Quote Originally Posted by SGT Rock View Post
I've seen this and I think that it's a product of two things: the friction of the tree will put more of the load there because it isn't a perfect world and the load isn't getting transferred the same all around, and the strap system generally constricts around that point so that the full width of the strap isn't there, it is smaller and mostly edge is against the tree like MDSH is talking about. To combat this you can put a sacrificial stick in that point as long as the stick isn't too soft so that the tree strap digs into it and breaks it.
A sacrificial stick -- what a great idea!

A 30* tapered stick on the back side of the tree would distribute the angled load for as long as the stick might be.

In fact, one could cut a 30* notch in a stick. Any wound left on the tree would be with the grain and not a perpendicular break in the natural flow of sap in the cambium.

I love this forum -- learning so much!