Support Systems – Cabling & Bracing
Tree support systems are a tool used by qualified arborists or landscape professionals to reduce the risk of tree failures and aid in the successful establishment of new trees. Improperly installed systems can increase the risk of tree failure, in turn increasing the potential for personal injury and property damage. Working with a qualified professional will increase your satisfaction with the services performed and protect your investment.
Brace rods are used when multiple leaders exist in the tree. These rods reduce the risk of the leaders spreading apart or moving sideways in relation to each other. Brace rods are also used to repair a crotch or branch that has split. Brace rods are typically accompanied by at least one cable for additional support. Brace rods are installed as either a through rod (rod is bolted with a nut on other side of tree or branch) or dead-end (rod is threaded into the tree) configuration. The appropriate configuration is dependent on tree size, whether decay is present in the tree and the structural problem on the tree.
Cabling restricts the distance that a branch can move in relation to the rest of the tree. Cables are installed across a weak crotch to reduce the risk a branch breaking. Cables are also installed on overextended branches to support the branch. More than one cable is often necessary in the installation and may be used in combination with brace rods.
A qualified arborist should install tree support systems. Miller’s Tree Service complies with industry standards and can judge structural deficiencies in trees to determine whether tree support systems are required. Not all structural defects can be corrected by tree support systems. Contact us for more information.