Pruning for Failure Prevention

Abstract

Hank Richardson is the owner and chief surgeon for The Tree Guys, a small tree service company in Pulaski, Virginia. He has been effective in preventing failures at 7154 Island View Way for the past several years. Hank first came to our house in response to a request for bids to remove and/or prune several trees which either blocked a view from our deck, or were leaning against our boat lift. We needed Hank’s expertise a second time when a tall white pine was swaying extensively in the wind and about to be blown onto our garage. Hank’s third visit was to remove two trees, one which was leaning over our deck, and one which was infected by pine bores. On each visit Hank performed a visual assessment of the tree’s condition, evaluated the potential damage that tree failure would produce, then estimated the remaining operating life for the tree before performing the service necessary to prevent failure. In many ways The Tree Guys services are similar to those performed by a failure analyst. The Tree Guys respond to three very different situations. These situations generally involve a need for either: (a) preventative maintenance, (b) emergency services, or (c) reclamation after a failure has occurred. As Hank discussed the causes of the potential failures in our trees, similarities between tree care and failure prevention became increasingly apparent. As failure analysts we are most often involved with the reclamation process, but should never forget the need for preventative maintenance. The simplest services that The Tree Guys have provided are: (1) pruning or ‘‘limbing up’’ healthy trees simply to improve the views of the lake, and (2) removing a few dead or dying branches from otherwise healthy trees to improve the looks of the property and help assure against falling branches and scattered debris. These services are very similar to the maintenance activities required to assure that the workplace appearance provides a healthy image for the corporation, and that the equipment works properly. Clutter, faded paint, outdated signs, and non-working systems provide images of lack of concern, deterioration, and general difficulties within the workplace. However, the appearance of the workplace generally changes slowly, and frequently the need for change goes unnoticed until arrangements are made to host a special client or customer. Preparation for customer visits often includes the ‘‘pruning’’ needed to improve the looks of the workplace. As we prepared for Hank’s visit, we examined our trees carefully and found pruning needs that we had not noticed prior to the examination. The pruning always improved the looks of the property. On one occasion after the trees had been pruned, a good friend asked, ‘‘What have y’all done? The place looks so much better!’’ The friend couldn’t identify what the improvements were, but did notice the change. Isn’t this typical of many of the maintenance activities necessary for failure prevention? We grow accustomed to the need for paint, the increased operational noises and vibrations, and the subtle deteriorations. Preventative maintenance is easy to postpone. Unfortunately, postponement is often first recognized by our customers or, worse yet, leads to otherwise unnecessary repairs and costly services. Hank’s latest service was the removal of a locust tree that stood about 3 feet from our deck and towered over the house. About a year ago we noticed that the wind swayed this tree more than either of the two locust trees nearby. The tree held our bird feeders and one end of our hammock, and we simply accepted the swaying as ‘‘normal’’ until our neighbor asked, ‘‘Have you noticed how your M. R. Louthan (&) Box 623, Radford, VA 24143, USA e-mail: macfran61louthan@yahoo.com