Props

[OTG BOSTON]

Anyone have any experience with propping limbs? I'm working on a special project and would like to include a prop as part of my preservation plan. Pics to follow.............

 

[diltree]

Propping limbs???...please elaborate

 

[BC_Logger]

are you talking about cable riging limbs to support them ?

 

[OTG BOSTON]

prop as in a support for a long limb that is drooping. We have one in the Public Garden, I'm just wondering if there is a standard or something.

 

[diltree]

With the use of an acute cable installation? or an actual prop under the limb that comes up from the ground...just curious this is the first time I have heard the term

 

[OTG BOSTON]

an actual prop under the limb that comes up from the ground...just curious this is the first time I have heard the term

Yes. The only thing I remember about it from school is "once a prop, always a prop"

 

[sawsong]

i know what ya mean dude. something used over here a bit in special circumstances

see pic: the major oak, sherwood forest, nottinghamshire, UK

Robin Hood supposedly hid out inside the tree, which up until recently you could get inside. Such is its popularity, no expense is spared in keeping this tree alive, it would be a trajedy if it were to die, unfortunately it means no visitors can get too close, but yeah, all the branches are propped

 

[OTG BOSTON]

Thank you sawsong! Any idea if there is a standard for this?

 

[diltree]

Wow...that is one old english oak....very cool proping system

 

[sawsong]

all ive found so far is:

Propping, like cabling or bracing, is an operation carried out to prevent damage. It involves placing a wooden or metal prop between a low, horizontal branch and the ground to prevent the branch sagging and breaking. Props can be made from steel or durable timber. The base of the prop should be placed on a firm pad, such as concrete, to prevent the prop and branch sinking into the ground.


but I SHALL enquire with my forestry commission friend who worked sherwood forest as he may well be able to shed extra light.

I assume the information you require relates to positioning of the props?

edit: it's so far seeming that the props must be of number and size suitable for the task, and if needed (as with the major) guy'd down themselves to keep them secure, that's it... but that's only my findings 'so far'

 

[Kate Butler]

propping trees

There's a magnolia acuminata in Colonial Heights, Virginia that is unbelievably propped, cabled, and braced. None of my pix show the work off, but here's a link:

http://www.google.com/search?as_q=c...ny&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&as_rights=&safe=off

If you contact the museum, they might be willing to put you in touch with the company doing the work. Good luck and if you ever get a change to see it, DON'T MISS IT!!

 

[treeseer]

Nothing in ANSI or the ISA BMP's (maybe you already looked at your copies).

I think the "standard of care" rests somewhere between general laws of physics as applied in engineering (aim for the center of gravity etc.), and observing what has worked on other trees. TCI had a nice article written by Nick and Karina about a tree in LA that was propped. Page 12 here 9never mind the crummy piece on page 13): http://www.treecareindustry.org/PDFs/TCI_Mag_Nov_06.pdf

 

[treevet]

A consideration probably would be in regards to the prop itself outside of it s location on the branch to make it as secure as poss to the ground as nec. I ve seen many in the ground in concrete. Of course carefully avoiding root damage when excavating. The tree attachment would be done so as to interrupt as little conductive tissue as possible. I ve seen tempories often used in orchards to support fruit weight but you are looking for permanent support I think. I once saw a tree that was 60 feet tall and hollow supported by 2 60 foot steel poles on either side of trunk w cables attached to tree holding it up. Sounds like fun, your imagination is your best resource here I think. Standards are made by just people like you.

 

[treeseer]

Standards are made by just people like you.

Got that right. BMP means Best Means Possible.

 

[OTG BOSTON]

Thanks guys

I'm going out to get some pics today. Our staff carpenter looked at the tree yesterday, he's ready to go as soon as I can get the darn thing pruned (we've been wet for a few days now, there is actually talk of cancelling the Marathon) We will be using pressure treated 4x6 as the main support.

 

[moss]

Propping system photos

Nick Araya has detailed photos of a propping system on his Flickr pages:
Hobart Oak

 

[diltree]

Now thats how you prop...utilizing the principles of weight distribution and everything else!

 

[Boa07]

Great photos, and really great to see a client so attached to their tre as to want to save it despite such catostrophic failure. Some wind throws can be righted again but i'm presuming this one had too much structural damage following the impact to justify the effort.

Have a look through the pages here http://www.ancient-yew.org/proppedyew-1.shtml on propping of ancient yews in the UK.