I know there are many methods used to combat the voracious rocket eating tree but I would like to focus on telescoping fiberglass poles. Like this:
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https://www.geodatasys.com/pole7.htm
Anybody have any experience with these ? Anyone have another source for something better (and/or cheaper) than the one I posted ? This would be a club investment, possibly using some NAR Safety Grant money.
If your getting NAR grant money then the geodatasys poles are the best way to go. Our club as one of the 40foots which require two people for anything higher then about 30feet. and THEY MEAN It! Two people required, it is also a very good Idea to purchase several of the hooks as they take a beating get broken and/or lost.
We've had ours in service for about 4 years now, it's one of the very best tree retrievel tools you'll find.
As others have mentioned Check with your local fire Departments, sometimes they can help with used or out-of-Service units.
One more cautionary note: DO NOT use your bare fingers to push the retractor buttons on these fiberglass poles, Much better to use a stick or rock as it will Bit you good without any notice. Love the Pole but Be Aware of the finger bitters.
For recoveries from Trees in the 30-35foot range I've used my 24foot 3 section Paint Roller extension pole with a 3' x1/4" stainless rod hook for about 25years. Over all length is about 27ft, Works great and has a Fibreglass covered bottom section, Still don't like using it around power lines but can if used with care.
Last line is actually a Fishing Line. Actually braided 130lb kevlar fishing line with an attached 12" double Hook bungie cord. I've used this recovery device on many occasions where the poles just will not reach. Takes a few tries some times but have saved a few scale models from 50-60foot trees this way