When one of your favorite mature trees begins leaning, you might think you only have one option: to cut it down. However, another possibility exists. With the help of our expert tree services in Bismarck, AR, we can take steps on how to brace a large leaning tree.
Learn more about the actions our arborists will take when trying to save your leaning tree.
Why Trees Suddenly Start To Lean
Tree stability can become compromised after a large storm. Potential reasons trees might be susceptible to leaning after storms include:
- Damage to the roots
- Uneven root system
- Saturated soil
- Disturbed soil
When trees begin to lean, they lose structural integrity. Leaning tree hazards can include having the canopy fall onto your house. It can damage your yard as the roots pull out of the ground. When trees start leaning, they also detract from the beauty of your property.
Steps Our Experts Take for Leaning Trees
Although you might be able to straighten a young, small tree yourself, fixing the alignment of larger trees requires the help of our arborists. We can determine the best time to start the staking process. During spring and early summer, our methods for straightening trees work better because of damp soil.
Add Stakes Around the Trunk
Determining how to brace a large leaning tree starts with placing the stakes properly. You should use a few stakes spaced equally around the trunk.
Drive the stakes into the ground outside the root ball region. Our arborists can determine the perimeter of the root ball to help you properly position the stakes.
Drive the stakes with a sledgehammer. Use stakes 30 to 36 inches in length and pound them about halfway below the ground. You want to angle them with the head of the stake closer to the trunk.
Straighten the Tree With Help
When trying to straighten a leaning tree, an arborist consultation is vital. Mature trees are difficult to move on your own because of their size and weight.
Our arborists must wrap the trunk in straps and materials to protect the bark as we reposition the trunk. We’ll slowly winch the trunk or pull it with a vehicle until it reaches the desired verticality.
Our team has the right tools and expertise to do this job properly.
Safely Add Anchors to the Trunk
Once the trunk reaches the desired vertical level, we can then take the final steps for how to brace a large leaning tree into its new position. Cables and braces serve as the primary aspects of tree support systems.
Ideally, we’ll place the braces on the trunk just below where the first branches appear without cutting into the bark. We’ll attach one end of each cable to the brace around the trunk. The other end attaches to the head of a stake.
Leave the Braces in Place
Once we install the braces and cables, you need to leave them in place for a year or longer. This gives the trunk time to stabilize.
We typically recommend checking the bracing every few months to ensure the desired level of tension remains. Our team can make adjustments as necessary to maintain the tension.
We Can Help With Leaning Trees and Other Problems
When you need to safely figure out how to brace a large leaning tree in Bismarck, AR, reach out to the professionals at Urban Jacks Tree Service. We are the local experts in tree cabling and bracing, saving many trees across central Arkansas with our efforts.
For help with any issues with your property’s trees, call us today at (501) 494-1363. We offer free estimates.
