Old spike marks on an oak taught me a new way to climb
I used to grab my spikes for any tree climb, thinking it was just faster and easier, you know? But last month, we were pruning a mature oak and the homeowner showed me these ugly gashes from spikes used years ago. The bark was all messed up and you could see decay starting in those spots (it really hit home). I did some digging online and talked to a few seasoned arborists, and they all said the same thing: spikes are for removals, not live work. So now, I've switched to using a rope and harness system for pruning, even though it takes a little more time to set up. The trees heal better and it just feels right, like I'm actually helping them instead of hurting them. It's wild how one chat with a client can flip your whole approach. I'm glad I learned this before causing more damage, honestly.