How To Repair Split Tree Branches

Spend any time caring for fruit trees and somewhen you'll see information technology happen: the need for tree repair. One 24-hour interval, a tree is continuing proud with a large crop of fruit, and the next twenty-four hour period, a big branch has cracked under the weight, disturbing the shape of the tree and eliminating a large department of prime fruit-producing branches.

This frustrates and disappoints any orchardist, simply there's a bright spot—merely because a branch is cleaved doesn't mean that information technology volition dice. In fact, if the branch has simply cracked and did not detach from the tree, you might exist able to salve it.

Does it sound far-fetched? Perhaps, merely with the right tools and supplies, you might tin get in happen. I offer no guarantee that the post-obit techniques will work for your own tree repair, but having enjoyed proficient luck with saving large fruit tree branches.

What You'll Need For The Repair

Because broken branches can't support their own weight, you lot'll first need a alpine stake or post to prop up the co-operative. I use metal stakes, which are easy to maneuver into place and install in the ground.

You'll likewise demand various supplies to tie the co-operative to the stake and support the damaged area where the co-operative connects to the tree. I like to employ black electrical record and large goose egg ties. Lastly, you'll need something to cushion the area where the branch rests confronting the stake, so that the bark won't be damaged by rubbing back and forth confronting the pale.

How To Gear up The Branch

Before you brainstorm the tree repair, remove the fruit from the broken branch (making the branch considerably lighter) and lift the branch back to its original height, which should seal the damaged area and so well that yous can hardly detect the scissure. Once you've established the elevation needed to close the wound, install your stake or post so that information technology reaches up slightly above that top. If the pale or post isn't tall enough, the branch will rest in identify, but the wound won't be completely closed. If you lot accept trouble getting the pale into the right position, you can also attach an extension to the stake to raise its superlative.

For this purpose, I similar to find an ash tree—though many types of trees will practise—and cut off a forked branch approximately 1/2 inch thick. Later on stripping off the leaves and branches, except for the fork, identify the broken fruit tree co-operative into the fork of the ash branch and tie the ash co-operative firmly to the stake. Not merely does this raise the height of the stake, it also provides a softer cushion for the fruit tree branch.

Once the stake is in identify, you tin lightly tie the fruit tree branch to the stake to ensure that it doesn't slip off. Then, wrap electrical tape around the area where the co-operative cracked, but to provide a little extra support and help seal the crack. You can also use a tree wound sealer to help repair the cleft and prevent disease from infecting the tree. In any case, be sure that any zip ties, record or rope used is not so tight as to restrict the tree and interfere with growth, which tin eventually harm the tree.

In theory, if you give your tree enough time, this tree repair method will strengthen the damaged area on its own, growing new forest until the branch tin can back up itself once more. I don't yet have plenty long-term feel with this repair method to give advice on how long this might accept, just every bit I write this, I take two apple copse in the yard with stakes holding up damaged branches, and one has been in place for a few years without whatsoever signs of setbacks, producing abundant apples each fall. With a little effort and some luck, y'all can achieve the same result.