American Tree Experts

5 Must-Know Drawbacks And Benefits Of Tree Cabling

Discover the benefits of tree cabling and how to avoid the drawbacks

Tree cabling and bracing is a common practice that helps preserve a tree and lengthen its lifespan. Tree cabling can help save a wide range of tree species and is frequently done in urban and suburban areas. However, there is a lot more to tree cabling than just holding up branches. So let’s dig deeper to discover the benefits and drawbacks of tree cabling.

Benefits Of Tree Cabling

There are numerous benefits of tree cabling. Some of them are obvious, while others gradually appear. The most important benefits of tree cabling include the following:

Decreases The Risk Of Damage

  • Tree cabling prevents the risk of damage caused by falling trees and safeguards homes, vehicles, and human lives. However, damaged trees can fall without warning, posing a significant threat to anyone in their way, and even parked cars can be severely damaged.

In situations where a tree is at risk of falling in places where it shouldn’t, it is advisable to hire the services of a professional arborist to evaluate the tree’s needs and determine if cabling is a suitable option. Taking proactive measures can help prevent a potential incident from occurring.

Promotes Healthy Growth

  • Heavy wind can often eradicate the tops of older trees, sabotaging the integrity of your tree. However, cabling strengthens the structural integrity of a tree, promoting healthy growth and prolonging its lifespan.

In addition, cabling helps to distribute the weight of the tree’s crown, reducing the risk of branch failure and damage. As a result, the tree can continue to thrive and grow to its maximum potential.

Produces More Fruit

  • Trees that bear heavy fruit loads can strain their branches and increase the risk of breakage. Cabling provides additional support to heavy branches to distribute the weight of the fruit load evenly, preventing damage and promoting healthy growth.

As a result, a significant increase is seen in the fruit yield of trees such as apples, plums, pears, and quince. This technique is particularly useful for older fruit trees with weaker branches.

Drawbacks Of Tree Cabling

Tree cabling may have some drawbacks, including:

It Cuts Off Nutrient Supply To Upper Branches

  • While cabling offers significant benefits, it can pose some risks to the tree’s health. One of the dangers of cabling is that it may cut off essential nutrients to the tree’s upper branches. When a hole is drilled through the core of a tree to install a cable, it can affect the nutrient supply to the canopy layer.

Although the effects of this may not be immediately noticeable, over time, it can cause issues that compromise the tree’s health and longevity. However, this issue can be mitigated by avoiding drilling holes through the tree’s core. Alternatively, go for the cables that wrap around the outside of a branch rather than piercing through it.

Poorly Installed Cables

  • benefits of tree cablingImproper installation of tree cables is another potential risk associated with cabling. While it may be tempting to install cables yourself, doing so can be extremely dangerous and may result in serious injury or property damage.

Effective cabling requires specific expertise, including knowledge of cable tension, placement, and appropriate materials. Hire an experienced and qualified arborist to assess your tree’s needs and properly install cables to avoid these issues.

At American Tree Experts, Inc., we offer the best services to keep your plants out of harm’s way. Our tree cabling service makes sure that your trees are secured and protected. Our most sought out services are pruning, bracing, pest management, and nutritional management. We offer services in Montclair, New Jersey. Call us at 973-744-6091 for a free quote.

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