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Originally Posted by Tree Machine  And then it there's always the weather event that could blow out whatever system is installed. That is regardless of whether we're talking about strength of materials, or degree of invasiveness/tree response
All true, Treevet. I totally respect experience in the Arborist on this one. You have probably hundreds more installs, and I'm fairly certain you have dissected trees from both your own cable systems and the operable or defunct cables of Arborists past. If you're like me, you take the opportunity to split the wood at the site of install, and keeping the CODIT model in mind, inspect and look at the affected site, look, touch, smell, whatever for clues the tree might offer as to that site-specific decay profile. Take in the clues the tree has to offer, attempt to better understand, and then get ya azz back to work.
I cable trees ONLY to preserve them. If the tree wasn't offering me a bleak picture of its likely future, I wouldn't consider it. I don't really enjoy cabling, it takes an entirely other set of tools than regular treecare, cabling is WORK, no matter how you cut it, only made easier by not having to climb (bucket).
I do, however, actively pursue trying to save savable trees by stabilizing the questionable fork.
If I thought the life was only ten years I would have to reconsider how I currently do things. I am here to learn. |
We are obviously on the same page on everything.
Nobody has ever purchased an exotic cruise on profits made through cabling.
I know you are a highly experienced and information seeking arborist.
At the top of your post you mentioned an extreme weather event nullifying any efforts we have put forth. Couple of years ago the largest burr oak in Ohio, my client's tree and just down the block from me was struck with a violent downshear wind event. It snapped the cable installed previous to me being involved. I wanted to replace the entire system before this happened but HO could not see spending twice no matter what I said.
It deposited a branch that a 20 ton crane situated right next to the house, could not budge and blew dark ominous black smoke. It crushed the entire south side of the structure and it had to be rebuilt.
We brought in some larger equipment and upon clearing the leader, I found 2 other huge leaders (3 foot dia, over 100 foot lgth......tree was 130 feet in ht. overall) that had major splits in crotches that leaned over the house.
Risking my life and having quoted 10, 000 $ bcs of the danger involved I cut back the entire 500 year old tree (increment boring-not mine) approx 33 percent, and it has done quite well despite the injustice and the client is happy. I also installed a real nice rope swing and I think this softened the huge expense a little. Their kids love it and the tree.
Point being, as you suggested, no system would have altered this destiny, but maybe the ass would be covered bcs of extreme circumstances.