Tree prop advice please??

[Beezy]

Hi,

 

I have just looked at a large Mulberry tree, as part of an overall school tree survey. This particular tree is in full leaf and very heavy with fruit, it has a large low lateral limb that is weighing the tree down, and actually starting to pull the tree over! A gap is now showing at the backside of the tree.

 

It's a beautiful tree, and I have seen several large Mulberry limbs fail due the weight of the leaves and fruit. It's particulary important that this one is preserved as it is a newly landscaped central courtyard of..... The Mulberry School!!

 

I have recommended a sensitive reduction on the lateral limb and also a branch prop to stop it coming over further and reduce the chances of branch failure, and or root plate lift, although personally have'nt done too much propping before apart from the rustic fork branch here and there in a woodland! And 3998 isnt really helping much!

 

This requires a solid prop, prob machine rounded timber, obviously dug in, but would appreciate any info on the following .

-Support point where prop meets limb.

-Foundation of prop in ground.

-Best point along limb for propping.

 

Will post rubbish Camera phone pics later this eve.

 

I understand Mulberry's are best pruned in full leaf, so need to get on this ASAP, the School are a bit worried about the tree too.

 

Thanks in advance guys.

Beezy

[armchairarborist]

im pretty sure you should only prune them in their dormant season or they will bleed forever, they do not usually need much pruning but sounds like a weight reduction is required here. i have seen props made from wood, metal and even bricks but would ensure a clean smooth joint at the mating surfaces. have you considered cable bracing? Ed

Edited August 9, 2010 by armchairarborist
forgot something..

[Ben90]

Cable bracing would only ensure that the whole tree falls over if the limb gets too heavy, because the weight of the limb is still being held by the tree. There needs to be some ground support involved hence the prop.

 

Haven't had much experience with propping but all I can say is don't make it too tempting for kids to climb on it or they'll wreck it.

 

I would also prop it as far along the limb as you can while retaining good contact between limb and prop. You want to minimise the leverage force the limb has over the prop so it can do it's job effectively.

Edited August 9, 2010 by Ben90

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Unfortunatley I cant do diagrams and dont have photos iether so going to do best verbal description I can!

 

maybe bati arbs got some of similar he can post up?

 

I would go with a tripod arrangment, arrange three poles as though they was the first in a tee pee suport, where they cros over use a very small section of old motorbike tyre within the V's created at the top to support the branch. make sure you turn the rubber inside out, it isnt hard to do with a section.

 

use pole diameters that are sensible bearing in mind there will be three supporting the wieght, so oversizing these is not reqiured.

 

Where the posts touch the ground dig out a square turf that will JUST fit a small Clay/concrete tile and use these to stop posts sinking in, and stop them rotting off at the base in contact with soil.

 

two thirds along the length is about right, distance from trunk, but judgment should be used as to best spot at around this point.

 

there is some prop advice in Clauses work somewhere, will dig it out and add later

 

is that descriptive enough of what i am thinking?