“I prefer SRS primarily because it al- lows for far more efficient movement when ascending trees,” he said. “The energy savings with an SRS rope-walk- ing configuration are significant com- pared to MRS.” But even with energy savings, arbor- ists can feel weighed down by an SRS system. “The climber must advance all of their body weight in an SRS system,” Chambrelli explained. “This means the climber cannot just pull down on the rope and move up — it requires a mechanical ascender or excellent foot locking technique to be efficient.” Additionally, the weight applied by a climber is directed to the anchor point, so proper selection of an anchor point or use of a canopy choke is important. A poorly selected anchor point may lead to failure, especially with dynamic movements or devices that can exert higher loads. Proper understanding of SRS concepts should also be fully grasped. Since SRS is more complex and less intuitive than MRS, this may affect climbers who are accustomed to MRS’ simplicity. “SRS is more gear-intensive,” Cham- brelli confirmed. When deciding between MRS or SRS, it should be based on the nature of the work at hand. “I decide what is most efficient and comfortable while in the tree, generally opting for MRS for lateral canopy move- ment or SRS when the work requires a dedicated ascent to a specific work zone,” Spence concluded. MODERN MARVELS While friction-based systems have been the traditional choice for many years due to their natural feel and simplicity, the integration of mechanical devices in arboriculture has gained popularity in recent years. Climbing devices such as the Notch Rope Wrench and Rope
Climbing arborists have a carte blanche of knots, hitches, tools, and devices to help them decide where and how to configure their preferred climbing system.
setup offers incredible efficiency when climbing high because the climber can move in a strong and upright position, especially with foot ascenders, knee ascenders, and other climbing devices in tow. SRS also offers minimal friction, even when there are multiple redirects in large trees.
“If the job requires a lot of redirects, SRS is the best choice as it is easy to install retrievable redirects where ad- ditional friction won’t interfere with my climbing efficiency,” Hanrahan as- sured. Tim Spence, business owner at Arborist Halifax emphasized the practical ad- vantages he has found in his prefer- ence for SRS/SRT climbing systems.
36 | Spring 2026 ArborTIMES ™
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