CATS Cabling, Bracing, and Support 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended minimum cable installation height as a percentage of the distance between the attachment points?
- One-third of the total branch length
- Two-thirds of the distance between crotch and branch tips (Correct answer)
- One-half the distance between the union and the branch tips
- Three-quarters of the branch length above the union
Correct answer: Two-thirds of the distance between crotch and branch tips
ANSI A300 guidelines specify that cables should be installed at approximately two-thirds of the distance between the crotch and the branch tips.
Question 2: Which rod type is most commonly used for tree bracing applications?
- Hollow steel threaded rod
- Solid galvanized steel threaded rod (Correct answer)
- Fiberglass composite rod
- Aluminum alloy rod
Correct answer: Solid galvanized steel threaded rod
Solid galvanized steel threaded rods are the industry standard for bracing because of their strength and corrosion resistance.
Question 3: A 'box' cabling system is most appropriate when:
- A single co-dominant stem needs support
- Three or more co-dominant stems require mutual support (Correct answer)
- A horizontal branch needs end-weight reduction
- Root plate stabilization is needed
Correct answer: Three or more co-dominant stems require mutual support
A box (or triangulated) system interconnects three or more co-dominant stems so each one supports the others, distributing load across the group.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of installing a brace rod through a split or crack in a tree?
- To promote callus tissue formation across the wound
- To prevent the crack from extending further under load (Correct answer)
- To increase sap flow through the damaged area
- To anchor aerial roots that develop near the crack
Correct answer: To prevent the crack from extending further under load
Brace rods mechanically close and stabilize cracks, preventing the fracture from propagating when the tree is loaded by wind or weight.
Question 5: When inspecting an existing cabling system, which finding indicates the cable should be replaced immediately?
- Minor surface oxidation on hardware
- Cable attached at two-thirds height
- Crown reduction performed after cable installation
- Broken wires or corrosion throughout multiple strands (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Broken wires or corrosion throughout multiple strands
Broken or heavily corroded strands significantly reduce cable load capacity and present an imminent failure risk requiring immediate replacement.
Question 6: What is the term for the hardware used to attach a static cable to a tree limb or trunk?
- Turnbuckle
- Thimble
- Eye bolt (Correct answer)
- Swage fitting
Correct answer: Eye bolt
Eye bolts are threaded through the wood and secured with nuts and washers to anchor static support cables.
Question 7: Which condition would make a tree LEAST suitable for cabling or bracing intervention?
- A tree with a history of included bark in a co-dominant union
- A tree with advanced decay in the stems to be cabled (Correct answer)
- A tree that provides significant shade or aesthetic value
- A tree growing in a low-traffic residential yard
Correct answer: A tree with advanced decay in the stems to be cabled
Advanced decay severely reduces the wood's ability to hold hardware, making cabling or bracing ineffective and potentially dangerous.
CATS Cabling, Bracing, and Support 2
What is the recommended minimum cable installation height as a percentage of the distance between the attachment points?