Using climbing spikes can cause damage in a variety of ways. They can: Puncture the tree's cambium, or living tissue underneath the bark, causing irregular shoot growth or, worse, parts of the tree to die off. Leave holes that will make the tree vulnerable to insect infestations and dangerous tree diseases.

Does it hurt a tree when you climb it?

Only dead trees or trees that are being taken down should be climbed with spikes. The spikes will not kill the tree, but they leave behind wounds in the trunk. These wounds will likely heal without problems. But we try not to wound trees needlessly as any wound is a potential source of infection.

Why should we not climb on trees?

Answer: Children of Ukrainian farmers often died falling out of trees. Professional tree climbing organizations such as Tree Climbers International do not recommend free climbing because it is so dangerous. They believe that encouraging a child to free-climb is life-threatening.