Tree Propping

[Andymacp]

I remember proping a large fig years ago when I worked for someone we use a length of 4 inch square box with a hoop bolted to the top and a pin at the base that went into tarmac drive to stop it moving about. Was very good lasted about 10 years then New owners got me to cut the whole thing down but prop was still good.

 

 

 

How did you factor in for adjustability for the rise and fall of the branch ?

[Andymacp]

We have done some propping in the past. We actually made the news papers many years ago after a Mulberry tree for the Shakespear trust split at the base and all 3 limbs ended up on the floor like a banana peel. We lifted the limbs and whilst they were supported we installed props under the limbs. Most important thing is to support the limb in the direction that's needed. We were supporting main limbs with lateral force so the braces were on around 45%. We used 50mm tube concreted into the ground on small pads, these were bolted to steel cups that I had fabricated to fit the profile of the limb. We used this material due to time constraints but did later design and provide a cost for some very nice Oak and wrought iron braces. Apparently though although the tree was VERY important, it didn't warrant £20k spending in it!! If your trying to support a vertical force then use the biggest diameter post or cut a large Oak post as big as you can. Have a cup fabricated to the profile of the limb and simply bolt it to the top. Having looked back at the trees we did (a second one was propped not long after the first) the most important thing is to get the cup to fit the limb. One of our cups was not quite right and you can clearly see how the bark is being forced away and the tree is putting on reactive growth around the support

 

 

 

Do you have any pics ? Did you use 3 posts or one? How do you deal with sideways force from the wind ?

[JaySmith]

If you google ANSI A300 part 3 there are various examples of propping. Under these search results "Illinoisarborist" has produced a 60 page guide which may be worth a look. Alternatively you can also buy the ANSI document from Summerfield books

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Andymacp]

If you google ANSI A300 part 3 there are various examples of propping. Under these search results "Illinoisarborist" has produced a 60 page guide which may be worth a look. Alternatively you can also buy the ANSI document from Summerfield books

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

 

 

Cheers

Good heads up

[woody paul]

How did you factor in for adjustability for the rise and fall of the branch ?

 

It was a stem leaning at about 45% we just jack it up and then let it back down on to prop.