Good stuff Mark, puts to rest any idea that a tree bears significantly more weight in summer than in winter.

I suppose you could do a failure test with a 2x4 or maybe smaller dimensional lumber with clean grain at different temperatures to see if there are any changes in strength.
-moss

I am well aware of how cold and downright brutal it can be climbing around steel bridge girders and the like in the cold winter winds when I’m at work. Therefore, I can truly appreciate the hardiness of a fellow that can come home from work at the end of a long cold winter day and then go back out into the crisp night air and place a line in a tree for a “snow climb”. <brrrr> My skinny old bones shiver at the thought!

In the evening when I’m making the trek home from work, I frequently see the arbor crews making their way back to the shop. I say to myself “how can these guys do tree work in this brutal cold all day?”. It makes me thankful that my job is only about 30% outdoor work.

You snow-climbers have my respect. It represents a true love of the art of tree climbing.

P.S. The _link_s & tips that have been posted about staying warm on the climb, and how cold affects trees is some mighty good stuff. Thanks for the ever interesting threads here!

Just Cheking In
Electrojake

One difference for rec climbers as opposed to work climbers is that we don't have to climb when the wind is blowing out of the north and the temperature is dropping. The idea is to have an enoyable climb. It's not as rough as you might think, it really warms up when you're in the tree. I'll still accept your respect EJ

Here is a day climb on the beech first climbed at night. Fairly comfy with temps in the high 20's and the wind light. It was nice to be in the tree with the sun shining.
beech climb
-moss

Ditto on the difference between work and rec climbers. My job (biology prof) is mostly indoors in the winter and only partly outdoors in the summer. Getting up a tree is a nice cure for cabin fever, and if you don't go in the snow you don't climb for half of the year.

Rec climbers can pick their days. Like today, for example: the grading is done for the semester, the sun is shining, and it's a balmy 33 degrees with a light wind...

I'm out'a here.

moss, your mighty clever: a Beach Climb vs. a Snow Climb.

Wow, 20 degrees with a breeze... yeah, it’s do-able but I still feel that you really must enjoy the climb to hit the ropes in the winter.
Also...
Is the hazard your referring to in photo-1 of the Beech, nearby power lines?
Just wondering.

Electrojake
The Fair Weather Climber <grinning>

MarkF,

Thanks for your input on this Snow Climb stuff.
Nice web site you have there too. I checked it out when you came on board back in October. A photo and a bio, well done!

As for me... Being a student of recreational tree climbing, I do a lot more reading <hawking> than posting here at TCI. None the less I have been following the information you and the others have been posting on how winter affects trees and the climb. It’s all been quite interesting.

Thanks & Stay Warm Out There!
Electrojake