Colleyville Tree Cabling & Bracing
Tree cabling and bracing is the practice of installing slightly flexible steel cables and braces in trees to help ease the stress related to extreme swaying in high winds, the weight of snow or ice, or even from the tree’s own heavy foliage. This method is especially beneficial in areas where severe weather is common, like North Texas.
When we implement tree cabling and bracing we are essentially providing supplemental structural support for trees. This limits the amount of movement during severe weather so the tree’s branches don’t fall off and cause any damage to the tree or your property. Tree cabling and bracing is similar to wearing a cast after you’ve broken a bone. Limiting movement helps the bone heal correctly, just like a tree needs to keep its branches from falling off.
How Do You Know if You Need Tree Cabling and Bracing?
Put simply, you don’t. To an untrained eye, determining whether or not you need to cable and brace your tree is not obvious. Tree Service Colleyville’s expert arborists are trained to recognize trees that need cabling and bracing. We’ll come to assess and inspect your trees to see if cabling and bracing is the right solution for you.
Common Structural Problems
Our licensed arborists are trained to recognize common structural problems in trees. Upon inspection, our team will determine if cabling and bracing is the best option for you. Three of the most common types of structural problems include:
- Co-Dominant Stems
Co-dominant stems share or try to dominate the same base they grow from. This isn’t always a bad thing, however, but it is important to inspect the shape of the union. “V” shapes are typically an area of concern, but our team will carefully look at it to determine if it poses a potential problem. “U” shapes are not typically an area for concern, but just in case, our team will look at it as well.
2. Cracks in Branch Unions
There are two common types of branch unions. Weak branch unions and strong branch unions. As mentioned in co-dominant stems, weak branch unions are usually “V” shaped and have the potential to lead to weak limbs that could fall or damage other areas of the tree or surrounding areas. Strong branch unions are usually “U” shaped and has sturdy connections that are unlikely to cause any type of problems. Our team will take the time to properly evaluate your trees to ensure we’re only suggesting necessary services (to save you money!).
3. Cavities
Other weak points in trees tend to be holes in branches, limbs, or trunks which often need to be carefully looked over. Trees can get cavities for any number of reasons and sometimes it has nothing to do with not taking proper care of your tree, but rather due to cold weather, old pruning wounds (which could be avoided with Tree Service Colleyville), organisms that cause decay, or even high-traffic insect entry points.
Types of Tree Cabling
Tree cabling is used most often to provide support for trees that have a type of structural weakness that could cause future problems if severe weather pushes against the upper canopy.
There are two types of tree cabling:
- Static Cabling
- This method is typically used to repair or provide more support in trees that have existing problems
- Restricts any and all movement or swaying of the upper tree canopy
- Uses the highest strength steel cables that have no leniency
2. Dynamic Cabling
This method is most commonly implemented as a preventative measure
- Allows plenty of movement as the tree sways with the wind
- Uses a more elastic type of braided steel cable
Tree Bracing
Tree bracing is more commonly performed in the lower section of the tree, rather than the canopy and is more invasive. It reinforces any flaws or faults in the tree’s structure, which can include:
- Split unions
- Cracked trunks
- Holes and cavities
- Weak branch attachments
- Ingrown bark
Tree bracing and cabling are generally used together to provide maximum support to even your most damaged trees.
