NEED ADVICE on TREE BRACING

[GLOBOTREE]

AS members: could anyone give some advice on a cobra cable system am looking to install~ thanks a gazillion!

 

[Norwayclimber]

The pamphlet that follows the cobra sets prettey much explains everyting. Is easy to set up. Or just check out the website http://www.cobranet.de/en/pdf/cobra_us_brochure.pdf

 

[GLOBOTREE]

Thank you for the link~ my question is this~ is it common practice to cable 4 trees into one support system? I have a clump of ash i'd like to preserve, this is an early spring project~ any other advice?

 

[Norwayclimber]

I have seen it done, but I can't say if its common or not. Guess you got to use your own common sense, and find out what you recon to be the best solution. But a cluster of trees have grown up to depend on each other, so I dont see anything wrong with doing it, on a hypthetical basis.

Elsewise I prefer terminating the rope with electrical tape, and not the supplied shrinking caps. They tend to crack when overheating or fall of during installing.

 

[pdqdl]

I believe that the Cobra system offers certain advantages over traditional cabling, and it certainly has disadvantages as well. Have you already made up your mind, or is that the only system you think you can install?

 

[mr. holden wood]

Thank you for the link~ my question is this~ is it common practice to cable 4 trees into one support system? I have a clump of ash i'd like to preserve, this is an early spring project~ any other advice?

I have a good amount of experience with cobra installs but have only used it with multistemmed trees. It's a fairly simple install but make sure the span is NO less then eight feet. Bring motor oil to thread the damper and add a couple extra hrs if its your first install. I use electrical tape for the ends of rope as well.
I use to pretension the stems (or trees in your case) with a two 2 one but have read that the system should be set up only with its own tension. If anyone else could elaborate on this it would be helpful. Dont forget to charge accordingly it expensive. good luck.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Have you looked into 'Sav-a-tree' ? Don't have my Sherrill catalog in front of me. It worked great for the reasons I used it. Not bad a price.
Jeff

 

[Norwayclimber]

I have a good amount of experience with cobra installs but have only used it with multistemmed trees. It's a fairly simple install but make sure the span is NO less then eight feet. Bring motor oil to thread the damper and add a couple extra hrs if its your first install. I use electrical tape for the ends of rope as well.
I use to pretension the stems (or trees in your case) with a two 2 one but have read that the system should be set up only with its own tension. If anyone else could elaborate on this it would be helpful. Dont forget to charge accordingly it expensive. good luck.

The new boxes with cobra setup, the rubber "dilldo" dosn't need any form of lubrication (motoroil or provided lube). This is a sweet improvement.

As for pretensioning the stems, the cobra was developed as a dynamic cabling system. This means that it is meant to help strengthen trees and stems when they get peakloaded (by wind, snow, ice etc.) But it also allows the trees to move freely, and keep developing tapper and reaction wood. So pretentioning is not needed. When finished installed my cobras usually hang with a little slack (not tight). But they will tighten up in wind, and then the rubber "dildo" will stretch and make the breaking process of the rope dynamic.

And for all you oldtimeres, yes, if the tree all ready has delaminated, cracked etc, a dynamic cabling system is probably not the best solution. But for trees with weak crotches, indulged bark, etc, a dynamic cabling system allows the tree to keep building its own defense, no harm to the tree, and it provides the people below with safety from a complete failure.

It's like when people get old and their balance gets degenerated. If you make sure they stop walking, put them in a wheelchair, well they won't fall and break a leg, but they won't get any exercise and their muscles in their legs will soon disappear. Instead you may give them a walking-cane or add a rail in the bathroom and along staircases. This way they get a little extra support when needed, but they also keep walking. (But there still is a chance they may fall and break their leg )

 

[TreeAce]

What about "branch saver" from tree stuff? It's low cost has caught my eye and it looks easy to install. What about the rubbing on the tree from the "loop around" the tree?Isnt this a bad thing? Seems like a lag would be better? Maybe there should be a way to use the dynamic "cable" but attach with a lag? Just a thought. I am planning to use Branch Saver on a tree at a clients home. I am skeptical that this tree will live because of it's proxcimity to a new in ground pool. Anyway...I think the Branch Saver could be used on another tree later if the pool side maple doesn't make it. Kinda a selling point. Plus the Branch saver is so cheap it really wouldn't even matter. So....Branch Saver OK?