Your property’s trees may not grow safely or sustainably to promote long-term health and personal or property protection. In some cases, the tree’s species characteristics, location, or lack of pruning during early development stages may result in poor branch structures, leaving them vulnerable to damage during storms. Therefore, our Tri-Cities tree care experts at Promier Tree advise property owners to seek the expertise of an ISA-certified arborist to determine if their trees merely need corrective pruning or require branch reinforcement. On today’s blog, we share how to secure your trees during severe weather so that you can protect your property, family, and guests while extending your tree’s life.
Common Structural Deficiencies
Trees with one or more codominant stems or “V crotch” are at an increased tree failure risk due to a weak structure. In addition, trees with codominant branches are at a high damage risk during high winds and storms because of a lack of connective tissue that anchors the stem to the trunk. Our Kingsport ISA-certified arborists explain that poor branch structures are removable, but pruning codominant stems early in life promotes dominant branch leader development. Older trees with a poor branch structure may benefit from bracing or cabling the branches to strengthen weak tree areas.
Overextended limbs may break where the branch and trunk meet during severe storms and high winds. Additionally, the unusually long and heavy limbs are susceptible to breaking when overloaded with snow or ice. Although our Johnson City ISA-certified arborists may recommend cable installation to avoid significant pruning cuts, the best course of action is to exercise corrective pruning practices during the tree’s early stages to prevent overextended limbs.
Tree Support Devices
Common structural support devices which reduce branch failure risk are cables and brace rods. With the help of the supplemental structural supports, weakened branch unions or branches become strengthened and can withstand severe weather conditions. Furthermore, restricting the distance branches can move reduces your potential damage risk. Below are a few examples of tree support devices our ISA-certified arborists in Bristol recommend to support your trees.
- Cabling Systems – These structural supports are flexible yet have extra high-strength steel strand cables that attach to bolts installed in the upper tree crown wood. Installing cables on overextended branches can provide additional support.
- Dynamic Cabling Systems – These soft cabling systems use synthetic ropes that attach to trees’ limbs without invasive drilling practices. Dynamic cabling systems are less damaging to branches and more versatile by addressing tree situations where hardware installation is impossible.
- Braces – These threaded rods get inserted through weak branch unions and multiple stems by drilling through the tree to deliver more rigid support. Most commonly used for trees with multiple leaders or codominant branches, brace rods can reduce the branch’s damage risk when moving sideways or spreading apart during storms.
Using Tree Supports
Determining which tree support system is best to repair a split trunk or reinforce weak branches should include the opinion and recommendations of an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist to provide the best results. Our Tri-Cities ISA-certified arborists will conduct a thorough health evaluation of the tree to ensure it’s healthy enough for cabling and doesn’t require removal. Unfortunately, some trees will fail even if cabled or braced because of their health, lack of value, poor location, or presence of decayed wood. However, you can protect healthy trees using tree support systems that typically last between 7 to 10 years.
Tree Care in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
The trees on your property go beyond providing aesthetic beauty. Since your trees become more valuable as they age, investing in their safety during high winds and storms can protect your assets. Although cabling and bracing won’t eliminate tree failure risk, the treatments can extend a tree’s life and make it safer during severe storms. Then, when your trees suffer storm damage, our emergency storm cleanup services can remove the fallen limbs. Feel free to contact our experienced Kingsport ISA-certified arborists at Promier Tree by calling (423) 765-2626 or contact us online.