Reasons for Cabling or Bracing Trees and the Benefits of Such Intervention

The Applications of Cabling and Bracing as Effective Tree Support Systems

Most residential and commercial property owners would concur that healthy and mature trees can offer a unique combination of curb appeal and sheltering/protective qualities. There is a certain aura to properties that are adorned with stately and well-maintained trees, one that can invite/encourage people to visit and can entice wildlife to find refuge.

Unfortunately, this allure could sometimes be diminished by circumstances that conspire to negatively affect tree health and/or structural integrity; these circumstances could in turn compromise the health and safety of people and pets, as well as increase the risk of property damage due to broken or fallen branches. Common signs/symptoms indicative that trees might be in less-than-optimal condition would consist of:

• Cracked, snapped, or sagging branches
• Visibly leaning trunk and/or uplifted roots
• Abnormal or irregular swaying during high winds
• Distinct creaking/crackling under stress of snow/ice
• Splitting/separation of the trunk or at branch junctions

Some of the factors that can weaken the health or sap the strength of a tree will include:

• Overall tree age
• Firmness of the wood
• Size/weight of the branches
• Growth pattern of the branches
• Lack of adequate tree care/pruning
• The effects of wind or storm damage
• Infestation/penetration by insects or disease

Consequently, there could be a need for intervention to stabilize and/or support the tree to prevent further/significant damage or help restore its strength and vitality. The most conventional types of tree support systems are bracing and cabling; these methodologies provide added structural support by effectively limiting movement of the tree branches, thus reducing the risk of branch damage or failure and extending the lifespan of the tree.

Tree cabling and tree bracing are part of the comprehensive tree care services offered by the professionals from DreamWorks Tree Services in Uxbridge.

Tree Cabling

Cabling is most often used to provide support for trees that have some type of structural defect or weakness which could become further compromised if/when strong winds push against the upper portion or canopy of the tree. Installation of steel rods between major branches in the tree canopy, i.e. cabling, minimizes any swaying of these branches while simultaneously redistributing the structural stress more uniformly, thereby lessening the threat of potential damage during severe weather conditions/wind storms.

There are fundamentally two types of tree cabling methods:

Static Cabling

• Typically used to repair or provide support in cases of existing damage
• Essentially restricts any and all movement/swaying of the tree canopy
• Incorporates extra-high strength steel cables that have no give or play

Dynamic Cabling

• More commonly employed as a proactive measure to prevent damage
• Allows tree to move with the wind, in turn helping to build more wood
• Utilizes a special type of braided rope that has some elastic properties

Tree species that could benefit the most from cabling are those having multiple trunks or large, open canopies; these would include: ash, birch, elm, and oak.

Tree Bracing

The bracing of a tree is primarily performed in its lower section rather than in the canopy area; it is a means of reinforcing areas of flaw or fault in the tree structure, such as:

• Split crotches
• Cracked trunks
• Holes or cavities
• Weak branch attachments
• Included bark (ingrown bark in joints/forks)

Tree bracing is an invasive process in which threaded steel rods are inserted or installed above and below a damaged or weakened area; the size and number of such rods will be determined by the extent of the damage and an estimation of the amount of weight that must be supported. Tree bracing is routinely applied in combination with tree cabling; it is also a more restrictive application than the latter relative in terms of the movement or swaying of the affected branches.

Knowledgeable and Skilled Tree Services for Uxbridge and its Surrounding Area

When a tree seems to be failing, either in health or structural integrity, property owners can depend on the skilled tree services provided by the knowledgeable professionals at DreamWorks Tree Services in Uxbridge.  These tree care experts from DreamWorks Tree Services will diagnose the root cause of the problem and recommend the best course of action; this could include weighing the benefits of cabling and bracing versus a complete tree removal.

Visit our Tree Bracing & Cabling page for additional information about the applications of cabling and bracing by DreamWorks Tree Services to preserve tree health, reinforce tree strength, and prevent potential tree and property damage.

If you have concerns about the health or structural integrity of trees on your property, Call the expert tree service providers at DreamWorks Tree Services in Uxbridge today at 647-924-2627 or Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a qualified arborist.