Branch/branchlet assemblies, constructed out of iron (or steel, or wood or whatever), attached to a tree to compensate for missing or broken/fallen branches.

Restores balance, physically and/or aesthetically.
-- FlyingToaster, Mar 16 2018

Anne Frank tree https://en.wikipedi...iki/Anne_Frank_tree
Gone [8th of 7, Mar 17 2018]

Eisenhower Tree https://en.wikipedi...iki/Eisenhower_Tree
Gone [8th of 7, Mar 17 2018]

Prosthetic tree limb Prosthetic_20Tree_20Limb
Still here [lurch, Mar 17 2018]

How about just glueing the fallen branches back on? Given that many modern wood glues claim to be stronger than the wood itself, this should present no difficulties.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Mar 16 2018


[+]

We approve of this, providing that the ultimate combustion potential of the replacement limb matches that of the missing one.

Steel would not meet the criteria, but suitably coated magnesium metal would be both durable and satisfactorily incendiary. A mix of powdered magnesium and iron oxide in a polymer matrix would have appropriate physical properties and also be entertainingly combustibe ...
-- 8th of 7, Mar 16 2018


Hmm... ent crutch.

What about aggressive animatronic tree roots?

More generally, what about photosynthetic cybernetics?
-- pertinax, Mar 16 2018


//How about just glueing the fallen branches back on? // You'd have to also reconnect the living bark, somehow ; assuredly a noble pursuit.

//photosynthetic cybernetics// ... ?
-- FlyingToaster, Mar 16 2018


The idea is to bolt/strap/whatever an artfully crafted replacement limb onto a tree to keep it from falling over andor to make it look nice(r).
-- FlyingToaster, Mar 17 2018


... until you've Argo-paradoxed your way to a lamp post?
-- pertinax, Mar 17 2018


That approach could have the advantage of conferring what is effectively an infinitely prolonged existence on an otherwise perishable (if very long-lived) organism.

<links>
-- 8th of 7, Mar 17 2018


Well, the idea is just to stick a lampost sideways on a tree, more or less ; stuff like using it to provide the tree body with nutrients, or the other way around - a system where flowers/fruit bud and grow on an artificial tree - is contemplated but not included in the text, due to lack of knowledge if it's even feasible.
-- FlyingToaster, Mar 17 2018


// //photosynthetic cybernetics// ... ? //

It means "Solar powered mechanical prosthetic limbs" not really that hard to figure out.

If you're //?// was over why, I can't help.
-- Skewed, Mar 17 2018


cf. the tree in Sherwood Forest (what’s left of it) that Robin Hood lived in. Wood is best as it often comes back to life, and sprouts, like a tent post my dad watered in Africa. And unlike moses’s staff which got a bit carried away
-- DDRopDeadly, Mar 17 2018


// It [photosynthetic cybernetics] means "Solar powered mechanical prosthetic limbs" not really that hard to figure out.

If you're //?// was over why, I can't help. //

Not "why" so much as "what" and "where".

What are you going to use an articulating tree branch for - not that that's not interesting, I'm sure - and Where did you get your definition of "cybernetics".

... "your".
-- FlyingToaster, Mar 17 2018


//and Where did you get your definition of "cybernetics"//

From me, my own personal experience of its use by other people & the context of that use by other people (you know.. the way *everyone* learns their own language), though usually other people in print rather than face to face & verbally in this instance of course.

But lets Google it to see if I'm really that far of the mark as your question suggests you think.. here we go.

> cybernetics / noun / the science of communications and automatic control systems in both machines and living things. <

Tree's a living thing, so..
-- Skewed, Mar 17 2018


Okay, so what are you communicating with and automatically controlling ?
-- FlyingToaster, Mar 17 2018


//so what are you communicating with and automatically controlling ?//

Don't ask me, that was [pertinax]'s idea I was merely offering a translation of his words for you :)
-- Skewed, Mar 17 2018


Somebody's taking the pith.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Mar 17 2018


The root of the problem is they're barking up the wrong tree.
-- 8th of 7, Mar 17 2018



random, halfbakery