2 : The stick trick
Begin by tying a short length of stick or branch into the longer side of the pulling rope ( usually the standing part once the working end has been pulled over the union ). An in-line knot such as a clove hitch or girth hitch is excellent for this purpose . Some workers prefer to tie opposing half-hitches at either end of the stick so that it stays ‘ in-line ’ with the rope . Both methods work well .
Pull down on the other side to lift the stick up to the branch .
When the stick reaches the branch , give a sharp tug on the rope to ‘ flick ’ the stick up and over the branch - this will lift the rope up , as well as pushing through any small epicormic growth , and ‘ walk ’ the rope down the branch .
If it does not clear the obstacle , or where additional obstacles exist , you may need to pull on the other side of the rope to jump the stick back - repeat until the rope is sitting correctly in the target union .
Pull the stick back down to ground level and remove before tying off the rope to begin pulling .
This can be a very effective trick , particularly when internal shoots within the canopy are inhibiting other movements of the rope , or when the branch is high above the ground .
- 78 - © Arboriculture Australia 2022