Search Results

In this webinar for tree care professionals, Craig offers techniques for proper work positioning along with tips on making your tree climbing experience safer and easier. To learn more about professional training support for your team, contact Tree133 today ! Recorded on 5/29/20 at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park in Seattle, WA.

August 2020: TCIA Magazine "In our roles as business leaders, supervisors, gear inspectors and safety trainers, we see tons of climbing gear. An alarming portion of that gear is unmaintained, poorly configured or beyond its reasonable service life. Those observations led us to ask, who is responsible for the condition of a climber’s life-safety equipment? Is it the climber or the company? Who is responsible when climbing gear fails? With a combined 23 years in this profession, we still felt unclear of the answers. So we went on a research journey and spoke with a variety of industry experts, safety professionals, insurers and accident investigators. We reviewed OSHA regulations, ANSI standards and manufacturer documentation for common climbing gear. Here’s what we learned."   Click here to read the full articl e in TCIA Magazine This article is based on a presentation by Craig Bachman & Mike Tilford at TCI EXPO 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At Tree133, we strive to help fellow arborists improve safety and skills. Contact Craig  to learn how we can help you and your crew.

Trees are biologically designed to withstand wind and load. However, heavy foliage/fruit or a weather event may cause a split in a small tree. Tree133 recently completed a small cabling project on a redbud that split in last winter's snow. As the tree is a sentimental favorite of the homeowner, she had tried a variety of DIY solutions with limited results before calling for help. With careful reduction pruning to gently reshape the tree and installation of a cabling system, this tree will remain a focal point in her garden for many years. If you have questions about your trees, contact a professional arborist at Tree133 .

At TCI Expo 2019, Craig was invited into the the TreeStuff Micro Rigging Lab to demonstrate climbing and rigging concepts. Watch as he explains rigging systems to reduce force in the tree and improve climbing safety. Contact Tree133  for specialized technical services and arborist skills training.

Craig was invited into the the TreeStuff Micro Rigging Lab at TCI Expo 2019 to talk about rigging angles to minimize load in the tree. Craig and Tree133 are committed to sharing our knowledge to help improve the safety and skills of fellow arborists. Submit a training inquiry to learn how we can help improve skills for you and your crew. * Read Joe Harris' article Working the Angles

Removal of Hollow Western Hemlock – Shoreline, WA Western Hemlocks (Tsuga heterophylla) are notorious for decay in the roots and lower trunk, caused by Heterobasidion annosum (annosus root rot) and other organisms. When the decay spreads, it becomes defused throughout the trunk and can cause sudden whole-tree failure resulting in property damage or injury. Declining limbs in the upper canopy are a common indicator of declining health and the need for a risk assessment. For this particular tree, we observed dead limbs in the mid-canopy and indications of decay in the lower trunk and root flare. To further investigate the condition of the trunk, we worked with Chris of Rippey Arboriculture LLC to perform sonic tomography and resistance drilling. The results identified significant interior decay and an elevated likelihood of failure. As the tree was adjacent to a residential street and high-voltage wires, the client wisely decided to have the tree removed. For safe access and maximum control, Tree133 utilized an articulated lift for this project. We also incorporated technical rigging to avoid the high-voltage wires and carefully lower cut material. Careful planning and using the right tools enabled Tree133 to complete the job safely and efficiently. Removing this Hemlock eliminated a significant hazard to the homeowner, their family and their neighborhood. The client was shocked to see the extent of decay in trunk wood and was grateful to have the tree removed safely. If you have concerns about trees on your property, contact Tree133  for a professional risk assessment .

Tree133 has worked on this beautiful laceleaf maple (Acer palmatum) for the past few years. In fall of 2019, we removed dead/decaying foliage and interior deadwood as well as a few damaged interior limbs (abraded by other branches). That first phase greatly improved the tree’s appearance and we noticed better foliage conditions the following spring. This January, we performed light raising and thinning to improve light/airflow throughout the canopy and expose a bit of the interior branch architecture. This pruning phase removed 5-10% of live foliage using cuts up to 1/2-inch diameter. We are fortunate to have this tree in our neighborhood and enjoy watching its response to each stage of pruning.

Analysis of Big Leaf Maple Failure – Kirkland, WA This Big Leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) had failed before we arrived. The tree was located on a neighboring property. During a windstorm, a large limb fell and damaged the client’s fence. Making matters worse, the neighbor suggested our client had damaged the tree during a recent landscaping project and was therefore responsible. Tree133 was requested to evaluate the remaining tree and determine the actual cause of failure, to help with neighbor negotiations. As the limb had fallen several weeks prior to the site visit, the small debris had already been cleaned up and only large wood remained for inspection. The challenge was to determine cause of failure with limited evidence. During the site visit, we carefully inspected the condition of wood material on ground. We also reviewed pictures of debris, provided by client, and performed an assessment of the remaining tree. Through this process, we found the actual cause of failure. The evidence was clear and convincing for a knowledgeable arborist. The actual cause of failure was decay originating an old cut made when the neighbor removed another limb several years ago. Progression of that decay compromised the limb attachment and caused the failure that damaged the fence. Our assessment also identified other declining limbs and defects in the tree that presented further risk to both properties. Our findings were documented in a professional Arborist Report that enabled our client to obtain compensation for the fence repair and convince the neighbor to perform appropriate tree maintenance to reduce the risk to everyone. If you have trees with broken limbs, contact Tree133 for a risk assessment and quality tree care.

We're excited to announce that Joanna Bachmann has joined the Tree133 team! Since our founding, Joanna has been supporting Craig and the family business from the sidelines - even learning some basic tree climbing skills and volunteering at tree industry events. We are excited to announce she has now joined Tree133 officially  as the Manager of Operations & Business Development. With proven experience as a sales trainer and manager, instructional designer, librarian and teacher, Joanna will wear many hats (or helmets) at Tree133. She's improving our systems, creating content and helping us grow the business. You may hear from Joanna as she helps us coordinate scheduling, meet her on a job site taking photos or see her out-and-about in North Seattle representing Tree133 at local events. We are excited to have her expertise and energy as a member of our team!

In this March 2021 episode of the Tree Thinking podcast, Craig Bachmann talked with the team about the value of mentorship, the future of arboriculture as a profession and what it means to build a tree service company toward preservation, instead of the temptation of cash grab removals. Craig and Tree133 are committed to sharing our knowledge to help fellow arborists improve skills and safety on the job. Submit a training inquiry to learn how we can help improve skills for you and your crew.

Check out Craig's newest article for tree care professionals in this month's TCI Magazine: Thinking Critically About Life Safety Carabiners. Additional articles and podcasts from Craig: Climbing Gear: A Growing Risk to Tree Companies   Importance of Equipment Inspection   Craig Bachmann is a Certified Treecare Safety Professional, Certified Arborist/TRAQ, Certified Tree Worker – Climber Specialist  and an experienced safety/skills trainer. He is also an event head judge for the International Tree Climbing Championship .

A canopy anchor is a climbing system that anchors the rope in the canopy of a tree. While a moving rope system (MRS) typically uses a canopy anchor (or tie-in point), a stationary rope system (SRS) creates the option of a canopy or basal anchor. Why would we use a canopy anchor? When is it better than using a basal anchor?   Read the rest of the printed article  in the March Issue of TCI Magazine Craig Bachmann is a Certified Treecare Safety Professional, ISA Certified Arborist, TRAQ Certified Tree Worker – Climber Specialist and an experienced safety/skills trainer. He is also an event head judge for the International Tree Climbing Championship . Tree133 is a TCIA member tree care company and Craig regularly speaks at industry events and conferences.