Alois Diethelm is considered the last tree ladder maker in Switzerland

Alois Diethelm-Signer from Sattel has been producing tree ladders for fruit crops for 60 years. In 1966, he took over the business for the ladder maker Josef Nussbaumer in Sattel, from whom he learned the trade. He is considered the last of his guild. Together with one employee he used to make up to 300 ladders a year. Today he makes only 40 of them. This is partly due to the change in agriculture. Fruit cultivation has declined and in the past cherries used to grow mostly on high trunk trees. That is why his tree ladders, which can be up to twelve metres, are needed less and lesser.

To build his ladders Alois Diethelm uses entire poles from young spruce trunks. The rungs are made of hardwood. For the sake of better stability, the ladders are built conically. This conical construction leads to a lower centre of gravity, provides more safety and makes positioning the ladder to the tree easier. Fruit pickers particularly appreciate the unique handiness and durability of his tree ladders.

In the past, Alois Diethelm built together with an employee at least one ladder a day, and his two sons also helped. Twenty years ago, the demand steadily decreased. Today he does manufactures alone and his wife supports him. Alois Diethelm is retired and still does it because he enjoys it.

A film by Alain Hospenthal © Alain Hospenthal - filming, editing, sound and text.