Cables and brace rods are a technique used to keep branches and stems strong to withstand damage during heavy winds and storms and to help them survive during the hard winters the midwest has to offer. It helps spread out the weight throughout the tree and its branches so that they are less likely to break off and cause damage below. They can also be used to save a healthy splitting tree due to a weight distribution issue.

Cables generally consist of extra high strength, flexible steel cables or rigid rods and are attached to bolts installed in the upper crown of a tree. Bracing consists of installing long threaded rods through branches or stems where a split is likely to happen. The rod is a stronger and more permanent option to keep a tree safe during intense weather.