Cassian

David - also I expect to be back in the UK soon. After nearly 20 years of being downunder I am returning for a year or two. I am keen to attempt the RFS Prof Dip. My email address in naturaculture@live .com.au if you would like to connect. Cassian

Hi David Sorry I did not respond to this, only just found it. I appreciate your encouragement. I have not made much time to explore Arb Talk, though am starting to make time now. I must say I am impressed at the level of Arb brain that is common to this site. Cheers Cassian...

I think the attached will be of interest, these pics are a sample from a past article of mine on natural grafts of Gums (Corymbia & Eucalyptus). Corymbia tessellaris - Moreton bay Ash. One of the mechanically most robust gums of all in SE Qld - have never seen a limb failure or signs of a past limb failure on this species, even with difficient mechanical form it stands strong. This species was almost an exclusive survivor of the Brisbane 2008 Super Cell Gap Storm. Check out the multistemmed Moreton BayAsh with a living prop and its occluded past leader, I love the tenacity of the gum. Observe the braided reaction wood on the elongated propped stem.

I appologise my post (above) was in reference to Posts 1, 9 & 10 at the start of this thread. Regards Cassian...

G day - Relating to the grafted Oak, I would like to suggest that the upper limb has cracked as a result of compressive load (as opposed to tension) or being lifted by the lower branch. If so, this is a very good indication of pronounced reactivity on behalf of the oak (lifting a double load?) and is an unusual example of hazard beam crack formation as a result of a grafted branch and pronounced compressive load. In my experience of hazard beam crack formation in Australia with trees such as Corymbia & Eucalyptus (the main Genuses of tree Australia wide) HBC's are formed where there is a lack of tension wood and pronounced compression wood (or supporting wood as Mattheck has recorded with broad leaved trees). The oak and Mattheck’s records (Ref: Broad leaved trees & The Face of Failure page 144-145) demonstrate a link to HBC formation and compressive load. Also in my experience of storm damage (2008 Gap storm Brisbane, Ref: ETS Energex Gap Storm Report) HBC formation also occurs subject to major under drafts caused by high winds which lift branches, again compressive load plays a role. The beech pictures are exceptional, I have recorded a number of instances where Gums (mostly Corymbia) have produced substantial grafts above V forks. In the case of the beech did you observe sign of potential mechanical constraint at the base of the grafted limb? Judging by one of the photographs there looks like signs of inclusion. Wonderful find - Best regards Cassian

Gday - I recently consulted/worked on a small leaved Fig tree - Ficus obliqua (SE Qld/NNSW native). The tree not generally known for aerial root production (when managed according to its inherent nature) had generated masses of aerial root following topping (some 15+ years prior). The aerial roots have (based on VTA) assisted the generating epicormic crown to develop endocormic characteristics following aerial root production at the base of the epicormic limbs. So increasing the replacement crowns woody footprint. See attached PDF doc - Self optimisation of a topped small leaved fig tree... Self optimisation of a topped small leaver fig tree....pdf