Well I finished cabling the south torrey on friday, so I went up the north torrey today, and got a big surprise.
I knew something fishy was up only about 12 feet up when I ran into gallons of fresh sap dripping onto the lower laterals from high above, and sure enough this is what I found about 70 feet up on a huge lateral.
Apparently this damage happened in december during high winds. The lateral comprises far too much of the upper canopy to remove without ruining this old torrey aesthetically and otherwise.
It was early 08 when I was last in this tree for my evaluation report and recommendation.
I got the owners out and showed them the pics above this morning so they could make a decision. I recommended lightening the leader, then cabling it to an upper leader 180 degrees opposite about 40 feet away and slightly above the cracked lateral, then rodding the split itself. I gave them an estimate for the additional work, and they said no problem do it.
I carefully thinned the affected leader of about 750 pounds of weight, then cabled it to the distant opposing leader. I was very happy when I tightened the cable ad the split leader stood back up into it's original positin in the tree with no problem.
I'll rod it tomorrow and post pics of the repair then. I'll be spending 8 more days cabling this old torrey so it can provide shade and beauty for many years to come.
What a sappy mess!
jomoco