5 Benefits of Cabling and Bracing Your Trees in the Hudson Valley

Tree cabling and bracing benefits go beyond just saving your trees—they can protect your home, prevent costly damage, and give struggling trees a second chance to thrive. Often overlooked, this important service can save you money, stress, and the heartbreak of losing a beloved tree. Let’s find out if tree cabling and bracing is the solution to your tree problems.

PRO TIP: We often prune trees in addition to installing support systems. Pruning allows us to remove branches that cabling and bracing can’t save. For more information on pruning, see our other articles about the service:

• Best Time to Prune Trees & Shrubs in the Hudson Valley
• When to Prune Your Ornamental Shrubs for Maximum Flowering

Key Takeaways

• Cabling and bracing provide support and stability for weak sections of your trees.
• Signs your tree needs support include cracked or overextended branches and weak unions.
• Cabling and bracing can prevent you from having to remove historic and mature trees.
• Structural support systems protect your home and family from falling branches.
• You can help a tree improve its structure or recover from injuries with cabling and bracing.

Tree Cabling and Bracing: The Basics

Despite its importance, many homeowners aren’t aware of cabling and bracing services. Before examining its benefits, you have to understand what it is.

Cabling involves installing a high-strength cable in the upper part of your tree’s canopy. The cables prevent branches from moving around as much and will help stabilize your trees when the winds pick up. Cabling is generally minimally invasive, and if installed correctly, it’s likely you will hardly notice the cables when a tree is leafed out.

Bracing is a more invasive process that is only used in extreme cases. It involves installing a threaded rod through multiple stems or branches. The rod limits twisting and makes tree failure less likely. We generally use bracing in conjunction with cabling.

PRO TIP: Want to learn more about cabling, bracing, and other structural support? Check out the Tree Care Industry Association’s comprehensive guide on structural support.

A tree with codominant stems, like the one pictured here, can benefit from bracing.

Signs Your Hudson Valley Trees Need Cabling and Bracing

Typical symptoms your trees may show when they may need structural support include:

• Cracked Branches: Even a minor crack can worsen over time. Structural support will reduce the risk of additional damage to the branch.
• Weak Branch Unions: Branches that connect to the trunk at a sharp angle are weak. They become a risk as they get heavier. Bracing reduces the risk of them breaking.
• Overextended Branches: An overly-long branch is more likely to break in a storm. Cabling will redistribute the weight.
• Signs of Decay: Structural support can help stabilize parts of the tree that are decaying.

If you notice any of these signs while inspecting your trees, it may be time to call an arborist.

We typically recommend tree cabling and bracing for mature or historic trees, especially when losing them isn’t an option. Structural support can preserve their beauty and stability for years to come.

5 Tree Cabling and Bracing Benefits

Cabling and bracing are services that may help you save your tree. Some of the benefits of structural support include:

1. Avoid Removal of Mature or Historic Trees

Some trees take generations to grow, so tree removal is not something to take lightly. For a storm-damaged tree at risk of failing, consider structural support first. An arborist can tell you if there’s a chance to save your mature or historic tree.

Trees provide benefits to your home, some obvious and some not so much. When you remove a tree, you’re not just losing its presence—you’re also giving up:

• Lower Energy Costs: Studies have shown that trees strategically placed on the west and south sides of your home can cut summer energy bills by at least 5%.
• Increased Property Value: Homes with trees not only appraise higher but also sell faster.
• Enhanced Biodiversity: Mature shade trees attract wildlife, providing shelter for small mammals and enriching the Hudson Valley’s ecosystem—all while creating an enjoyable environment for you.

2. Prevent Damage from Broken Branches

Branches may not look that heavy when suspended in the air. But when they do fall, you’ll get a sense of just how damaging they can be.

During a storm, weak branches can break off from a tree. These branches can crash into windows, structures, or lawn decorations. Even worse, they can injure someone.

Cabling and bracing will stabilize the weak sections of your tree, increasing safety.

WARNING: While cabling and bracing increases safety, it cannot prevent all accidents. Always use caution around trees.

3. Help Support a Tree’s Poor Structure

Cabling and bracing can help support your tree when it has poor structure. A tree may not be able to support its branches any longer and will have to rely on the cables and braces.

As your tree grows, its structural support systems will need periodic adjustments. An arborist will need to replace or update the cabling and bracing over time, as what worked a year ago may no longer be effective as the tree continues to expand.

4. Help Trees Heal from Previous Injuries

Storms can severely damage trees and leave sections unable to stand on their own. Cables and braces can support these weakened sections of the tree and reduce the risk of them breaking. This maintains the beauty of your tree and reduces the risk broken branches damaging your property.

5. Cabling and Bracing Can Save You Money

Tree removal is not only a significant expense but also a permanent solution that eliminates all the benefits a tree provides. If an arborist determines that structural support systems like cabling and bracing can stabilize and save a tree, it’s often a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative.

By preserving the tree, you avoid removal costs, potential expenses for replanting, and the long-term loss of energy savings, property value, and shade. Plus, keeping a tree healthy and thriving can prevent future damage to your home or property, saving you from costly repairs. Investing in cabling and bracing isn’t just about saving money—it’s about preserving an irreplaceable asset.

Hill Treekeepers Can Help You Preserve Your Trees

At Hill Treekeepers, we have the expertise to give your trees the support they need to thrive. Whether your tree is struggling with poor growth, storm damage, or structural instability, cabling and bracing could be the solution to save it and prevent removal.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—our experienced team is ready to help. Call us today at 914-214-7045 or request a quote online. Let’s work together to protect and preserve your trees for years to come!