Safer Step Ladder

**rgsparber** · Feb 7, 2013, 05:40 PM

I own a rather tall palm tree. Twice a year I must cut the fronds off the top. Being a rank novice on palm trees, I stupidly fertilized and watered it. Surprise, surprise - the damn thing grows! I am now faced with the problem that my 20' pole saw no longer reaches those fronds. In fact, I am no longer able to reach them with my 6' step ladder and pole saw. It was a bit dicey anyway because the ground around the base of this palm is not level. Well, now I need to use my 8' step ladder and having a solid base is essential. I solved the problem by building a frame. The ends that support the feet of the ladder are made of 4x4s about 3' long. I then used 2x4s about 7' long to form a frame. I then drilled a 5/8" hole in each corner about 4" deep. Into each hole went a 6" length of threaded rod with a nut on it. A washer was placed between a nut and wood. The other end of each threaded rod was welded to a 2" x 2" plate. I can now adjust the 4 nuts to level the frame. Then I put on the big step ladder and use straps to secure the lowest rung to the 4x4s. Nice and solid.

**kbalch** · Feb 8, 2013, 08:35 AM

Hi Rick,

Great idea. I've got some growing palms, too, though my landscaping company relieves me of the burden of doing more than just admiring them.

Any pics of the new support frame?

Ken