Any advice for propping this tree??

That's a cool tree.


I like the idea of cobra cable. I have not seen the need for readjustment with cobra cables though.


Reduce some weight by thinning slightly, try using cambistat to reduce future growth and conserve energy, and cable it up. MB's got the right spot for the cable, but maybe a little too industrial with the pruning.


In all likelihood, if you did nothing, the tree would stand for 30 more years.





SZ
 
Caleb, that tree has been like that along time. I wouldn't be afraid to climb it from the ash.
I would install a through bolt in the sycamore and back cable it to the ash.
What is the bottom of the pond like? Would it hold a prop in place?
If you need help, let me know. I'll help install a support system.
 
Norm,
I'll have to check into the bottom contour of the pond but I know the pond doesn't hold a terrible amount of water. The max depth on a good day may be 6ft, if that. I will bring up the ideas to Dr. Green and get back to you, the problem being is we can't exactly rush and do the work because we don't have the authority.
 
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In all likelihood, if you did nothing, the tree would stand for 30 more years.

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I guess we need a new definition for that "likelihood" word, LOL.

The TreeHouse
 
My suggestion is a heavy Cobra cable running from just above the large crotch on the ash to the base of the vertical limb on the sycamore.

I would do very little trimming and none that would change the over all shape of the beautifully growing sycamore.

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Just a thought. I agree I would not want to be hanging on steel.

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The Cobra may be a little more pleasant to hang on but I would not make that a major part of the decision process. What the Cobra does have going for it is that if the cable does become an 'attractive nuisance' the Cobra can be removed leaving no damage to the tree. With proper design and installation steel cable and through bolds do minimal damage but with Cobra...no damage is done at all! Think three times before drilling big holes in what is becoming an historic tree!
 
Since you brought up students hanging on a cobra or cable, i thought i would bring up the thought that if you put a support you'll probably find more students trying to climb out on it. Knowing there is something there to catch if it fails. Just a thought, figured i'd mention it.
 
With that heavy of a lean Id use steel. Cobra is designed to be installed loosely. It looks to me like that tree needs more support than cobra can give, especially low in the canopy as Danno has illustrated. Thats only half the height of the tree, and the architecture of the tree doesnt really allow for installation much higher. That being said Id go steel.
 
I have doubts about placing any support below (connected) the tree. When the lake freezes and thaws it will push whatever you put in around, possibly damaging the tree.
 
If propping is still in your head...here's something some over at arbtalk.co.uk did...
 

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How about one of these.

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Where did you take that pic. I saw something identical in the South Bay, CA area propping an old coastal live oak.


I would use a 3/8" through bolt in the sycamore, 1/4" EHS steel cable and a 1/2" through bolt in the ash. We performed a 'speed line' removal on that site 3 or 4 years ago. We used the ash as the base anchor.

Caleb, couldn't Paul H. authorize the work?
 
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