Workshop Cost:
ISAT Members: $225
Non-Members*: $275
(*ISAT membership included)
Contact
John Giedraitis
Sponsored by: Texas Chapter International Society of Arboriculture
jpg@isatexas.com
979-324-1929
Guy LeBlanc
Certified Arborist #TX-0108
Owner, Arbor Vitae Tree Care, Austin, TX
Guy is a second generation arborist who began his tree care career in Boston, MA over 35 years ago. He established Arbor Vitae Tree Care in Austin in 1983, and still personally operates all aspects of the business today. He has worked in Massachusetts, Texas and Hawaii, as well as in Europe. In 1992 he took the first I.S.A. Certified Arborist exam given in Texas, and has maintained certification ever since. In 2012 he was named Texas Arborist of the year by the Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas I.S.A.
He is a former I.S.A. Texas Tree Climbing Champion, and has twice competed at the International Tree Climbing Championship. He was also a head judge at the I.T.C.C. for several years and has been head judge of the Texas chapter competition on and off for over a dozen years.
For over ten years he has taught all aspects of tree care to both the general public and professional arborists, as well as to students as a guest lecturer at colleges including Texas A&M University. He has authored numerous articles on tree care in various publications including the International Journal of Arboriculture and has made several appearances on the PBS show Central Texas Gardener.
Basic Tree Climber Training Workshop
with Guy LeBlanc
Due to rain - the workshop is postponed to March 5. Same time and place.
Climbers here is your chance to improve your climbing skills. Basic Climber Training is the first of a series of three workshops intended to teach tree climbing, pruning, and aerial rescue techniques. This first course will focus on basic climbing techniques and working in a tree. Topics will include site assessment, job planning, equipment, safety, ascent techniques, work positioning, pruning and cutting techniques, and aerial use of a chain saw. The second class in the series will focus on aerial rescue, and the third on advanced climbing techniques, including SRT. There will be an introductory classroom segment followed by outdoor instructor demonstration and hands-on participation by students. Participants must provide their own climbing gear*, subject to inspection and approval by the instructor.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 3 months climbing experience required
*Required Equipment:
All gear must meet manufacturer’s specifications for use and shall be inspected prior to the workshop. There will be a gear inspection process as part of the training.
- Climbing saddle
- Eye-to-eye split tail, additional single eye is optional
- Approved, triple locking carabineers (min. of 2)
- Micro-pulley for slack tending
- Approved work positioning lanyard
- Personal Protective Equipment:
- Hardhat
- Safety glasses
- Appropriate footwear
- Appropriate clothing
- Approved climbing line of at least 120’
- Throwline / Throwball
- Handsaw and scabbard
The following knots will be needed to successfully complete the course. Instructions on how to tie the knots can be found online at www.sherrilltree.com/Learning-Center/Knots
- Anchor hitch
- Fisherman’s bend
- Blake’s hitch
- Schwabisch
- Distel Hitch
- Valdetain Tresse
- Bowline/Running Bowline
Agenda:
9:00 am – 11:30 am: Job briefing overview: Area hazards, Tree hazards, Hazard mitigation, Work Plan, Emergency Plan. Equipment types and inspection: PPE, ropes, saddles, connecting hardware, hitches and hitch cord, lanyards. Physical readiness and ergonomics. Tie-in-point assessment. Throw line use. Installation and safety for doubled rope climbing. Friction saver types and installation.
11:30 am – 12:00 pm: Lunch
12:00 pm – 1:45 pm: Doubled Rope ascent techniques (DdRT): Footlock, Prusik push, body thrust, Sliding bridge, Pantin ascents. Proper conversion to work system and work positioning in the tree. Pruning purposes. Pruning types
1:45 pm – 2:00 pm: Break
2:00 pm – 3:45 pm: Pruning cuts: Branch collar, Reduction, Codominant Stem. Injurious pruning techniques overview. Proper cutting techniques and ergonomics of tool use. Aerial chain saw use.