How to repair?

[Menchhofer]

We know you guys are going to want a pic on this but it isn't possible.

Cleint has large wild cherry tree which had 2 included bark crotches(3 trunks) at the base of the trunk. Wind blew over one and we cleaned it up.

Client wants to keep what is left as long a possible. We installed cobra in canopy (and thinned) but I would like to know if there are any options out there for securing the remaining crotch. The diameter of the trunks exceed 5 feet thus I cannot see successfully installing hardened bolts as the longest bit I can find is the 5 ft model.



I would appreciate any suggestions. thanks

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

Your rite we need a pic or diagram,sorry !!

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

I have seen at Kew Gardens [Royal Botanic],wire braceing that has been connected to 5 or so stems ,they used a large circuler peice of steel do-nut shaped to secure all the wires in the centre of the tree,from the do-nut the cables/wires went to the stems,sorry i'm probably not much help..You should be able to get a small engineering company to knock up some bolts to what ever size you need,i wouldn't think it would cost too much

 

[Menchhofer]

See if this works

 

[Treeman14]

That pic didn't help much. You can get an extension for that 5 foot bit. It'll give you an extra 17 inches.

 

[geofore]

bits

Home Depot or one of the other big box stores has long bits that come in sections that bolt together up to any length. Look in the electrical dept., you won't find in the tool dept. I have a 12' footer that comes in three sections for reaching through the floors of a house to run wiring in the walls. You can also find them in electrical supply stores. When drilling a tree go slow and withdraw the bit often to clear the wood chips (every 3-6 inches). Slow and easy and it'll go through a tree. Another way would be to get a length of 1/4" pipe and weld a double spur auger-bit in to the end and use a 1/2" or 3/4" variable speed drill to drive it (use slow speed). A brace works but my arm gets tired of twisting it. Use a larger diameter bit to countersink for the washers or not.

 

[Lifesabeach]

Just curious. Were you able to make a proper cut? I'ts been my experience that breaks so close to the base are mostly unrepairable.

 

[Tree Wizard]

We have for a client a very good machine shop. They have been able to make us customized extra long bits for this type of job. they basically machine an extension and then weld it to the longest ships bit we can find.

We start the drilling with a short ships bit, then move up to a longer one, and finally the one with the extension. Geofore is correct, you have to go easy and extract the bit often to clean out all the shavings. (Nothing worse than getting a 50" bit stuck 40" in.) We have an old, old Milwaukee Tool 1" electric drill that has high torque and low rpm that works well for this type of bracing.