Tree Cabling and Bracing
Arborists use specialist techniques like tree cabling and bracing or brace rod installations to support and prolong the lives of trees whose structural integrity or stability has been compromised. This can happen more often in urban environments due to the additional environmental challenges trees face.
Tree cabling, bracing and brace rods are used to deal with structural weaknesses, mitigate storm damage, or preserve historic specimens. By consulting with certified arborists or tree care professionals who use these techniques, property owners may be able to save vulnerable trees rather than have them removed.
What is Tree Cabling and Bracing or Brace Rod Installation?
Tree cabling, bracing, and brace rod installations are structural support techniques used to reinforce the stability of trees with compromised structural integrity. These techniques involve the strategic placement of cables, braces, or rods within the canopy or trunk of the tree to provide additional support and prevent the risk of its failure.
Tree Cabling
Cabling involves the installation of high-strength steel cables between branches or multiple stems of a tree to redistribute the load and reduce the risk of limb failure. The cables are secured using hardware such as bolts or anchors, and they help to reinforce weak or structurally compromised limbs, preventing them from breaking and causing damage.
Bracing
Bracing entails the installation of rigid support structures, typically made of steel or synthetic materials, to provide additional support to weak or splitting branches. Braces are strategically placed between the branch union or crotch to prevent excessive movement and reduce the risk of failure. Bracing helps to stabilize the affected branches and promote their healing over time.
Brace Rod Installations
We insert metal rods through the trunk or limbs of a tree to provide internal support and reinforcement. Brace rods are particularly useful for trees with structural defects that compromise their stability. The rods are secured with nuts and washers on either end, effectively immobilizing the affected area and preventing further splitting or failure.