Cabling & bracing
Some trees don't need to come down. They need support.
- Structure checked first
- Hardware sized to the tree
- Paired with pruning
Big shade trees often grow two or three main stems from one point, a V-shaped fork with bark pinched in between. Under the weight of lake-effect snow or ice, that kind of union is where trees split. Cabling ties the stems together high in the crown so they move as one.
Cabling isn't a fix for a dead or rotting tree. It's for healthy trees with a structural weak point that you want to keep. We usually combine it with crown thinning to lighten the load. If the fork is already badly cracked, removal may be the safer choice.
Worried about a split fork?
Send a photo of where the stems meet.
Support systems
The right system depends on the defect and the size of the tree.
Steel cabling
High-strength cable installed in the upper crown to limit how far stems can spread apart.
Through-rod bracing
Threaded steel rods through a weak or cracked union to hold it together.
Load reduction
Pruning paired with support, so the hardware carries less weight.
Inspection of existing cables
Old hardware checked for wear, rust and trunk growth around it.
Cable or remove?
Good candidate
Healthy tree, sound wood, a weak fork or heavy limb, and a tree you want to keep for years.
Poor candidate
Dead or declining tree, large cavities, active splitting all the way down, or roots that are failing.
Trees that may need support
Watch for:
- A tight V-shaped forkIncluded bark between the stems weakens the joint.
- A crack at the unionEven a small crack is a warning sign.
- A long, heavy limb over the roofSnow and ice add a lot of extra weight.
- A tree that split once beforeThe remaining stems often have the same weakness.
- Old cables that are rustedHardware has a lifespan and should be checked.
Safety first. A cracked fork can fail suddenly, especially under snow or ice. Park elsewhere and keep the kids away from it until it's been looked at.
Why call us for cabling
Answered 24/7
Nights, weekends, holidays.
Honest candidates only
If cabling won't make the tree safe, we tell you instead of selling hardware.
Installed by climbers
Hardware goes in high in the crown where it does its job.
Erie-based crew
Office on West 21st Street.
