Tree Cabling & Bracing Services near Boulder & Longmont

When Cabling or Bracing Is Needed

Several common structural conditions in trees warrant professional evaluation for supplemental support. Co-dominant stems, where two or more main trunks emerge from the same point, are particularly vulnerable because the junction between stems often includes bark that weakens the attachment. These trees are at high risk of splitting apart during wind events or under heavy snow loads. Other candidates for support include trees with long, heavy lateral branches that extend far from the trunk, multi-stemmed shade trees that have developed lopsided canopies, and trees with previous storm damage that left weakened attachment points. Historic or specimen trees with sentimental or landscape value that would be devastating to lose are also prime candidates for proactive support installation before a failure occurs. Cabling vs. Bracing: What Is the Difference Cabling and bracing address different types of structural weakness. Cabling uses flexible steel cables installed high in the canopy between co-dominant stems or heavy branches to limit their range of movement and reduce the stress on weak attachment points. Modern dynamic cabling systems use synthetic materials that allow natural movement while preventing the extreme displacement that causes failures. Bracing uses threaded steel rods installed through split or cracked trunks and branch unions to hold the compromised wood together mechanically. Many trees benefit from a combination of both techniques, with bracing to stabilize a crack or split at the base of the union and cabling to reduce the loads that caused the failure in the first place.