As a homeowner, it’s vital you take steps to take care of every element of your home, including your trees. Most people think of trees as strong, stable, and sturdy fixtures that can stand rooted in place for generations. While that is true in many cases, sometimes your trees need a little help to stand tall. That’s where cabling and bracing your trees come in.
Common Problems Cabling and Bracing Can Address
Many trees suffer from structural issues and common tree diseases that can affect their stability, including:
- Co-dominant stems
Co-dominant stems are a common structural defect and an immediate red flag if you catch it in your trees. To verify that there is a problem, look at the angle where the two stems connect. A u-shaped angle is generally safe, but a v-shaped angle is a cause for concern. V-shaped crotches typically exert undue stress on the branch, putting that area at risk of structural failure. - Cracked unions
One particular red flag for many trees is cracking, which is a sign of stress on vulnerable areas and can indicate a risk of failure later on. Scars are another warning sign; scar tissue indicates that the bark has sealed itself, but doesn’t necessarily mean that the structural wood underneath has healed. Keep an eye out for any cracks or scars present around the branches.
- Cavities
Cavities can have several possible causes, including winterization cracks, pruning wounds that didn’t heal correctly, or entry points for pests. Holes typically represent weak points in a tree’s structure. Those holes mean the tree lacks tissues to support areas above or around the area, making it more susceptible to further damage. Another issue with cavities is that they open up the tree to infection and infestation, which can affect the surrounding parts and threaten the tree’s overall health.
- Overextended limbs
Trees with unusually long limbs are also susceptible to stress and damage. In many cases, the bulk of the foliage grows toward the end of the branch. You may notice that certain branches sag under the weight of the foliage, or the tree’s canopy is too wide and dense. The weight puts excess stress on the branches, leaving them prone to failure. Heavy snow and harsh winds also tend to add to the stress, leading many of the branches to fail under the extra tension.
All these factors can lead to structural failure in your trees, which can cause severe damage to the surrounding area. For safety’s sake, you can contact a professional arborist for cabling and bracing services to help your tree maintain stability.
What Are Cabling and Bracing?
In short, tree cabling and bracing are procedures arborists use to add structural support to a tree via strong cables and braces. With cabling, the cables are made of high-strength steel to support branches and keep them from moving. The cables are attached to the tree via bolts installed through the branches. This support also makes the branches less likely to break off in high winds. Properly placed cables are key to redistributing the weight of the branches more evenly, allowing the limbs and trunk to support one another. Cabling is often used in a tree’s upper canopy.
With bracing, a long, threaded rod is installed through weak branches and stems that are likely to fall off. The rod helps support those broken or weakened sections of the tree. During high winds and violent weather, the wind can cause twisting forces that weaken problematic branches further. Tree bracing helps minimize movement and prevents those forces from acting on the already-damaged sections. Bracing also works in securing cracks in the trunk or limbs to avoid catastrophic breakage.
Arborists also have different methods of cabling systems available for different situations. Depending on your tree’s condition, the method your arborist uses may vary and can be either one of the following:
- Dynamic
Dynamic cabling systems typically use a more flexible and elastic cable to allow for more movement. The cable is strung between tree limbs so they can move with the wind. To protect the tree from abrasion, a wear-resistant sock goes around the cable where it wraps around the tree limbs. This arrangement permits more natural movement under normal conditions and provides added protection under extraordinary ones. If the area can still be salvaged, a dynamic system allows the tree to react to natural stressors and grow more wood to heal the damaged area. - Static
When securing tree parts that have at least partially failed, or when movement isn’t desirable, a static cabling system is preferable. Static cabling uses a high-strength steel cable to fasten the limbs more securely and prevent movement. To support the main cable, arborists often add supplemental support cables between the end of the weak branch and the crotch attaching it to the trunk. Excess cable is often left on the end so arborist crews can slacken the cable as the tree grows. In many cases, bracing is used together with static cabling to maximize the support the weakened limb gets.
Cabling and bracing do provide extra support for trees, but many arborists also use other methods in conjunction with them to maximize effectiveness. To name one example, arborists often advise pruning to help eliminate excess weight and stress. In many cases, failure occurs because the branches and canopy exert too much weight on vulnerable limbs. Long limbs are also prone to stress in case of bad weather, adding more reason to use regular tree pruning to keep tree growth under control. Arborists perform inspections before working to determine the optimal approach to securing your tree and maximizing support.
Other than supporting broken or injured limbs, cabling and bracing are great for adding some extra protection in case of storms. Strong storms come with ample wind, rain, and ice, all of which can put undue stress on a tree, even ones that look stable. Cabling and bracing provide additional protection. These control the motion of branches, minimizing the risk of parts breaking off and causing damage elsewhere.
Old, dead, or dying are at risk of failure. They may not fall on their own (if left alone), but in case of adverse weather, the combined stress may be enough to bring them down. Cabling and bracing your trees play a major role in keeping at-risk trees standing, or at least minimizing any damage. When done correctly, cabling can save your tree and prevent catastrophic injury that might otherwise kill it.
Cabling and bracing are undoubtedly vital for looking after your trees and extending their lifespans. Trees are a major investment and provide a variety of benefits to your home. It’s critical you take proper care of your trees to ensure you get the most out of them.
Call your local arborists for regular inspections to keep tabs on your trees’ health. As a homeowner, you want to look after your home, inside and out. Getting involved with Tree Care Month and other events is another great way to stay focused on keeping your trees strong and healthy. Keep these ideas in mind to help you do just that when it comes to your trees.
When you need reliable tree care service, give Dave Lund Tree Service & Forestry Co Ltd. Our arborists are fully insured and licensed to make sure your home stays absolutely safe while we work on your trees. Safety is our watchword, and we’re here to keep you and your trees safe at every step. Call us now at (905) 884-0511 or (905) 775-1020 for all your tree-related needs.