How long do cables last in trees?

glennak

I put this cable in 20 years ago and at the time I said it should be checked at least every 2 years. Think it was checked once after 2 years then again recently. We put 2 cables in this very large oak one galvanised (still in very good condition) the other (in photos) just steel. It is still as strong as ever at a guess but starting to rust. I used large eyes on 12mm high tensile zinc plated althread with 2 nuts. I used large eyes so it would have a longer threaded section so it would not be the weak spot. 12mm so as not to drill huge holes.
I replaced this cable with gal as it was still just possible; with smaller eyes the thimbles would have been in the tree and not possible to replace. Then what?
The tree had had a primitive cable wrapped around the trunk with tyres under it maybe 50 years before my cables as the trunk had a major split.
How long is a cable expected to last?

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Eric Frei

Depends on the material but many Yanks get 30 years+ they reckon.

They like to use EHS cable.

So hows the crack in the tree going?

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glennak

What is EHS cable? Can't see where the crack is anymore

Brent Ferris

Whether the cable is galvanized or just steel, i have seen some cables still strong and holding 40-50 years later. It rather depends on the tree species and the stresses the trees and cables are exposed to. A shorter life span comes from people taking the trees down, vs the cable letting go, or the the tree being topped by a nasty wind.

Eric Frei

Might be an American thing.

EHS = Extra High Strength

It is much stronger than normal cable.

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