Cabling question

Raven27

Raven27

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Location
Pittsfield, Ma
Not sure if this is the right spot for this question, but.....
I want to start doing cabling, trying the dynamic branch saver. I have. As liver maple in my yard that I was ori5 going to take down, but I think cabling will help it out. Hope the pictures work. Thoughts. There are 2 points of concern in it, one at the main codominant stem, and the other at another leader off to the left.
 

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If you took picture with your phone it was sideways on the screen when you took the pictures. You just have to make sure it is showing the way you want when snapping a pic.
 
Always hard to tell from pics, but if it was me I would consider 5/16" EHS Cable for that tree. Triangle system between 3 main leaders. Approx. 2/3 of the way up the tree.

General rule of thumb is included=static and not included=dynamic but it always depends on the situation. I have used Branchsaver in some of my own trees with severely included unions. This was because at 2/3 height, the branches were so small that dynamic seemed to made more sense. I have also used Branchsaver for a client that really needed static cables but did not want to drill the trees. The problem is you are not supposed to get the dynamic cables tight like a static cable. If you want the best of both worlds, check out the Tree Guard system that Wesspur sells: http://wesspur.com/cabling/tree-guard-cabling.html
We just installed our first one of those this summer.

If you haven't already, check out the ANSI A300 Part 3 - Supplemental Support Systems. Not a lot of info on alternatives to the traditional methods but still a good resource.
 
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In almost all cabling situations the tree would benefit from some crown reduction. This is a generalization I know...and validated by a lifetime of observation

Learning the skill of designing a cabling system takes a lot more then just picking the point 2/3 up the leader. That cookie cutter dimension works on ships and antenna but might not be the best for trees
 
Tom Dunlap said:
In almost all cabling situations the tree would benefit from some crown reduction. This is a generalization I know...and validated by a lifetime of observation

Learning the skill of designing a cabling system takes a lot more then just picking the point 2/3 up the leader. That cookie cutter dimension works on ships and antenna but might not be the best for trees
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Agreed. That's why I always say "approx." unless I have thoroughly inspected the tree's structure.

The 2/3 rule sure beats "as high as I feel like climbing"
 
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802climber said:
Always hard to tell from pics, but if it was me I would consider 5/16" EHS Cable for that tree. Triangle system between 3 main leaders. Approx. 2/3 of the way up the tree.

General rule of thumb is included=static and not included=dynamic but it always depends on the situation. I have used Branchsaver in some of my own trees with severely included unions. This was because at 2/3 height, the branches were so small that dynamic seemed to made more sense. I have also used Branchsaver for a client that really needed static cables but did not want to drill the trees. The problem is you are not supposed to get the dynamic cables tight like a static cable. If you want the best of both worlds, check out the Tree Guard system that Wesspur sells: http://wesspur.com/cabling/tree-guard-cabling.html
We just installed our first one of those this summer.

If you haven't already, check out the ANSI A300 Part 3 - Supplemental Support Systems. Not a lot of info on alternatives to the traditional methods but still a good resource.
Click to expand...
I have ordered the book from ISA earlier today. Thanks for the helpful input
 
802climber said:
It is from Europe and can be installed as a static system with no drilling...

Wide sling --> shackle --> quick wrap --> EHS Static Cable
Click to expand...

I didn't see any literature showing or suggesting that those dynamic cabling components are recommended for use, sharing a load with static cabling components. My curiosity is piqued. Can you link to literature from the manufacturer recommending a combination of static and dynamic cabling components to share a load in a canopy?
 
cerviarborist said:
I didn't see any literature showing or suggesting that those dynamic cabling components are recommended for use, sharing a load with static cabling components. My curiosity is piqued. Can you link to literature from the manufacturer recommending a combination of static and dynamic cabling components to share a load in a canopy?
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I know, it's crazy right?

http://wesspur.com/images/pdfs/cabling-drayer-2.pdf

Look toward the bottom of the PDF.

It is funny that they show terminating the cable ends with u-clamps........
 
cerviarborist said:
I didn't see any literature showing or suggesting that those dynamic cabling components are recommended for use, sharing a load with static cabling components. My curiosity is piqued. Can you link to literature from the manufacturer recommending a combination of static and dynamic cabling components to share a load in a canopy?
Click to expand...
I think dynamic cables are used more often in europe. Perhaps EU literature or a tree forum in the UK might be useful.
I also would like to see some sources so please share if you have any
 
cerviarborist said:
Be sure to get the ISA Best Management Practices booklet as well. ANSI standards in and of themselves don't inform you about actually doing the work to any significant extent. They're the "What?". The BMP's give you more about the "HOW?".
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I should say, I ordered the best management practices book
 
If I recall correctly, it can be preferable when the stems to be cabled have decay or when the arborist in question has a general aversion to drilling in trees. They can also allow more limb sway than a taut steel cable and could hypothetically prevent breakage at that point or above.

Personally cant attest to having much more knowledge on rhe subkect than that.
 
@JD3000 Dynamic are said to reduce the tree's dependency on the cable because they allow natural movement.

Here's a document from the manufacturer re: the hybrid system.... Look toward the bottom of the PDF ..
http://wesspur.com/images/pdfs/cabling-drayer-2.pdf

I have heard European arborists state that they only install dynamic systems and that if a tree is to the point that it requires a static system, then it is too much of a liability and they recommend removal!
 
That's what I had read also.

Thanks for the link. Wondering what the tree care standards from the EU have to say on the matter. Or frankly, many other tree care practices
 
@JD3000 I'm not sure but they sure are interesting.. Meanwhile stateside we still have guys trying to sell steel & J-lags for every multi-stemmed tree.....

I don't think the Treesave will catch on here due to the high cost of the slings. The best thing about the Allgear Branchsaver is the super low materials cost, and wicked easy to splice.
 
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