Cable bracing.

[Jon Lad]

We recently carried out some minor work (crown clean & lift) to a large beech which has some old school steel cables in it. We inspected them and there were no apparent problems.

 

But it occurred to me, that if there had been and the customer had wanted them replacing. Would I need to get extra insurance for the bracing I put in the tree? As if a tree requires bracing then effectively you are acknowledging that it has a structural defect.

 

I am curious what my position would be, if say that after putting bracing in a tree, eg Cobra, there was a major failing of a limb and someone/thing was injured/damaged would I need to have additional public liability insurance to cover that potential liability?

I have put cable bracing and storm anchors in trees in the past, in England; Germany & Sweden so I am familiar with it, but only for firms I was working for, never on my own account.

 

I'd be grateful if someone could shed some light on this.

[Steve Bullman]

interesting question, not one i can answer. although i would think if you put a caveat in writing that the customer signed you should have covered yourself.

[Peter]

The way I see it you would only be liable if the accident was caused by poor workmanship, ie the bracing was improperly installed and failed.

 

If the installation is based on your advice then as per tree inspections it only covers what you can see on the day, and requires periodic re-inspection.

 

Dont have any definative answers though sorry.

[Frankie Lawrence]

Try phoneing your insurance company Im sure they would be the best to answer the questions.

 

Will be interested to find out answers.

[RobRainford]

i too would be i nterested inw hat the insurance companies say. Although it will probably be a while before i have any involvement in cable bracing, i do agree that installing it means you are admitting the problem but you are effectively slowing down the failure.

 

This was discussed at college, if you put it in clear writing and put in all sorts of clauses about acknowledging weak points in a tree and the bracing will only prevent it but it can still fail regardless etc then i would think you have covered yourself sufficiently?

[MattyF]

cant answer the question either but i know steel invasive bracing is very efective in beech.... i would trust it more than cobra/boa and I install these days... i would watch for the cable getting too tight with growth though... did you have to adjust it???

[mdvaden]

Sounds like the same line of thought as maybe not filling brake fluid in a reservoir and driving afterward. Because that would acknowledge some potential leak or wear. Then what if the brakes go out?

 

[Jon Lad]

Sounds like the same line of thought as maybe not filling brake fluid in a reservoir and driving afterward. Because that would acknowledge some potential leak or wear. Then what if the brakes go out?

 

 

I'm not sure I can see the direct analogy here. But anyway, I wouldn't drive a vehicle without insurance, regardless of whether the brake fluid was topped up or not.