Assemblies and methods for installing and maintaining aerial fiber optic
cable are provided. Embodiments include a cable long enough to extend
from two elevated support points and to provide enough slack for at least
a portion of the cable to extend along the ground. The cable includes a
wrapped portion for storing the slack and to elevate the entire cable
above the ground. The wrapped portion being releasable in response to a
force acting on the cable, such as a falling tree, allowing for at least
a portion of the cable to fall to the ground and minimize the likelihood
of the tree snapping the cable. Fasteners and frame members may be
employed to support the wrapped portion. An embodiment may also include a
cut-off apparatus for cutting the cable in response to the cable being
pulled further once any slack in the cable has been expended.