The Importance of Annual Inspections for Cabled and Braced Trees in OKC
Cabling and bracing increases tree stability, but their effectiveness wears down over time. See the importance of annual inspections for cabled trees in Oklahoma City.
Cabling and bracing is an effective way to support your trees, but they aren’t effective without yearly inspections. Annual inspections help identify potential issues early, allowing us to address problems proactively and avoid costly or damaging consequences down the road.
Key Takeaways
- Annual inspections allow us to determine if there is a problem with cables and braces in trees.
- Storms can damage cables and leave them unable to support a tree.
- General wear and tear can also weaken structural support systems and require replacement.
- As trees grow, cables and braces lose effectiveness and may need reinstallation to better fit the tree’s new size.
- Inspections catch problems early and lower the risk of your tree failing or the cables breaking.
Even the steel bracing rods will eventually weaken over time. Photo courtesy of Paul A. Mistretta, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org.
4 Reasons Why Structural Support Systems Need Annual Inspections
Cabling and bracing provide vital support to the weaker sections of a tree, helping to protect not just your tree but also your home and family by reducing the risk of falling branches and potential tree failure.
While the materials used in our cables and braces are strong and meet the high standards set by the International Society of Arboriculture, they are not immune to wear and tear. That’s why we recommend annual inspections by our ISA Certified Arborists to ensure your structural support systems remain effective. If these systems become damaged or ineffective, they won’t be able to provide the necessary protection, increasing the risk of tree failure.
The four biggest reasons we need to inspect your trees are:
1. Oklahoma City Storms Can Damage Cables and Braces
We’re no strangers to extreme weather in Oklahoma City. From storms to tornadoes, our trees are under near constant threat from nature. While cabling and bracing can strengthen your trees and make them less prone to failure in storms, the support systems can become damaged in the process.
Storms can potentially break or damage cables and braces. In this weakened state, they won’t be able to protect your tree effectively. An arborist will discover this damage during an inspection of your trees.
2. Structural Support Systems Can Weaken Over Time from Wear and Tear
Damage to your cables and braces does not have to be so dramatic in Oklahoma City. The natural wear and tear of structural support systems will eventually leave them struggling to perform their job correctly.
Tree branches naturally move around quite a bit from the weather. Rain can cause the branches to sag as they carry extra water, and wind can cause branches to sway back and forth. While this isn’t bad for your trees, it can begin to wear down structural support systems.
3. Regular Tree Growth Can Leave Cables Ineffective
Trees will grow anywhere from one to two feet yearly, depending on their growth rate. When we install cables, we plan the installation based on the size of your tree at the time. However, as the tree continues to grow, the cables that were perfect one year ago may not be effective any longer.
When we inspect your trees, we’ll look at the tree’s growth and your cables. If they don’t seem to be adding stability and supporting weak sections anymore, we’ll recommend replacing them with structural support that will get the job done.
4. Problems Can Get Worse with Your Trees
Even with structural support, the problems your trees face can get worse over time. A splitting trunk or damaged branch may become weaker the following year after weather or wear and tear. If we notice the problems worsening, we may update the structural support systems or suggest removing the tree to protect your yard.
How Long Cables and Braces Last
Though manufacturers build cables and braces to last for many years, this is not always the case in practical situations. Structural support equipment is at the mercy of the elements and will wear down faster when we have extreme weather in the Oklahoma City area.
It may sound silly to perform annual inspections on something that can last for many years, but it is critical. Ineffective cables will not be able to protect your tree as well and can lead to sections of your tree breaking off or the entire tree failing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cabling and Bracing
Let’s look at some of the most common questions we hear from our customers about cabling and bracing for their trees.
Does cabling and bracing harm a tree’s aesthetics?
No, cabling and bracing won’t harm the aesthetics of your trees, especially in the summer. While our cables are strong, they are inconspicuous to the untrained eye. And with your tree fully leafed out, you likely won’t be able to notice them unless you’re looking for them.
What trees benefit from cabling?
We suggest cabling for trees with poor structure, weak sections, or those that have suffered from recent storm damage.
Can cabling save a tree?
Cabling can save a tree in some instances. However, you will want a Certified Arborist to examine your trees to determine if cables and braces could save your tree.
Arbor Masters of Oklahoma City Can Handle All Your Trees’ Structural Support Needs
While it would be convenient to install cables and braces into a tree and never think about it again, the reality is more complex. Annual inspections identify faults in your trees and support systems, reducing the risk of failure during extreme weather.
Arbor Masters has the knowledge and equipment to handle the cabling and bracing of all your Oklahoma City trees. Call us today at 405-495-8746 or request a quote online.
