Rope Vs. Spur Climbing

People climb trees for fun, exercise or work. There are numerous tree-scaling techniques, and the choice depends on a climber's skills and preferences. All the techniques fall under one of two categories, namely rope climbing and spur climbing. The difficulty of a climb is determined by factors such as the height and width of the tree, branching regularity, bark conditions, location and weather, says Jeff Jepson in "The Tree Climber's Companion."

Identification

Rope climbing is performed by casting a thin, weighted line over a limb, or branch, either by throwing it or launching it with projectile devices such as slingshots and modified crossbows. Once the weighted end has flown over a branch and reaches the ground, a climbing rope is attached to the loose end and pulled up and over the branch via the weighted end. Using an assortment of equipment, namely a harness, slings and ascenders, the rope ascended by the climber. Spur climbing, by contrast, entails the use of spurs -- spikes attached to the boots -- and a pole belt attached to the climber's harness and secured around the tree trunk. By kicking the spurs into the bark and then sliding or flipping the pole belt upward, the climber advances up the trunk directly, leaving behind a trail of scars and abrasions.

Considerations

Both of these are effective methods to climb a tree. However, rope climbing does little harm to tree surfaces, whereas spur climbing inflicts extreme damage to the bark and, more important, the cambium -- thin layer of living cells -- under the bark of the trees. Wounds caused by spurs are often infected by bacteria, resulting in diseased and dead tissue. To prevent such damage, tree climbers use rope climbing techniques as their primary means to ascend a tree.

Ethics

Both recreational and professional tree climbers -- such as arborists, loggers and utility workers -- prefer rope climbing because it is noninvasive and imposes minimal impact on the health of the tree. In addition to minimizing contact with the trunk, cambium-saving sheaths are also used to reduce contact between rope and limb. According to recreational tree climbing website Tree Climbing Colorado, respect for nature and for trees is an essential aspect of tree climbing. Unless a tree is decaying or about to be removed, or it is impossible to install a line in a rescue operation, spur climbing is considered an unethical method of tree climbing that should only be employed as a last resort.

Safety

Both the Global Organization of Tree Climbers and Tree Climbers International deem supervised tree climbing a safe activity. However, because of the height factor, it is inherently dangerous and should not be attempted without sound knowledge of equipment use and safety principles. Therefore, if you wish to engage in tree climbing, whether for recreational or professional purposes, it is crucial to first undergo specialized training.