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Having trees in your yard feels great. They bring shade, beauty, and value. But sometimes, those same trees can become a safety risk. What happens if you spot a big crack in a trunk or a limb that looks like it’s about to split? Do you chop the entire tree down? Not necessarily.
If you love your trees as much as we do at Fort Worth Arborist Co., you want to do whatever it takes to keep them strong and safe. So, when your tree has weak branches or a split trunk, you might think about “tree cabling” or “tree bracing.”
But which should you choose for yours?
Let’s find out.
Why Do Trees Need Extra Support?
We know how much you love your trees. Whether it’s a towering pecan shading your backyard or a beloved oak anchoring your front lawn, they’re part of your property’s story.
That said, Texas weather doesn’t always play nice. Between high winds, spring storms, summer droughts, and the occasional ice storm, even the strongest trees can become vulnerable. Some trees are just naturally prone to structural issues like weak crotches, codominant stems, or heavy limbs that sag under their own weight.
That’s where structural supports like tree cabling and bracing come in. These systems help you keep your tree alive and thriving for as long as possible.
What Is Tree Cabling and When Do You Need It?
What it is: Tree cabling uses high-strength steel cables to reduce strain on a tree’s limbs or trunks by redistributing weight and limiting movement during storms or high winds.
When it’s used: Cabling is typically used in the upper canopy of the tree. If a large limb looks like it might break off, or two stems are splitting away from each other, cabling helps “tie” them together so they can support each other.
It’s ideal for:
- Trees with heavy or overextended limbs.
- Codominant stems (two trunks growing from the same base).
- Preventing future damage during wind or storms.
- Mature trees you don’t want to cut or lose.
Pro Tip: A cabling system is not something you can DIY. It needs to be installed by a certified arborist who understands the dynamics of tree growth and movement. Otherwise, you could do more harm than good.
What Is Tree Bracing and When Do You Need It?
What it is: Tree bracing uses threaded steel rods or bolts to physically hold a tree together at a weak point, often lower in the trunk or major limb union. It’s like giving your tree a solid backbone.
When it’s used: Bracing is typically used when there’s already a visible crack, split, or structural failure. The rods help reinforce the tree and prevent the split from worsening.
It’s ideal for:
- Trees that have already started splitting at the trunk or major branch.
- Immediate structural support needs.
- Trees with visible cracks or signs of stress.
- Combining with cabling for long-term stability.
Pro Tip: Bracing is more invasive than cabling. It requires drilling into the tree, so it’s usually a last resort to save a tree that’s at risk of breaking apart. If that’s not an option, you might have to think about removing the tree.
Tree Cabling or Tree Bracing: Which One Do You Need?
Let’s say you’re looking at a big ol’ pecan tree in your backyard, where one of the limbs is growing way out to the side and dipping lower with each passing season. You’re nervous that the next thunderstorm could snap it.
In this case, cabling might be the perfect solution. It reduces the stress on that limb and helps keep it from falling.
But what if that limb already has a crack at the base? Or the trunk has begun to split down the middle from two competing leaders? Now, you’re probably looking at bracing, possibly in combination with cabling.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
| Issue | Best Solution |
| Large, heavy limbs | Cabling |
| Codominant trunks | Cabling (sometimes with bracing) |
| Visible crack or split | Bracing |
| Preventative support | Cabling |
| Advanced structural failure | Bracing (maybe both) |
Don’t Wait to Fix Your Tree
Regular maintenance can help to a great extent and prevent your tree from showing signs of stress or disease. However, if your tree is already showing signs like heavy limbs or a slit in the trunk, act immediately.
Here’s why:
- Safety first: A heavy limb falling can damage your home or vehicle. Or worse, hurt someone.
- It gets worse: A small split can become a big one. Once a tree starts to fail, it rarely gets better on its own.
- Storm season is unforgiving: We know Texas storms don’t mess around. Proper cabling or bracing can make the difference between a saved tree and a costly cleanup.
Do Cabling and Bracing Harm the Tree?
When done correctly by a certified arborist, both cabling and bracing are safe and effective. Yes, bracing involves drilling, but it’s done strategically to minimize stress and help the tree continue growing around the hardware.
In fact, these supports often extend a tree’s life by decades, especially mature trees that would otherwise be removed. If you want to keep that old oak or birch going for a few more years, you should consider tree bracing and cabling.
However, these are technical procedures and involve special equipment. You need to know the right tension, hardware, and how deep to drill. If you do it wrong, you can actually hurt the tree more. Plus, working in tall trees is a risky business without proper safety gear and training.
In other words, DIY isn’t really the best option here. If you love your tree, trust a professional like Fort Worth Arborist Co. Our ISA-certified, trained, and skilled arborists will take proper measures to help your tree thrive for as long as possible.
How Long Does Tree Cabling or Bracing Last?
If installed right, cables and braces can last for years, but they do need checking. Our recommendation is to schedule an annual inspection. Cables can loosen over time, or wood can grow around the hardware and hide damage.
Sometimes, after several years, hardware will need to be adjusted or replaced. That’s why regular checkups help your trees last even longer.
Act Now and Save Your Tree
If you’re worried about a crack, split, or funky-looking branch on your tree, don’t wait. The sooner you call an arborist, the more options you’ll have. Sometimes, early action can save your tree.
Not sure what your tree needs? Let us check it for you. Fort Worth Arborist Co. offers professional tree cabling and bracing services in Fort Worth, TX. We’ll check your tree, explain what’s going on (in plain English), and recommend the best plan.
Call us at 817-975-0180 or book an appointment online now.