TREE CABLING
WHAT IS CABLING?
Tree cabling is a type of support system for structurally compromised trees. To reduce the risk of tree structural failure, steel or synthetic rope is attached to limbs to provide artificial support, preventing failures at the branch unions. Pictured below are are a green ash and hybrid maple that are candidates for cabling.
WHY CABLE?
Trees sometimes have structural weaknesses, which can be a result of poor branch attachment angle, decay, improper past care, storm damage, growing site conditions, or other factors. Pruning can reduce loads on these weak points, but it will not strengthen the weak union. Cabling links branches high in the canopy to give extra support. Limbs over structures will often benefit from cabling when the branch attachment point is suspect or there is a high consequence to limb failure. Cabling allows customers to keep trees in their landscape rather than remove them to mitigate risk. With the time it takes to grow trees to maturity and the many ecosystem services that trees provide, cabling fills a critical role in arboriculture by allowing trees to continue to thrive.
EXAMPLE
Maples are our number one tree that benefit from cabling. They are prone to narrow branch attachment angles, included bark, weak wood fiber, poor compartmentalization of decay, and hybrids that were developed for fast growth and large amounts of shade at the consequence of strong structure. Below are examples of a steel cables I installed in 'Autumn Blaze' hybrid maples using Rigguy wire stops.
