Don’t Use Climbing Spikes When Pruning Trees

Tree care is not a job or hobby. Whether you’re a seasoned arborist or a green thumb homeowner, knowing appropriate tree maintenance is crucial to the tree’s health and lifetime. There are several ways to care for trees, including using climbing spikes. Although easy, using climbing spikes to prune your trees might injure them. 

Damage to the Tree’s Bark and Cambium Layer

Under their bark, trees have a complex mechanism that keeps them healthy and growing. This mechanism helps them transfer nutrients and prevent malnutrition. The cambium layer is crucial to this system. Here’s a deeper look at how climbing spikes damage tree cambium and bark:

1. The Bark: The Tree’s Protective Shield

The bark serves as a protective layer for trees and a barrier against physical injuries, pests, and diseases. When you use climbing spikes, the sharp ends penetrate this protective shield, directly exposing the tree’s vulnerable inner layers. Over time, as more and more punctures accumulate, the tree’s natural defence system weakens, making it more susceptible to external threats.

2. The Cambium Layer: The Lifeline of the Tree

Just beneath the bark lies the cambium, a thin layer of generative tissue. This layer is vital for two primary reasons:

• Growth: The cambium is responsible for the tree’s radial growth. On its inner side, the cambium produces new xylem cells (which transport water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the tree), and on its outer side, it forms new phloem cells (which carry sugars and other nutrients from the leaves to the rest of the tree). This process allows the tree to grow in diameter year after year.
• Nutrient and Water Transport: The cambium plays a significant role in ensuring nutrients and water can move freely to nourish all tree parts. Any disruption to this process can jeopardise the tree’s health, causing stunted growth or premature death.

3. The Ripple Effect of Damage

When climbing spikes pierce the tree’s bark and reach the cambium layer, they cause more than surface wounds. Each puncture:

• Interrupts Nutrient Flow: The damaged areas can disrupt the regular flow of nutrients, causing deficiencies in certain tree parts.
• Compromises Structural Integrity: As the tree tries to classify the wounds, the affected areas may become weaker, posing a risk in high winds or during heavy snowfall.
• Creates Stress Points: Trees, like all living organisms, can experience stress. Continuous injuries can weaken its immune response, making it more prone to diseases and pest infestations.

The bark and cambium layer, while often overlooked, play pivotal roles in the health and growth of a tree. Using climbing spikes can cause lasting damage to these essential layers, impacting the tree’s appearance and vitality. Understanding these repercussions is essential when deciding on tree care methods, always leaning towards practices prioritising the tree’s well-being.

Open Wounds Make Trees Vulnerable

When a tree is punctured or wounded, it becomes more than just a mark on its exterior; it’s an open door to potential dangers. The same principle applies to trees, as an open cut on human skin can invite infections. Climbing spikes, though effective for providing grip, create these wounds that expose the tree.

Every open wound on a tree is a point of vulnerability. In nature, numerous pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, and viruses, are always on the lookout for an entry point. Once they gain access, these pathogens can introduce diseases that might lead to rot, cankers, or other disorders, compromising the tree’s health. These openings also attract pests, such as beetles and borers, which see these wounded areas as prime real estate for laying their eggs or feeding. Over time, an infestation can significantly weaken a tree or even lead to its death.

Besides pathogens and pests, open wounds can also cause moisture imbalances within the tree. A puncture can lead to the tree losing essential moisture, especially during hot or dry periods. This dehydration can add stress, reducing its ability to fend off diseases and pests.

Furthermore, a tree’s natural response to injury categorises the damage, essentially isolating the wounded area to prevent the spread of potential diseases. However, this process takes energy and resources. When a tree is frequently wounded, such as through repeated climbing spikes, it diverts a substantial amount of its energy to manage these injuries, leaving less energy for growth, nutrient absorption, and overall health maintenance.

Every time climbing spikes are used on a tree, they’re not just leaving behind physical marks. They’re creating opportunities for many problems that can compromise the tree’s health, longevity, and beauty. It underscores the importance of using non-invasive methods when caring for and maintaining our green giants.

Trees Cannot Heal; They Seal

When we talk about healing, we often envision a process where the body regenerates tissue, closing up wounds and returning to a state almost identical to its original form. However, trees have a different mechanism for dealing with injuries. Their process, known as compartmentalisation, is about isolation rather than true healing. To grasp the importance of this distinction, let’s delve deeper into the tree’s unique defence mechanism.

1. The Concept of Compartmentalisation

Rather than repairing damaged tissues, trees focus on containing the damage. Compartmentalisation involves the tree creating barriers around the injury, effectively sealing off the wounded area from the rest of the tree. This prevents potential pathogens from spreading beyond the initial injury site and safeguards the tree’s overall health.

2. The Four Walls of Defence

Internationally recognised tree biologist Dr. Alex Shigo identified the concept of “CODIT” (Compartmentalisation Of Decay in Trees), which describes four walls of defence a tree uses to contain the damage:

• Wall 1 (Vertical Wall): This is the weakest wall, and it aims to slow down the spread of decay upwards and downwards within the same annual ring.
• Wall 2 (Inside Wall): Stronger than the first, this wall prevents decay from moving further inward towards the heartwood.
• Wall 3 (Outside Wall): This is the strongest wall and prevents the spread of decay in newly formed wood rings.
• Wall 4 (Radial Wall): Works to slow down the spread of decay horizontally across the tree rings.

3. Challenges with Compartmentalisation

While this defence mechanism is effective, it has its challenges. If a tree faces repeated injuries, such as those inflicted by climbing spikes, it can become overwhelmed, leading to larger areas of decay. This constant need to compartmentalise can exhaust a tree’s resources, making it less resilient to other environmental stresses.

Furthermore, the sealed-off regions are essentially dead zones within the tree. While the decay may be contained, these areas no longer contribute to the tree’s growth or well-being. Over time, with repeated injuries, a tree can end up with substantial portions of its internal structure being non-functional.

4. The Importance of Minimising Injuries

Understanding that trees compartmentalise rather than truly heal underscores the importance of minimising unnecessary injuries. When we care for trees, being conscious of our impact and choosing methods that reduce harm ensures that these majestic organisms continue to thrive, provide shade, and beautify our surroundings for years to come.

Reduced Aesthetic Appeal

The aesthetics of trees, their majestic form, and the intricate patterns of their bark play an integral role in how we perceive and appreciate our environment. Trees are not just functional entities, providing oxygen, shade, and habitat; they also carry immense aesthetic value, adding beauty and character to landscapes, gardens, and urban spaces. Using climbing spikes, while practical for certain tasks, can significantly reduce this aesthetic appeal.

Every time climbing spikes are used on a tree, they leave behind visible marks. These marks are a series of punctures or scars, often forming a vertical trail where the arborist or tree surgeon ascended and descended. Over time, as these marks accumulate, especially if a tree is climbed frequently, they can become a dominant visual feature, drawing attention away from its natural beauty.

Moreover, the scars left behind by spikes can alter the texture of the bark. With its varied patterns and shades, Bark offers a unique visual experience, and these scars disrupt this natural tableau. This disruption can be particularly pronounced for some species, with scars remaining evident for many years.

In addition to the direct visual impact, the use of spikes can also lead to secondary aesthetic issues. As previously mentioned, the wounds caused by spikes can become entry points for pathogens. This can result in areas of discolouration, fungal growth, or even visible signs of disease, further diminishing the tree’s visual appeal.

For many homeowners, landscape designers, and nature enthusiasts, the appearance of trees is a primary concern. They are focal points in gardens, community landmarks, and cherished entities in natural landscapes. The scarring and potential for disease introduced by climbing spikes can significantly detract from these roles. Therefore, when considering tree care and maintenance, weighing the short-term convenience of spikes against the long-term impact on the tree’s appearance and overall aesthetic contribution to its surroundings is essential.

There are Alternatives!

In the realm of arboriculture and tree care, there’s a constant evolution of methods and tools. As our understanding of tree health grows, so does our arsenal of techniques that ensure the safety of both trees and tree care professionals. While climbing spikes have been traditionally used for ascending trees, especially for removals, there are several alternatives that offer a less invasive approach, especially when it comes to pruning.

1. Rope Access Techniques

One of the most widely adopted methods in modern tree care is rope access. Using a combination of specialised ropes, harnesses, and climbing techniques, arborists can scale trees without causing any damage to the bark or underlying layers.

• Single Rope Technique (SRT): This method allows climbers to ascend directly up a single line. It’s efficient, conserves energy, and provides a straight path up the tree.
• Double Rope Technique (DRT): Also known as the “moving rope technique,” DRT involves the climber using a rope looped over a branch or a secured point, allowing them to move up, down, and laterally with ease.

2. Aerial Lifts and Bucket Trucks

For trees located in accessible areas, aerial lifts or bucket trucks offer a stable platform from which arborists can work. These vehicles have extendable arms and secure platforms, allowing professionals to reach significant heights without climbing the tree. They’re especially useful in urban settings or when precision work is needed.

3. Ladders and Pole Pruners

For lower heights or smaller trees, simple tools like ladders combined with pole pruners can be effective. Pole pruners allow arborists to trim branches from the ground, reducing the need to climb and potentially harm the tree.

4. Elevated Work Platforms

Similar to aerial lifts, elevated work platforms are mobile units that provide a raised, stable area from which tree care professionals can work. These platforms can be adjusted to various heights and are especially useful for tasks like crown thinning or deadwood removal.

5. The Shift Towards Sustainable Practices

Accepting these alternatives is part of a greater shift towards more sustainable and ecologically beneficial practices, not only tree health or beauty. Tree health affects the surrounding environment because of their importance to our ecology. By prioritising tree health, we declare our commitment to a greener future.

As technology and techniques advance, there’s no need to rely on potentially harmful methods like using climbing spikes for pruning. The alternatives available today are not only safer for trees but often more efficient and ergonomic for the professionals using them. Whether you’re an arborist or someone looking to care for a backyard tree, exploring these alternatives ensures that our trees remain healthy, beautiful, and beneficial for years to come.

In Conclusion

Using climbing spikes while pruning trees might seem like a quick and easy solution, but the damage they cause can have lasting impacts on a tree’s health and appearance. The next time you’re tempted to strap on those spikes, remember the potential harm and consider safer, less damaging alternatives. Trees are a vital part of our ecosystem and deserve our utmost care and respect.

Content Summary

• Tree care is not a job or hobby.
• Whether you’re a seasoned arborist or a green thumb homeowner, knowing appropriate tree maintenance is crucial to the tree’s health and lifetime.
• There are several ways to care for trees, including using climbing spikes.
• Although easy, using climbing spikes to cut your trees might injure them.
•  Under their bark, trees have a complex mechanism that keeps them healthy and growing.
• The cambium layer is crucial to this system.
• When climbing spikes pierce the tree’s bark and reach the cambium layer, they cause more than surface wounds.
• Continuous injuries can weaken its immune response, making it more prone to diseases and pest infestations.
• The bark and cambium layer, while often overlooked, play pivotal roles in the health and growth of a tree.
• Using climbing spikes can cause lasting damage to these essential layers, impacting the tree’s appearance and vitality.
• Understanding these repercussions is essential when deciding on tree care methods, always leaning towards practices prioritising the tree’s well-being.
• When a tree is punctured or wounded, it becomes more than just a mark on its exterior; it’s an open door to potential dangers.
• Every open wound on a tree is a point of vulnerability.
• Besides pathogens and pests, open wounds can also cause moisture imbalances within the tree.
• Furthermore, a tree’s natural response to injury categorises the damage, essentially isolating the wounded area to prevent the spread of potential diseases.
• When a tree is frequently wounded, such as through repeated climbing spikes, it diverts a substantial amount of its energy to manage these injuries, leaving less energy for growth, nutrient absorption, and overall health maintenance.
• Every time climbing spikes are used on a tree, they’re not just leaving behind physical marks.
• However, trees have a different mechanism for dealing with injuries.
• Their process, known as compartmentalisation, is about isolation rather than true healing.
• Rather than repairing damaged tissues, trees focus on containing the damage.
• Compartmentalisation involves the tree creating barriers around the injury, effectively sealing off the wounded area from the rest of the tree.
• Internationally recognised tree biologist Dr. Alex Shigo identified the concept of “CODIT” (Compartmentalisation Of Decay in Trees), which describes four walls of defence a tree uses to contain the damage.
• While this defence mechanism is effective, it has its challenges.
• If a tree faces repeated injuries, such as those inflicted by climbing spikes, it can become overwhelmed, leading to larger areas of decay.
• This constant need to compartmentalise can exhaust a tree’s resources, making it less resilient to other environmental stresses.
• Furthermore, the sealed-off regions are essentially dead zones within the tree.
• Over time, with repeated injuries, a tree can end up with substantial portions of its internal structure being non-functional.
• Understanding that trees compartmentalise rather than truly heal underscores the importance of minimising unnecessary injuries.
• Using climbing spikes, while practical for certain tasks, can significantly reduce this aesthetic appeal.
• Every time climbing spikes are used on a tree, they leave behind visible marks.
• Moreover, the scars left behind by spikes can alter the texture of the bark.
• In addition to the direct visual impact, the use of spikes can also lead to secondary aesthetic issues.
• As previously mentioned, the wounds caused by spikes can become entry points for pathogens.
• This can result in areas of discolouration, fungal growth, or even visible signs of disease, further diminishing the tree’s visual appeal.
• For many homeowners, landscape designers, and nature enthusiasts, the appearance of trees is a primary concern.
• The scarring and potential for disease introduced by climbing spikes can significantly detract from these roles.
• Therefore, when considering tree care and maintenance, weighing the short-term convenience of using spikes against the long-term impact on the tree’s appearance and overall aesthetic contribution to its surroundings is essential.
• In the realm of arboriculture and tree care, there’s a constant evolution of methods and tools.
• While climbing spikes have been traditionally used for ascending trees, especially for removals, there are several alternatives that offer a less invasive approach, especially when it comes to pruning.
• One of the most widely adopted methods in modern tree care is rope access.
• Using a combination of specialised ropes, harnesses, and climbing techniques, arborists can scale trees without causing any damage to the bark or underlying layers.
• Single Rope Technique (SRT): This method allows climbers to ascend directly up a single line.
• It’s efficient, conserves energy, and provides a straight path up the tree.
• For trees located in accessible areas, aerial lifts or bucket trucks offer a stable platform from which arborists can work.
• Similar to aerial lifts, elevated work platforms are mobile units that provide a raised, stable area from which tree care professionals can work.
• These platforms can be adjusted to various heights and are especially useful for tasks like crown thinning or deadwood removal.
• Accepting these alternatives is part of a greater shift towards more sustainable and ecologically beneficial practices, not only tree health or beauty.
• Tree health affects the surrounding environment because of their importance to our ecology.
• By prioritising tree health, we declare our commitment to a greener future.
• As technology and techniques advance, there’s no need to rely on potentially harmful methods like using climbing spikes for pruning.
• The alternatives available today are not only safer for trees but often more efficient and ergonomic for the professionals using them.
• Whether you’re an arborist or someone looking to care for a backyard tree, exploring these alternatives ensures that our trees remain healthy, beautiful, and beneficial for years to come.
• Using climbing spikes while pruning trees might seem like a quick and easy solution, but the damage they cause can have lasting impacts on a tree’s health and appearance.
• The next time you’re tempted to strap on those spikes, remember the potential harm and consider safer, less damaging alternatives.
• Trees are a vital part of our ecosystem and deserve our utmost care and respect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are climbing spikes considered harmful for pruning trees?

Climbing spikes create puncture wounds in the tree’s bark when used. These wounds can damage the vital cambium layer, interrupt the tree’s nutrient and water transportation system, and expose the tree to potential pathogens and pests. Over time, these injuries can lead to significant health issues for the tree.

How do trees deal with wounds or injuries if they can’t heal?

Trees have a unique process called compartmentalisation. Instead of healing in the way animals do by regenerating tissue, trees isolate the damaged area by forming barriers around the injury. This prevents the spread of disease and decay but results in the affected area no longer contributing to the tree’s growth.

Are there safe alternatives to climbing spikes for tree care professionals?

Absolutely! There are several alternatives that tree care professionals can use. Rope access techniques, such as Single Rope Technique (SRT) and Double Rope Technique (DRT), allow for safe and non-invasive climbing. Additionally, tools like aerial lifts, bucket trucks, ladders combined with pole pruners, and elevated work platforms can be used, depending on the specific task and tree location.

Does the use of climbing spikes affect the appearance of a tree?

Yes, climbing spikes leave visible marks or scars on the tree, often forming a vertical trail from where the climber ascended and descended. Over time, these marks can become dominant, detracting from the tree’s natural beauty. Additionally, wounds can become entry points for pathogens, leading to discolouration, fungal growth, or visible signs of disease.

If I’ve previously used spikes on my trees, can I do anything to support their health now?

While the past damage from spikes cannot be undone, you can take measures to support the tree’s overall health. Ensure it gets adequate water, especially during dry spells. Regularly inspect for signs of disease or pest infestations and address any issues promptly. Lastly, when seeking future tree care, opt for professionals who employ non-invasive methods to ensure no further harm comes to your tree.