[CANUFNET] Looking for advice on metal in trees and trees on slopes

[via CANUFNET]

I’d cut the basket off where the metal meets the wood, and not worry about the metal inside the tree.  The tree will grow over the remainder with no effect on the tree.  If you were to cut the tree down, oaks (it looks like a bur oak) will have some blue discolouration in the immediate area around metal objects, but they aren’t harmed by it.

I don’t have a reference for the roots, but the roots that grow on the uphill side will be very large compared to the ones on the lower side in my experience.  If you cut the upper side roots the tree could fall over immediately.  It’s happened to me.  If they are just impacted and not cut immediately, they could rot from being damaged and the tree could fall downhill within a few years.

Stephen Smith
ISA Certified Arborist, Urban Forester
Urban Forest Associates

From: Astrid Nielsen via CANUFNET 
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2017 3:53 PM
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network 
Subject: [CANUFNET] Looking for advice on metal in trees and trees on slopes

Hello fellow Canufnet members, 

I came across this tree today...the metal basket has been there for quite sometime, and there are large screws holding it in. There are also other nails in the tree. I am looking for an opinion on what is the best course of action. I am thinking that part of the basket that has not grown into the tree should be removed, but any parts where the tree has started to grow around should stay. In other words, if removal exposes the cambium layer, it should stay. Any thoughts on this?

On another topic, I am looking for good references that look at the structure of tree roots growing on steep slopes. i.e. how do they grow differently than trees on flatter ground? I would like to apply this information to help me predict the impact of trees on slopes that will be exposed to major construction. The most important factor that I am interested in is stability.

Thanks for your help,

Astrid

__________________________________________
Astrid Nielsen
MFC, RPF, ISA Certified Arborist®


astrid.nielsen at dendronforestry.ca

+1.613.805.WOOD (9663)


www.dendronforestry.ca

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