Encouraging Tree Climbing Without Rope Protection - Irresponsible or Reasonable?

Last year we were asked to help HARIBO and the Woodland Trust as tree climbing experts to give input on their campaign encouraging a child-like approach to play in nature. 

Tree climbing is awesome. It’s the reason why I built a treehouse at the age of 10 and then chose a career in tree care. I’m now teaching skills to hundreds of students a year. In their survey, HARIBO found tree climbing was one of the activities people missed from childhood, and this was chosen to promote the campaign.

This was an unusual job and showed the broad range of work that you might get involved in within tree care. It also pushed me out of my comfort zone (useful to see things from a student perspective) and got me thinking about risk and how we look at it from a parental, individual and employer perspective.

Is free climbing trees at odds with professional arboriculture, or is it a responsible activity to promote or be seen engaging in, especially given the stark contrast with strict health and safety legislation, regulations, and industry guidelines?

Key justifications for doing the free climb

• Life is not risk free, and ROSPA cites the benefits of this type of play in helping children understand risk and consequence.

• We can make a clear distinction between unorganised tree climbing for fun and professional industrial techniques.

• Many professionals have entered the industry precisely because of a love of climbing that they developed in childhood.

• The industry faces a skills shortage and is an opportunity to raise awareness of forestry and arboriculture as career options.

• A skills or knowledge gap exists for those wanting to free climb – we can help.

The benefits of free tree climbing can be framed around the 5 steps to mental wellbeing, especially around physical activity, enjoying the quality and flow of your movement, learning and developing a new skill and being in nature. There’s also an opportunity to connect with others (don’t climb alone!) and give to others in terms of time and attention if you are helping or spotting. 

On the downside there is a possible risk deficit with free climbing compared to many other at height recreational activities. 

Moving with confidence & grace in a tree takes years to perfect, and whilst most people know how to move in a tree for many reasons, they can’t access that natural movement style. When teaching our students to climb using work methods, we often encourage them to climb like a child and a way to make them relax, become more playful in moving around more freely and in experimenting with a range of body positions to achieve the tree care objectives.

Climbing trees is accessible yet there is a societal move towards more structured and sanitised play. 

Adults are often happiest handing over control and responsibility to others on man-made structures or to professionals providing close supervision. Add in some protective equipment and people feel even better. The perception of risk is at odds to the actual risk. 

Take a look at the table we’ve developed below, it summarises the adventure characteristics, outcomes and risks - perception, reality and deficit where there is a difference.

Before you start….

1. Acceptance of risk 

Following these top tips will reduce your risk of falling & suffering a serious injury but won’t eliminate it. Understand the key hazards and take ownership of the risks - balance them with the rewards you get from tree climbing. 

For example, you might accept a grazed knee or twisted ankle but not a broken bone or head injury. As you climb higher, the risks of serious injury from a fall increase significantly! When tree climbing with someone who may not be mindful of height, it’s important to discuss sensible limits beforehand.

Recognise the key hazards and avoid common causes of falls, such as losing grip, slipping, branch failure, or losing balance. Striking branches or hard surfaces on the ground can result in serious injury.

If you don't understand the hazards and can’t take responsibility for the risks of tree climbing don't do it.

Choosing a site & tree

2. Great climbing trees - what to look for

• Strong, low branches to give access for a range of ages & abilities
• Branches spaced to act as a ladder to make sure progress or to circle around the tree
• Low branches with hand holds to move horizontally
• No obstructions so you can see route options 
• A destination to sit back and enjoy the space or view
• The right balance of challenge and accessibility​ for you
• Maximum grip - branch shape, size, texture & moisture all change grip level
• Exciting shapes that fire your imagination & offer fun ways to move
• You can get into the tree without help or aids
• The owner of the tree is happy for you to climb it

3. Avoid trees in poor condition 

• Dead trees
• Dead, broken or hanging branches
• Cracks in the trunk, broken or missing bark 
• Decay, holes and Fungus can indicate weakness in stems & branches

• Leaning stems and soil disturbance such as cracks
• Branch shapes or angles that look out of place such as abrupt bends

4. Look out for wildlife

Be vigilant for wildlife in and around the tree, as their presence can pose unexpected challenges during climbing. Additionally, ensure you’re aware of any legal restrictions, such as Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), which may prohibit or limit climbing activities on certain trees. It's essential to respect these protections to avoid potential fines and to help preserve vital habitats.

5. Check for obstructions on the ground

Inspect the ground for potential obstructions, such as tree stumps, fallen branches, rocks, and man-made features. These can become hazardous when stepping back or dismounting from your climb. Take note of their positions or, where possible, remove them to ensure a safer landing area.

You’ve Picked Your Tree, Now Let’s Climb! - Helpful Climbing Tips

6. Stay low & complete qualifying moves

At ground or low level (<1m) practice & test out your skills on all the key climbing moves required before going higher. Link the moves together and ensure you can reverse them! Low level traversing is a good way to develop balance skills.

7. Spotters & support

Make sure you have someone who can reach you and provide assistance if necessary. If no one is able to help you from your current height, you might be climbing too high.

8. Tree climbing basics

• Wear footwear that offers good grip and ankle support & non-snag clothing that allows a free range of body movement

• Maintain 3 points of contact
• Check holds for security & grip before committing to them
• Use leg power to make progress and hands to maintain balance
• Allow space to move so you can look at your feet and spot available holds
• Reduce fatigue by hooking your arms and legs over branches to rest
• Be creative & dynamic - bend knees and hips. Vary leg levels
• Grip with whole body - legs, shin & knee can lock into position - apply slight torsion force to aid security
• Limit numbers of climbers in any one tree

9. Challenge yourself – key moves 

• Ladder or step up - a basic method to move up – you can face or stand sideways to the main stem, use holds in front and behind and even weave in and out of the branches.
• Pull up - use your arm strength to pull up past a section where there isn’t a convenient foot hold.
• Push up - as above, a transition phase to gain height, where a foothold is out of reach - advanced move.
• Bridge/ straddle - using legs with opposing forces to create height or rest. Add another point of contact such as hips or upper body. Good resting position, allowing planning of next moves
• Switch - arms or leg direction to see what works for you
• Cross over feet - sets up your footwork for subsequent moves
• Turn your body - sometimes gives a better perspective or improved balance
• Duck - under to change location, helpful to correct an overhang or simply enjoy the move
• Hook - where your foothold is higher than ideal. Bring your leg up and lever using upper body & core strength
• Branch walk - find a low strong branch with another above to act as a handrail. The branch is weaker further from trunk so take care as you move away from the trunk
• Rest - standing, either hook your elbow over a limb or hold on with your arm straight. Find an angled branch to lean back onto
• Reverse - moves frequently to see how they feel and to make sure you can get down. It’s generally more difficult to downclimb.  Face the tree and look at your foot placements

8. Sit and enjoy - stop, take a rest & take notice, enjoy a HARIBO!

9. Progress at your own pace - don’t let peer pressure impact your climbing choices.

10. Leave no trace - avoid overusing one tree, damaging branches through overloading, wearing out bark and littering the site.

11. If you love climbing trees and want to go further or higher get professional help or advice, to refine your free climbing movement or to use rope based systems for security and to advance in the absence of regularly spaced branches.