Beech Tree Compartmentalisation

[John Hancock]

We cable-braced the hollow beech tree about 15 months ago (when it was alive) I wanted to save it as its one of 6 which all had a shared crown.

 

Note the compartmentalisation in the wood and how far it goes!!

[David Humphries]

John, (if you have time) is there any chance you can go back and cross section exactly where the brace is.

 

Would be interested to see the compart at point of bolt insertion.

 

 

Or have you already processed that piece?

 

 

 

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[John Hancock]

John, (if you have time) is there any chance you can go back and cross section exactly where the brace is.

 

Would be interested to see the compart at point of bolt insertion.

 

 

Or have you already processed that piece?

 

 

 

.

 

Nope, still got 'em

[Amelanchier]

Interesting stuff John. I know it would probably be difficult/awkward/dangerous to do in the tree but if the oppourtunity arose it'd be good to see some longitudinal cuts. Us arbs only ever really look at CODIT in the cross section of a firewood cut.

 

Anyhow, interesting stuff.

[David Humphries]

Now then, don't go bluntin your chain on our behalf, just in the name of science

 

 

 

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[MattyF]

sorry for my complete ignorance but what is going on here??? you braced a beach ,then felled it 15 months later???

[John Hancock]

sorry for my complete ignorance but what is going on here??? you braced a beach ,then felled it 15 months later???

 

I'll tell you the story.....

 

15 months ago there were 6 healthy Beech trees growing in a tight circle, having one 'shared crown' One of the Beech trees has always had a large, open cavity and was very hollow. One summer some little Bugger kindly lit several fires inside the tree (I was called out in the middle of the night by the fire brigade!)

 

Anyhow, I didn't want to fell just the one tree as all 6 were growing as 'one crown', felling just the one would open the othere to wind exposure and poss. failure.

 

So I came to the decision to cable-brace it to two other Beech trees, thus putting a control measure.

 

However, the site is right next to a river and has recently suffered many floods (so much so that 4 out of the 6 trees have died this summer.

 

So the decision was made to fell and re-plant. I'm going to try and save the last healthy tree as it has good butress formation and may be able to withstand the wind now it has been exposed.

 

Hope that helps....