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Climbing spikes almost ruined a 200 year old oak in Asheville last month
I used to throw spikes on for any removals, even ones I knew we'd only take the top half off. Then I did this big live oak in Asheville, homeowner wanted the crown reduced. I spiked up and started working, and the homeowner came out and asked what the holes were going to do. I told him they'd heal. He showed me another oak that had been spiked 5 years ago by a different company and it was already rotting at every wound site. I climbed down, switched to rope and friction saver, took twice as long, but the homeowner was happy and I actually felt better about the job. Spikes are for dead trees and full removals now, I dont care how much time it saves. Has anyone else stopped using spikes on live trees after seeing what they do long term?
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nathan4921mo ago
Those holes from spikes rarely kill an oak that size, Asheville oaks are tough as hell and I've seen plenty with old spike wounds that callused over and kept growing for decades. The homeowner probably saw some other issue like root damage or poor soil and blamed the spikes because they're easy to point at. Five years is a short window, and any arborist worth their salt knows that rot in a live oak usually comes from water getting into existing cracks or old pruning cuts, not a few small holes. You slowed down your whole day and charged the guy more for a problem that might not even be a problem. I still spike live oaks when the crown is too thick to safely rope, and I've been doing this for twenty years without a single lawsuit or dead tree. Respect for changing your mind, but sometimes homeowners need reassurance more than they need perfect science.
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