Tree Cabling and Bracing
Tree Cabling and Bracing
A tree can grow in a structurally deficient manner that creates a structural imbalance which makes it impossible for the tree to support its growth.
Structural deficiency can occur because of years of storm damage, widespread areas of decay, top-heavy branches, and years of improper pruning and trimming. Also, even trees with no impairment in their physical structure can fail, given the right circumstances.
Structural failure of a tree or its branches can pose a safety hazard and result in property damage or injury to passersby.
Cabling and bracing are used to provide supplemental support to a tree with defective structural integrity. An arborist will identify the tree’s structural weaknesses, and install cables and bracing rods to help redistribute the load of weight and improve the structural balance of the tree.
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How Cabling and Bracing a Tree Works?
Cabling and bracing are used together. Cabling is used to redistribute stress points and prevent branches from breaking, while bracing is used to hold stem branches together.
Cables are usually installed at the upper crown of the tree to control the movement of branches and to secure portions of the tree to the others. Bracing rods are installed lower in the crown, near the trunk where they can support the multiple stem branches.
Cabling can be static or dynamic. Static cabling is rigid, and it is used to restrict the movement of the crown. Dynamic cabling is flexible, and it encourages tree movement.
Dynamic cabling is often used as a preventative measure to avoid structural failure and help the tree naturally compensate for its structural weaknesses. However, it is unsuitable for a tree that has already started to fail.
When to Brace or Cable a Tree?
An arborist should be contacted to conduct a tree risk assessment if any of the following signs are spotted:
- Entire tree leaning after a storm
- Trees with multiple trunks
- Trees with broken or uneven canopies
- Cracks or cavities in the main trunk of a tree
- Broken tree branches
Preventative cabling and bracing can also be done to protect a tree from the hazards of heavy rains and snowstorms.
Ready For A Tree Cabling and Bracing Project?
If you suspect that you have a weak or damaged tree, it’s best to have a tree professional examine it and install an effective cabling and bracing system with minimal maintenance requirements.
We are a Downriver tree service company and we offer comprehensive tree safety solutions to help strengthen and protect your trees.
