Three reasons to invest in a cambium saver

Cambium savers, or friction savers as they’re often called, aren’t a new idea. The current ‘dual saver’ design has been around since the early nineties in fact, making its debut at a trade show in Germany. 

The straightforward design, consisting of a piece of webbing with a small ring at one end and a larger ring at the other, proved to be a hit with arborists on the continent. Its use subsequently spread to the UK and across the pond to the US, with more companies beginning to offer their own take on the design.

But what made the cambium saver such a popular accessory? In this guide, we’re going to explain how the cambium saver works then take a look at the three main benefits of the product. 

How does a cambium saver work?

The cambium saver passes over the anchor point in the tree where the climbing rope would normally be positioned,  and the rope then passes through the two rings of the cambium saver instead of over the tree branch. This way, the cambium saver remains stationary in the tree, and the friction of the moving rope is dissipated on the rings of the cambium saver not the bark.

Reduced rope wear

Although it’s not the reason they were originally invented, for many arborists, this is the main attraction of a cambium saver. By placing a hard-wearing physical barrier between the tree and your climbing rope, the lifespan of the rope is dramatically increased. Although arborist climbing rope is designed to withstand friction, persistent friction will nevertheless increase the rate of wear on the rope. 

By keeping friction to a minimum, you’ll be maximising the lifespan of your rope. And you know what that means: you’ll have to buy rope less often, saving you money in the long run. When you factor in the low cost of a cambium saver, it’s a no-brainer. 

Protection for the tree

The name ‘cambium saver’ is a giveaway to the product’s original purpose. Cambium, for anyone unfamiliar with the term,, is the layer of cells that sits in between a tree’s bark and the wood in the centre. If an arborist is climbing extensively in a tree, the movement of the climbing rope will wear away at the bark at the point the rope passes over it and, ultimately, the cambium, weakening the tree and leaving it vulnerable to disease. 

Using a cambium saver is a great way to protect the tree you’re climbing, safeguarding its health. 

Improved safety

Reducing the friction on your climbing rope won’t just save you money in the long run – it could keep you safer. Even if you carry out regular inspections of your ropes, it’s still important to take every additional precaution you can – you can’t put a price on safety, after all. A cambium saver will lessen the risk of your rope fraying, snapping or slipping, helping to keep you in one piece.

Get your cambium savers online today

The Harkie range of cambium savers for tree climbing includes a 0.9m and 1.2m option, both made from triple folded webbing for a perfect balance of stiffness and manoeuvrability. Durable and built to last, our cambium savers won’t break the bank either! Get yours online today.