Cabling advice needed

[CaPowell]

I was working for a neighborhood HOA the other day and was asked about cabling a couple of large cottonwoods. My limited cabling experience has always been with limbs or co-dominant leaders, not separate trees. These are two trees with very significant lean and a large hole at the base (possibly where another tree/stem was that fell over and rotted away).

One tree is tall enough to hit a house if it completely uprooted and the other would block the only access to the neighborhood if it uprooted.

My gut tells me that cabling probably wouldn't make much of a difference here. Take a look at the pictures and see what you guys think. I appreciate any thoughts.

 

[Z'sTrees]

A cable might be a good option to mitigate the risk, but the client need to understand just that. Some folks see a cable as a guarantee that the tree will not fail. You need to clearly detail, in writing, what your expectations are to not end up in a bad situation.

 

[JD3000]

Agreed and some weight reduction may help as well

 

[cerviarborist]

I don't see any deal-breakers that would exclude cabling and/or bracing. It looks as though you've got two other trees adjacent, so you've got box/spoke/hub configuration options as well. Just remember, those loads don't go away when you cable or brace. They're just transmitted further down the stem to the union, or if the union is braced, to the roots. If the roots are in good condition, and the stems aren't unduly compromised, you could consider appropriate cabling/bracing/support systems.

 

[CaPowell]

A cable might be a good option to mitigate the risk, but the client need to understand just that. Some folks see a cable as a guarantee that the tree will not fail. You need to clearly detail, in writing, what your expectations are to not end up in a bad situation.

That's what I was thinking- detail in writing is always good.

 

[CaPowell]

I don't see any deal-breakers that would exclude cabling and/or bracing. It looks as though you've got two other trees adjacent, so you've got box/spoke/hub configuration options as well. Just remember, those loads don't go away when you cable or brace. They're just transmitted further down the stem to the union, or if the union is braced, to the roots. If the roots are in good condition, and the stems aren't unduly compromised, you could consider appropriate cabling/bracing/support systems.

Cabling would definitely have to involve the larger tree in the back too. I believe the roots are in good condition and am not worried about them uprooting, the client was just concerned about the heavy leans. I didn't see that huge hole at the base until I cleared away some large suckers. Then i was like "holy crap." No pun intended...