CA1301554C - Tree support-construction method - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A method is provided for the positioning and supporting of a tree having a tree stem and a rootball. A hole is formed in a ground surface, and anchors are positioned within the hole.
Block fragments are then positioned around the tree stem. A
securing member is disposed around the block fragments and also around the tree stem for securing the block fragments to the tree stem. The rootball is positioned within the hole, and a tension member is connected to the securing member and also to the anchors. A tightening member is connected to the tension member for adjusting the tension of the tension member, in order to retain the tree within the hole. Thereafter, the rootball which is so positioned within the hole is buried.

Description

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The present invention relates to tree support construction methods. In particular, it relates to a tree support-construction method for positioning and supporting a tree to be planted artificially in, e.g., parks, adjacent to paved areas, at international exposition sites, and the like.
The conventional prior art method most similar to the present invention is applicant's tree support construction method disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent Application No. 61-195225.
Such prior method teaches first placing the rootball of a tree into a holQ which has been preformed in the yround. Thereafter, the trunk of the tree is encircled separately with four supporters, each composed of a root wire disposed within a rubber hose. Thereafter, a tension wire is connected to the root wire portion of each supporter, and to anchors which have been positioned in the hole. The tension wire is tightened around the circumference of the rootball to support the tree by means of the opposing tensions in the wires.
However, several problems are associated with the use of such conventional method. First, each root wire is wound about the tree trunk only once. Each root wire thus applies force to the tree from only one direction by the tension of the tension wire. It is therefore difficult to balance the attaching force applied to the tree by a single root wire to maintain the tree in an upright and supported position. Therefore, in order to maintain the desired force balance, it is necessary to use four separate supporters from four individual and opposing directions.
This makes the planting operation very difficult.
Further, if the supporters cover the tree roots to hold the roots by means of applied pressure, the root wire in the supporter will directly bite into the root. The problem caused thereby is that the tree may be damaged and the bark may not be permitted to be exposed to the atmosphere.
The present invention aims at solving problems mentioned above by providing a good operation efficiency for a root wire mounting. In order to permit an easy tree support construction, the present invention aims to provide an easily-applied securing pressure attaching force, prevention of dispersion of the ~3~554 pressure attaching force, prevention of careless biting of the root wire into the tree, and the very easy tensioning and loosening of the tension wire with one adjustment.
By one broad aspect of this invention, then, a method is provided for positioning and supporting a tree having a tree stem and a rootball, the method comprising the following steps:
forming a hole in a ground surface; positioning anchors within the hole; positioning block fragments around the tree stem;
wrapping a securing member around the block fragments and around the tree stem for securing the block fragments to the tree stem;
positioning the rootball within the hole; mounting a tension member to the securing member and to the anchors; securing a tightening member to the tension member for adjusting the tension of the tension member for retaining the tree within the hole; and burying the rootball which is positioned within the hole.
By a variant of such method, the securing member is wound at least twice around the block fragments and the tree stem, e.g.
where the securing member is a wire.
By another variant of such method, the anchors include resistance members for engaging the ground within the hole for retaining the anchors within the hole.
By still another variant of this invention, the method includes the step of positioning protective pads on the rootball adjacent to the tension member for preventing damage to the rootball.
By yet another variant of this invention, the tension member is a wire.
By still another variant of this invention the tightening member i5 a winch having a first end connected to a first end of the tension member and a second end connected to a second end of the tension member for adjusting the tension o~ the tension member.
By a still further variant of this invention, the method includes providing ring studs for mounting the tension member relative to the securing member.

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In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tree root in a hol~
according to a prior art conventional method;
Figures 2(a~ and 2(b) illustrate steps in installing anchors for use in carrying out the method of an aspect of this invention;
Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of part of a tree with guards applied for use in carrying out the method of an aspect o~ this invention, and Figure 3(b~ is a cross-section on the line A-A of Figure 3(a);
Figure 4 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 3(a), with a wire also wrapped around for use in carrying out the method of an aspect of this invention;
Figures 5(a), 5(b), and 5(c~ illustrate the attachment and positioning of a tension wire for use in carrying out the method of an aspect of this invention;
Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are top and side views respectively of a winch for tightening the tension wires for use in carrying out the method of an aspect of this invention;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a tree in the ground, in accordance with the carrying out of the method of an aspect of this invention; and Figures 8(a), 8(b) and 8(c) are various views of a tree installed according to the prior art conventional method as illustrated in Figure l.
Before describing the method of an aspect of the present invention, reference is now made to Figure 1 which discloses the prior art method. As illustrated in Figure 1, the prior art method teaches first placing the rootball 3 of a tree 1 into a hole 2 which has been preformed in the ground. Thereaft~r, as illustrated in Figures 8(a) and 8~b), the trunk of the tree 1 is separately encircled with four supporters 22, each composed of a root wire 20 disposed within a rubber hose 210 Thereafter, as illustrated in Figure 8(c), a tension wire 24 is connected to the root wire portion 20 of each supporter 22, and also to anchors 23 which are positioned in the hole 2~ The tension wire ~L3~ 54 24 is tightened around the circumference of the rootball 3 to support the tree 1 with the opposing tensions in the wires 24.
However, several problems are associated with use of this conventional method. First, each root wire 20 is wound about the tree trunk only once. Thus, each root wire 20 applies force to the tree 1 from only one direction by the tension of its tension wire 24. It is therefore difficult to balance the attaching force applied to the tree 1 by a single root wire 24 to maintain the tree 1 in an upright and supported position. Therefore, in order to maintain the desired force balance, it is necessary to use four separate supporters 22 from four individual and opposing directions. This makes the planting operation very difficult.
Further, if the supporters 22 cover the tree roots la to hold the tree roots la by means of pressure, the root wire 20 in the supporter 22 will directly bite into the root la. This causes the problem o~ damage to the tree and the bark may not be permitted to be exposed to the atmosphere.
As will be further described with referPnce to Figures 2(a) 7 the present invention is directed to thP placing of a root la and rootball 3 of a tree 1 into a hole 2 which has been formed in the ground. Block fragments 4 are circumferentially positioned around the root la of the tree 1 by means of band 5.
A root winding band 6 is also wrapped around the fragments 4 two or more times and is additionally tensioned by a tension wire 8 along the circumference of the rootball 3 by using a winch 12.
Striking members, namely guide pipes 17, are positioned into the hole 2. Soil and the like is used to bury the root la and rootball 3 in the ground. The method of aspects of the present invention permits the support of the tree 1.
When the tension wires 8 are drawn hy means of the winch 12, the tension wires 8 support the rootball 3. The tension forces set up by the wires 8 function to allow the root band to be attached by pressure against the root la of the tree 1.
As the root band 6 is wound two or more times around the tree 1, the pressure attaching force of the root band 6 to the root la is not dispersed. The root band 6, having balanced pressure applied thereto, supports the root la with a pressure ~L3~5~

attachment. The insertion of block fragments 4 between the root la and the root band 6 prevents direct biting of the root band 6 into the root la. Additionally, the winch 12 allows the tensisn wires ~3 to be easily tensioned with one ad~ustment.
Initially, as illustrated in Figure 1, a root la and rootball 3 of a tree 1 are positioned into the hole 2 which has been formed in the ground.
Next, as illustrated in Figure 2(a), a guide pipe 17 is mounted onto the anchor 10 having two resistor members 18 which can be spread open~ A vertical hole 19 is formed in the bottom surface of the hole 2 and the anchor 10 is disposed in such hole 19. Thereafter, the guide pipe 17 is struck by using a root hammer 25 to spread the resistor members 18 apart to bite into the soil at the bottom of the hole 19 securely to fix the anchor 10 therein. Thus, the anchor 10 is secured within the hole 2.
Next, as illustrated in Figure 3, a plurality o~ block fragments 4 (in this embodiment, a total of lO pieces) comprising hypo-expanded urethane containing glass fibers, are positioned around the circumference of the root la of the tree l. A rubber ring 5 surrounds the block fragments 4. Thereafter, as illustrated in Figure 4, a securing member or a root wire 6 i5 wound around the block fragments 4. The wire 6 is wound two or more times around the tree 1, i.e. by passing the second wire winding under the first wire winding to attach the wires 6 to the tree 1. Ends 6a and ~b of the root wires 6 are secured together by using connectors 27. In Figure 4, ring studs 7 are mounted onto the winding wire 6 and are spaced at four positions approximately equally therearound.
Next, one piece of tension wire 8 is separated from the root wire 6 and is placed through the ring studs 7 which have been mounted on the root wire 6 arsund the circumference of rootball 3, as illustrated in Figures 5(a) and 5(b). With an insertion of an L-shaped synthetic resin block 9 illustrated in Fi~ure 5lc~ betwean the wire 8 and the prescribed four positions of the shoulder 3a of rootball 3, the wire 8 is then sequentially entrained on rings 11 of the anchor 10. Thereafter, both ends 8a and 8b of the wire 8 are mounted on the winches 12. A

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detail~d illustration of a winch 12 is set forth in Figure 6.
One end 8a of the tension wire 8 is wound around the pin 13 mounted onto one end of the winch 12. ~nother end 8b of the tension wire 8 is placed through a hole 15 of the windlass 14 mounted onto another end of the winch 12. Two winches 12 are mounted on diagonal lines of the tension wire 8, as illustrated in Figure 5(b) for balancing the tension of tension wire 8.
Under these conditions, operating handle 16 of the winch 12 rotates windlass 14 via r~tchet 26. In this way, another end 8b of tension wire 3 placed through the hole 15 is gradually wound around the windlass 14. This generates tension in the tension wire 8. Such tension not only supports the rootball 3, but also operates on the root wire 6, causing the root wire 6 to be attached to the root la of the tree 1 by means of pressure.
Further, such tension permits the root la to be supported with the pressure attachment of the root wire 6.
In this case, insertion of the block fragments 4 between the root wire 6 which is wound around the circumference o~ tree 1 and root la prevents direct biting of the root wire 6 into the tree 1 which would lead to damage to the tree l. Winding the root wire 6 at least twice around the tree prevents pressure atta~hing force dispersion of the root wire 6 to the tree 1. ~ensioning of the tension wire 8 can easily be performed by using the winch 12.
Additionally, as a T-shaped projection pad 9 has been inserted along the shoulder 3a of the rootball 3, between the rootball 3 and tension wire 8, tensioning of the tension wire 8 provides the rootball side of the protection 9 with applied force. Therefore, a protection pad 9 is securely inserted, without shifting, between the rootball 3 and tension wire 8 to prevent biting of the tension wire 8 into the rootball 3.
Thus, after supporting the root la of the tree 1, as iilustrated in Figure 7, the support construction of the tree 1 is completed by filling up the hole 2 with soil.
As the root la of the tree 1 grows, sequentially removing the block fragments 4 inserted between the root la and root wire 6 makes it possible to weaken the pressure attaching force of the ~ll3~L5S;4L

root wire 6. Thus, the pressure attaching support in accordance with the growth of the tree 1 can be accomplishedO
In the support force tests of the tree constructed as the aforementioned, the following results were obtained.

_ ~ C~pb~ Average Two leg guard frame combina~ion 550 600 (well crib type) _ _ - I 520 Cross shaped guard frame strut 480 450 Said embodiment 1100 800950 ., In the table above, the unit of measurement represented by the numerals is kg. The testing method consists of pulling down a tree, e.g., the Zelkova, or the camphor mentioned above having a height of approximately 3 m from the ground, using a wrecker truck. The tree is regarded as being tipped when the tree tilts by approximately 70. Thereafter, the necessary tensile force is measured.
The measurement results show that the support force of trees constructsd in the embodiments mentioned above have been greatly increased.
In the embodiment above, the root wire 6 is wound twice around the root la of the tree 1. However, the number of windings is not limited to twice. Three, four or more windings are also within the ambit of this invention. In short, at least two or more windings are required.
Additionally, the m~terial out of which the block fragments 4 inserted between the root wire 6 and the tree 1 and root la need not be limited to hypo-expanded urethan~ containing glass fibers according to the above embodiment. Other materials, e.g.
hypo-Pxpanded urethan , which is not only light in weight, but also will not damage the tree 1, and having corrosion-resistance qualities may be used. There is also no limit to the number of block fragments 4 which may be inserted~
Additionally, in the embodiment described above, applying materials having resistor members 18 that can be opened to anchor 10 saves labour and makes the striking operation very easy.
Thus, a ~avourable result is achieved. However, the types o~ the anchor 10 need not be limited to this construction. The application of strike members, e.g. piles made of wood as the anchor, are also within the ambit o~ this invention. In short, it is necessary to apply members which can be secured into the ground and can be connected to the tension wire 8.
Additionally, in the embodiment described above, a T-shaped protection pad 9 may be inserted between the shoulder of the rootball 3 and the tension wire 8. A favourable effect is achieved in that no shift occurrs. As the protection pad 9 comprises synthetic resin, it has an advantage of corrosion resistance. Howevex, the shape and material quality of the protection pad are not limited to this material and shape.
Further, the protection pad 9 itsel~ is not always necessary to the practice of the method of aspects of the present invention.
Additionally, in the embodiment described above, before winding a root wire 6, the tree 1 is encircled with rubber ring 5 and then the block fragments 4 are inserted between thP rubber ring 5 and tree 1 temporarily to fix the block fragments 4. This achieves a favourable effect wherein the root wire 6 can more easily be wound. Direct winding of the root wire 6 around the tree 1 and the root la via block fragments 4 is also permissible.
Therefore, it is not necessary temporarily to fix fragments 4, using a rubber ring 5. However, it is possible temporarily to ~, ~i~

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fix blo~k fragments 4, by using a rubber ring 5, and thereafter, to remove the rubber ring 5 after the block fragments 4 are temporary fixed, or the rubber ring 5 may be retained for attachment without removal.
In the embodiment described above, block ~ragments 4 are directly arranged around the circumference of the tree 1 and the root la. Howev~r, a protection sheet can be inserted between the block fragments 4 and root la. In this case, the advantage provided is that the pressure attaching force of the block fragments 4 to the tree 1 is reduced. Additionally, such sheets can be applied in place of the rubber ring 5 temporarily to fix the block fragments 4. In this case, covering block fragments 4 with a sheet makes it possible to acquire the advantage of having a favourable appearance.
Additionally, there is no restriction as to the sequence of striking in the anchor 10. The striking may be e~fected either before or after a root wire 6 is wound around the tree 1 and the root la.
Additionally, the material out of which the root wire 6 is formed, may be, for example, metal, e.g. stainless steel or synthetic resins, e.g. polyvinyl chloride. There is no limitation as to the quality of the material of the tension wire .
As the present invention has the features mentioned above, its method makes possible these excellent advantages:
As a root band is wound at least two or more times around the tree root, the pressure attaching force of the root band to a tree root, generated by the tension of the tension rope, is not dispersed. This construction is differPnt from the conventional method and it operates to provide a good balance to the tree root to secure the pressure attaching support.
Additionally, the provision of at least two windings of the root band around the tree prevents dispersion of the pressure attaching force. Thus the provision of plural (e.g. four) root 3~ bands is not required. Therefore, the operation efficiency can be remarkably be improved compared with a conventional method.

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Additionally, insertion of block fragments between the root band and tree root eliminates conventional direct biting of the root band into the tree root. Therefore, careless damage of the tree is prevented and oxygen absorption from the bark is not hindered.
Additionally, as the tension rope can be placed under tension using a winch, winch operation allows applying tension to the rope and loosening of tension on thle rope and pressure attaching support of the root band to a tree root to be very easily performed with a single operation.
Adjustment of the winch tightening allows the support force of the tension rope to a rootball and the pressure attaching force of the root band to a tree root to be optionally adjusted in accordance with the growth of tree root and the trunk.

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Claims (8)

1. A method for positioning and supporting a tree having a tree stem and a rootball, comprising the following steps:
forming a hole in a ground surface;
positioning anchors within said hole;
positioning block fragments around said tree stem;
wrapping a securing member around said block fragments and said tree stem for securing said block fragments to said tree stem;
positioning said rootball within said hole;
mounting a tension member to said securing member and to said anchors;
securing a tightening member to said tension member for adjusting the tension of said tension member for retaining said tree within said hole; and burying said rootball which has been so positioned within said hole.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said securing member is wound at least twice around said block fragments and around said tree stem.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said securing member is a wire.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said anchors include resistance members for engaging the ground within said hole for retaining said anchors within said hole.

5. The method according to claim 1, and further including the step of positioning protective pads on said rootball adjacent to said tension member for preventing damage to said rootball.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said tension member is a wire.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said tightening member is a winch having a first end connected to a first end of said tension member and a second end connected to a second end of said tension member for adjusting the tension of said tension member.

8. The method according to claim 1, and further including the attachment of ring studs for mounting said tension member relative to said securing member.