TREE SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Across Colorado, aging trees often show their years through hidden decay or stressed limbs, but with the right tree support systems—such as cabling or bracing—many can be made safe again while preserving a cherished tree and protecting your property.

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Support Systems

Across Colorado, many mature trees can pose potential hazards as they age. Over time, trees may develop internal decay, stress cracks from heavy, unpruned limbs, or weak branch unions caused by poor structure. When these issues surface, homeowners often assume removal is the only solution—but that isn’t always the case.

In many situations, professionally designed tree support systems, such as cabling or bracing, can reduce risk while preserving the tree. These systems help stabilize weak limbs, allowing you to continue enjoying a mature tree with added confidence that it won’t fail and cause damage to people or property.

Types of Tree Support Systems

Dynamic Cabling

Dynamic cable is a non-rigid synthetic fiber which was developed as an alternative to rigid (steel cable) systems. Dynamic systems allow the tree to continue to move and grow naturally, except in the event of high winds or heavy snow where they help support limb failure.

The benefit is, the weak branch union over time will strengthen by creating what’s called “reaction wood” until it becomes strong enough to support itself. Another benefit of dynamic cables vs. steel cables is that you don’t have to drill holes into your tree to install bolts for support.

Bracing

Tree braces are strong metal rods installed through limbs or trunks to reinforce weak branch unions and stabilize areas that have begun to split. By physically tying structural points together, bracing helps redistribute weight and reduce movement in vulnerable sections of the tree.

This technique is especially valuable for trees with multiple leaders—those competing vertical stems that often pull away from each other as they grow. When properly installed, braces can prevent further separation, extend the life of the tree, and protect surrounding property from potential limb failure.

Static Cabling

Though dynamic cables are overall better for the health of your tree as it sometimes isn’t necessary to use the extremely rigidness of static cabling (or steel cable).

Steel cable is best utilized if there are cracked stems already, or if the weight of the limbs being cabled is too heavy to be supported by a dynamic cable, or if the tree is in immediate danger of breakage.

Guying

Guying is most commonly used when planting new trees as part of temporary tree support systems, providing stability while roots establish. Support lines are attached about three-quarters up the trunk and anchored to stakes, reducing excess movement from wind or loose soil. These supports are typically removed within a year once the tree can stand on its own.

Guying mature trees is less common and is generally reserved for preserving historically significant or uniquely valuable specimens that require short-term stabilization within a broader tree support system approach.

Why are support systems a great mitigation option?

Preserve mature, valuable trees while reducing liability

Prevent damage to your property and safeguard the community

Extend the lifespan and beauty of existing trees

Our Approach

Our Certified Arborists begin by evaluating the tree’s structure, health, and potential risks before recommending any support system. From there, we design and install customized cabling or bracing solutions tailored to the specific needs and growth patterns of your tree.