Beech tree graft failure

[ofrost.arb]

Hi all,

The attached photos show a mature Beech tree with house 6m to the right (not shown). The tree displays a graft approx. 1m above the union. The two scaffold limbs are noticeably larger in diameter above the graft than below it. This suggests it is the graft point supporting the crown above. On inspection the graft point is showing signs of detachment failure on one side raising concerns of tree safety. The bark rippling indicates fibre buckling. The tree has landscape value and shoot vigour is good throughout. My thought is to install a dynamic brace to limit excess movement. However would affixed cable brace or threaded bolt installed just above the graft be an option. Opinions welcome. - Oli

[Paul Cleaver]

that's bad -fell it

[taffupatree]

My two pence worth.....Know what you are saying about landscape value etc with this tree. My opinion would still be to fell. By the sounds of it risks out weigh the value of keeping it. Are plenty of other trees and shrubs in the area so not going to be leaving a massive open space devoid of greenery.

[Mozza]

You could dream up all sorts of wonderful things to do with that tree, to preserve it.

 

I'd fell an replant!

[David Humphries]

If the client is keen on retention then a sail reduction to reduce the wind load and instalation of a couple of cobra type braces may be worth exploring further.

 

 

Is the inosculation completely fused ?

 

http://naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/sites/naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/files/Tree-Welding-and-Natural-Grafts-the-Magic-of-Myrtaceae.pdf

 

 

 

[ame]www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCqVi5J1Y8M[/ame]

 

.

[Gary Prentice]

If the client is keen on retention then a sail reduction to reduce the wind load and instalation of a couple of cobra type braces may be worth exploring further.

 

 

Is the inosculation completely fused ?

 

http://naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/sites/naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/files/Tree-Welding-and-Natural-Grafts-the-Magic-of-Myrtaceae.pdf

 

 

 

 

.

 

The OP says not

 

'On inspection the graft point is showing signs of detachment failure on one side raising concerns of tree safety'

[Marc]

If the client is keen on retention then a sail reduction to reduce the wind load and instalation of a couple of cobra type braces may be worth exploring further.

 

 

Is the inosculation completely fused ?

 

http://naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/sites/naturaculture.sites.go1.com.au/files/Tree-Welding-and-Natural-Grafts-the-Magic-of-Myrtaceae.pdf

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

Why not install an invasive steel cable, along with some form of reduction seems Beech copes quite well with this from my own experience.

[David Humphries]

The OP says not

 

'On inspection the graft point is showing signs of detachment failure on one side raising concerns of tree safety'

 

Just asking the OP a little bit more background on the localised biomechanics.

 

My point being that the inosculation may be just contact and not grafted.

 

 

 

.

[daltontrees]

I would agree with the last point, it looks like the RHS substem is flexing at the point of contact, making complete fusion improbable. As it is flexing other than at a natural union where reaction wood could readily be formed, it look dodgy. That rippling does indeed suggest fibre buckling and the thickening above the contact likewise suggests adaptive growth to strengthen the buckling section.

At a guess, there has been a limb on the RHS stem going round the back of the LHS one that has long since been destroyed by the contact. I wonder what's going on in there now? And if dynamic bracing high up would transfer the loads of excessive movement of the LHS to ther RHS and exacerbate shear forces at the contact? If so, fixed bracing lower down closer to the contact could be better. My bracing experience is limited, I am just speculating from a theoretical perspective

[Paul Cleaver]

don't forget folks a house 6m to the right!