To Top or Not to Top… That Is the Question!
What Is Tree Topping (or “Top Reduction”)? Have you ever considered getting your trees topped? Sometimes also called “top reduction,” this practice involves cutting a tree’s upper branches or canopy dramatically—often leaving large stubs or multiple new “leaders” where the original top was removed. In the past, especially in areas with tall spruce trees (which […]
Tool Tuesday: PPE Deep Dive – Chainsaw Pants & Chaps
Why Chainsaw Pants and Chaps Are Essential PPE for Tree Work It’s Tool Tuesday again, and today we’re diving into one of the most important pieces of safety gear in any tree worker’s kit: chainsaw pants and chaps. Whether you’re an arborist, a weekend warrior, or just cleaning up storm-damaged trees on your acreage near […]
FireSmart Pruning – The Controversy of Pruning Spruce Trees
Why We Live Where the Trees and Wildfire Meet We are fortunate to call this beautiful forest‑ed area home — and many of us chose it because of the scenery, the trees, the natural surroundings. But with that privilege comes responsibility. According to FireSmart Canada, areas where human development meets natural vegetation are known as […]
Tool Tuesday: Throw Lines, Throw Weights & the Big Shot – Setting Ropes from the Ground
How Do You Get a Rope Up in a Tree? Here’s the Arborist’s Answer It’s Tool Tuesday, and today we’re answering one of the most common questions we hear on Calgary job sites: “How do you get the rope up there without climbing?” Whether we’re removing a dangerous spruce in Redwood Meadows or prepping for […]
Carpenter Ants in Alberta?! What They Mean for Your Trees
Yes — Carpenter Ants Are in Alberta! And They’re Living in Your Trees If you’ve noticed large black ants around your yard or firewood pile, you’re not imagining things. Alberta — especially forested communities like Redwood Meadows and Bragg Creek — is home to carpenter ants, and they’re more common than many homeowners realize. Unlike […]
Tool Tuesday: The ISC D4 Descender & HaulerBiner
Why Rescue Gear Like the ISC D4 and HaulerBiner Matters in Arborist Work Welcome back to Tool Tuesday, where we share the tools that make Red Mountain Rigging one of Calgary’s most safety-driven tree service companies. And yes… ANSI Z133 is making another appearance — because when it comes to arborist operations, safety is never […]
What Are These Worms in My Firewood?
The Mystery of Grubs in Your Firewood, Solved Have you spotted little white grubs in your firewood lately? If you live in Calgary, Redwood Meadows, or Bragg Creek, you’re not alone. These “worms” are actually round-headed borer larvae, most likely from the white spotted sawyer beetle (Monochamus scutellatus). They’re common in coniferous firewood — especially […]
Tool Tuesday: Why Wedges Are the Unsung Heroes of Tree Cutting
Tree Cutting Wedges: The $10 Tool That Can Save a $10,000 Job It’s Tool Tuesday again, and today we’re taking a closer look at what may be the most underrated tool in tree cutting — the wedge. Made from tough composite plastics, wedges play a crucial role in everything from tree felling to log bucking. […]
A Closer Look at Codominant Trees – The Hidden Risk in Your Calgary Yard
What Are Codominant Trees — and Why Are They Dangerous? You’ve probably seen us talk about tree risk assessments and mention codominant spruce in previous posts. But what exactly makes codominant trees so hazardous? A codominant tree is one that has two or more main stems (or “leaders”) of similar size growing from the same […]
Tool Tuesday: Why Handsaws Still Matter in Modern Tree Work
Handsaws: The Arborist’s Unsung Hero Welcome to another edition of Tool Tuesday — your behind-the-scenes look at the tools Red Mountain Rigging uses to provide safe, efficient, and professional tree services in Calgary. This week, we’re spotlighting one of the most trusted tools in our kit: the humble handsaw. Whether we’re pruning a maple in […]