What are Cabling and Bracing? While many trees live for generations, they are still susceptible to deterioration from environmental stress over time. Because of this, trees in residential settings often require some kind of supplemental physical support to reduce the risk of structural failure in limbs, trunks, or root systems. Cables and bracing rods are two of the most common tools employed by professional arborists to protect a tree’s structural integrity and limit its movement. Metal cabling and bracing between limbs or between the tree and the ground can support weak branches, stabilize splitting branch junctions, secure heavy horizontal branches, separate rubbing limbs, and brace trunks. Trees with cabling or bracing are thus far less likely to sustain serious damage during violent storms.

There are a variety of reasons a tree may need cables or brace rods. Some of the most common scenarios seen in Northeast Ohio include:

• Mature Trees: Older trees with broad canopies often have lower branches that grow horizontally and have a lot of pressure placed on them, causing them to droop or break. Cabling or bracing is an excellent alternative to removing these safety hazards without compromising the tree’s appearance.
• Multi-Trunked Trees: Trees that have grown with more than one main trunk are often subject to structural failure in inclement weather. Cabling or bracing is an easy solution for keeping multi-trunked trees standing for years to come.
• Split Trees: Trees with splitting trunks due to previous structural damage are especially vulnerable. Cabling or bracing is needed immediately to prevent complete failure; with cables or brace rods, you can add years to your tree’s life and keep it looking beautiful.

If you suspect that one of your trees is in poor structural health, contact a tree care professional as soon as possible. Failure of a large branch or an entire trunk can have serious financial consequences, including loss of the tree, property damage, or even personal injury. Because cabling and bracing can have a big impact on a tree’s overall health, they should only be installed following a thorough inspection by a certified and experienced arborist.

Homeowners throughout Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio have protected their trees with VanCuren Tree Services for over thirty years. VanCuren’s dedicated arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture and trained in the industry’s best practices when it comes to cabling and bracing trees of any size. What’s more, VanCuren uses only the highest quality cabling and bracing hardware and conducts periodic quality checks after installation, ensuring the best results for many years.