Certified Arborist Practice Exam

Which equipment allows the use of rope wraps to increase friction for the lowering of tree parts?

1. Prusik loop

2. Arborist block

3. Friction device (bollard, port-a-wrap, GRCS)

4. Scabbard

The correct answer is: Friction device (bollard, port-a-wrap, GRCS)

The correct answer is indeed focused on friction devices, such as a bollard, port-a-wrap, or GRCS (Guided Rope Control System). These devices are specifically designed to manage and control the lowering of tree parts safely and effectively. By incorporating rope wraps around these devices, you can significantly increase friction, which allows for smoother and more controlled descent of heavy branches or sections of a tree. Friction devices help arborists maintain better control during the lowering process, making it safer for both the crew and the surrounding environment. They are integral to tree care operations where precision and safety are paramount. While a Prusik loop is useful for creating a friction hitch in climbing scenarios, and an arborist block facilitates the redirecting of rope and provides mechanical advantage, they do not primarily focus on increasing friction in the lowering process like dedicated friction devices do. A scabbard, on the other hand, is more related to securing tools rather than manipulating rope for lowering tree sections.