Cabling Questions

[Philthy]

Any recommendations for minimally invasive cabling? Customer has a Japanese/some similar form of smaller growing maple that is starting to separate right where the main trunk splits into 3, the main center trunk is still growing towards the sun, but the outside two are at about 2 and 10 o'clock. Outside of the obvious 2/3's rule, any other input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Give us a pic,,too vague.
Jeff

 

[ATH]

if minimal invasive is the goal Branch Saver, http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=56&item=89 is a good choice.
Sherrill has the Cobra that looks like it would work well too (but I haven't used that). http://www.sherrilltree.com/Dynamic-Cabling#!Dynamic-Cabling

It almost sounds like bracing may be a better option??? Like Jeff said, need pictures.

 

[Zale]

Are they actually splitting or growing towards the sun?

 

[treeseer]

Swages and small cable. http://joa.isa-arbor.com/request.asp?JournalID=1&ArticleID=3187&Type=2

 

[Philthy]

Not the best pictures but they're better than the ones I didn't have.
Thank you treeseer, referencing the ISA should have been a no-brainer, but I joined this forum for advice/knowledge from people like yourself, and wanted to see what kind of feedback I would get.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Could use a closer pic of the trunk where the stems meet.
Jeff

 

[Philthy]

Could use a closer pic of the trunk where the stems meet.
Jeff

They're h/o taken photos, I'll hopefully take better this weekend, if I get a chance to go see her.

So the consensus is just small cable swaged through the stems? If so, my thought would be to cable the outer two together, through an eyebolt back to the main just slightly lower than where the outers are cabled so I can anchor the bolt into a thicker section of said tree. Thoughts?

 

[jefflovstrom]

They're h/o taken photos, I'll hopefully take better this weekend, if I get a chance to go see her.

So the consensus is just small cable swaged through the stems? If so, my thought would be to cable the outer two together, through an eyebolt back to the main just slightly lower than where the outers are cabled so I can anchor the bolt into a thicker section of said tree. Thoughts?

Don't include me in your consensus, I am not sentimental and by the looks of those pic's, I would remove it and re-plant.
That is why I asked for a better pic,, so I would not have to come right and say,"cut it down"
Jeff

 

[Philthy]

Unfortunately that's not an option, the elderly couple that planted it wants that tree to outlive them. I figure if I can keep it up with cables for 10-15 years, it more than likely will.

 

[BC WetCoast]

I disagree with Jeff on the removal, but for a Japanese maple in that position in the yard, it's pretty ugly. Before the discussion gets too far, also in my opinion, this tree is not hazardous as the targets are of low value.

What I would suggest is to install a threaded rod at the base just above the split. Then I would install a single high tensile wire using small J lags about 2/3 way up the stem. Finally, prune the tree to reduce the end weights on those branches and encourage more interior growth.

 

[BuckmasterStumpGrinding]

Wow... I would make the HO get rid of their pruning tools. Look at where it has been pruned in the past. It took them a lot of effort to get the tree to look like that. Good luck! If you want repeat business you could give them a lesson in tree biology and come back to prune it regularly. It looks like their philosophy is the more prunings the better.

 

[DR. P. Proteus]

Could use a closer pic of the trunk where the stems meet.
Jeff

That's cause yer old drunk and blind!

 

[jefflovstrom]

That's cause yer old drunk and blind!

Hey dumbphuck,, got a problem?
Jeff

 

[old_soul]

Wow, I've never seen a jap maple sprawl like that. All that weight is pulling itself apart.


Like BC said, I would try to talk them into reducing weight at the ends...........

 

[Zale]

I would reduce the weight and cable. Not sure if I would brace it though. I think a small cable or two and weight reduction should be enough.

 

[DR. P. Proteus]

Hey dumbphuck,, got a problem?
Jeff

No, I can see it just fine!