Climbing spikes vs rope access got me in a heated debate with a old timer last week

I was up on a big oak pruning deadwood when this retired logger stopped to watch. He said using spikes on a live tree is basically lazy and damages the cambium permanently, even with good technique. But I argued that for removals and rough pruning spikes are fine and way faster. Now I'm second guessing myself - do you guys think spikes ever belong on a live tree or is he right that it's always bad practice?

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betty_barnes3d ago

My buddy who works for a tree service out in Oregon told me they have a strict no spikes policy unless its a removal or dead tree. He said they had a new guy spike up a clients prized maple and it left visible wounds for years. I read somewhere that every puncture is basically a scar that the tree has to compartmentalize, so it adds up over time. I get the speed argument though, sometimes you just need the work done.