Tree Cabling & Bracing Services

What Is Cabling and Bracing?

Cabling and bracing are essential techniques in an arborist's toolkit for preserving trees instead of removing them. These methods involve installing hardware in trees to limit the movement of structurally weak branches, which helps reduce the risk of branch and tree failure. Trees with structural defects are often considered for removal as the only way to eliminate risk; however, cabling and bracing can mitigate these risks and extend the life of the tree.

Trees with structural defects are often considered for removal as the only way to eliminate risk; however, cabling and bracing can mitigate these risks and extend the life of the tree.

When Your Tree Needs Structural Support

Trees with codominant stems are usual candidates for cabling and bracing, so are overly heavy limbs. Codominant stems have weak, narrow branch angles that create tight crotches between the two stems which is often accompanied by "included bark." This included bark prevents the tree from forming a strong wood union between the branches. In high winds, this weak union becomes a potential point of failure, frequently leading to the need for complete tree removal because the resulting wounds are too large to heal properly.

Hardware We Use & Safety Standards

Bracing involves placing a metal threaded rod through the base of a pair of codominant limbs. To install the brace or braces, a pilot hole is drilled straight through both limbs just below the weak union. The rod is then inserted, and both ends are equipped with washers and nuts to secure the limbs together, thereby strengthening the union and reducing the likelihood of tree failure.

Cabling, on the other hand, uses metal cables or polyester rope installed higher in the tree canopy to support branches that are at high risk of breaking. This is done by lashing the two limbs together at a height approximately two-thirds of the distance from the weak branch union to the branch tips.

Cabling and bracing can significantly decrease the chances of branches breaking and falling, which could cause property damage or personal injury. However, not all tree species are suitable for this technique, nor are trees showing signs of decay or poor health. When properly installed on appropriate trees, cabling and bracing can help support and preserve a tree for decades, saving it from potential removal and eliminating associated risks.

Consult With a Certified Arborist

The certified arborists at ArborCentric Solutions can help identify structural weaknesses in your trees and recommend suitable support systems and techniques to mitigate risks and prolong their life. Trees of high value or of historical significance can be preserved for many more years, reducing the risk of sudden tree failure and providing you with greater peace of mind.