A Survey on Rope-Based Ascending Techniques and Materials of Professional Arborists in Italy

Abstract

The techniques funded for rope-based access to the tree canopy (the so-called tree climbing) have been spreading in recent years. A variety of practices, such as pruning, felling of trees, cabling, phytosanitary inspections, and others, can be carried out using these techniques, and the methods allow one to operate on trees placed in any location, proving extremely suitable for maintaining trees grown in an urban environment. In Italy, the number of arborists operating with a rope on trees is increasing significantly. They are usually highly specialized professionals, and they use specific techniques and materials. Despite the diffusion of these techniques in modern arboriculture, it is not easy to find sound ad updated information and data on them. In this work, based mainly on the answers obtained from a specific questionnaire addressed to 86 Italian professional climbers, some aspects of the applied techniques were reported. The paper shows data on professional training and formation, on the work organization, and on the utilized materials and equipment. In general, a large variety of situations are reported, a result probably linked to the fast growth of the sector in the past years.

Time Consumption and Productivity of Sandat Felling Technique in Agroforestry Private Forests in Probolinggo, Indonesia

“…Utilizing hemp rope as a tree-felling assistance in agroforestry based private forests can be considered an appropriate technique for protecting and preserving the remaining stands. According to Bianchini et al (2021), the use of ropes in the assist-felling technique is appropriate for sustaining tree growth in harsh environments. In addition, Cedergren et al (2002) and Nikooy et al (2013) proposed that the issue of minimizing the damage to the remaining stands caused by tree felling can be resolved by employing an appropriate felling technique and making felling instruments readily available.…”

“…The reduction in ineffective time can be accomplished by implementing a systematic work method, well planning, and organization . Campu et al (2020) and Bianchini et al (2021) reported that the success of rope-raising tool utilization in tree felling is determined by: a) professional training and formation, b) work organization, and c) utilization of appropriate materials and equipment.…”

“…A wire or hemp rope is commonly used to assist in tree felling so that the tree falls in the desired direction; this Scientific Article ISSN: 2087-0469 includes trees in a hang-up state (Nikooy et al, 2013;Bianchini et al, 2021). Utilizing a hemp rope is less expensive than using a winch, a hydraulic jack, or a wire rope.…”

Tensile Strength of Ropes and Friction Hitch Used in Tree Climbing Work

“…The experimental scheme consists of 36 overall tests carried out with 2 types of rope, on which 2 types of friction hitches were applied with special lanyards. Two friction hitches were chosen: the Prusik and the Valdotain hitch [8,17,24]. For each type of rope/knot, 3 pieces of rope and 3 cords were used.…”

“…One of the most commonly used knots is the Valdotain tresse hitch (one-way knot) [17], and one of the most studied knots is the prusik (two-way knot) [18,19]. The prusik is a two-way friction hitch (it can be used in both directions of the string) that can be used to create movable anchor points on both double ropes and single ropes.…”