Tree cabling involves the installation of hardware that is intended to reduce the risk of catastrophic failure. Support cables are used to reduce tree damage by limiting the lateral movement of branches and increasing the weight that a supported branch joint can sustain. Cables are installed in trees to provide support to weak or potentially dangerous limbs by connecting two or more limbs together.

Mechanical support may be needed due to split, decayed or poorly structured limb junctions or the inherent dangers of weak-wooded trees. Poorly structured, multi-stemmed trees are more susceptible to breaking under the stress of wind or the weight of accumulated ice or snow. It is important to keep in mind that support cables have limitations.