Buckingham TreeSqueeze

The Buckingham TreeSqueeze is a friction saver from Buckingham, used at the tie-in point to protect the tree's bark and cut down wear on the climbing line. It gives a smoother, more predictable tie-in than running rope directly over a branch union.

Why use a friction saver

Running a climbing line straight over a union generates heat, wears the rope, and damages the cambium. A friction saver puts a protective sleeve or connectors at the crotch so the rope runs on hardware instead of bark. The tree stays healthier and your rope lasts longer, and rope movement is smoother and easier to predict.

Set it high in a sound union with the rings or connectors positioned so they do not bind. Learn the retrieval method for your system on the ground before relying on it.

Friction savers also make it easier to repeat climbs in the same tree. Once the saver is set, the climber can come down, move ground gear and go back up on the same tie-in without fighting rope friction over bark. On trees with thin or sensitive bark, the protection it gives the cambium is worth the small extra time spent on setup.

Inspection and safe use

A friction saver is part of your life-support system. Inspect the sleeve, rope or webbing and hardware before each climb and retire it at the first sign of cuts, heavy wear or heat damage. Compare other friction savers if you want an adjustable model.

Life-support gear must meet the applicable standard, be used per the manufacturer's instructions and ANSI Z133, be inspected before every climb, and be used only by trained climbers.