Sometimes, trees need a little help to grow properly or recover from an injury or illness. While trimming and pruning effectively reduce branch overload, what if that’s not the problem? What do you do if the tree has a good number of branches but suffers from poor weight distribution?
In these cases, you should call an arborist for professional tree cabling and bracing techniques to save your plants. Expert tree services in Alvin, TX, may be able to do more for a leaning tree than you might think. Below, you’ll find a basic guide to tree cabling and bracing methods, how they work, and how we use them.
How To Support Weak Tree Branches or Trunks Without Removing Them
We employ bracing or cabling in cases where we cannot balance the tree by removing branches or where a simple removal of select branches would not be enough to resolve the issue.
In tree cabling, we use steel or synthetic cables and attach them to the largest branches. This redistributes the weight and prevents excessive movement from the wind or other environmental stressors. You can think of it like making the branches hug close to keep from falling over.
Bracing is a more forceful and invasive method because it most often involves inserting rods into the trunk or lower limbs of the tree for extra stability.
When To Use Tree Cabling and Bracing
Tree cabling and bracing techniques support weak or damaged trees to improve their chances of living. Many can survive with additional structural support. Even a lightning-split tree is salvageable if its roots are still viable and it has support from professional tree bracing techniques.
We stress the “professional” part since faulty work can kill the tree faster than doing nothing at all. These techniques require extensive training, know-how, and experience.
We may also use them for young trees in areas with higher rates of inclement weather, such as dust or wind storms. Strong winds can prevent trees from growing upright and healthily, leading to leaning and potentially falling over as they age. Cabling gives younger trees more stability and the strength to withstand dramatic changes in climate.
Trees too close to other structures, such as buildings or electrical lines, may also benefit from professional cabling. If the tree has historic or personal value, the property owner may want to change its shape as little as possible. We try to work with our clients’ desires as much as possible while following local ordinances and safety protocols.
Cabling and Bracing Are Not a Replacement
Do not mistake the benefits of tree support systems as a replacement for consistent tree maintenance. You should always keep up with annual tree care, including seasonal pruning and trimming, to ensure your trees remain in optimal shape.
Tree cabling and bracing techniques cannot solve in-depth issues with tree illnesses, pest infestations, or fungus-related rot. However, they may be able to support the tree as the arborist applies other treatments to solve those issues. These methods should generally be part of a larger treatment plan, not the entire plan itself.
Contact Country Trees LLC for Professional Tree Care
If you see signs your trees need cabling and bracing in Brazoria County, TX, contact Country Trees LLC. We broke into the industry in 2010 and have been proving our worth ever since. Our expertise in tree cabling and bracing techniques has brought hundreds of Texan trees back from the brink of death.
Call 979-824-0325 or visit our contact page to schedule a hassle-free consultation. Keep the trees in your yard alive and thriving today.