BOLTING + CABLING

Sometimes your trees just need a little support to prevent breakage. In cases of weak unions, or V-shaped crotches, cables will be installed to reduce the pulling apart of two poorly attached branches or stems. Cabling is attaching steel or nylon cables between two or more branches. 

 

Steel cables are installed by drilling through a stem or branch and installing an anchor bolt that a steel cable is fixed to, these cables offer a rigid support for larger branches and stems that lack the natural strength or structure to move independently. Nylon cables offer more stretch and are a better choice for trees that still need to move independently and with the wind.

 

Trees with cracks or weak attachments can also be protected with bolts. Bolting is done by drilling a hole through a branch or trunk and inserting a steel rod to provide support. The bolt is then secured in place with a nut and washer.

 

Both techniques need to be done by a professional who is qualified to know correct locations based on modern tree support science, wood health, size/weight formulas, and can install the hardware and maintain the tree care afterward to minimize failures.