Bracing and Cabling

Weak or Failing Unions

Failing unions are a serious issue especially in larger trees. In some cases both bracing and cabling can be used along side pruning to prolong a trees life and reduce the risk of failure.

Included Bark

V-shaped unions with included bark are often described as weak unions. As each co-dominant stem gain width each year the stems push agains each other. This creates pressure along with habitat for fungus, and can be a major variable in union failure.

Brace or Cable or Both

If a union shoes a split or beginning signs of failure, both bracing and cabling should be installed along with pruning. On splitting unions of larger trees multiple braces and sometimes multiple cables are used to help secure the union.

Pruning

Pruning to performed prior to cabling and bracing to reduce weight on the limbs or leads in question. This can further reduces strain on the union, increasing the trees chances.

Dynamic vs Rigid

Tree Labs uses both rigid and dynamic cabling system's depending on the situation. We us the Cobra Cable system in cases where the tree may need more room to move. We use steel cable systems in cabling situations where less movement will  required of the system.

Advantages of Cabling

Bracing and Cabling can help those trees that would other wise need to be removed. It's an excellent tool arborists have to rescue trees that would otherwise be considered to high risk to keep.