If you look carefully, you may notice some subtle changes to a few of the park’s trees. These are tree props, which as you may guess prop up trees, that are at risk of falling over. MSPC, with the encouragement of the City of Salem, hired Bartlett’s Tree Experts to assess, manufacture and install these props. The trees were selected based on the fact that they all had very long, low horizontal branches that made them irresistible to children looking for an opportunity to climb.
Props are one of several techniques arborist use to prevent a tree from failing. Other techniques include bracing, which uses metal rods, and cabling. Typically, these aids are installed in a way that allows the branches to sway and move, which helps the tree gain strength over time.