Fagus sylvatica

Houthakker · 19th August 2007, 01:55 PM

Your expertopinions are wanted!
Look at these pictures and tell me what YOU would do. Look at photo P8160590 first, looks like a pretty need beech. Take a closer look at the branch at the right, you see a gap between two reasonable big branches. Than take a look at 587, a big branch broke out in the same storm where you can see pictures at 'really northern tree specialists'. Since than smaller branches have come down due to sunburn and to heave foliage in combination with unstable environment. The lower metal holder was loosened after the new one was in its place. (in my eyes saved half the tree from coming down) Everything is in stainless steel, custom made, the owner values the tree. A little bit higher is another anchor placed in the tree. What to do with this tree, considering that this is our municipality's biggest beech.

Mike Poor · 19th August 2007, 02:08 PM

Wow that's too bad! If it were me I would install new approved cable systems (using through bolts!) Remove as much of the old bracing system as possible without wounding the trunk extensively. If possible lightly thin the tree first to reduce weight on fork.

Sean Freeman · 19th August 2007, 09:59 PM

Totally agree with Mike, your tree owner clearly cares a lot about this tree, I'd combine both the static cable system above the DIY set up with a dynamic system higher in the canopy, hard to tell from your pics but looks like the branch structure of the upper canopy is a little elongated?
Weight reduction on the seperating limbs is probably desirable from the point of view of reducing the loading on that weakened union....however removal of any live canopy is not going to help tree health and vigour too much....less is definately more with trees in this condition; prune very lightly don't take off any more than 5-10% of live canopy, ensure that you treat each limb as an autonomous unit.
I would also be looking to treat the soil, boost the microfauna and the soil environment for them decompaction (if needed) increase the mulched area of the root plate out as far as possible, soil drench with antogonistic fungi and diluted compost tea, sugar water and seaweed extract, I'd also be thinking along the lines of organic silica (all of the previous after a soil test to establish what the soil food web is around the root system of course!)

Its definately a specimen worth devoting much time and energy too.

Ekka · 20th August 2007, 12:23 AM

I would be installing threaded rod, straight thru with lock nuts and large washers on insides and outsides, 3 in series upwards. You can lock up the leaders and the rod serves as rigid brace ... tree will grow over rod and bolts, embedded, use stainless high grade and it would be set for many years. Go around 5/8" to 1" dia.

Higher in the canopy dynamic cabling.

I go with Sean on TLC for root zone, some mulch etc. Light careful reduction prune on vulnerable parts and solarguard paint exposed limbs to protect from sunburn. See a painter shop about a water based plastic paint with UV protection.

Houthakker · 28th August 2007, 04:44 AM

Thank you for your comments! A lot of it we figured out also but it is very nice to get confirmation and the possibility to discuss this kind of operations.
But...
Insurance-company was called upon by neighbour when we were discussing putting in anchors and costs for the work including fertilizing. Fertilizing was a problem due to the layer of asphalt the neighbour has put down on his driveway.
Insurance-company started a discussion with tree-owner and contacted the tree-owners insurance, which is most likely going to result in a take down operation.
People in Sweden are so lucky to have so much nature around them that they do not see the value of a tree in urban places.

Ekka · 28th August 2007, 05:11 AM

Oh well, worry not.

Hope you get the take down job!

We all love puzzles, challenges and for me, doing stuff we rarely do.

Bring on the next one, you get some good ones.

mdvaden · 28th August 2007, 10:04 PM

That was quite the contraption on the trunk.

Never came across anything like that yet.

A lot of embedded chain, but not something so engineered looking.

Houthakker · 29th August 2007, 11:52 AM

Just got the news, we have to take it down also. Will try to make some crosscuts to see how the tree reacted to the steel rims. Tree will come down when we have frost in the soil, owner wants to have as little damage as possible. He'll clear the tree away himself. I will use a skylift to take this one down.

PBTREE · 5th September 2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Poor

Wow that's too bad! If it were me I would install new approved cable systems (using through bolts!) Remove as much of the old bracing system as possible without wounding the trunk extensively. If possible lightly thin the tree first to reduce weight on fork.

What he said...

19th August 2007, 09:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	Totally agree with Mike, your tree owner clearly cares a lot about this tree, I'd combine both the static cable system above the DIY set up with a dynamic system higher in the canopy, hard to tell from your pics but looks like the branch structure of the upper canopy is a little elongated? Weight reduction on the seperating limbs is probably desirable from the point of view of reducing the loading on that weakened union....however removal of any live canopy is not going to help tree health and vigour too much....less is definately more with trees in this condition; prune very lightly don't take off any more than 5-10% of live canopy, ensure that you treat each limb as an autonomous unit. I would also be looking to treat the soil, boost the microfauna and the soil environment for them decompaction (if needed) increase the mulched area of the root plate out as far as possible, soil drench with antogonistic fungi and diluted compost tea, sugar water and seaweed extract, I'd also be thinking along the lines of organic silica (all of the previous after a soil test to establish what the soil food web is around the root system of course!) Its definately a specimen worth devoting much time and energy too. __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

28th August 2007, 05:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,915	Oh well, worry not. Hope you get the take down job! We all love puzzles, challenges and for me, doing stuff we rarely do. Bring on the next one, you get some good ones. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

28th August 2007, 10:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
mdvaden Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 543	That was quite the contraption on the trunk. Never came across anything like that yet. A lot of embedded chain, but not something so engineered looking. __________________ ____________________________________ Grove of Redwood TITANS Oregon BIGOOT trap

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19th August 2007, 02:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mike Poor Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Urbana, IL,usa Posts: 76	Wow that's too bad! If it were me I would install new approved cable systems (using through bolts!) Remove as much of the old bracing system as possible without wounding the trunk extensively. If possible lightly thin the tree first to reduce weight on fork.

28th August 2007, 04:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Houthakker Sappling Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 39	Thank you for your comments! A lot of it we figured out also but it is very nice to get confirmation and the possibility to discuss this kind of operations. But... Insurance-company was called upon by neighbour when we were discussing putting in anchors and costs for the work including fertilizing. Fertilizing was a problem due to the layer of asphalt the neighbour has put down on his driveway. Insurance-company started a discussion with tree-owner and contacted the tree-owners insurance, which is most likely going to result in a take down operation. People in Sweden are so lucky to have so much nature around them that they do not see the value of a tree in urban places.

29th August 2007, 11:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
Houthakker Sappling Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 39	Just got the news, we have to take it down also. Will try to make some crosscuts to see how the tree reacted to the steel rims. Tree will come down when we have frost in the soil, owner wants to have as little damage as possible. He'll clear the tree away himself. I will use a skylift to take this one down.