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Tree climbing is the act of climbing trees for any reason. Climbing trees goes back to the times of hunter-gatherer.
Professional Tree Climbing
Professional Tree Climbing uses ropes, harnesses, and other gear (but not ice tools or crampons) to scale a tree safely without causing it harm. It is used by arboricultiralists and tree surgeons to work in trees for tree health and safety inspection and pruning work. Professional arborist training programs are available in many countries.Recreational Tree Climbing
Recreational Tree Climbing is the same, done as a sport or hobby. This is a mellow, fun experience, pioneered largely by environmentalists. It is also an inherently dangerous sport if practiced by individuals without proper training. Some devoted recreational climbers take special hammocks called "tree boats" with them into the tree canopies where they spend the night.The difficulty of climbing trees depends on many factors, most notably regularity of branching, the brittleness of dead wood in some species, whether the bark is rough or smooth, and to some extent the height of the tree.
The tree climb begins with getting into the tree, which demands either employing techniques of aid climbing such as ascending a rope or daisy chain ladder or else free climbing into the tree. To continue the climb safely, the climber employs the techniques of lead climbing, where each piece of protection is formed by girthing the tree's limbs with slings. Once the lead climber ascends the tree, he or she may create a top rope anchor or else simply rappel down. In the event that an anchor is created, other climbers can subsequently climb the tree without having to lead. Alternately, the climber may use a weighted leather pouch or a crossbow or slingshot to direct a pulling line over the desired branch. This line is then used to pull the climbing rope into the tree. Most arborists and beginning recreational climbers use a "double rope technique" in which the climber fastens one end of the rope to his saddle (harness) and pulls down on the other end to effectively hoist himself up. Very tall trees, where the first branches may be far from the ground are climbed using a single rope and mechanical ascending devices. Every effort is made to prevent the tree from becoming damaged by the climber or his equipment.
Climbing trees is potentially a very dangerous activity. Persons wishing to engage in it should undertake some basic training before undertaking it on their own. Recreational climbing training opportunities are available in many countries. At the very least, facility with basic climbing knots, knowledge and understanding of safety measures, and practice in using climbing equipment should be part of every would-be climbers training.
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See also
"Tree climbing"