cavitized leaner

[pantheraba]

I started working on an oak today that leans out over a driveway. I have 2 TIPS, one on each side in separate trees. I was lanyarding and using the 2 TIPs on the way up. It is about 30 feet up (almost straight) to the point where the lean gets pronounced. It takes off at probably 45 degrees as it goes up another 15 - 20 feet.

At the 45 degree take off point, there was a dead branch about 4 inches in diameter...I just pulled it out of the trunk...pict 24 shows cavity.

I dug out the rot and it kept getting deeper. Pict 25 shows how deep the knife goes into the hole.

Pict 26 shows cavity depth from the outside...approx. 3/4 through the trunk. Once I discovered the depth of the cavity I removed my lanyard from the trunk in case it failed. I have gotten up on it and worked up to a hard bounce with no obvious problems...no cracking sounds, etc.

I also pulled hard on it from the ground and it tested as strong.

So far the trunk seems sound. I plan to return, using my 2 "wing" TIPS for safety. I have a belay rope for swinging limbs set in my right side safety tree..in a separate crotch above my TIP. It should swing the limbs / top across the house so we can lower pieces beside the house.

Any thoughts on the cavity rot...any suggestions or gremlins to watch out for?

 

[pantheraba]

Here is pict 25...digging out the rot.

 

[pantheraba]

Here is pict 26...cavity depth estimated from outside.

I'll post more pictures of the tree once my groundman unloads his camera.