Cabling the Cracking Maple

[treeseer]

a tree that will cause them worry ...The cost/liability numbers seem to be against them.

How are you calculating worry and liability?

 

[masiman]

How are you calculating worry and liability?

Worry - They already have it, that's why they called you. Also, in your report you specify your solution. Anyone that goes with that solution should be thinking what if it does not work...more worry.

Liability - As stated in other replies, the tree is near structures and public thoroughfares. Stuff happens, and who will have to pay if that stuff does happen? If the owner goes with your solution does that make them more liable because they tried a solution implying that they knew there was a problem? Is the person who did the work liable in anyway? Ya, that is the fear side of the equation but something they should consider. I know you do as you do this often enough.

So, that is about where I am coming from. A different solution than yours but the one I would vote for if my vote counted for anything, and I know it does not :taped:

Replacement trees can be planted now....and this tree can be kept healthy and safe and providing benefits up until it's useful time has passed. There is no need for a big gap in tree benefits!

It looked a little tight in that space to bring another tree along but you all would know better. Of course you'd have to stay involved in the process to say when would be the best time to cut the existing one so that the new one doesn't grow into an undesirable form reaching for the sun. I would vote for that option also, but the owner might balk at paying to save the current one knowing they will take it down in the near future. A good option though.

I've got a friend that we visit a couple times a year. We were just there yesterday. They have this dogwood that I am always surprised to still see standing every time we visit. It's maybe 20 foot and probably 30-40 years old. It forks about 1 foot up but the fork "looks" solid enough. One fork has only about 1/2 of the spar still there. What is left and visible is rotted and bored leaving a thick crescent shape. Furter up from that there are quarter sized and larger holes that I just noticed yesterday go through the tree. I'd guess there is at most 30% live wood left. The other spar isn't doing much better. I keep asking them if they want me to bring up my chainsaw. They want the little bit of shade it gives for now. They plan on putting on an addition in the near future that will necessitate it coming down. I tell them the same thing. Replant another tree. Luckily this one "should" do minimal if any damage to the house if it falls. I just hope it does not hit someone. I'll try to get some pix of the tree, we should be up there in about a month.

Good luck with it, do continue to post how the job progresses. I'm certain you can keep the tree going for another 10-20 years, heck maybe even more .

 

[Wet1]

If that baby was in front of my house I'd be burning it next year. That thing is a money pit and bad news waiting to happen.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Jkebxjunke]

there is one thing that you cant really figure the cost of.. is a lawsuit if something happens.you know how sue happy people are now.... what if some one get injured ans sues for $5,000,000? How much is it gonna cost to defend and then probably have to settle out of court... or a lawyer may try to pin the suit on the person or company doing the repairs..ect...
my .02 is whack it down and make firewood out of it... and plant a new tree.

 

[treeseer]

...you know how sue happy people are now.... what if some one get injured ans sues for $5,000,000? my .02 is whack it down and make firewood out of it.

Have you guys split much sweetgum for firewood lately?

A certain level of liability is unavoidable no matter what we do or not do, but there are steps that can limit our own personal and professional liability when assessing tree risk. First, define your assignment so that you and the owner understand the level of detail that you will be going to, and what form the written report will take. Second, state your limitations in a written “disclaimer”. Unless you have a big “S” on your chest, you cannot see inside the tree or under the tree. You cannot foresee what storms will be testing the tree’s strength, so you cannot guarantee its safety for a week or even for a day. Finally, make it clear that risk is always present, and it is the owners of the tree who are responsible for the decisions affecting the tree.

Attached is a pic of a he-man tree dude who always plays it safe.

 

[Slvrmple72]

Treeseer, we had high winds blow through Ohio and beat the heck out of our trees. I have a Norway in the backyard that lost half of its crown due to an included bark crotch failure ( crotch failure: now there is a mental picture! ) Anyhow, a lot of the damage was with trees that had included bark and subsequent rotting and cavitation. The pictures you took of the Sweetgum look like two trees trying to grow in the same spot. I would do a density measurement of the trunks near that cavity to accurately assess the extent of decay before even considering any sort of dynamic cabling/crown reduction options. What kind of targets stand in the path of the larger crown?

 

[capetrees]

Forget wasting money trying to save the thing. Sleep better at night, especially those windy nights, knowing it won't be a more expensive problem in the morning.

 

[treeseer]

Forget wasting money trying to save the thing. Sleep better at night,

Calla treecudder--better than Levitra!

 

[clearance]

Treeseer, we have argued much, all I ask is that you show the clients this thread. They deserve other opinions from treeguys.

 

[treesandsurf]

There are lots of criteria and standards for determining if a tree is a hazard or not.

Only one that I am aware of: target. If a target is present, there is risk assumed. How much risk is acceptable is up to the owner(s) as was eloquently stated earlier.

Risk assessment is so subjective, not definitive. 1 tree, 10 arborists and 10 different opinions :monkey:. I'm still trying to find my Superman glasses :camera:.

This was obviously posted because Treeseer knew it would be controversial, therefore not black and white. Makes for great reading on a Friday night though opcorn:.

jp

 

[toddstreeservic]

I say remove it and it removes all doubt. Seems less chance of you being taken to court over a removal than a cable job that fails IMO.

 

[Dadatwins]

Treeseer, we have argued much, all I ask is that you show the clients this thread. They deserve other opinions from treeguys.

I agree to a point that other tree people with equal qualifications to do risk assessment should be on site to evaluate the tree. Then the homeowner can make a fair decision. Getting the online opinion from folks hundreds of miles away who are simply looking at a few pictures is not a fair assessment by any means. Lot of assumptions made, anyone want to buy a bridge I have for sale?

 

[toddstreeservic]

I agree to a point that other tree people with equal qualifications to do risk assessment should be on site to evaluate the tree. Then the homeowner can make a fair decision. Getting the online opinion from folks hundreds of miles away who are simply looking at a few pictures is not a fair assessment by any means. Lot of assumptions made, anyone want to buy a bridge I have for sale?

maybe how much you asking?