Breaking News! ‘The Fundamentals’ is available once again as a physical paperback as of August 2021. Click here to check out the brand new 25th Anniversary Edition of The Fundamentals of General Tree Work!!!
This page is for the Digital Edition PDF, which is still available for sale…
Here it is folks, the bible of tree work from the legend himself, G.F. “Jerry” Beranek! Filled with over 400 photographs and illustrations, ‘The Fundamentals’ is the most comprehensive reference work in our field, and has been the go-to resource for professionals in the industry for over 20 years. Jerry Beranek’s epic achievement in 500+ pages is undeniable proof that good books are worth their weight in gold. Simply put, if you work with trees, you need this book!
“In 1978 I made a commitment to myself to write the Fundamentals. 18 years later, 1996, the book debuted at the Tree Care Industry Trade Show in Charlotte, North Carolina. 20 years later, 2016, it went out of print. In that 20 years the book has sold nearly 25,000 copies.”
Jerry Beranek – climber, timber faller, photographer, writer, worked for 18 years to produce this incredible resource, to pass along his knowledge to future generations. There simply is no more-complete reference work on tree climbing, cutting, rigging, and falling available! Sadly, his book went out of print in 2016. Physical copies are hard to come by these days – and very expensive. Enter…..The Digital Edition!
Presented here in PDF format, ‘The Fundamentals of General Tree Work – Digital Edition’ is perfect for viewing on laptops, smartphones, tablets, and e-readers, including the Kindle. Professionally scanned and processed with optical character recognition software, the Digital Edition looks amazing and is fully searchable. If you’ve been waiting to find a copy of ‘The Fundamentals’, wait no more!
You can skip to the bottom of the page to purchase your copy, by clicking here!
“The idea of this book came to me in 1978. At that time I was a foreman for the Sohner Tree Service, and I had nine years of line clearance experience and nine years of breaking in new climbers at a rate of about two a year. The employee turn-over in line clearance work was high back then and it still is today. Only about five percent of the people that get into the business ever make a career of it and those few that do are in the same predicament that I was in with the Sohner company, breaking in new people all the time! It was the same with the 
Davey company. There were no books or manuals on tree climbing technique or it’s associated tree cutting practices. There were plenty of safety manuals though. But they never really tell a person how to do anything, but be safe! As a result, every practical thing a new employee learns, good or bad, is passed on by their foreman, many of whom have only a few years experience themselves. From my own experiences with these matters in the line clearance business I found much complacency in craft and management. Not on safety matters, everybody’s hell on safety, but on proficiency and expertise! I’ve never seen any emphasis put on either craft or management. I was told many times, “What can you expect? Just make sure they do it safely!” With that attitude there’s people doing tree work that don’t even know their basic knots and splices let alone the physics of what they are working with. This is why I decided to write a book, a book on practical techniques, ideas, theories, and practices used in tree work. I really didn’t think it would take eighteen years to do it though. Looking back now I realize that it was me that had to learn about tree work in order to become qualified to pass it on. What I included in this book related to tree climbing and timber falling I could have covered in much greater detail. It is not definitive by any stretch of the imagination. It is though, a good introduction for the beginner to the wide world of practical tree work.
“In this book I recommend no procedure that is unsafe; my intent is to present insights to the practical applications and techniques used in tree work. But this work is full of contingency and an accident is possible throughout everything discussed. Remember, when you walk up to a tree – to climb it, to work in it, to fall it – you are betting your knowledge, experience, and common sense that you’ll accomplish your goal without an accident. This is the lore of tree work that makes it exciting for some and fearful for others.
“Climb and work safely. G.F.B.”
This is the book that started it all for me and countless others. I remember in my first term of apprenticeship school, the Vermeer dealer stopped in to take orders for climbing gear. This book is what I ordered. Everyone else was getting ropes and saddles. When the order finally came in, I can just remember the other guys looking over and rolling their eyes, like to say, who orders a book?… this guy, that’s who!
“The Fundamentals” is both broad and deep, covering so much material, it really is exhaustive. Let’s look at some of what is covered:
Introduction to Tree Climbing
Insights for the beginner on the requisites, myths, and lore of tree climbing. “There are many differences between tree climbing and the work done in the tree. Many people confuse the two, thinking them the same. But climbing and working in the tree are two distinctly different activities. A person can learn how to climb a tree in a relatively short length of time, but working in the tree takes much time and is a “never ending” learning process. It takes much experience to accomplish the rank of a good climber. Just remember, if climbing and cutting trees appeals to you, you should know all the things that are included in this book.”
Topics covered include:
- Fear and nervous tension
- Physical fitness
- Stature
- Position and stance
- Requirements of a Climber
Chapter 1: Splices, Knots, and Fasteners
The basic splices and knots used in tree work. This chapter provides the necessary information to get the beginner started on the right path.
Knots covered include:
- Bowline & Running Bowline
- Clove Hitch
- Tautline Hitch
- Blake’s Hitch
- Cat’s Paw
- Timber Hitch
- Overhand Loop
- Figure Eight
- Throwing Knot
Basic 3-strand Rope splices covered include:
- Back splice
- Eye splice
- Straight splice
Chapter 2: Rigging Tools
The use and application of the common tools used in rigging and tree work are discussed.
Tools covered include:
- Bull lines:
- nylon lines
- webbing straps
- steel cable
- chain
- safe working loads
- dynamic loading
- balancing the rigging
- recoil and line of bite
- Blocks:
- spar blocks
- tail-hold blocks
- block on a tag
- pass blocks
- hoist and hold blocks
- Pulling and Tensioning:
- come-alongs
- block and tackle
- cable winches
- capstan winches
- pulling with a vehicle
- Braking and Easing down the load:
- line brakes
- letting the work run
- anchor points
- Stations:
- ground runs vs. aerial runs
- working the hole
- dead ending a line
- sliding tagline
- speed line
Chapter 3: Angles and Dangles
Elaboration and theory on the practical application of rigging work in the take down of a tree. The angle of pull in the rigging greatly influences the action the work will take after it’s cut free. Remember, as different parts of the tree are worked in, the line angle will change and so must a climber’s tactics. This chapter is a beauty, so much good stuff here!
Topics covered include:
- Angle of pull (line angle):
- attitude of the work
- overhead rigging angles
- moderate line angles
- hard line angles
- line angles below the work (negative rigging)
- Natural crotch rigging
Chapter 4: The Throw Line
One of the most important tools we need in climbing and working in trees is the throw line. Most people in private tree work know how to use throw lines fairly well and they are known for always having these lines on hand. The uses of the throw line are numerous. They are especially good for setting rigging in trees where the line can be thrown as well as retrieved; they are useful for pulling out “hangers” – limbs that were cut out of the tree but never fell to the ground; they are useful to the climber for setting other lines in regular climbing and work; and as a safety tool the throw line cannot be excelled for getting lines to a climber who may be out of reach of the ground with their own lines.
Topics covered include:
- Overhand Throw
- Underhand Lob
- Hammer Throw
- Boomerang Shot
- Retrieving the Weight
- The Stuck Weight
Chapter 5: Lines Used in Tree Climbing
Professional tree climbing demands a climber use a variety of lines in order to do it safely and practically. The climber’s ropes are the most important part of their climbing gear. When I first started climbing we used Manila rope for both our climb lines and safety lines. It was “Tubbs” brand, half-inch, three and four strand, firm lay Manila that was of very good quality for its day. It was also stiff as cable when it was new and left us with many splinters in our hands until it softened up. About three months, or halfway through its life, we would turn it around and use the tail end until both ends were worn about the same. Nowadays there are many varieties and types of synthetic lines to choose from. We don’t know how good we have it these days!
Topics covered include:
- Twisted Ropes
- Braided Ropes
- Stretch
- Climb Lines
- Lanyards & Flip lines
Chapter 6: Using the Climb Line
The practical use of the climb line is discussed in detail. In particular, the many variable factors affecting crotch selection and how to adjust the line to suit different situations are discussed.
Topics covered include:
- Tie-in Point considerations
- strength of limb used
- bite of line through a crotch
- tie-in point height
- position, height, and angles
- limb configuration
- Tying around the trunk
- Improvising a tie-in
- Dealing with tight crotches
- Codominant tops as tie-ins
- Double tie-ins
- Minding your lines
- Line Angles
Chapter 7: The Tree Climber’s Belt
You can thank your lucky stars for all of the developments that have been made in tree climbing saddle design over the last 40 years! This chapter will help you appreciate just how good we have it. Four groups of climbing belts are discussed, as are the advantages of one belt over another in different climbing situations. Belt construction and fit follows.
Topics covered include:
- Back belts (lineman belts)
- Butt belts
- Seat saddles
- Leg saddles
- Custom-made belts
Chapter 8: The Tree Climber’s Spurs
The safe use, maintenance, and fit of the spurs as well as discussion about the possible ill effects these highly controversial tools can inflict on the tree.
Topics covered include:
- Gaff length
- Kick-out
- Fitting the climbing irons: shin pads, rigid pads, the straps
- Sharpening the spurs
- Gaff profiles
- The use of the spurs: visual damage, physical damage, spur wounds
Chapter 9: Special Climbing Tools
The “new“ rock climbing gear and a few other special tools which can make high tree climbing much safer and easier. Although a bit outdated by this point, these basic pieces of kit grew into the incredible market for tree gear that we know and love today.
Topics covered include:
- Ascenders
- Descenders
- Quick links and carabiners
- Jam knot and throwing hook
- Thimbles
- Telescopic rods
- Line guns
Chapter 10: Cutting Tools
This chapter describes the use and maintenance of the common cutting tools we use.
Topics covered include:
- Pull saws
- Pole saws
- Pole pruners
- Loppers and shears
- The ax
- Chainsaws
Chapter 11: Chain Filing and the Chain Grinder
In order to critique your ability to handle the power saw, you must first have a saw that can cut clean, fast, straight, and true. A poor cutting saw is of no advantage to anyone, particularly for the beginner who can’t distinguish the difference between a saw that cuts so-so and one that cuts well. The beginner needs everything in their favor while learning how to handle the saw. To facilitate this, the beginner should learn how to sharpen their chains properly.
Topics covered include:
- Pitch, Gauge, and Compliment of saw chain
- Saw chain myths
- Cutter profiles
- Round chain
- Square chain (Chisel chain)
- The tangled chain
- Developing an eye for sharpening saw chain:
- Normal wear
- Silt
- Rock and sand
- Metal damage
- Strap damage
- Driver damage
- Kinks in the chain
- Breaking and Splicing chain
- The gullets
- The rakers
- The chain grinder: Wheel profiles, Sharpening the chain, Contamination on the stone, Snapping on a chain
Chapter 12: Entering the Tree
Practical instruction on methods used to enter the tree. Double and single-line rope techniques and the old standard styles of spur and safety climbing are discussed.
Topics covered include:
- Double-line techniques, body thrusting
- Rappelling
- Single-Line techniques
- Rope walking
- Hand-over-hand technique
- Foot locking
- Three point climbing
- Climbing with spurs and safety (lanyard):
- Adjusting the lanyard
- Slinging the lanyard
- Lanyard position
- Flip lining
- Lanyard with a bite
- Lanyard wrapping
- Obstacles in tree climbing:
- Lean
- Sweep
- The dogleg
- Twists and turns
- Getting on top of a limb
- Double trunks
- Lanyard from spar to spar
- The short traverse
- The long traverse
- Brush and vines
- Bark
- Trunk contour
- Trees large and small
- Aerial rescue
Chapter 13: Cutting the Tree
Aspects of aerial chainsaw handling for the beginner, and presentation of the basic cuts used in tree cutting practice. You’ll want to pay attention here, this stuff is on the test!
Topics covered include:
- Handling the power saw in the tree
- Lateral positions
- Use the proper grip
- Performance of a cut
The Cuts
- The crosscut
- The rip cut
- The diagonal cut
- The bore cut
- The nip cut
- Simple hinge cut
- Drop cut
- Slice cut
- Jump cut
- Improved jump cut
- The twister
- Max cut
- Face cuts
- The bender
- The level cut
- The salami cut
- The flush cut
Chapter 14: Brushing Out the Tree
The practical application of free-falling limbs out of a tree. Common mishaps and hazards in this phase of a tree’s takedown are also discussed. In this discussion about brushing out the tree, the examples given apply to when you have room under the tree to let all the limbs drop. The room needed to take down a tree in this manner, excluding working on a slope, is never more than what its canopy covers.
Topics covered include:
- Brushing out forest trees vs. broad trees
- To hinge or not to hinge
- Height of the limb
- Attitude of the limb
- Aerodynamics of the limbs
- Size of the limbs
- Slinging a limb
- Culprit limbs
- The strafer
- The tangler
- The double-crosser
- The twister
- The cracker
- The grafter
- Protecting limbs
- Clean-up considerations
Chapter 15: Overhanging Limbs
The theory and application of cutting, handling, rigging, and pulling limbs that hang over obstacles. The removal and pulling of overhanging limbs constitutes a good part of a climber’s work, especially in the line-clearing business. Though most overhangs can be considered routine, there are always those that present a challenge. The term overhanging means that there is something below the limb preventing its removal by simply cutting it off.
Topics covered include:
- Small overhanging limbs
- Moderate-sized overhanging limbs
- Piecing out the overhang
- Lateral position changes
- Discarding limbs:
- The drop (brush first)
- The drop (butt first)
- The wing
- The throw
- The chuck
- Butt tying
- Pulling limbs
- Pendent (drooping) limbs
- Swinging limbs
- Large overhanging limbs
Chapter 16: Topping the Tree
The potential hazards resulting from an error in tree-topping are higher than in any other phase of tree work. In any other work a climber is doing in the tree, they can almost always put themselves in a safe position above or to the side of their work. In tree topping, there is really no place for the climber to get above or out from under the top. This is really tree falling, except that you’re safetied to the stump. The climber is right at the crux of the action with no place to go. You can’t afford to make any mistakes here. I strongly advise the beginner to read the chapters on tree falling before they top any trees.. You’ll want to take notes here, you’ll be thankful you did!
Topics covered include:
- Shifting the favor of the top
- Top setting back
- Cutting the top astray
- Heavy tops
- Securing your perch
- Catapulting action
- Pulling tops
- Pulling side-heavy tops
- Obstacles in the way of the top
- Topping in the wind (spoiler alert: don’t top trees in the wind!)
- Topping near the ground
- Small tops
- Physically managing small tops
- Moderate and large tops
- Limb clash
- Relative and real motions in topping trees
- Predicting how a top will land
- Old treetops
- Using explosives to top trees (don’t try this at home)
Chapter 17: Free-Falling the Wood
The physical laws of weight, mass, and motion as applied to free-falling the wood out of a tree. Once the beginner becomes proficient with their cuts, the outcome of this kind of work is very predictable.
Topics covered include:
- Tipping vertical wood (to make it land flat)
- Ratio factors (length of piece vs. total length of spar remaining)
- Ratio of .50
- Ratio of .33
- Ratio of .31
- Ratio of .18 (informally known as the Rule of 1/5th)
- Falling and guiding wood that leans moderately
- Free falling wood that leans moderately to hard
- Free falling heavy wood
Chapter 18: Managing the Wood
The techniques a climber will use to physically manage the wood they cut out of a tree.
Topics covered include:
- Small vertical wood
- Large vertical wood
- Ripping the trunk
- Managing small leaning wood
- Managing large leaning wood
Chapter 19: Truck-Mounted Cranes
Insights for the beginner on the use of truck-mounted cranes to take down trees. This chapter is very short and focuses on just the basics. Further study on the use of cranes in tree removal is recommended, for those so inclined.
Topics covered include:
- Work positioning
- Cutting
- Hand signals
- Planning the removal
- Setting the rigging
Chapter 20: Aerial Lift Trucks
The focus in this chapter is on the safe operation of lift trucks on the highways and in the vicinity of power lines.
Topics covered include:
- Reach
- Articulation
- Portability
- Controls
- Outriggers
- Safety features: shielding, lock out valves, deadman control
- Setting up the rig
- Running the rig
- Power line safety
- Road safety: traffic warning signs, traffic cones, personal protection, traffic control, flagmen, pedestrian protection
- Maintenance of the rig
- Hydraulic tools
- Operator performance
Chapter 21: Introduction to Tree Falling
The variable factors affecting your decisions on falling a tree are discussed. The trees, techniques, schools of thought, and terminology of tree falling vary considerably from one region to the next. In spite of this, certain basic rules and principles apply. The main principle being: cutting the trunk of the tree so as to leave a strap of wood that will act as a hinge to hold the tree onto the stump while it guides the tree to a desired direction. With that in mind, it’s easier to imagine a hinge in the trunk of the tree acting as a pivot point for the tree to swing on. This hinge may be put in at different heights, depths, and angles, making the tree tilt, fall, and swing different ways. What can be learned from this book is proficiency and insights on what to look for before actually falling a tree. Most trees you will ever fall can be handled according to the guidelines in the coming chapters.
Topics covered include:
- Variable factors in tree falling: the tree’s favor, species
- Habit of growth: forest trees, broad trees, codominant trees
- Big trees
- Wood strength and grain
- Rot and unsound wood
- Shells and goose pens
- “Crippling” a tree
- Old trees and landmark trees
- Trunk shape
- Stump height
- Tree height
- Wind factor
Chapter 22: Saw Handling
Aspects of proper saw handling, for your safety as well as for your precision, in tree falling are examined. When you are in the business of cutting trees, you’re going to be handling the chain saw a lot. There are right ways and wrong ways to handle a power saw. The biggest concern in handling a chain saw is your safety. In order to be safe, you need to know a little about handling it.
Topics covered include:
- Starting the saw
- Drop-starting the saw
- Starting a saw in a cut
- Push and pull tendencies
- Kickback tendencies
- Starting and restarting a cut
- Your stance and reach to the work
- Using the proper grip on the saw
- Long bars
- Dogging, sweeping, and pulsing
- The high/low side
- Setting springboards: basic concept, springboard notch
Chapter 23: The Undercut
The theories and methods of placing the undercut to set the direction of a tree’s fall.
Topics covered include:
- Checking the gun
- The corners
- Gunning sticks
- Interpreting the gun
- Gunning to a lay you can’t see
- Errors in your cutting
- Observing the tree while placing your undercut
Chapter 24: The Diagonal Cut
The opening cut. Discussion on the variable features of the diagonal cut, plus some tips on saw handling in placing the cut.
Topics covered include:
- Wide face cuts
- Narrow face cuts
- Conventional face cuts
- Humboldt-style face
- Mismatched cuts:
- The Gap
- The Dutchman
- Wide and Narrow mismatch
- Bar axis points: the tilt axis, the roll axis, the sweep axis
- Alignment and starting the Diagonal cut:
- starting from the corner
- starting from the side
- starting from the front
- Making the cut in large trees
- Busting out the undercut
- Splitting out the undercut
- Boring the corners
Chapter 25: The Back Cut
This cut can be a wolf in sheep’s disguise; it is not always an easy cut to execute. After the face cut is complete, the next step in falling the tree is the back cut. Before starting a back cut, stop and double-check everything else that may influence the layout. This will be the last chance to do it. Many things can change in the layout during the course of facing up a tree. The noise of the saw can obstruct your awareness of warnings from any persons entering or working in the layout. Safety precautions include giving warnings, listening for them, double-checking the undercut, and refueling the saw. If the tree is being pulled to the lay, communication between the faller and the person doing the pulling is important prior to starting the back cut. The back cut is the grand finale that sets everything into motion. For that reason it is well worth the time to stop and double-check everything.
Topics covered include:
- Back cut height: high back cuts, even back cuts, low back cuts
- Misaligned back cuts
- Trees with little inclination to fall to the lay
- Trees that favor back from the lay
- Trees that heavily favor the lay
- Boring the back cut
Chapter 26: The Hinge
The hinge is the result of facing and back cutting the tree, and is ultimately the guiding force that will see the tree to its lay. Its placement and the distribution of holding wood should always be predetermined.
Topics covered include:
- Hinge placement: forward placement, middle placement, rear placement
- Hinge wood distribution
- The beefy hinge
- The thin hinge
- The uneven hinge
- The uncut corner hinge
- The cutoff corner hinge
- The diagonal cut-through hinge
- The back cut-through hinge
- The rounded hinge
- The inverted hinge
- The offset hinge
- The center-post hinge
Chapter 27: Variations and Multiple Trees
Mechanical aspects and theory of the falling cut as applied in general practice and to multiple trees. In tree falling, necessity has come up with a myriad of variations of the basic falling cut. Many of the variations have come about in a relatively short time since the introduction of the power saw because only by virtue of its ability to bore its tip into the tree are some of these methods even possible.
Topics covered include:
- The ultrawide face
- The swinging face
- The snipe
- The block-out face (Humboldt style)
- Early departure face
- The Coos Bay
- Falling Codominant trees:
- Falling a double broadside
- Falling a double with the union
- Sliding a double apart
- Ripping and falling a double apart
- Falling a pair or more:
- The teepee
- Domino falling
- Laying out the trees, both in and out of lead
- Stage falling
Chapter 28: Lean In Trees
Insights and methods on working with the force of lean in a tree. Of all the factors to be considered in tree falling, no single one can match the importance of lean. There are two factors of lean to consider. One is the degree of the lean and the other is the direction the tree is felled in relation to it.
Topics covered include:
- Degree of the lean: lean, sweep, limb weight
- Plumbing the tree
- The angle the tree is felled relative to the lean
- Head leaners
- Back leaners
- Side leaners
- Other compensations:
- Wood in the hinge
- Pitch
- Dutchmans
- Holding and swinging side leaners
- Stretch in the holding line
- Position and path of the holding line
- Prompting a side leaner
- Tethering the holding line
- Obtuse trunk angle
- Other reasons for missing a lay
Chapter 29: Wedging the Tree
For safety, as well as practical reasons, the wedge is one of the most important tools to have on hand when falling trees. The wedge is unsurpassed for its suitability and convenience in tree falling. Nothing else can be inserted or driven into the cuts, cracks, and crannies that occur so frequently in this work and which need such a device to lift or keep a cut open.
Topics covered include:
- The set back tree
- Wedging small trees
- Wedging large trees
- Doubling the wedges
- Weight-of-a-bird factor
- Contrary factors in wedging
- Tree bark
- Wood compression
- Wood buckling
- Stray kerfs
- A beefy hinge
- Limb-locked trees
- Types and sizes of wedges:
- Plastic wedges
- Alloy wedges
- Steel wedges
- Size and taper
- Wedge maintenance
- Wedging in the wind
- The ax
- Freeing a stuck saw & tripping a set back tree
Chapter 30: Jacking the Tree
Using the hydraulic jack as an aid in tree falling is explained. The tree jack is primarily used in the logging industry. Few people in the private sector use them. In spite of that, there is ample reason to use these machines in the private sector. One of the main advantages of the tree jack is the lift it has over wedges. Jacks can easily lift a tree four inches while wedges normally peak out at two.
Topics covered include:
- Types of jacks:
- Duff Norton/Hein Warner jacks
- Silvey jacks
- Jack blowouts
- Jack maintenance
- High and Low pressure leaks
- Inspecting the stump
- Making the seat
- Corner seat vs. Full seat
- Using the jack
- Jacking small trees vs. large trees
- Shimming the jack
Chapter 31: Pulling the Tree
The best way to fall any tree where you want it to fall, is to pull it. Discussion of the concepts of effective angles of pull.
Topics covered include:
- Height the tree is rigged
- Direct pulling angles
- Hinge angle to pull angle
- Lightweight trees
- Medium-weight trees
- Heavyweight trees
- Communication and signals
- Pulling procedures
- Tight lining
- Line height and side drift
Chapter 32: When the Tree Falls
Of everything that has been discussed so far, nothing is more important than having a way to safety when a tree starts falling. A lot of brush clearing is involved in falling trees, for more reasons than making room to work. You must also clear room to see the situation better. This helps ensure you a safety margin. Take a good look around you and visualize the chain of events that may occur when the tree falls. Then clear yourself a trail so you can leave and avoid any danger. Some trails do not fulfill this purpose and the situation turns into a run for-your-life affair. Some of the dangers in falling trees are almost invisible to the eye. Only experience may be the key to detecting their presence. The following are ten classic hidden dangers that can go unnoticed until thetree starts falling. The beginner is reminded to keep a sharp eye out for these things and to keep an eye on the tree as you depart; don’t take for granted that your trail will take you to safety every time.
Topics covered include:
- Barber chair
- Breaking other trees with the one you’re falling
- Weakened neighbours
- Trees shooting back
- Fishtail
- Limb-locked trees
- Structural failure
- The splitting apart of multiple trees
- Mousetraps
- Poor terrain (bad ground)
- Wires and vines
Chapter 33: Dead Trees
Periodically, both the climber and tree faller have to work with dead trees. Some insights on working with dead trees and determining their soundness are presented.
Topics covered include:
- How long the tree has been dead
- How old the tree was when it died
- How the tree died
- Species of the tree
- Environment in which the tree grows
- Slipping bark
- Wood rot
- Weather-hardened wood
- Root rot
- Falling dead trees
Chapter 34: Limbing and Bucking the Tree
A thorough examination of one of the more hazardous aspects in ground-related tree work. This chapter is required reading for anyone who works with saws, from homeowners to professionals!
Topics covered include:
- Widow makers
- Calk boots
- Tree stability
- Limbing procedures
- Angle of the limbs
- Distribution and frequency of the limbs
- Uphill limbing
- Sidehill limbing
- Downhill limbing
- Sweep in the trunk
- Cutting the limbs
- Freestanding limbs on top
- Limbs on the low side
- Limbs driven into the ground
- Dangerous limbs
- Limbing procedures in forest trees vs. broad trees
- Bucking the tree
- Factors contributing to bind
- Top bind
- Bottom bind
- Side bind
- End bind
- Shear (strike/slip)
- Torque
- Combination bind
- Bucking breaks
- Leaving couplings
- Log settling and veer
- Bucking order
- Windfalls and uprooted trees
- Freeing a stuck saw
Chapter 35: Stumps
The stump is a by-product of tree work. There are many aspects of dealing with them.
Topics covered include:
- Flush cutting stumps
- Regenerative stumps
- Digging out stumps
- Pulling out stumps
- Grinding stumps
- Burning stumps
- Milling stumps
Chapter 36: Introduction to Trimming, Training, and Pruning
Definition and discussion for the beginner on the practices and ideals of this part of tree work.
Topics covered include:
- Trimming vs. pruning
- Training
- Growth habit
- Central lead
- Ascending modified lead
- Spreading modified lead
- Tree forms
- Wild form
- Domestic form
- Cultured form
Chapter 37: Tree Growth
A primer on tree physiology and its response to our cutting practices.
Topics covered include:
- Active buds
- Latent buds
- Adventitious buds
- Subdominant leads
- Unit of growth
- Vigor and capacity
Chapter 38: Structural Defects and Tree Preservation
Recognizing defects: how they develop, and how to prevent them.
Topics covered include:
- Rub and graft wounds
- Tight crotches
- Wind checks
- Vining plants
- Vermin and structural integrity
- Cavities and heart rot
- Cabling and bracing
- Sway
Chapter 39: Application of Trimming, Training, and Pruning
Practical applications of tree cutting styles are presented, some of which are highly controversial. Emphasis for the beginner is on prudence, education, and care in trimming and pruning, and the development of an open and qualified opinion on the matter.
Topics covered include:
- Drop crotching
- Heading back
- Hedging
- Thinning and skinning
- Limb raising
- Pollarding
- Pruning fruit trees
- Mature trees
Chapter 40: Managing Brush and Wood Disposal
Clean up operations constitute a major part of the time and cost in tree work, and in many cases it determines how a job is done. It’s not mindless work and actually requires a good deal of experience and thought. Since it can be the biggest part of any job, knowing how to do it keeps the costs down. Here we discuss organizing efficient brush and wood disposal, whether by yourself or working in a crew, including handling, cutting, stacking, chipping and burning of debris.
Topics covered include:
- Dragging brush
- Carrying brush
- Using a spar pole to move debris
- Moving logs
- Brush chipping
- Safe operation of brush chippers
- Cutting the brush for chipping
- Stacking the brush for chipping
- Dull chipper blades
- Sharpening chipper blades
- Changing the blades (drum type)
- Burning brush and debris
- Fire safety, prevention, and the law
- Fire size
- Preparing the burn area
- Control burns in grassland
- Stacking and building a fire
- Starting the fire
- Burning dry vs. green brush
- A clean burn
In Closing
“I would like to add how this book can be used as a format for instructional purposes. I would also like to express my personal feelings about the current status of the tree care/work industry and the environmental issues surrounding it.
“The information in this book, up to chapter 12, can be taught in a classroom through discussions, lectures and model demonstrations. Knots, rigging tools, rigging theory and tools of the trade should all be familiar to the beginner before ever entering a tree with the intention of working in it. Only after being proven proficient in those respects by exam and tests should a beginner even be allowed to start applying it in a tree. The theories and techniques discussed in the latter chapters about climbing and cutting the tree can also be taught by the same means prior to actual field exercises. You don’t put a person up in a tree first and then start yelling to them how to tie a knot, set rigging, balance a load or cut limbs and tops out of a tree. That should all be learned first. Only through education and qualification standards can the craft of the tree care/work industry expect to get the benefits and recognition that other trade professions have been getting for a long time.
“All that said, the ultimate goal of the tree work professional is to do the best possible job for the client, be they a private homeowner or a large forest products corporation. Their primary concern should be for the health and safety of all those involved in the tree work being performed and their secondary concern should be for the tree, whether it is being trimmed to look good for many years to come or it is being felled for forest products. Hopefully the contents of this book will assist the reader in attaining these goals. Good luck and safe climbing!”
G. F. BERANEK
“The Fundamentals was in print for near 20 years. That’s a long time running without any updates or revisions. But really, the only thing that truly changed significantly through the years was the more recent innovations in climbing tools and techniques. The rest of the information in the Fundamentals, about cutting, rigging and understanding wood fiber is still applicable, and will likely never change. Our understanding of it all, however, is bound to keep on improving. Thank you!” G.F. Beranek, Dec 27, 2016
This digital edition of “The Fundamentals of General Tree Work” by Gerald F. Beranek is presented exclusively on EducatedClimber.com with the gracious help and guidance of Jerry B. himself.
The text is copyright © 1996, Beranek Publications, P.O. Box 251, Fort Bragg, California, USA, 95437.
The digital edition is © 2017, EducatedClimber.com, produced by Patrick Masterson. All rights reserved.
WARNING
Due to the very natural and inherent dangers of tree work, it cannot be guaranteed than an accident can’t happen even following the advice and techniques discussed in the written, photographic and illustrated material in this book. Please be advised that the parties responsible for writing and producing this book in no way assume any responsibility or liability for any injuries or damages resulting from the use or misuse of the information contained herein.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE
Jerry Beranek labored for 18 years to produce this incredible resource, taking the time to pass on his immense knowledge to future generations of arborists and timber fallers. Let’s show him the respect he deserves by not copying or distributing this digital edition of his life’s work without authorization or compensation. The people in this trade are a tight-knit group, a family. By all means, share this book and spread the word. But if you get a disproportionate amount of value from his book, as I suspect you will, please support Jerry Beranek by purchasing a copy for yourself. The cost of the book is negligible, relative to the value contained herein. Thank you for your continued support!
– Patrick Masterson and G.F. “Jerry” Beranek
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