BigTreeSupply.com: Supporting Trees with Cables and Braces

By Nancy Penrose

Sometimes trees grow so large they can no longer support their own weight. This is a common problem with a mature tree or big trees that have multiple trunks or large canopies. Trees with branches attached in a “V” shape can have similar issues. The problem can be exacerbated during winter months, when rain and snow increases the weight of a tree’s foliage. Strong winds will also make the situation worse.

Too much weight can also occur when a tree has long and heavy limbs, particularly if they grow downward or horizontally.

If a tree has been planted in shallow or compacted soil, support difficulties can occur as well.

When a tree can’t support itself properly, it can fall, which can lead to property damage and personal injuries.

Pruning is one way to keep tree weight down. However, at some point, cables and braces may be necessary to give a tree the additional and permanent support it needs.

Cables, which are placed high in the tree, reduce branch movement and breakage. Braces are installed below or above the branch that needs support. Many times, cables and braces are installed together.

Both cables and braces come in a variety of materials and strength. Depending on the tree, some will need a single cable, while others will require multiple cables placed in the shape of a box or triangle. How many braces are used will also depend on the tree and branch that needs support.

After installing a cable or brace, make sure to check it for weather damage throughout the year.
If you’re worried about a tree on your property, ask a big trees specialist about your tree care options. Someone with big tree experience will know whether or not the tree can be saved with additional support, or if it would be more cost-effective to purchase a new tree. If cables and braces can save your tree, a big tree expert can show you what type of support to use and where to place it.

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys, specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. Learn more about tree care at http://bigtreesupply.com/tree-care-maintenance/ and for more tips on tree care or installation go to snohomishbigtrees.com. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_x12IYgYbg and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

Big Trees Inc. Plants Large Cedars for Local Golf Club

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree transplant and tree nursery company in the Seattle area, has been contracted by a prominent local golf club to help manage a large tree issue on the greens.

Big Trees was contacted about this project 2 years ago, to begin considering solutions and availability of larger trees. There was a specific green in the course that was exposed to distractions and outside activities off the course’s property. The plan was to plant several large trees to form a privacy screen. The club came to agree on 6 large 18’-20’ Incense Cedars to use for this screening effort, and Big Trees located the material and prepared the plants for handling.

Once the materials and trees were onsite, the rest of the project went smoothly. The trees were planted to the club’s satisfaction, and the view that was a distraction became a non-issue. Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees, stated; “We have many relationships with the golfing communities throughout the Puget Sound region. There’s nothing quite like a set of large trees to help settle down and solve issues on a golf course. And it’s really fun to get to see our handiwork in person occasionally when out on the links!”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), located in Snohomish, WA, in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only can deliver young trees but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreesupply.com/blog/

Big Trees Inc. Ships Big Blue Spruce to California

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree transplant and tree nursery company in the Seattle area, shipped a large Blue Spruce tree to Northern California, near San Francisco.

Big Trees was contacted over a year ago by a landscape coordinator for a city near San Francisco. The coordinator had a request for a large Blue Spruce, and Big Trees let him know about the 25’ tall Blue Spruce they had in their nursery. After a number of exchanges and discussions, the tree was shipped out to their location this week to be planted by their team.

Once the details and expenses were arranged and agreed on, a receiving date was set. Big Trees coordinated the appropriate USDA certifications to ship the tree into that region of California, and coordinated the trucking and trailer configuration. Their crews went to work digging and root-balling the tree a few days before the truck’s arrival, getting it ready to be loaded out. The tree dug out at a weight of 10,000 pounds, and had a root ball that was 6’x6’ wide, and 3’ deep. The tree was rigged and loaded onto the deck of the truck, where it was padded and arranged so as to resist much of the settling and impact a root ball can suffer on a long highway trip.

Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees Inc., stated “The Big Trees team worked hard to accommodate this interstate order, and from the office to the handling crew, everyone put their best effort and experience into making this a successful offering to our associates in the San Francisco area. The experience of sending out one of our large trees to a community states away is an exciting one for sure, and knowing that it will go on to have a new life in a different region, after it came close to being cut down a few years ago, is very rewarding.”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), located in Snohomish, WA, in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only can deliver young trees but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://bigtreesupply.com/blog or at http://bigtreemover.net/blog/.