Preserve your trees with cabling and bracing services from arborists with more than 30 years of combined experience.
Cabling and bracing involve the installation of supportive hardware (either cables or threaded rods) within a tree’s canopy to reinforce weak or damaged structure. But while helpful, these are both advanced techniques that require a thorough understanding of tree biology, structural mechanics, and local conditions.
Our team understands the specific cabling and bracing challenges our region presents, including:
Central North Carolina’s severe weather ranges from winter ice storms to summer tropical systems. This kind of intense weather can place enormous stress on trees with weak attachments or poor structure. Properly installed cables and braces can help trees better withstand future storms.
Many of the trees common to our region, including water oaks, red maples, and tuliptrees, are prone to developing co-dominant stems and weak branch attachments as they mature. Our arborists are well-versed in addressing these structural issues before they become safety hazards.
Central North Carolina is home to many mature trees that are deeply valued by the homeowners and communities they shade. When these trees develop structural issues, cabling and bracing often allow them to be retained rather than removed.
We’ve been providing cabling and bracing services across Central North Carolina since 2020, and we’d love to help you preserve the trees on your property.
Lubbers & Sons Tree Care takes a different approach than many of the other tree-service companies operating in Central North Carolina. We measure success by the number of clients we help and trees we save rather than the number we remove.
In fact, when you trust the Lubbers & Sons Tree Care team, you’ll immediately notice our commitment to:
“We love helping homeowners and property managers avoid the need for removal and retain the trees they love by installing high-quality cabling and bracing systems.”
- Tommy Lubbers
Owner of Lubbers & Sons Tree Care
Not all structural issues are the same, and the right support solution will depend on the specific needs of your tree. A few of the cabling and bracing services we offer include:
Trees with two or more trunks of roughly equal size are often at high risk of splitting. To help reduce the chances of this happening and extend the functional life of the tree, we can install cables between the stems.
Large branches that extend over homes, driveways, or other high-traffic areas can be stabilized with strategically placed cables that reduce the risk of failure and potentially eliminate the need for removal.
When a branch or stem has already begun to crack or split, threaded steel rods (braces) can be installed to hold the affected wood together and help prevent further separation.
Trees that have suffered structural damage during a storm may be salvageable with the right support system. We'll assess the damage and recommend a cabling or bracing solution that reduces its risk profile.
In some cases, cabling and bracing can reduce the risk posed by a hazardous tree enough to justify retaining it. This can help to spare beloved or valuable trees that might otherwise require removal.
Cabling and bracing systems require periodic inspections to ensure they remain effective and don’t harm the tree. Our arborists will assess your existing systems and make any necessary adjustments.
You contact our team to schedule an arborist assessment or request a free estimate.
One of our arborists will visit your property, evaluate your trees, and discuss your goals.
We’ll outline your options, develop a customized plan, and provide you with an itemized estimate.
We’ll show up at the scheduled time, conduct a safety briefing, and get to work.
Once finished, we’ll review the work with you and ensure your property looks spotless.
When carried out by a qualified team of professional arborists, cabling and bracing can deliver a number of meaningful benefits to your trees, your property, and your peace of mind, including:
To enjoy all of these benefits and more, simply contact the Lubbers & Sons Tree Care team and tell us about your needs.
Cabling and bracing are not appropriate for every tree, but there are a number of situations where they can mean the difference between removal and retention. So, contact the arborists at Lubbers & Sons Tree Care if you notice any of the following:
If your tree has two or more trunks of roughly equal size originating from the same point, it is at an elevated risk of splitting, particularly during high winds or heavy ice loads.
Branches that extend over high-value areas present a real safety risk, but cabling can provide the additional support needed to reduce the risk of failure.
Cracks and splits indicate that a tree's wood fibers are already failing. In some cases, bracing can hold the affected area together and prevent further separation.
Trees that have suffered structural damage in previous storms are often vulnerable to failure. Our arborists can determine whether cabling or bracing would help keep the tree safer.
Existing support systems require periodic inspections to ensure they're still doing their job effectively, and that they haven't begun causing harm to the tree.
If a beloved or particularly valuable tree on your property is showing signs of structural weakness, it's worth having an arborist assess whether cabling or bracing could help.
If any of these situations apply to a tree on your property, contact the Lubbers & Sons Tree Care team to discuss your options.
The cost of cabling and bracing services in Central North Carolina varies depending on the size and condition of the tree, the number of cables or braces required, and the complexity of the installation. Most residential projects fall in the $300 to $2,000 range, though larger or more complex jobs may cost more.
A few of the factors that’ll influence the total costs you’ll face include:
It’s also worth noting that cabling and bracing are almost always more affordable than removal, which illustrates another reason North Carolina homeowners are becoming increasingly interested in this approach. The best way to determine exactly what your project will cost is to contact the Lubbers & Sons Tree Care team for a free estimate.
Lubbers & Sons Tree Care is proud to offer expert tree-care services across Central North Carolina, including the following cities:
Cabling and bracing are not services to entrust to just any tree-care outfit. Improperly installed hardware can cause serious harm to a tree and accelerate the very decline you were hoping to prevent, while poorly implemented support systems can create a false sense of security that leaves your home and family at risk.
That’s why it’s critical to work with a team of professional arborists who have the training and experience to assess each situation accurately and install the right support system for the job. That’s exactly what you get with Lubbers & Sons Tree Care — honest assessments, expert installations, and a genuine commitment to helping you retain the trees you value most.
Contact us today to discuss your concerns or schedule a complimentary assessment.
Have more questions about our tree-support services? We’ve rounded up a few of the most common questions our clients have and answered them below.
Tree cabling typically costs between $300 and $2,000 for most residential projects in Central North Carolina, though larger or more complex installations may cost more. The best way to get an accurate figure for your specific situation is to contact the Lubbers & Sons Tree Care team for a free estimate.
In many cases, yes — particularly when the alternative is removing a tree you'd prefer to keep. Cabling can significantly reduce the risk of branch failure and help protect your home and property. And it does this for a fraction of the cost of removal.
Most cabling systems last between 10 and 20 years (or more, in some cases), though this can vary depending on the type of hardware used, the growth rate of the tree, and the environmental conditions the system is exposed to. Regular inspections are important to ensure the system remains effective and hasn't begun causing unintended harm to the tree.
Cabling is most appropriate when a tree has co-dominant stems, large overhanging branches, visible cracks or splits, or a history of storm damage. The sooner a structural issue is identified and addressed, the more options you'll have. So, it's always wise to have a professional arborist assess the tree as early as possible.
Cabling is generally quite affordable relative to the alternatives. Compared to the cost of repeated pruning, emergency storm damage cleanup, or full tree removal, a professionally installed cabling system is often a very cost-effective way to manage a structurally compromised tree.
The primary disadvantages are that cabling requires periodic inspections and eventual replacement, and it does not eliminate risk entirely. Improperly installed systems can also cause harm to the tree, which is why it's critical to work with a qualified team of professional arborists rather than attempting a DIY approach.
No. Cabling and bracing reduce risk, but they do not eliminate it entirely. Even a properly supported tree can fail under extreme conditions. That's why it's important to have your cabling and bracing systems inspected regularly and to continue monitoring the tree for any new or worsening structural issues.
A structurally compromised tree doesn’t always have to be removed. In many cases, the right cabling or bracing system can reduce the risk it presents, extend its lifespan, and spare you the cost and heartbreak of removal. But to get the best possible outcome, you need a team of professional arborists with the expertise needed to assess the situation accurately and install the right solution for your specific tree.
That’s exactly what you get when you rely on Lubbers & Sons Tree Care. We’ve been serving homeowners, municipalities, and commercial property owners across Central North Carolina since 2020, and we’d love to help you hold onto your tree for many more years.
Contact us today to discuss your concerns or request a free estimate.
Feel free to leave your contact information on our online form. A consultation is always free, and it’s the first step towards finding a tree care solution!