Emmett Shutts & Corey Shepard, The Davey Tree Expert Company

This begins with a brief recap of Part 1, followed by a comparison of rigging to advantage versus rigging to disadvantage. Through hands-on demonstrations, presenters will use rope angles to illustrate how forces change and how certain rigging configurations can create force amplification, particularly when tree parts are subjected to bending. One example explores how moving an anchor point, such as a port-a-wrap, to an adjacent tree can create angles that increase stress on the rigged tree.

The session will also examine how rope angles create vectors and influence loading. If the demonstration tree is suitable, presenters will show how rigging point selection can either bend or compress tree parts, using a plumb bob to visually compare branch deflection under different loading scenarios.

The program concludes with an interactive positioning skyline exercise. Using fiberglass poles as trees, participants will experience how suspended loads create bending forces and how adjustments such as hold-back lines and wider rope angles can shift forces into compression, resulting in a more stable and efficient system. Includes time for Q&As.

Speaker Bio:

Shutts, Emmett, CTSP – The Davey Tree Expert Company 

Being in the industry since 2006 has allowed Emmett to fine tune his abilities as a leader. His teaching strategy that incorporates fun hands-on learning and his ability to connect with diverse groups of people have caused him to rise through the ranks after joining Davey in 2018 from an arborist skill trainer to a manager for arborist skill trainers. In his role, Emmett helps create a training curriculum that enhances the education and development of safety skills within Davey’s field teams. Emmett has a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation from the University of Connecticut and is a Connecticut licensed arborist, Certified Tree Care Safety Professional(CTSP), board member of the Connecticut Tree Protective Association, and enjoys volunteering and competing in tree climbing competitions.