Remediation for Improper Cabling

[soiset]

I have near me a large Pecan that has been cabled unnecessarily sometime in the past, probably at least 10 years ago given the condition of the cable and the amount of growth over the anchors. The union of the two stems is nicely shaped, and the only effect of the cabling will have been to reduce the strain that would have otherwise caused the tree to strengthen the union.

The cabling itself is improper. They used cable clamps on a 3/8" wire rope, and "saddled a dead horse" with the saddle on the dead end. The cables are taut, and at least one of the clamp pairs must have slipped, because there is only 1/2" of dead end left before it isn't clamping anything at all.

My intuition is that these cables should be replaced with a flexible system, so that the tree can gain the strength it needs. Possibly, though, there hasn't been so much growth since the original installation that it wouldn't be fine without any cable support at all.

Opinions, please. I can provide more pics.

 

[kennertree]

Once a cable, always a cable. The bark inclusion on the main stem looks pretty bad. If the cable is too low install another one. Keep it a static cable, you don't want a lot of movement in that bark inclusion.

 

[soiset]

The cable isn't too low, but the stems to which they are attached aren't exactly oppositional - those don't exist at that height. There are two cables, actually, apparently just grabbing whatever was big up there. Here is a pic of the union, and it looks pretty good to me:

 

[soiset]

Here you can see both cables:

 

[treeseer]

i agree w kenner, see attached

 

[treevet]

High level target too. I'd stay static.

 

[soiset]

Thanks for all the help, guys. I'm going back to get some better pictures, but I think you are right. Will post again, soon.

BTW, if you guys need any structural engineering advice, just let me know. I owe you.

 

[jomoco]

Looks like an excellent tree to tie together with a 3-4 cable ring.

Are you familiar with drop forged steel ring cabling Soiset?

Find a central midpoint between 3-4 leaders to be cabled in mid-air that has straight unimpeded runs to each leader at the same horizontal points. Pick the two biggest leaders, measure with a tape the exact midpoint between them, as that is where you want the steel ring. Once the ring and cables are installed between the two largest leaders, snug the cables slightly and then tie the other two leaders straight to the ring. Once all 4 cables are attached to the ring, taughten all 4 to the same desired tension, hacksaw and mushroom the excess eyebolt threads about a 1/4 inch from the galvinized nuts.

Should work great on that particular tree Soiset.

Good luck!

jomoco

 

[soiset]

Thanks. I've never used a ring, but I've seen it in pictures, and I can easily handle the concept. I'm going to take some more pics and maybe get some measurements, and come back with that.

 

[kennertree]

Check out rigguys too. They have a hub for attaching three leads together.