A Minimum Industry Standard for Tree Support Systems
This standard covers the work tasks of specifying and installing tree support systems, including bracing, cabling, guying and propping trees. A brief summary is provided of the underpinning knowledge necessary to select and install suitable support systems.
About the MIS Series
This book is one in a series of Minimum Industry Standards (MIS) produced by Arboriculture Australia Ltd and the New Zealand Arboricultural Association in consultation with the national arboriculture community in both countries. These industry peer-reviewed documents provide a ‘body of knowledge’ which is shared by practitioners and can be used as the basis for training, dissemination of skills and professional development.
MIS310 – Tree Support Systems (Member Price)
1: Introduction to tree support systems
Tree support system process and responsibilities
Tree support systems and liability
2: Tree structure and health
Introduction to forces in structures
Force, lever arm and bending moment
Stress
Tree structure
The tree as a biomechanical structure
Axiom of uniform stress
Thigmomorphogenesis
- Impact of support systems on thigmomorphogenesis
Strategy of flexibility
Mass damping
Impact of support systems on dynamic movement
Shock loading
Torsional failure
Growth habit and structure
Branch and stem attachment
- Strength of branch and stem unions
- Co-dominant stems
- Crossing or rubbing branches
- Natural bracing
- Species and structure
Tree health
The tree as a living organism
Tree physiology
Sapwood and hardwood
Tree bark
Compartmentalisation and barriers to decay
Occlusion
Biosecurity and transmission of pathogens
3: Designing and installing support systems
Identifying the need for a support system
Factors for consideration
- Checklist for specifying a structural support system
Preparatory pruning
Performing works
Classes of preparatory pruning
- Reduction pruning
- Branch or stem weight reduction
- Weight reduction: thinning
- Weight reduction: reduction pruning
- Pruning classes for weight reduction
- Example: heavy weight reduction pruning
- Retrenchment pruning
3.1 Cabling
Cabling systems: catch or support
Steel and textile cable systems
Cable system plans
Location of the system
System tension and elasticity
Determining the required strength of the system
Method 1: use of a standard size chart
Method 2: estimating the load
- 1: Estimate the weight of the section
- 2: Calculate the bending moment at a given point
- 3: Determine the required load rating of cable system
- Installation recommendations for cable systems
Specifying the design of a cable system
Installing a cabling system
1: Installing a textile system
- Required tools and materials
- Installation instructions for textile cable systems
2: Installing a steel cabling system
- Tools and components for a steel cable system
- Cable termination
- Installation instructions for steel cable systems
- Cable anchor installation
Cable system inspection and maintenance
Re-cabling
3.2 Bracing
Designing a bracing system
- Bracing system types
Determining the required strength of the bracing system
Method 1: use of a standard size chart
Method 2: estimating the load
- Determining load rating of bracing system
- Example: calculating load rating of a bracing system
Specifying the design of a bracing system
Installing bracing
- Tools and components for a bracing system
- Installation instructions for bracing
Bracing system inspection and maintenance
3.3 Guying
Designing a guying system
Required strength of guying system
Number of guys
Installation of guying systems
Guying system inspection and maintenance
3.4 Propping
Types of prop
Designing propping systems
Specifying propping systems