 |
| Lia Clark a student at LBCC and Nick Fowler the instructor teaching the proper climbing technique during the tree climbing practicum in the White Oak grove on the west side of the tennis courts at LBCC on April 11, 2013. |
Dont you
miss being a kid and playing outside? Do you remember running around in the
park, getting dirty and climbing trees? Remember being completely fearless and
invincible? Asking yourself why can’t I just climb trees for the rest of my
life.
Well
Nick Fowler an Agriculture and Arboriculture instructor is making it possible
for you to do just that. Arboriculture, simply put is the study of trees.
Fowler instructs a tree climbing practicum for Future arborists like Maia
Kazaks an Arboriculture major who But also he instructs students like Lia
Clark who simply enjoy the outdoors and chose to take this class because it
looked interesting.
Fowler's Arboriculture: Principles and Practices class teaches you about all aspects of arboriculture as well. The class will teach you how to plant, train, protect, fertilize and provide ongoing care for trees in urban and wild landscapes.
Fowler's Arboriculture: Principles and Practices class teaches you about all aspects of arboriculture as well. The class will teach you how to plant, train, protect, fertilize and provide ongoing care for trees in urban and wild landscapes.
The majority
of these tasks require you to be in the tree while performing them. So the act
of tree climbing is very necessary for being and arborist. Kazaks admits “I want to climb trees for a living, what better way to make a living?” But according to
instructor Nick Fowler, “you don’t only have to know how to climb trees
effectively, but safely as well.” That is why this class provides complete
preparation for the ISA (International Society of Arborists) Certified
Arborists and Tree Worker Certification exams.
This class also provides the introduction to a recreational sport that is on
the rise especially here in the northwest. Competitive tree climbing, Similar
to rock climbing, tree climbing is a fun and adventurous way to enjoy the
outdoors.
The big difference between rock and tree climbing is the fact that rock
climbers use the dynamic Method of climbing. It’s called this because of the
type of rope they use, dynamic. Dynamic ropes have more give and allow you to
move around a little more when climbing a rock face.
Tree climbers on the other hand use the static Method of climbing which is also named because of the type of rope used. Static ropes are the opposite of dynamic ropes essentially, they do not give and they are much thicker. More importantly they do not slip when pulled tight against each other, and this is very important, because unlike rock climbing your weight is primarily in the harness, or “saddle”.
The ropes must be able to support your weight without slipping. It seemed to be easier for the girls in the class. When holding your own weight suspended in the air, less is better. The girls zoomed up the trees leaving all the guys behind.
To see more pictures check out my blog.
Tree climbers on the other hand use the static Method of climbing which is also named because of the type of rope used. Static ropes are the opposite of dynamic ropes essentially, they do not give and they are much thicker. More importantly they do not slip when pulled tight against each other, and this is very important, because unlike rock climbing your weight is primarily in the harness, or “saddle”.
The ropes must be able to support your weight without slipping. It seemed to be easier for the girls in the class. When holding your own weight suspended in the air, less is better. The girls zoomed up the trees leaving all the guys behind.
To see more pictures check out my blog.
At A Glance
Class: Arboriculture: Principles and Practices(offered only in spring term)
Instructor: Nick Fowler fowlern@linnbenton.edu. by phone 541-917-4770
When: Thursdays 2:00pm-4:30pm.
Where: LBCC's White Oak grove on the west side of the tennis courts.
