I can assure you gentlemen that the same rules apply for the safe operation of all climbing equipment, chain saws, pole pruners, and pole saws used in day to day tree care operations.
I found this to be true one day a few years ago when I received a "911" call from one of my crew leaders whom I had earlier set up on a residential tree trimming job. The tree was a big Modesto Ash which spanned over a neighboring backyard from my clients own backyard. The "emergency" call was for me to come back to the jobsite because
"there was something there that I would want to see!" As I approached the residence in my truck I noticed that not only did I have my main climber up in the tree but an apprentice climber and 2 groundsmen all diligently working up IN the tree anywhere from about 30 to 40 feet above the ground! I thought "WOW...what a devoted bunch of hard-working guys!"
Yeah, RIGHT!
As it turns out, the neighbor who's yard this tree spanned was out in the backyard in her lounge chair absolutely bare-assed necked for God and all the Tree Guys to see. She wasn't interrupted one bit by our presence either and she was GORGEOUS!
How do I know? Well, you see when you're the Boss and have such a critical eye for proper tree pruning methods sometimes mistakes stand out. I happened to notice a poor angle on one of the crew's cuts so I was compelled to climb up there and make the correction because the other 4 guys were sort of busy "pruning." I happened to notice this young lady's presence during the course of my work.
One would think that with 5 guys in a tree the work would be completed in short order but for some strange reason things slowed and it took nearly an entire afternoon....at least until the sun went behind the tree!
