CRAZY CHAIN? All aboard! Ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaa! Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay , Ay

[Treepedo]

Consulting for the New owner of an over 100 yr old home.
The chained up Sugar Maple may be older.
There are three sets of cables/chains in this tree. All in the bottom 1/2.
3/8" chain, 1" rod and weld on eye. There is nothing done right with this chain system and since nothing was done right, it can not be trusted in part or whole and is one big redo. Or remove

YouTube -

What do you think?
Crown reduction at the same time.
Should the chains stay?
Please, love to hear from ya.
Any comments, suggestions or maybe someone out there is on the crazy chain? Ha Ha

 

[treemandan]

I don't think the lower chains need to be removed but it looks like the upper ones could cause problem. Its nice how they are installed, they aren't actually wrapped around the tree like I usually see. They should be removed and replace with dynamic supports I think. I don't know if you could/should use the original mounting bolts. If you feel the support system should be higher in the tree then don't but if you feel the hieght is reasonable it looks like you could attach the new supports to the old bolts.
I would be leary about removing anything under tension.
Sure you could do some work to the tree or just leave it alone and call it sculpture.

 

[jefflovstrom]

How many different site's and forum's and thread's are you gonna post this in? Not being mean, but, Dang, I've seen this all over the place.
As far as the tree goes, a few pic's will result in sooo many reply's.
Your best will be from the guy at the site.
How much slack in them chain's?, what are the target's?, What would you do?, what would you suggest?.
So, is this a test or are you serious? You took the pic's. Tell us what you think!
Jeff

 

[husabud]

How many different site's and forum's and thread's are you gonna post this in? Not being mean, but, Dang, I've seen this all over the place.
As far as the tree goes, a few pic's will result in sooo many reply's.
Your best will be from the guy at the site.
How much slack in them chain's?, what are the target's?, What would you do?, what would you suggest?.
So, is this a test or are you serious? You took the pic's. Tell us what you think!
Jeff

I'm with Jeff. You saw it, now make a decision and do the job. If you you really need extra help with this Removal you should get some. I don't mean to sound like an ass, but you are all over the place.
It looks to me like that tree should have been removed before the sale and saved everybody the pain of the question.

 

[Treepedo]

Jeff.
I would like to save the tree.
Next step is to remove the cap, covering the crotch.
From what I have seen so far. Which includes a pull test plus 2nd visit with the last snow and wind load is we should be able to save it.
My research on the chains and hardware and how they engineered it is strongly suggesting it is not to be trusted.
The hard part is chains are not used much in trees and trying to find some info on the matter is the type of insight we are looking for on this and other sites.
One of the chains has some slack, one bolt has some play, it goes on and on about how faulty the whole system is. Easier to pick it apart than to find positives in it. It doesn't add up at all considering properly engineered support system have been around as long as we have used masts/ropes/sails etc.
Should they stay or go, redo, add to etc.
We want to make a confident decision with the tree and apply what ever information is availble.
I have suggested new higher cable and crown reduction upto 35% total over a few years and after further assessment.
Root zone modification because it does look low in vigor.
Need to see what it looks like in growing season.

I hope the HO will continue on with my Assessment. And that We are the tree company to maintain this tree for another generation.

Thanks for asking.:msp_smile:

 

[Natewood]

That was redone recently. Look how new the chains are compared to the eye bolts. from my exp with those chains they will start to rust in about five years. The system looks a lil low but since its been in there for decades and you're doing a reduction i can't see much of a reason to mess with it unless you're installing dynamics. Slack in the cabling is actually a good thing- it means the tree is supporting itself better than when it was installed(if installed correctly)

 

[Treepedo]

I'm with Jeff. You saw it, now make a decision and do the job. If you you really need extra help with this Removal you should get some. I don't mean to sound like an ass, but you are all over the place.
It looks to me like that tree should have been removed before the sale and saved everybody the pain of the question.

I'm not on here to cause anyone any pain with this thread.
Truly this is an unusual tree and the neighbourhood is very opposed to the removal of trees.Basically if you remove a tree here, its like crappin in your own backyard.

I have put in Assessment/proposal and am waiting for the HO to consider, till then any new opinion or insight into this chain system and tree is most welcome.:msp_smile:

 

[husabud]

I'm not on here to cause anyone any pain with this thread.
Truly this is an unusual tree and the neighbourhood is very opposed to the removal of trees.Basically if you remove a tree here, its like crappin in your own backyard.

I have put in Assessment/proposal and am waiting for the HO to consider, till then any new opinion or insight into this chain system and tree is most welcome.:msp_smile:

Well that being said, I agree with natewood. This system was done recently. Actually I think that was said on another forum so I may be a little confused. Either way with a reduction this tree would probably be fine. Although I might change out the chain for cable after the reduction.
I apologize for my rant. I too use multiple sites to better my practices in the trees I work on. Good luck with the client and shoot us some more pics when you're done.

 

[jefflovstrom]

I would not do any reduction or even pruning, unless it was a ' crown clean'. I like the Dynamic idea. You could actually install a Dynamic system to replace the other. With-in a year you could remove the cables and chains. But, don't prune a stressed oak!
Jeff :msp_rolleyes:

 

[Arbor Vision]

Those chains look brand spankin new off the shelf?????

 

[sgreanbeans]

Galvanized chain can stay nice for a long time, I have a 50fter that is 3 years old, still bright and shiny.

 

[millbilly]

I like the chains

Whats the difference between chain or cable? I think it adds some character.
I also belive that the eye bolts were put in some time back, at the proper height, 2/3 the height above the split crotch and the tree has grown 15/20 more feet since they were installed, and the chains were recently replaced.
What I would do, hand winch the leads closer together, reduce the length of the chain, release the leads allowing the chains to add support, install 2 maybe 3 screw rods into split crotch. Remove major dead wood, broken limbs, elevate and thin. Don't make any promises that the tree will last forever but if it were my house I wouldn't be scared of it falling

 

[Treepedo]

Crazy Chain, Jail House Rock

That cap is a solid plug of concrete, I will need to bust it out.
Dexpan was suggested. Drill holes and pour it in and it expands to crack it up.
Sounds alot easier then cut off saws and Jack Hammer.

I chippedaway as much as possible away from the bark. Real chore!

View attachment 179604View attachment 179605
YouTube -

New theme chains and rock. YouTube - Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock (Live)

Thanks in advance for any input.:msp_smile:

 

[Treepedo]

Captain jack hammer rocks it out!

In retrospect, we all need to pay for our sins.
No better way for us than caring for the largest living organisms on the planet.
Really happy to share this all with you gentlemen!
Hope you Enjoy the vid as much as we have bustin the shat out and makin the vid itself.

YouTube - King Tree Service and the old Sugar

 

[jefflovstrom]

You are in love with yourself, huh? Cool, Goob.
Jeff
Oh oh!

 

[millbilly]

now what?

The dentist i had as a kid died and left me in search of a new dentist. I found one, and you know the first thing he did ? He started replacing my old fillings. Telling me some kind of mumbo jumbo, that they should be replaced every so offten. Dont't know why that thought popped into my head after watching your video. Let it beknown I never went back to that dentist.

 

[treeman75]

I was thinking the same thing about the dentist. Some times i feel like one cleaning out cavities.

 

[Treepedo]

So true.
Funny thing is my client is a Dentist.:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[pdqdl]

Take a good air-driven 90 pounder and a 4" chisel bit with you next time you go up a tree and you won't be there quite so long.


That was quite the project, none-the-less.

 

[Treepedo]

Take a good air-driven 90 pounder and a 4" chisel bit with you next time you go up a tree and you won't be there quite so long.


That was quite the project, none-the-less.

I could have done twice as much drilling with a larger and longer bit and that would have helped with the Jack hammering!

In total 2000lbs of concrete came out of the tree.

Jobs finished. Placed a 5/8" semi-static rope cable( tight poly cover with nylon core with spiral plastic anti wear sleeve ) in an endless loop plus reinforced the nut and bolts connections to the chains, added another rope to secure chain and bolt connections at the vectors.

Pruned approximatetly 25% of the whole crown. Fun prune in the tippy tippy tops. 3 seperate tie ins.

All it needs now is the mulch and a bit of fertilizer and a good season.

Thanks to all!:biggrin: