Tree Cabling & Bracing
A structural weakness does not automatically mean a mature tree needs to be removed.
Some trees develop multiple trunks, weak unions or large lateral branches that may benefit from supplemental support.
When the tree is otherwise worth retaining, professional tree cabling or bracing may be one option.
Why Trees Develop Structural Problems
Trees do not grow according to engineering plans.
Branches compete for space and sunlight.
Multiple trunks may develop from one point.
Heavy limbs can extend far from the center of the tree.
Included bark may form between adjoining stems.
Over many years, these characteristics can become increasingly significant as the tree becomes taller and heavier.
Storms can expose those weaknesses.
Broken Arrow's wind, thunderstorms and ice loads can place significant forces on mature tree structures.
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What does tree cabling do?
Tree cables are installed between selected portions of the canopy to limit movement and reduce stress on particular unions or limbs.
Bracing may be used in certain circumstances to provide more rigid support.
These systems are not appropriate for every tree.
They also do not restore healthy wood or permanently eliminate structural risk.
Instead, cabling is one tool that may be used as part of an ongoing management strategy.
Cabling vs. removal
The important question is whether the tree remains a reasonable candidate for preservation.
A valuable mature tree with an identifiable structural weakness may be worth supporting.
A severely decayed or fundamentally unstable tree may not be.
That distinction requires evaluation.
Cabling should never be used simply to avoid removing a tree that has deteriorated beyond a reasonable condition.
Ongoing inspection
Support systems are not "install it and forget it" solutions.
Trees continue growing.
Branches become heavier.
Hardware and cables need periodic inspection.
The condition of the tree itself may also change.
If your mature tree has multiple trunks, a visibly weak union or a large limb that concerns you, schedule an evaluation.
We can help determine whether pruning, cabling, monitoring or another option makes sense.