Most New Jersey homeowners love the large, mature trees in their yard and want to keep them around forever. But as trees age or suffer damage from storms, they can lose their structural integrity and become potential safety hazards.
Luckily, there’s a little-known tree care service available to provide these trees with the support they need to carry on, often for many more years. Cabling and bracing services can help to improve the safety of large trees, making them less likely to drop large branches, split, or fall over.
If you’re wondering whether your trees might benefit from this extra support, here’s a quick overview of cabling and bracing services, and some common warning signs it might be time to consider this service for your trees.
Key Takeaways:
- Cabling and bracing are effective techniques to support weak or damaged trees, helping to prevent branch loss, splitting, and tree failure.
- Common signs that a tree may need cabling and bracing include cracked branches, weak unions, decay, heavy limbs, and storm damage.
- Large, mature trees in high-traffic areas and those with multiple trunks often benefit from these supportive measures.
- Only trained arborists should perform cabling and bracing, as improper installation can harm the tree.
- Act quickly if you suspect any of your trees require structural support to prevent potential safety hazards.
Why You Should Consider Cabling and Bracing Your Trees
Cabling and bracing are two separate techniques that arborists often use together to support weak or damaged trees.
Cabling is the process of installing flexible steel cables high in the tree canopy, typically between major branches. This reduces movement during storms or high winds. Bracing, on the other hand, uses rigid rods placed in the trunk or between branches to reinforce weak areas.
These methods can help trees with structural problems avoid breakage or collapse. Arborists commonly use cabling and bracing for trees that:
- Are at risk of failing due to heavy, extended limbs that could break at any moment
- Have suffered storm damage or decay
- Have multiple trunks or co-dominant stems that might split
- Are old and need extra support to remain stable
Without this extra support, these trees could lose large branches, split apart, or even fall. Depending on where the tree is located, this can cause significant damage to your home, vehicles, landscape features, or other property—not to mention it can pose huge safety risks for you and your family, as falling branches can also lead to injury or death.
Tree failure can lead to removal, leaving your yard bare and reducing summer shade, which can negatively impact your home’s curb appeal and value.
If you notice any of the following warning signs on your trees, it might be time to call a professional arborist for an assessment to see if cabling and bracing are right for you.
Signs Your New Jersey Trees Need Cabling and Bracing
1. Cracked or Split Branches
Cracks or splits in a tree’s limbs or trunk indicate stress and weakness. Large limbs that have started to crack are particularly concerning because they can fail suddenly, especially in high winds or heavy rain. Even if the damage seems minor now, these cracks can worsen over time, increasing the risk of branch or trunk failure.
Cabling can reduce the load on these weakened areas by distributing weight more evenly, while bracing can add stability to cracked sections of the tree, preventing further damage.
A tree with narrow v-shaped branches, photo by Joseph OBrien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
2. Weak or V-Shaped Branch Unions
Some trees, especially fast-growing species like maple or oak, can develop narrow or V-shaped branch unions. These are weak points in the tree where branches connect at a sharp angle. As these branches grow larger and heavier, the union becomes more likely to split apart, especially during storms or under the weight of snow or ice.
Bracing these unions can prevent them from separating, reducing the risk of breakage while extending the tree’s life.
3. Early Signs of Rot or Decay
Decay, often hidden inside the tree, can weaken its structure. This rot can start in the roots, trunk, or old wounds from broken or improperly pruned branches, and eventually spread to major limbs over time, causing the tree to become less stable. However, a tree can also seal off areas that have started to decay to prevent it from spreading further.
Cabling and bracing can offer support to trees affected by early decay, helping them remain stable for longer. It’s important to address these issues early, before the decay becomes too advanced. If this happens, removal may be the only safe option for your tree.
An elm tree with heavy branches, photo by Paul A. Mistretta, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
4. Heavy or Overextended Branches
Trees with long, heavy branches are more vulnerable to breakage, especially during storms. These overextended branches can put excessive strain on the tree, particularly where they attach to the trunk. The larger the branch, the more force it exerts on the tree during windy or stormy weather.
Cabling is an effective way to redistribute the weight of these heavy branches, reducing the strain on the tree and preventing the branches from breaking off.
5. Frequent Storm Damage
If your tree has lost branches during previous storms, it may be more susceptible to future damage. Storms are a common cause of structural issues and hazardous trees, and repeated damage can weaken the tree over time. This is especially true for older trees, or those already dealing with cracks, decay, or other structural problems.
Cabling and bracing can help protect these storm-damaged trees from further breakage by reinforcing weak limbs and distributing weight more evenly throughout the canopy.
6. Large, Mature Trees in High-Traffic Areas
Large, mature trees are the focal point of residential landscapes, but they can also pose a significant risk if they’re growing near your home, driveway, or other high-traffic areas. A tree that seems healthy could still have hidden weaknesses, such as internal decay or weak branch unions, which could cause branches—or even the entire tree—to fall unexpectedly.
Cabling and bracing can be a proactive way to stabilize the tree and reduce the risk of injury or property damage. If large branches overhang your home, driveway, or patio, preemptive cabling, even when the branch seems strong, might be a good idea to help reduce potential risks.
A tree with codominant stems split after a storm, photo by Joseph OBrien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
7. Multiple Trunks or Co-Dominant Stems
Trees with multiple trunks or co-dominant stems are often valued by homeowners for their broad canopy that creates a lot of shade, as well as visual interest in the landscape. But these trees face a higher risk of splitting, especially if the trunks are roughly the same size.
Trees with multiple trunks can grow in such a way that the trunks push against each other, creating a weak spot where they meet. Over time, this can lead to splitting, especially under the stress of wind or the weight of snow.
Cabling and bracing can provide support to these vulnerable trees, preventing the trunks from separating and extending the tree’s life.
When to Contact a Professional Arborist for Structural Support
If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs in your trees, it’s time to contact a professional arborist for an expert opinion. Cabling and bracing are specialized techniques that should only be performed by licensed tree experts, as improper installation can actually harm the tree.
A tree expert can evaluate your tree’s structural integrity, determine whether cabling and bracing are appropriate, and install the necessary supports safely. You’ll also want to have these support systems inspected annually. Though they can last a long time, they may need adjustments over time to ensure effectiveness.
Your local arborist may also recommend pruning dangerous branches in conjunction with cabling and/or bracing. In some cases, these techniques can prevent a tree from requiring removal for many years, but it’s essential to act quickly before any damage or poor growing habits become too severe.
Safeguarding Your New Jersey Trees with Expert Cabling and Bracing from Aspen Tree
Cabling and bracing are valuable tools for preserving the life of your beloved, mature trees while also protecting your property. By addressing structural weaknesses early, you can help your trees stand strong through storms, high winds, and other environmental stresses.
If you think any of your trees might need extra support in northeast New Jersey, call Aspen Tree today at 201-939-8733 to schedule a free inspection. We’ll be happy to advise you on the best ways to preserve your trees!
