Trees with poor branch structure or branches with decay that are prone to splitting or breaking (termed as a Structural Defect).  Poor branch structure, called “included bark”  may be branches or tree trunks that are termed “co-dominant.”  These conditions can be present on any species of tree.  Depending on the trees location in the landscape and the presence of hazards within striking distance, the tree can be considered a hazard. Rotten Rock Tree Service recognizes this potential and provides services to help reduce this risk.  There are several options for mitigating this type of hazard besides removing the tree(s) in question.  Cabling and bracing are some of the options for managing structural defects of this nature.

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​There are three major uses of Cabling and Bracing:

• Prevention: to reduce the chance of failure on a healthy tree with structural weakness

• Restoration: to prolong the existence of a damaged tree

• Mitigation: to reduce the hazard potential of a tree

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Details of Cabling and Bracing:

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• Cabling and bracing are the two most common forms of structural support for trees

• They involve installing flexible cables or rigid rods to reduce the chances of failure of defective unions.

• Cables are installed high in the tree, at least 2/3 the distance from the defect to the crown

• Rods are installed much lower, just above and/or below the defect

• Cables are always stronger than rods because of their greater leverage

• Cables can be used alone, but bracing is always supplemented with cables

• Other, less common forms of structural support are guying and propping

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