PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Felix, Robert AU - Shigo, Alex L. TI - Rots and Rods AID - 10.48044/jauf.1977.051 DP - 1977 Oct 01 TA - Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) PG - 187--190 VI - 3 IP - 10 4099 - http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/3/10/187.short 4100 - http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/3/10/187.full SO - JOA1977 Oct 01; 3 AB - Trees with internal rot, or crotches likely to split, can be helped by proper bracing. Although the holes made for the bracing materials are wounds, and wounds start the processes that can lead to rot, the braces can extend the time that trees with rot and weak crotches can remain safe, attractive, and healthy. An understanding of how rots develop and how rods should be properly installed will help the arborist to maximize the benefits of proper tree bracing and to minimize the injury caused by the new wounds required for the bracing materials. Some basic information on the development of tree rots and installation of bracing materials is given.