Hey everyone, David Anderson here from Tree Service. During a recent visit to a site, I couldn’t help but pause and capture a video of this stunning young festijious swamp white oak. It’s doing exceptionally well, but my main concern today isn’t with the tree’s health but rather with the method used to support it – nylon strapping, often referred to as Arbitape.

Here’s the issue: Nylon strapping for guying trees, while widely used, doesn’t decay. People often install it to provide stability to newly planted trees, but the problem arises when no one returns to remove these straps. Over time, they lead to a process known as girdling, which can severely damage or even kill the tree.

As I inspected the site, it was evident that the wooden posts used to accompany these straps deteriorate much quicker – they break and rot away well before the nylon strapping does. Despite this, the industry continues to employ this practice.

To emphasize the extent of the problem, consider this: Arbitape or its equivalent nylon strapping has arguably killed more trees than Dutch Elm disease. It’s a strong statement, but one that highlights why we should reassess our current practices in arboriculture.

Why do we continue using it when alternatives or even changes in practice could significantly reduce such unintended damage?

To see more about the impact of nylon strapping and the alternative methods we recommend, check out the video below: