Bolting and Bracing
Structural Support Systems for Trees That Merit Retention
Not every tree with a structural defect needs to be removed. In the right situation, bolting and bracing can help support a valuable tree, reduce excessive movement, and improve stability as part of a larger risk management plan.

Our bolting and bracing service is designed for trees with weak unions, split stems, included bark, or other structural concerns where preservation may still be appropriate. Each recommendation is based on the tree’s condition, defect severity, site targets, and long-term management potential.
What Is Bolting and Bracing?
Bolting and bracing are supplemental support methods used to help stabilize trees with certain structural weaknesses.
These systems may be recommended to help support:
- Weak branch unions
- Co-dominant stems
- Included bark attachments
- Split trunks or stem unions
- Limbs with excessive end weight
- Trees with a high value that merit preservation
Bolting and bracing are not a cure-all, and they do not make a defective tree risk-free. They are tools used to help manage structural concerns when the tree is still a reasonable candidate for retention.
Signs a Tree May Need Bolting and Bracing
A tree may benefit from a structural support evaluation if you notice:
- Two large stems growing from the same point
- Included bark between major trunks or limbs
- Cracks or seams at a union
- A long heavy limb extending over a target area
- Excessive branch movement during wind
- A partially failed union that still has retention potential
- A mature tree with sentimental, aesthetic, or landscape value and a localized structural defect
If you are seeing any of these conditions, the tree should be evaluated by a qualified arborist before the defect worsens.
Our Bolting and Bracing Process
1. Structural Evaluation

We inspect the tree’s architecture, defect type, attachment strength, canopy load, species characteristics, and target area below the tree.
2. Risk and Retention Review
We determine whether the tree is a good candidate for preservation and whether supplemental support is likely to improve the management outcome.
3. Support System Recommendation
If appropriate, we recommend a support strategy tailored to the defect and the tree. This may include bolting, bracing, pruning, or a combination of measures.
4. Installation and Ongoing Monitoring
Support systems should be periodically inspected as the tree grows and conditions change. Long-term monitoring is an important part of responsible management.
Why Professional Evaluation Matters
Bolting and bracing should never be treated as a simple hardware installation. The success of a support system depends on proper assessment, correct placement, species response, defect severity, and follow-up care.
A certified arborist can determine:
- Whether the tree is a good candidate for support
- Whether the defect is local or systemic
- Whether pruning should be part of the plan
- Whether removal is the safer recommendation
- How the tree should be monitored over time
When Removal May Be the Better Option
In some cases, support hardware is not enough.
Removal may be the better recommendation when a tree has:
- Severe decay at a critical union
- Extensive cracking or separation
- Multiple major structural defects
- Advanced decline
- Poor overall vigor
- A target situation where residual risk remains too high
A proper evaluation helps determine whether preservation is realistic or whether removal is the more responsible recommendation.
Schedule a Structural Support Evaluation
If a tree has a weak union or structural concern but may still merit retention, contact Eric Putnam BCMA for an evaluation.
Common Questions About Bolting and Bracing
Can all weak trees be supported instead of removed?
No. Some defects are too advanced, and some trees are not good candidates for retention support.
Do support systems need follow-up?
Yes. Support systems require inspection and maintenance over time.
