TreeSave cabling ideas

[jmchristopher]

Does anybody out there have enough experience to comment on the possibilities and limitations of TreeSave? More specifically, I'm thinking that it may be possible to set up a triangular support system using only 3 loops around the tree. With conventional, steel EHS cable, the loading would be unacceptable, which is why each cable gets its own discreet terminations. With TS though, the splices dont weaken anything and the dynamic nature of the system would permit shocks and uneven loads to be distributed. I'm assuming that the entire system is pretty much on a horizontal plane, that spliced loops with friction protective sleeving go around each lead being supported. (I don't have the wherewithal to provide an illustration, sorry.)

 

[NickfromWI]

Are you talking about setting it up like one of these two?

http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?
s=&postid=130363

love
nick

 

[jmchristopher]

More toward #1, but without metal - only spliced loops around the leads. I'm picturing the loop spliced around the lead, then taking the tail of that line to the adjacent lead, and splicing it into that lead's loop inside the loop's splice. Each loop has a Cordura sheath, if that matters.

 

[DadF]

I'm not that familiar with the system(at least I haven't installed any) but the idea of a splice is that it pulls back onto itself and grips itself. If you try to put a splice in the end of a triangle then it is no longer gripping itself and would pull apart and loosen. Am I making any sense?
Therefore I don't believe that a single sliced loop would work. How about it Sean-any one there have anything to add?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Are you thinking of using one continuous piece of material? Of are you going to make three seperate eye-eye splices?

The former wouldn't be a good idea because the splice would be pulled from the side, not inline.

The second is similar to Guardian from Fresco http://www.frescoarborist.com/ or along the lines of Cobra.

Tom

 

[seanlarkin]

DadF,
I was waiting until Tobe gets back into the office to ask him, as he's the expert.

JMChistopher,
Due to the advanced nature of bracing scenarios, I think a phone call would be best. You can email me your phone number and prefered time to call, and I will have Tobe contact you, or you could call here (1-800-525-8873) and ask for him. I expect him back in the office on Monday. My email address is [email protected]

-Sean

 

[NickfromWI]

It looks to me (bearing in mind that I've never installed dynamic cable systems) that the best set up would be to put 3 individual slings. You can see what I (and I think Tom) mean in the pic....

Another option, that you see to the left would be to do it with one piece, but do a locking brummell, and have the ends go to the other leads. It'd hold the load, but it doesn't adjust. Isn't that one of the great thing about these dynamic systems...they grow with the tree? A locking brummell obviously wouldn't adjust. Also, I don't know if it's physically possible to form 3 locking brummels around 3 leads with one piece of line.

Anyway. I'd say treat each pair of leads like you do all the other trees!

love
nick

 

[ORclimber]

If you can't use bolts or lags I'd go with Cobra. It's less expensive(once you add in dampeners and slings) and easier to install.

 

[Tobe]

No. You'll need to perform 6 splices be it TreeSave or Cobra.
And to answer Nick's point; Like Yale's Gard product (but unlike Cobra), TreeSave is not self adjusting in the ends. Both of these systems will girdle a tree if not properly maintained. We are close to finishing the next evolution to TreeSave to address this but not there yet.
And you are right regarding the observation about load distribution using a dynamic system. Concerning steel cable, too many practitioneers view trees as big static towers that require bracing top and bottom, but nothing could be further from truth. Trees are large mass damping structures that support their own mass and weight by remaining flexible (a relative term). Cables should be installed to work with, not against this very critical feature of trees.