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Tree Cabling and Bracing Services We Provide

Tree Cabling and Bracing

Trees that have two or more stems that are equal in diameter (codominant) or have weak unions that are less than 60° are at a higher risk of failure. This risk can be mitigated through the installation of supplemental support systems such as a static or dynamic cable and brace rods coupled with systematic pruning.

A crown reduction prune can alleviate the stress put on the weakened unions, making it easier to install the support systems. Reduction pruning is the systematic removal of select branches to reduce the forces on the stems and branches, in turn balancing the crown and reducing forces on the unions. This method of pruning is recommended before supplemental support systems are installed.

Following a reduction prune, trees are encouraged to have a support system installed to limit movement of codominant stems or weakened unions for support; this can mitigate the risk of failure but does not guarantee the safety of the tree.  Static, galvanized steel cables have been used for decades, showing little to no signs of degradation or problems. These cables attached to the tree by installing eye bolts into the sound wood of the crown, perpendicularly, two-thirds the distance from the compromised union to the top of the crown, depending on the tree’s integrity, and should be monitored regularly. These static cables are installed taught to limit the movement of the stems or branches throughout the year. When the cables are installed properly, the tree can fuse compromised unions back together with the aid of a brace rod, extending the life of your tree!

In some instances, a dynamic COBRA cable may be warranted. A COBRA cable can be used to support two or more unions or work as a guy wire to prop up neighboring trees. This style of cabling is not invasive to the tree as the system is wrapped around the stems, eliminating any wounding of the tree. As a result, however, these required regular monitoring and upkeep every two or three years to ensure the system does not girdle to stems. Tree Savvy commonly uses this support system to reduce the likelihood of clump or multi-stem trees succumbing to the snow loads experienced in our winters. COBRA cables have a lower breaking strength and should not be used to support large trees with the intent of mitigating the risk of failure from defective unions.

When unions and compromised stems begin to split or crack, a static cable is recommended to be paired with a brace rod, installed one to two times the stem diameter above the union through each stem.

Pruning

Proper tree management begins at planting and continues with recurring, proper pruning – we focus on ensuring the trees in our urban forest thrive rather than simply survive.

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Stewardship Pruning

At Tree Savvy, we aim to mimic the natural forest form of trees through our Stewardship pruning – included with every tree that we grow and plant!

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Adolescent Trees

If trees are not trained correctly when they are young, you may miss out on the many benefits that a mature tree provides. Learn more about adolescent tree services here.

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Mature Trees

The preservation of old, mature trees will always be advocated over their removal. Learn more about our approach to mature tree care.

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Cabling And Bracing

For certain trees, the risk of failure can be mitigated through the installation of supplemental support systems such as a static or dynamic cable and brace rods coupled with systematic pruning.

ABOUT Cabling And Bracing

Storm Damage Cleanup

Every tree, whether it be in the forest or your backyard, is susceptible to storm damage. We take a four-step approach: assess, clean, restore, maintain.

ABOUT Storm Damage Cleanup
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