Cable brace a hornbeam?

[Paul Barton]

Hi guys,

 

I am after some opinions on cable-bracing - something I don't know a great deal about to be honest.

 

I am carrying out some tree surveys in schools at the moment. Obviously these are high target areas with hundreds of delightful kids running around at any time of day, so I am taking a fairly cautious approach to management recommendations.

 

Recently I came across a nice hornbeam; about 30ft in height and almost 400mm in diameter. The stems forks at around 1m in to 2 main stems - but the union is seriously included.

 

Now I know that included unions don't necessarily spell any iminent disaster so I don't want to overreact - but at the same time they are a known defect and a potential point of failure....

 

The tree is situated adjacent to a concrete playground on one side, and a boundary fence and public footpath on the other side.

 

Having noted a defect of sorts, I need to offer some kind of recommendation. I think a crown reduction to lessen sail area etc would more or less ruin the tree as hornbeams are pretty difficult to reduce well - and this is also a short term fix.

 

Is bracing an option in this kind of scenario? I am thinking in terms of damage limitation if the union fails just to give the tree a few more decent years usefulness and remove/lessen any iminent hazard...

 

Apologies for no photos at this stage - I will try and get some up soon.

 

Any opinions welcome!

[John Hancock]

We have a lot of Hornbeams around the estates here in Worcester and I’ve known one or two fail (sections ripped out due to inclusions). You’re absolutely correct in that you have identified a recognised potential hazard and you now need to recommend a control measure.

 

Hornbeams do/can have a vast sail area, which could be a problem if the tree is in an exposed location. I suspect it isn’t because it’s already reached maturity thus far without failing.

 

Personally if the tree is staying I would recommend cable-bracing and a reduction (reducing a trees crown will go a long way in making less susceptible to wind loading and damage). The bracing would prolong the trees life and also (should the section fail) reduce the chance of if crashing to the ground and killing half a dozen children.

 

Most schools manage their own maintenance budgets these days which is unfortunate when it comes to tree works. If given the option they would probably favour a fell and re-plant. I would perhaps give two options..

 

1. Fell and re-plant a suitable replacement.

 

2. Cable-brace and crown reduction, plus plant a suitable replacement.

 

John.

[Bundle 2]

Hopefully this will upload...the extract talks about the need to do both....If I had to reduce AND install AND then reinspect...I might just get rid and replant.....see what you think.

Crown Support-Standrds.pdf

[Buzz]

I'd recomend bracing and monitor every 6 months. Reduction is pointless in my opinion on a hornbeam with such a dense crown. A small cobra brace would be inexpensive and effective.

[Paul Barton]

Excellent, thanks for the replies chaps. I concur with you matt - that was my first instinct but I wasn't sure if that was a recommended way to deal with a situation like this. Most bracing I have seen has been on much more open-crowned trees like cedars or spreading multi-stemmed ash etc.

[Buzz]

To be brutally honest mate the cable brace on a hornbeam is probably only going to be there to cover your backside. IMO re-inspection is the key here or dare i say it in this climate fell and replace. I personally don't like condeming trees for no good reason.

[Steve Bullman]

To be brutally honest mate the cable brace on a hornbeam is probably only going to be there to cover your backside

 

quite the opposite in fact. by installing a cable brace you are admitting the tree has a problem.

[Mesterh]

Tbh I would go for the fell and replant,is it worth taking a chance bracing with risks like that?

 

Imo included unions nearly always lead to failure at some point, when that is though no one can tell.

 

Myself I would only cable brace when there are no targets and its just to try and prolong the life and or amenity of the tree.

[Bundle 2]

quite the opposite in fact. by installing a cable brace you are admitting the tree has a problem.

 

Not so really...when you think about it, you have infact taken an appropriate and professionally informed measure to insure against an incident and so done your job....and the tree is safe when previously it wasnt.

As to the costs of reinspection and the initial installation, which I would recommend be carried out by professional and competent individuals...I can only hazard a guess as to its financial sense....

What you cannot do is walk away from the inspection knowing it may have a problem and do nothing!

 

edit: ftr; I would fell and replant...but would like to see some pics please!!

Edited September 3, 2009 by Bundle 2

[Amelanchier]

Is it a fastigiate Hornbeam?