Open AccessBrace Rods for Codominant Stems: Installation Location and Breaking Strength
Author(s) -
E. Thomas Smiley,
Carlo Greco,
Joseph F. Williams
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
arboriculture and urban forestry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 2155-0778
pISSN - 1935-5297
DOI - 10.48044/jauf.2000.020
Subject(s) - rod , brace , breakage , maple , biology , materials science , structural engineering , botany , composite material , engineering , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
The location at which brace rods should be installed to reduce the risk of breakage in codominant stems traditionally has been below the crotch. In this study, codominant stems were pulled apart with measured force to determine if crotch strength was increased by installing a rod above the crotch rather than in the traditional rod location below the junction. With both red oak (Quercus rubra) and red maple (Acer rubrum), the strength of the codominant stem was increased significantly by installing the rod above the crotch a distance equal to the diameter of one of the stems. Brass rods tended to fail more than steel rods in oak but may be useful in small, weakerwooded trees.