Cabling, Bracing, and Support Flashcards
7 cards from real CATS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cabling, Bracing, and Support flashcards as text
What is 'included bark' and why is it a concern in cabling decisions?
Answer: Bark tissue embedded within a branch union, weakening the connection
Included bark forms when bark tissue becomes trapped within a branch union, preventing normal wood interlocking and creating a structurally weak attachment prone to failure.
When assessing whether to cable a tree, which document would best guide the decision-making process?
Answer: The ISA Best Management Practices for Cabling and Bracing
ISA Best Management Practices (BMPs) for cabling and bracing provide detailed guidance on assessment, installation, and inspection protocols for supplemental support systems.
Which scenario would most justify using a propping system rather than cabling?
Answer: A horizontal limb with excessive end weight drooping close to ground level
Props provide vertical support for low, drooping limbs where overhead cable attachment is impractical or insufficient to counteract the limb's downward deflection.
In multi-stem cabling, a 'hub-and-spoke' configuration means:
Answer: All stems are cabled back to a single central stem
A hub-and-spoke layout connects all co-dominant stems to one dominant central stem, which must be the strongest stem since it bears the accumulated load.
What minimum clearance above the cable attachment hardware should remain on an eye bolt to ensure adequate holding strength?
Answer: Threads must extend completely through the wood with a washer and nut on each side
Eye bolts must pass entirely through the branch or stem so that washers and nuts on both sides distribute the load and prevent pull-through.
How often should an established cabling and bracing system typically be inspected?
Answer: Annually or whenever a change in tree condition is observed
ANSI A300 and ISA BMPs recommend annual inspections of support systems, plus additional checks after storms or any observed change in tree health or structure.
What problem arises when a guy wire or cable is left in place too long without protection at the point of contact with the bark?
Answer: The cable or wire girdles the stem, restricting vascular flow
As a tree grows in diameter, an unprotected wire or cable will cut into the bark and cambium, girdling the stem and potentially killing it above that point.