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Self Bracing


JonnyRFT
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That was a good read, thank you.

 

Letting my mind wonder...could it be replicated? Splicing younger limbs together, bonding and hopefully fusing together. I guess the tolerance levels would be much lower than cable bracing and in the commercial world it would be pointless but the hippy in me thinks otherwise...

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My interptretation is that movement is necessary for trees to develop strong unions. Often, when presented with a poor union, there will be branches either fused or rubbing, higher up. Removal of these rubbing branches (which used to be the norm if thinning trees) exposes the unions below to stresses they aren't sufficiently consolidated to deal with. 

 

You could instigate fusion (inosculation) of branches if you like. However, it may limit natural movement of the crown, which could in turn, make things worse.

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That makes sense. But I’m just going to throw this into the mix...

 

Going by Duncan Slater’s documentation; if the highest cause of failure to forks with included bark is due to storm damage, then surely a natural brace could lower the probability of failure in the first place. 

 

Obviously cable bracing is really the best option especially when managing trees from a financial stand point. Then again, this type of bracing will need some form of management going forward.

 

So speaking hyperthetically, if trees have the capability to correct themselves in such an intelligent way, then human intervention aiding this phenomenon could be a worthy attribute to the trees health. It’s essentially managing itself with just a slight push in the right direction. By relieving stress the nutrients of the tree can be sent elsewhere as I’m sure it must take such an effort to manage a heavy co dominant limb.

 

This is the first time I’ve seen this level of natural bracing where it seems clear what the tree is trying to do. So although it may be common, not all trees will support themselves in this manner.

 

I mainly work on urban trees, I understand that trees with plenty of open space grow faster thus the structural integrity of the wood is far less superior that of a desidiuos tree growing in a forest or woodland.

 

I really want to try it out on at least one tree. My problem is that I can read as much as I want but, putting these theories into practice is something I have never done. I wish I had the time to do so.

 

I am fascinated though...

 

Edit: I just read through what I wrote and I don’t mean it to come across that I’m certain of how trees manage themselves, I’m still learning. Read it like I’m always asking a question haha.

Edited by JonnyRFT
Don’t want to come across as a tit...
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