3 Instances of Questionable Tree Structure

[ForTheArborist]

I think the action should be taken on these trees now because of their unstable structures. I'm not sure how many others would agree with me. Anyone agree or disagree with me?

I think this eucalyptus is going to just start groing on the ground soon, or it will snap off damaging the fence and maybe somebody's person.
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv4/ForTheAction/DVC00202.jpg?t=1258031863

I assumed immediately that this tree needs the co-dependent trunk removed before this situation escalates, and before the scar is impossible to grow over. That secondary trunk can already reach the house if it ever broke off at the base, and as it grows taller it is going to be able to reach more rooms in the house and fall deeper through the roof.

It's my understanding that the branches below will eventually grow bigger, accumulate more weight, and fall out of the trees simply because they are not growing to support there own weights. Instead they are supported by their neighboring tree, and allowed a narrow and weak base structure near the trunk to reside. As I understand it, this is a dangerous situation, and it will increase in danger as time passes.

By the way, the tree on the left (above) is the same pine tree with the co-dependent situation noted at the top.

I think I have these trees narrowed down, but I also want to know if I'm the only one that sees what I see about these trees. Thanks for the perspectives.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

There is some risk of that happening, it is not for certain. There is a codom problem in the crown of the pine, but I do not think you have snow and ice load problems there too often.

I think the loaders compaction is more problematic over the long term.

 

[jomoco]

Whqt kind of pine tree is that FTA?

jomoco

 

[ForTheArborist]

Whqt kind of pine tree is that FTA?

jomoco

I can't say. They are unusually high, narrow, and symetrical. Are you used to seeing those here? I'm not. They might be imported.

 

[jomoco]

I can't say. They are unusually high, narrow, and symetrical. Are you used to seeing those here? I'm not. They might be imported.

Those are canary island pine trees, Pinus canariensis. They have the somewhat unusual ability to re-sprout from a stub cut, unlike most pines.

Unfortunately they are susceptible to the ipps bark beetle killing millions of pines now throughout the US.

They do well in Socal with very light thinning as a pruning rule.

Co-dominant stems can be cabled and rodded in canary island pines if throughbolt hardware is used. The pics you posted are of relatively young pines, but I would still rather cable than cut, unless disease or an infestation is prsenting itself.

Be careful in canaries climbing them, as they are far more brittle than other pines, you can actually tear one and a half inch branches off them with your bare hands!

Stay in wood over 4-5 inches on your primary TIP FTA!

jomoco

 

[treeseer]

Agree that the machine is a big problem for the tree--wtf is it doing there?--, and that cabling would mitigate the codom issue. Subordinating may be another good option.

Wouldn't cutting that codom rot the base of the remaining trunk?

 

[ForTheArborist]

So either mess up the tree with some cables, or mess up the tree by cutting out the subordinate trunk?

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Looks like it has monster girdling roots too, cut the whole thing down and plant some hastas.

Cable and through rods will introduce a small er potential decay court, without removing the dynamic mass in the subordinate stem. It looks like the root plate is dependent on that stem and you may loose the whole tree in the long run by removing it.

 

[treeseer]

So either mess up the tree with some cables, or mess up the tree by cutting out the subordinate trunk?

Looking at the top of that trunk, I wonder if the fork is such a huge defect. if the stem does not lean out and if other stems continue to share the wind, it does not look like a hazard (defect that needs action) at all.

Stop messing up the roots with machinery would be Job 1.

 

[jomoco]

I know, let's keep the mess up away from the trees in San Diego!

Yu know, live and let live?

Mess up trees with cables indeed.

jomoco

 

[ForTheArborist]

I know, let's keep the mess up away from the trees in San Diego!

Yu know, live and let live?

Mess up trees with cables indeed.

jomoco

I read your advice about how to climb these pines, and that's locked into memory.

What's the best way to go with cables and rods? I was thinking a straight rod through drilled holes in both stems. Is that the proper action in your experience?

The way I understand it, the cable will be swallowed by the tree on three sides, therefore robbing the integrity of the tree's structure. I've seen where this happens, and it didn't look healthy to me. I assume that with a large washer on both ends of a bolt drilled the stems the tree will swallow those, but the washers will be locked with in the stems, therefore guaranteeing structure and support.

I have a feeling that this is not a technique at all, and these washers and bolt will cause some disease and decay like the guy said. Do I have the technique thought out correctly?

By the way, is this drooping euc any danger?

 

[treeseer]

I was thinking a straight rod through drilled holes in both stems. Is that the proper action in your experience?...I assume...
I have a feeling... Do I have the technique thought out correctly?

No, because you have not read the guide: http://secure.isa-arbor.com/webstor...Series-BMP-Tree-Support-Systems--P156C59.aspx

pm me and i can send it to you for $8. You write very well, so learning from the bmp should be no problem. Still, seeing it in the field helps a lot; maybe jomoco can hire you for a day?

By the way, is this drooping euc any danger?

with a telescoping pole pruner you can just lighten those sagging ends; I can send the pruning bmp too...

 

[ForTheArborist]

No, because you have not read the guide: http://secure.isa-arbor.com/webstor...Series-BMP-Tree-Support-Systems--P156C59.aspx

pm me and i can send it to you for $8. You write very well, so learning from the bmp should be no problem. Still, seeing it in the field helps a lot; maybe jomoco can hire you for a day?

with a telescoping pole pruner you can just lighten those sagging ends; I can send the pruning bmp too...

Sure, I'll take all of the books like that that you have. Right now I'd be interested in a maintaince plan for eucalyptuses since they shed their branches, and cause such a risk to human life. Do you have any books that specifically draw out a plan for eucs? I'd be interested buying up what you can part with at the used prices. I'll PM you about it.