To Cable Or Not To Cable

[YooHawn]

I have a tree(s) (three trees one root system) which apparently a good canidate for cabling according to two different tree experts (certified arborists). I suppose my question is, "Is cabling stressful to the tree?" or more importantly "Does it shorten a tree's life?" beyond the obvious which is, no cabling, the wind blows and knocks it down really shortening it's life. The older I get the more I appreciate my trees so this is an important question to me.

Thanks

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Properly installed cabling will extend a trees life a long way. You understand the value.

Without=failure

If through bolts or lags are used, there is a wound. With elastic [rope based] systems there isn't a wound.

Here is a link to a US Forest Service manual on Urban Tree Risk Management. I wrote the chapter on cabling and bracing. There are lots of things to consider.

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/uf/utrmm/index.htm


Let us know what you decide and what system you choose to have installed. Take some time to look back at the other cabling threads here and at the ISA discussion forum too.

Tom

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Properly installed cabling systems will reduce the risk of failur, not eliminate them.

You may find a Registered Consulting Arborist to do a risk analysis on the tree(s) to determine the need for cabling and maybe designe a system.

An RCA will work for you wih no future interest in removal or remidiation. Also the bar for the credentials is higher

http://www.asca-consultants.org/directory/index.cfm