Inline/serial bracing opinions please

[Steve Bullman]

Not quite sure the correct terminology for this type of bracing, but whilst doing a picus test the other day and a visual inspection, I noticed some old cable bracing installed in this decent sized chestnut.

 

The primary concern was the first limb. but the cable bracing (Steel with rods) had been installed in the main stem (on the right) then to the middle stem, and then a second one from the center stem to the first lateral, all in a line. I'm not sure what the implications of this are for the central stem. Opinions please?

 

Attached pics but its kinda hard to see what I mean, and you ant really see the bracing.

[Steve Bullman]

Basically it went something like this, but higher up

 

[Khriss]

Is that Kreutz Steve? I would say the implications are a blunt as my arse 201T  after cutting in that tree crown . K

[Khriss]

( Looks like soil level has been added to also  )

[Steve Bullman]

Picus showed the trunk to be sound surprisingly

 

[Mr. Squirrel]

I see your bracing. How long does it look like it's been in? If it's all tensioned up properly to provide decent static support it may be OK, like a redirect I suppose. But that's quite far up for steel bracing by the looks of it.

Also the union doesn't look so bad in the pics that I'd be putting a static cable in it. But then I don't know the position, targets etc.

Yes, bit if an odd one...

[Steve Bullman]

I would say its been up there a long time. At a guess I would say it was possibly installed at the same time as the reduction was carried out, which at a guess is over 20 years. So my concern is it has way too much tension on it as a result of the regrowth. I have recommended a closer aerial inspection in my report.

[Treeation]

Hi Steve wouldnt a reduction back to historic pruning points sort out any potential unknowns?

[Steve Bullman]

Yes it would. The tree has a tpo on it so would need to give good justification. That would be a heavy reduction. Climbing inspection will help 

[Andrew McEwan]

I would be taking my resistograph up there on that kind of aerial inspection, and also some rachet straps/small winch. Both to test the areas and unions around the rods. Have often recommended and installed sythentic bracing above old rods to reduce failure risk. From the your description rods weren't the right way to go to start with, best left for short span/lower down codominant issues if they are used at all.