An assessment checks a tree for decay, root damage and weak unions, and cabling or bracing then supports a sound tree with a weak fork. On a tight Morristown lot, supporting an old tree can cost less than a long dismantle. Cabling work generally runs $300 to $1,500.
Morristown has plenty of large old trees that owners would rather keep than lose, and many of them are not ready to come down. A tree with two big trunks growing from a narrow V, a common weak point, can often be supported with steel cables high in the crown so the stems cannot spread apart in wind. Rods through the wood can brace a split lower down. On a tight lot where removal would be costly and the shade matters, that support can be worth considering, as long as the wood is otherwise sound.
An assessment is a good first step when you are unsure. The arborist looks at the crown, trunk, root flare and the soil around it, and checks for decay, cankers, insects and dieback. In an older town, root damage deserves a close look, since curbs, sidewalks, driveways and utility trenches have often been cut into root zones over the years. Ash trees need special attention everywhere in New Jersey because of the emerald ash borer, and spotted lanternfly has spread widely across the state as well. Some ash can still be protected with treatment if caught early.
Cables and braces need follow up. They should be inspected every few years and adjusted as the tree grows, and an arborist should tell you when to schedule that. Ask what hardware they use and how it is installed. Keep a written note of what was done, since it helps when you sell or when another crew works on the tree later. If the assessment shows serious decay near the base or a split that has gone too far, removal on a calm day is usually the safer path for a tree that stands over a house or sidewalk.
Signs you need tree health, cabling and bracing
- A narrow V split between two large trunks over the house
- A crack running down from where two stems meet
- A heavy limb stretching far over a roof, porch or neighbor's yard
- Thinning crown, woodpecker damage or bark splitting on an ash
- Mushrooms or conks at the base, or roots cut by past sidewalk or curb work
Questions about tree health, cabling and bracing
Is cabling worth it on an old tree in a small yard?
It can be. On a tight lot where removal would mean a long dismantle, cabling a sound tree with a weak union may cost less and keep the shade. An assessment will tell you whether the tree is a good candidate.
Can my ash tree be saved?
Possibly, if it still has most of its canopy. Ash with heavy dieback become brittle and are usually better removed, especially over a house or sidewalk.
Does past sidewalk or curb work hurt my tree?
It can. Cutting roots for concrete, curbs or utility trenches can weaken a tree's anchorage and invite decay. Mention any past work near the tree so the arborist can take it into account.
Worth knowing in Morristown
In 2026 Morristown won a $758,735 NJDEP Natural Climate Solutions grant to plant about 180 street trees in the Second Ward and about 300 trees in Burnham Park.
morristowngreen.comA severe thunderstorm on July 14, 2016 brought down many trees and limbs at Fort Nonsense, closing the site until repairs were done.
nps.govThe town has an active Shade Tree Commission that runs an annual Arbor Day planting and a multi-year forest restoration at Jacob Ford Park.
morristown-nj.org