Three basic questions

Just discovered that there is treeclimbing as a recreational activity when I found TCI website and have many questions but for now I'll just ask three:

1) Is there any TCI affiliate in Switzerland (Geneva) or Southeastern France (Haute Savoie/ Alps) ?
2) We have a huge sequoia in our yard but unclimbable to amatures like me since branches start very high. How could I evaluate its climbability?
3) Are there any books you can recommend on recreational treeclimbing?

Thanks! Karin

Karin,

To the best of my knowledge there are no recognized recreational treeclimbing groups near your home.

Recreational treeclimbing can be a dangerous sport for those who do not know the correct methods of scaling a tall tree. I always recommend that prospective climbers take a basic course from a qualified treeclimbing instructor, but I also realize that this isn't always feasible for someone half a world away from where most of the instructors are located.

I recommend these manuals: The Tree Climber's Companion, by Jeff Jepson; or Recreational Tree Climbing: A Newcomer's Guide, by Dick Flowers. Both manuals are available through New Tribe Inc. (newtribe.com). Both manuals have information on how to reach the higher limbs in your tree.

You might also want to contact a certified arborist or tree surgeon in your area, for possible information on local climbing courses.

Thank you very much for your response, Wild Bill. I appreciate the book references and the suggestion to contact local arborists/tree surgeons which there certainly are in the area!