Cabling & Bracing - Options for Making Your Tree Safer
Cables & brace rods can often reduce the possibility of a branch or trunk split by providing support structures.
Sometimes a tree develops a defect that could result in a split.
The classic examples are codominant stems and overextended branches.
Unfortunately for you and your property, a split could cause damage, injury, or worse.
We use the term defect, but in reality this is normal development for many trees. When this occurs near human activity versus the middle of the forest, however, it is a problem that needs to be addressed.
The good news is that you can often reduce the possibility of a split by using tree cable and brace support structures, which bolster individual branches or entire trees. This is typically best paired with selective pruning to reduce the weight on a limb or trunk.
...you can often reduce the possibility of a split by using tree cable and brace support structures.
These will help make your tree safer.
The materials and techniques must be compliant with ANSI A300 Standards, which are recognized and accepted by arborists across the country.
These support systems do have a limited service life and require regular inspection and maintenance. But if this is done by a qualified ISA Certified Arborist, a traditional steel cable system can last up to 40 years.
If you think you have a tree with a branch or trunk that could split, cabling and bracing are great options to consider!