[TowerTalk] Rohn 25 Guying

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

My observations:

Even large trees are more prone to wind movement and damage than towers. 
Large Redwoods excepted.
Mature trees like Oak and Ash appear to do well. Large, mature Oak 
normally have a long life. Willow trees? Not so much from a relative 
standpoint.  The Willow is also flexible.  There is large willow tree in 
my neighbor's back yard. Their back yard abuts to the S side of my back 
yard. I'd guess that tree is close to 4' across (diameter).  A few years 
ago we had a severe thunderstorm come through with a large bow echo 
leading the storm. I was watching that tree from my garage's back door. 
As the wind increased I could hear that tree groaning from close to 150 
feet. The groaning kept getting louder and that 4 ft trunk was taking on 
a substantial lean. The groaning increased to sounding like a person in 
pain.  With a loud loud snapping sound, that trunk appeared to be 
leaning about a foot only 4 or or 5 feet off the ground when the wind 
abruptly quit. Just as I thought it was all over  for that tree, the 
tree snapped upright. It's awe inspiring to see a tree that large, bend 
that much.

The Oak has a good root system holding it.  The Ash?  I don't know, but 
a large, mature Ash can be killed in a week by a relatively small bug, 
The "Emerald Ash Borer".  There are few trees left from huge stands of 
Ash we had 20 years ago.  I had 5 huge Ash that I used for antenna 
anchors. Those are all gone. There is one large Ash near the edge of the 
woods on the N side where I have a lag bolt with a forged eye to anchor 
one of my sloapers.
A mature hardwood will not grow larger in diameter, BUT, it may see a 
lag bolt, or through hole as damage and form (I believe it's called 
bole) to cover the damage. Just pay attention and replace the lag bolt 
with a longer one if necessary.  This applies to most trees and 
particularly trees that have not reached maturity. There is no excuse 
for the lag bolts becoming enclosed, or overgrown. It's a slow process 
and can be prevented with a little attention.

Many trees live a relatively long time, but there is no guarantee.  
Disease, bugs, and nature ( wind, lightening, drought, and even low 
temps) can end that long life prematurely and sometimes,quickly.

73

Roger  (K8RI)


On 12/26/2015 Saturday 8:50 AM, Patrick Greenlee wrote:
> I have used trees for support but not precisely for 50 ft Rohn 25 
> towers.  Avoid "girdling" the tree.  Do not wrap cable or other 
> ligature tightly around the tree.  use material like an old bike tire 
> or whatever to spread the load so the attachment cable or whatever 
> does not dig into the tree or over a few year's time become embedded 
> in the tree through new growth.  The other tip that comes to mind is 
> to attach to the tree as low down toward the ground as practical  so 
> the tree's motion in a wind is not sufficient to cause problems.
>
> I'm sure there are things I am overlooking but with luck other 
> respondents will cover the gaps I left.
>
> I hope you had a very merry Christmas and wish you the best in the 
> coming new year.
>
> Patrick        NJ5G
>
> On 12/25/2015 5:05 PM, Tom W1ALZ Nicholson wrote:
>> Has anyone used trees as guy anchors for a 50' Rohn 25 tower?
>>
>> If so what was your method of attachment?
>>
>> Thanks
>> Tom W1ALZ
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-- 

73

Roger (K8RI)


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