What cabling is
A steel cable is installed high in the crown between two leaders, roughly two thirds of the way up. It does not hold them rigid. It limits how far they can spread apart in a strong wind so the crotch does not split. Bracing uses threaded steel rods through the trunk for cracks that need stiffer support.
Good candidates
- Large trees with codominant stems and included bark
- Trees with a crack that has not yet opened fully
- Heritage trees where removal would leave a big hole in the landscape
When we say no
Cabling is not a fix for a tree that is rotten at the base or dying. If the tree is not sound enough to hold the hardware, we will tell you and talk through removal instead.
Questions people ask us
How long does a cable last?
Hardware generally lasts many years but should be inspected every few years and adjusted as the tree grows.