I am new to tree climbing and have found a few good trees to learn on in the woods by my house. They are two very large tulip trees, the first limb being about 50' up. Both trees are very healthy looking and have very large diameter branches that are spaced nicely. I have looked over the trees looking for all the warning signs that are discussed on this site as well as books, and the trees check out. But being a woodworker, I know that tulip is a type of poplar, and though it is a hard wood, it is rather week and soft compared to Oak or Sugar Maple. Are there any specific problems with climbing these trees, or any signs of trouble specific to this type of tree that I should be looking for? Also, are there any types of trees, no matter how healthy and strong they look, that I should not be climbing in the north east?

Thanks,
Wyatt

Wyatt Harrison wrote:
I am new to tree climbing and have found a few good trees to learn on in the woods by my house. They are two very large tulip trees, the first limb being about 50' up. Both trees are very healthy looking and have very large diameter branches that are spaced nicely. I have looked over the trees looking for all the warning signs that are discussed on this site as well as books, and the trees check out. But being a woodworker, I know that tulip is a type of poplar, and though it is a hard wood, it is rather week and soft compared to Oak or Sugar Maple. Are there any specific problems with climbing these trees, or any signs of trouble specific to this type of tree that I should be looking for? Also, are there any types of trees, no matter how healthy and strong they look, that I should not be climbing in the north east?

Thanks,
Wyatt

Tulip Poplar makes an excellent climbing tree. Like any tree you have to to assess the individual tree for hazards and be smart about rope placement: select a minimum 6" diameter healthy limb, put the rope close to the branch/trunk union. It 's not related to cottonwood or other poplar species. It's a stronger wood than cottonwood, but that's not really the issue. White Pine is a good species to climb and its wood is much weaker than Tulip Poplar. In your assessment look for signs that the trunk or limbs are compromised by rot. Set your rope on thicker limbs for your first climb, once you're up in the tree you can look around and really inspect the crown more carefully. But that's true of the first climb in any tree.

I don't think of any tree species as "not climbable". It's damaged or unhealthy trees of any species that you can walk away from. It helps to climb in different species and get a sense of their typical problems so you know what to look out for. For instance American Beech tends to form hollows at the top of the limb/trunk union, you can't see it from the ground. You'll also find climbers who will outright declare a particular species "dangerous". If I listened to every such anecdote then there would be no species left to climb. Again, it's the full tree assessment that's important, and a conservative approach to the first climb to get more information on the structure, strength and health of the tree.
-moss

Thanks Moss, I really appreciate the help!