Included fork failure

Greenman UK · 22nd August 2008, 02:04 AM

This is a Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica) at an open space in Rugby, UK. The place in fact where the great game was started by William Webb Ellis.
I surveyed the tree a week b4 this happened!
I was covered though as i put down on the GIS for it to have further inspections with the old PICUS!
The tree had a COBRA brace system which failed as it was not correctly installed! I would say you need to do your homework when fitting one, just a bit of maths and bingo!! Correct location and breaking strain is key to this system working.
Still no one was hurt and we got the job of cleaning the mess up/fell/grinding. And we got paid for the tree survey! Happy days - or for the MD that is!!!

[IMG]

Garry Brockley · 22nd August 2008, 04:58 AM

That looks like one hell of a wound!

Eric Frei · 28th August 2008, 11:31 AM

All those branches at the same point on the trunk. My spider senses tell me that may have been some lop job years ago.

willem · 31st August 2008, 10:07 AM

the fagus often makes those branches which aren't attached correctly. Bark gets included and branch wood and stemwood will not get attached to each other. In Holland we have troubles with the fagus becaus of age. A lot of them where planted on estates about 200/250 years ago. Now these trees are failing because they are getting towards the end of their lifespan. For the fagus this is about 250 years. The bad attached branches often fail first when the tree is getting a lesser condition.

An image of such an old faguslane on an estate.

example of the branches i'm talking about. What is the english word for this kind of branch??

These pictures are from an experiment from the dutch isa-chapter. The trees had to be felled. Therefor a change occured for a destructive experiment to see how much force was needed to break of a badly attached branch at Fagus sylvatica. The outcome was that this branch could have a very big pull.
The branch broke but remained attached to the tree.

Eric Frei · 31st August 2008, 11:00 AM

Included bark unions or co-dominant stems with included bark are terms often used.

No all unions with included bark are true co-dominants though, you do get branch unions with included bark.

It means there's bark between the unions and they dont grow together as one piece, just like you have shown in your pictures.

That test done, strong union as the branch failed before the union.

Here's a thread you'd like. You may want to add some data or information to it.

V and U shaped Crotch Strengths, included bark| codominant stems etc

22nd August 2008, 02:04 AM	#1
Greenman UK Sappling Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Posts: 18	Included fork failure This is a Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica) at an open space in Rugby, UK. The place in fact where the great game was started by William Webb Ellis. I surveyed the tree a week b4 this happened! I was covered though as i put down on the GIS for it to have further inspections with the old PICUS! The tree had a COBRA brace system which failed as it was not correctly installed! I would say you need to do your homework when fitting one, just a bit of maths and bingo!! Correct location and breaking strain is key to this system working. Still no one was hurt and we got the job of cleaning the mess up/fell/grinding. And we got paid for the tree survey! Happy days - or for the MD that is!!! [IMG] Attached Thumbnails __________________ BSc (Hons) For, HND For, M.Arbor A. CEnv Consultant Arboriculturist

22nd August 2008, 04:58 AM	#2
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,649	Re: Included fork failure That looks like one hell of a wound! __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

28th August 2008, 11:31 AM	#3
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,811	Re: Included fork failure All those branches at the same point on the trunk. My spider senses tell me that may have been some lop job years ago. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

31st August 2008, 10:07 AM	#4
willem Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: the netherlands Posts: 188	Re: Included fork failure the fagus often makes those branches which aren't attached correctly. Bark gets included and branch wood and stemwood will not get attached to each other. In Holland we have troubles with the fagus becaus of age. A lot of them where planted on estates about 200/250 years ago. Now these trees are failing because they are getting towards the end of their lifespan. For the fagus this is about 250 years. The bad attached branches often fail first when the tree is getting a lesser condition. An image of such an old faguslane on an estate. example of the branches i'm talking about. What is the english word for this kind of branch?? These pictures are from an experiment from the dutch isa-chapter. The trees had to be felled. Therefor a change occured for a destructive experiment to see how much force was needed to break of a badly attached branch at Fagus sylvatica. The outcome was that this branch could have a very big pull. The branch broke but remained attached to the tree.

31st August 2008, 11:00 AM	#5
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,811	Re: Included fork failure Included bark unions or co-dominant stems with included bark are terms often used. No all unions with included bark are true co-dominants though, you do get branch unions with included bark. It means there's bark between the unions and they dont grow together as one piece, just like you have shown in your pictures. That test done, strong union as the branch failed before the union. Here's a thread you'd like. You may want to add some data or information to it. V and U shaped Crotch Strengths, included bark\| codominant stems etc __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

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