How to Brace a Tree Limb With Wire & Cable
If you want to extend your tree's life, you need to keep the trunk from rotting. According to landscape architect Elbert Peets, the easiest way to prevent trunk decay is by bracing large weak and dying limbs, since most decay enters through wounds created when branches break off. Using wire and cables to brace tree limbs will allow you to keep older trees healthy and well supported. Wire and cable bracings are especially useful for securing lighter tree branches on apple and pear trees. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Metal cable or wire
- Wire cutters
- Eye bolt with nut and washer
- Drill
- Chisel
- Tar
- Hammer
- Headless nail
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure a piece of wire or cable sufficient in length to extend it at a 45 degree angle from the tree trunk to the tree branch you would like to brace. Add two extra feet to your length of wire to account for the length needed to properly secure the ends in place. Cut this piece of wire.
-
2
Choose an eye bolt based on the size of your tree. If you're bracing a tall tree with a wide trunk, the eye bolt should be at least 1 1/8 inches. Drill a hole, with a bit of the same size, through a strong, level section of the tree trunk.
-
-
3
Chisel a depression at least 1/8 inch deep on one side of the hole; this depression will hold the square bolt head.
-
4
Run a wire through the hole to figure out how long your bolt should be.
-
5
Cover the bolt and either side of the drilled hole with tar and hammer it into place. Secure the back of the bolt with a washer and nut.
-
6
Drill a hole through the limb you want to brace. It should measure about twice the circumference of the wire or cable you intend to use, and the hole should appear two-thirds of the way up the weak limb.
-
7
Push the wire through the limb, fold it over and feed the end back through the hole. You will have created a wire loop.
-
8
Slip a headless nail into the loop before it passes entirely through the hole. The nail should rest vertically against the branch's bark. You can chisel out a slot for it to rest.
-
1
