Comments on: Reader Question: Sraightening The Apple Tree http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/21/reader-question-sraightening-the-apple-tree/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:34:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: dijital http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/21/reader-question-sraightening-the-apple-tree/#comment-456648 dijital Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:47:41 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11439#comment-456648 Do it gradually. If you try to force it straight immediately it will either break off or you will do damage to the internal structure. Do it gradually. If you try to force it straight immediately it will either break off or you will do damage to the internal structure.

]]> By: Blair http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/21/reader-question-sraightening-the-apple-tree/#comment-456356 Blair Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:14:24 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11439#comment-456356 If you are worried about the hose not being enough cushion, simply add a piece of pre-slit pipe insulation over the top of it. If you are worried about the hose not being enough cushion, simply add a piece of pre-slit pipe insulation over the top of it.

]]> By: John Doe http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/21/reader-question-sraightening-the-apple-tree/#comment-456254 John Doe Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:44:30 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11439#comment-456254 I do bonsai for a hobby, sometimes with very large plants. A 3" diameter trunk should be no problem. The 'gradual' hint was a great one. But, warning: 1 layer of old garden hose as cushioning may not be enough, since you'll be applying enough force to bend the trunk somewhat. Go for 2, maybe 3. And cushion all areas where the loop of wire or rope might contact the tree - the sides of the loop as well. I do bonsai for a hobby, sometimes with very large plants. A 3″ diameter trunk should be no problem.

The ‘gradual’ hint was a great one.

But, warning: 1 layer of old garden hose as cushioning may not be enough, since you’ll be applying enough force to bend the trunk somewhat. Go for 2, maybe 3.

And cushion all areas where the loop of wire or rope might contact the tree - the sides of the loop as well.

]]> By: jim http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/21/reader-question-sraightening-the-apple-tree/#comment-456096 jim Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:53:14 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11439#comment-456096 Unfortunately, this is not a job for Tim Allen. If you want to keep the tree and I'm guessing you do, cables, come alongs and trucks will give you a sweet little stump and lots of firewood. As John. E. said, a 2' or so piece of hose around the tree about two feet up and another about four feet up, with 1/4" nylon rope through them secured to a couple of stakes about 6 or eight feet away will do a grand job. Cheap too. This is the way professionals do it. Every week or so, go out and tighten the rope some to *gradually* pull the tree upright. jim Unfortunately, this is not a job for Tim Allen. If you want to keep the tree and I’m guessing you do, cables, come alongs and trucks will give you a sweet little stump and lots of firewood.
As John. E. said, a 2′ or so piece of hose around the tree about two feet up and another about four feet up, with 1/4″ nylon rope through them secured to a couple of stakes about 6 or eight feet away will do a grand job. Cheap too.
This is the way professionals do it.
Every week or so, go out and tighten the rope some to *gradually* pull the tree upright.
jim

]]> By: TSpence http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/21/reader-question-sraightening-the-apple-tree/#comment-455913 TSpence Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:56:11 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11439#comment-455913 How about using something like a 'prusic' type of setup but using a nylon strap in such a manner that the strap remains flat against the bark of the apple tree so as not to stress it too much. Maybe same ideas as already submitted but thought I would put my two cents in. GREAT SITE! How about using something like a ‘prusic’ type of setup but using a nylon strap in such a manner that the strap remains flat against the bark of the apple tree so as not to stress it too much.

Maybe same ideas as already submitted but thought I would put my two cents in.

GREAT SITE!

]]> By: John E. http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/21/reader-question-sraightening-the-apple-tree/#comment-455869 John E. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:44:40 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11439#comment-455869 The only way I have seen it done is to use 1x1 by 5' stakes, wire (I can't guesstimate the gauge, but strong, and steel) and a waste 2' section of water hose. Insert steel cable through hose, put hose around tree and twist tie the end around the stake. Now to tighten it the last few feet, insert stick in the loop, and twist. It will shorten the cable by wrapping around itself and keep tight once you have it where you want it. I would NOT recommend a come along or anything that you deem to be a "quick fix". Let the tree grow into the state you want it to be in. The only way I have seen it done is to use 1×1 by 5′ stakes, wire (I can’t guesstimate the gauge, but strong, and steel) and a waste 2′ section of water hose. Insert steel cable through hose, put hose around tree and twist tie the end around the stake. Now to tighten it the last few feet, insert stick in the loop, and twist. It will shorten the cable by wrapping around itself and keep tight once you have it where you want it.

I would NOT recommend a come along or anything that you deem to be a “quick fix”. Let the tree grow into the state you want it to be in.

]]> By: Waylan http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/21/reader-question-sraightening-the-apple-tree/#comment-455676 Waylan Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:42:10 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11439#comment-455676 If you're pulling the tree with a winch/racket type device, don't attach the device to the pipe, but some other object farther way like a truck or tractor or another tree or building - you get the idea. Or, have the post a few feet from the tree and have a cable run between them. This might be more desirable as the pipe wouldn't need to go down through the root system at the base of the trunk. If you’re pulling the tree with a winch/racket type device, don’t attach the device to the pipe, but some other object farther way like a truck or tractor or another tree or building - you get the idea.

Or, have the post a few feet from the tree and have a cable run between them. This might be more desirable as the pipe wouldn’t need to go down through the root system at the base of the trunk.

]]> By: Robert G http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/21/reader-question-sraightening-the-apple-tree/#comment-455632 Robert G Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:28:28 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11439#comment-455632 How 'bout starting at the bottom and using a clamp to bring the tree against the post, then tying the tree to the post and continue as you work your way up. How ’bout starting at the bottom and using a clamp to bring the tree against the post, then tying the tree to the post and continue as you work your way up.

]]> By: Bruce http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/21/reader-question-sraightening-the-apple-tree/#comment-455377 Bruce Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:13:54 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=11439#comment-455377 Um....Rope? If the tree is that thin, then a good bit of tugging on a rope wrapped about the tree and pipe should do the trick. Use a trucker's hitch if need be, though I suspect your friendly neighborhood slip-knot could do it just as effectively Um….Rope? If the tree is that thin, then a good bit of tugging on a rope wrapped about the tree and pipe should do the trick. Use a trucker’s hitch if need be, though I suspect your friendly neighborhood slip-knot could do it just as effectively

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