chain cable

M

Matt_Hodges

Location
Charlotte, NC
Has anyone ever dealt with one of these? It's a chain threaded through elongated holes in the leaders. It incorporates a turnbuckle to tighten and loosen. I was asked to get some opinions from the buzz on what to do with this. Thank you!
 

Attachments

  • 44552-chaincable001.webp
    44552-chaincable001.webp
    74.7 KB · Views: 108
Do you know what year this chain link bracing was originally installed into the tree? seems very old school to me. Also is it causing any rot within the leaders from where they have drilled, or has the tree managed to compartmentalise correctly from the drilling and has a strong Wall 4 to stop any further spread of decay.

A possible alternative would be to put in Gefa Bracing with buckles, is similar to Auras Bracing. Which is a heavy duty single webbing unlike to the styles of Cobra and Libra crown saftey.

An aerial investigation would be a good idea also from a consultant, by using some form of sonic decay detection.


Scotty
 
We have no history on this tree, just this crazy hardware...
Do you think the holes have elongated over time; or do you think that they were originally bored that way?
 

Attachments

  • 44562-chaincable003.webp
    44562-chaincable003.webp
    66.5 KB · Views: 55
holy crap!!!

does not look very safe, i have had some experience with almost the same thing... the tree that was in question was the same as this one (pecan) and the chain was 3/8 logging... it was installed years earlier and when we were called the chain was completely rusted through... i don't know how the lead was still standing.... we had to remove the tree..... the system failed during a wind storm, our clint heard the chain break.

i think that you need to replace the chain with some correctly installed hardware.... this might prolong the tree's life... be carefull when you remove the old system, put the new one in first (i know, but i just had to say it)

Rob

p.s. Matt, glad that you finally joined up! see you in B'ham!
 
Callousing would of have performed within time of reaction growth at the drill holes, hence then closing the entry and exit holes. Thinking to myself that the holes would close up and not contiue to elongate.

Saw it back home in Scotland on a old steel cable bracing system that was donkies old.

If you have to rig and dismantle the tree keep 2 small sections of the drilled leaders, split them and look for what symtoms arose from the chain link bracing. For your own knowledge in this area.


Scotty
 
Uh, are you sure there are any drill holes there? It looks like someone wrapped chain around and it's simply grown over, and the elongated holes are from movement of the exiting chain.
 
Matt, I can't imagine that the chain was put there in any other manner than just wrapping it around the stem. I would bet that the tree grew over the back first since it was the tightest point. Be careful of that tree. If you intend to replace the cable, I would winch the tree temporarily first adn then install the new and then gently release the leaders into the new system.
 
I would describe that tree as posessing greater structural hazard from the chains up. There is a tremendous amount of 'meat' being added to the backside of the stem directly opposite the chain. That throws up red flags for me.
 
I've come across chains "in" the tree like that. My vote is also that the chains were merely wrapped originally.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom