Tree cabling and bracing is an important preventative maintenance practice used in the landscaping and tree care industry. Many property owners are confused on whether or not they need to brace their trees for the harsh winter weather ahead. Although cabling and bracing offers a wide range of important benefits, it is not necessary for all trees.
Continue reading to learn more about tree cabling and bracing, including when you should implement the service for your landscaping trees.
Tree Cabling and Bracing
The practice of tree cabling and bracing is done for the purpose of reinforcing or redirecting trees. Not only does it prevent unsteady or dead trees from falling over, it can help promote tree growth in certain directions, like out of the way of power lines. During the process, cabling and bracing hardware are installed directly on and around the tree, and then anchored to the ground. This practice still allows the tree to move naturally with the wind, but only to a limit that cannot cause any structural failures. Tree trunks, whole trees, or sections of large limbs can be cabled and braced for preventative maintenance.
Making a Decision to Cable and Brace Trees
Whether or not a tree requires cabling and bracing depends on its condition, health, location, and surrounding environment. Most trees do not require cabling and bracing. It is generally a service reserved for trees that pose hazardous structural failures, such as toppling over or large limbs falling off. Trees that are good candidates for cabling and bracing are those in areas where people and structures exist, such as neighborhoods, communities, commercial buildings, parks, and more. Trees in these areas that exhibit signs of potential instability might benefit from cabling and bracing. In all cases, young and newly-planted trees should be cabled and braced, all year long.
Signs of a Dangerous Tree
Dead trees are usually easy to spot, and commonly cabled and braced since they exponentially lose their strength and root stability. See our blog, “Top 4 Signs That Indicate a Tree is Dead” to learn how to decipher a dead tree from a live one. Accordingly, dying or diseased trees pose the same threat. These trees are often cabled to prevent them from decaying and falling. See our blog, “Common Questions and Answers About Tree Diseases” to learn more. In other cases, trees that are in areas with very bad soil conditions or poor water drainage can be very unstable, and potentially fall over in rough winds or storms. For this reason, they are also good candidates for cabling and bracing.
Get a Tree Inspection to Be Sure This Winter
Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for comprehensive tree inspection services in Indianapolis, Indiana and surrounding locations. We serve all of Central Indiana with a wide range of skilled tree removal and tree care services, for both residential and commercial properties. Whether you need a single tree removed, or simply require routine tree service, like trimming or pruning, we can deliver prompt and professional service at a fair price. Request a free estimate, today.