.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p012czgd

Note there are 2 pages.

[TerryH]

Just listening to the part where he fixes up his hammock for the night and laughs that he hasn't actually tested whether or not it will hold yet...



Yikes!

I had made a start reading the book by Jeff Jepson ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Tree-Climbers-Companion-Professional/dp/0615112900 ) before Xmas but then the storms happened and the need to make fallen trees safe etc have taken over all other thoughts. Obviously, I'm not looking to get to such lofty heights like this chap but it would be good to get just a few metres up to tidy up some storm damaged branches with a bow saw ... that kind of thing.

Anyone on the forum here do any rope climbing? Just wondering what chance does someone like me ( mid forties, reasonably fit and able) have of doing some basic rope climbing? Guess I should find a short training course too before spending a lot of £££s on equipment.

[Rankinswood]

I saw a number of people (including girls) being trained to climb trees at Harcourt Arboretum in Oxfordshire last summer (2013) and what's more they were using a huge Atlantic cedar growing beside the main driveway as their ascent and descent training objective.

Rankinswood

[Terry]

Just listening to the part where he fixes up his hammock for the night and laughs that he hasn't actually tested whether or not it will hold yet...



Yikes!

I had made a start reading the book by Jeff Jepson ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Tree-Climbers-Companion-Professional/dp/0615112900 ) before Xmas but then the storms happened and the need to make fallen trees safe etc have taken over all other thoughts. Obviously, I'm not looking to get to such lofty heights like this chap but it would be good to get just a few metres up to tidy up some storm damaged branches with a bow saw ... that kind of thing.

Anyone on the forum here do any rope climbing? Just wondering what chance does someone like me ( mid forties, reasonably fit and able) have of doing some basic rope climbing? Guess I should find a short training course too before spending a lot of £££s on equipment.

I potter in the trees and have some basic kit, but also some rock climbing experience from my youth and as a professional seaman a decent understanding of knots and ropes and rigging. Only bought the gear to satisfy the wife and appear responsible with a couple of youngsters to look after
Quite a few books as per your example above as well as internet sources such as Arbtalk forum for more info on climbing trees, but an alternative to climbing a few meters for you purposes might be an extending pole saw.
If you do want to climb and it is good fun after all, I would suggest a good pruning saw of a suitable size rather than a space hogging and unwieldy bow saw - google Silkyfox saws for examples of pole or pruning saws.

PS I am also mid forties, reasonably fit and able and hope to be capable of climbing trees for many more years.