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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 52

Tree-climbing

Tree-climbing.

The trees near the coast are gigantic in comparison with those of the interior, and many of these have to be ascended for the purpose of obtaining much of their supplies. I took an early opportunity of witnessing the ascent of one of these. I had little difficulty by the offer of 6d. in obtaining a volunteer. He was a very old man, his hair and beard white with age. He appeared very unconcerned about the bargain, which was made by my companion, an old settler, muttering a few words which, of course, I could not understand. I noticed the movement of what I had hitherto taken as a pile of filthy blankets, either thrown away as useless or put aside for the washerwoman. This proved to be the old man's wife, who was lying with her head on a still more filthy bundle about the size of a football. This bundle, or net, as it really was, she opened and drew forth a still more dirty rag. This rag when stretched out was supposed to represent a shirt, which the old man, assisted by his wife, proceeded to put on. On standing up this old man presented a most extraordinary appearance. His legs and arms were long, thin, and sinewy, his feet large and well spread out, whilst his stomach, in consequence of abundance of kangaroo meat in the camp, was round like a globe. His shirt did not quite reach to his waist.

The tree which he was about to ascend was a very large one, a blue gum, with a perfectly smooth barrel, and was estimated at 70 feet to the lowest limb, and measured 20 feet at about 4 feet from the ground. This old man had been accustomed to the use of a stone tomahawk, and even now seemed indifferent as to page 30 whether he would use an iron one. He at once fixed upon the proper side for ascending, then standing close to the tree he cut two notches about 1 inch or 1½ inch deep, one at about the height of his waist and the other at about the height of his head, not immediately in line with the first notch, but a little to the right or left, according to circumstances. These notches were cut by a few taps of the tomahawk given alternately in a horizontal direction, and then at an angle of about 45°. This notch was sufficient to place his great toe in. Standing with the ball of his right or left foot according to circumstances in the lowest notch he had cut, having previously cut a small piece out from the side of the tree, so that he could place the tips of his fingers in to give him a hold, he cut a third notch at the height of his head; then standing with his other foot in the second notch he had cut before leaving the ground he cut a fourth notch at the same height, and so on until he arrived at the top.

It will be observed that two notches were cut before he left the ground, and that he only ascended by one at a time. It is absolutely necessary that the body be kept close to the tree, as there is little or nothing to hold on by, and the notch affords but little standing-room, admitting of no bending of the body. By making the cut about the height of his head, and immediately in front of him, the climber, by raising his eyes, can see whether it is properly cut, and at the same time keep his body close to the tree, for it is necessary that the bottom of the nick be horizontal and evenly cut. It will be seen that these notches are in two parallel lines at alternate distances. In descending, the foot is slid down the side of the tree until the notch is found. The man generally wears a 'possum-belt, into which he thrusts his tomahawk, otherwise he holds it in his mouth; this enables him to use both hands whilst ascending.

I have witnessed this tree-climbing in many parts of the country. Some blacks use a long rope of vine, which is obtained in the dense brushes, passing it round the tree, and holding on by it as they ascend. In other parts, where the timber is smaller, slight indentions only of the bark are made.

I cannot call to mind that I ever noticed a black make use of his knees whilst climbing; they invariably place the sole of the foot at once on the landing-place, and use their feet like monkeys in ascending an upright tree or limb. In ascending a tree a second time fresh cuts are always made, and some trees show four or five different marks.

On measuring the distance between these cuts or notches on a tree which had been felled by sawyers, I found that they did not vary the fourth part of an inch.