Abstract

Shigo, A.L. 1982. Cabling and bracing: how to minimize internal injury. Arbor Age 2(1): 16-20.

Cabling and bracing, like injections, implants, cavity fillings, and pruning, can be very beneficial for trees but only when done-properly! When done improperly, these treatments will cause a great deal of injury to the tree. In professional tree work, many factors must be considered to do a proper job. Proper cabling and bracing requires not only a high degree of skill in working with types and placement of hardware, but also a sound working knowledge of how a tree is constructed and how defects develop in trees. When a screw, rod, or bolt is inserted into healthy wood, the injured wood surrounding the metal will be walled off by the tree. In healthy wood, the column of discolored wood associated with the injury will be no wider than the diameter of the hole. The column of discolored wood may extend above or below the hole, but the length of the column will differ in different tree species, and with individuals within a species. The discolored wood may be caused by the tree’s response to the injury. This is a normal response to injury and infection. Cabling and bracing cause wounds. But the injury caused by a wound must be weighed against the added time that the tree will remain safe, attractive, and healthy. There always will be times when the rules must be bent because of many other factors. But it is always best to know the rules before bending them. The more you know about the basics, the more you will be able to help trees.

• © 1983, International Society of Arboriculture. All rights reserved.