I used to think a 3-point tie-in was enough for any big limb removal

For years, I'd just set my main line and two secondary lines and call it good, even on big stuff over houses. Then I watched a climber from Portland set a 4-point system on a 70-foot Douglas fir limb last fall, with a redirect to control the swing. The difference in how smooth the piece came down was crazy... no sudden jerks at all. When do you guys decide to add that extra point or a redirect?

3 comments

3 Comments

mason84719d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah, that smooth control sounds amazing. So is it more about the weight of the piece, or the specific way it's likely to move? I mean, a heavy balanced limb might still need it just to stop that final drop shock.

nguyen.elizabeth20d ago

Man, that's so true. I had the same wake-up call last year on a big oak limb. When do you add that extra point? For me, it's when the piece has a real chance of swinging or twisting. That fourth line, or a redirect, just takes all the fight out of it. I watched a piece I thought was balanced just try to roll on a three-point. Now if it's over anything important, or looks heavy on one side, I take the extra minute. It feels like overkill until you see how quietly it lands.

matthew8641d ago

Doubt it's always needed. Most pieces come down fine on three points if you set them right. Calling it a must-do feels like making the job harder than it is.