Comments on: How to fix a tree with a split trunk from wind damage http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/ Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:27:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Bridget http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-37867 Bridget Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:05:41 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-37867 How did the Grevillea Orange Marmalade shrub do? I think you could always prune the top of any woody species back a bit every season, so as to decrease the top weight, while the trunk of it recovers some structure. Aullwood Audubon Center in Ohio had great luck with steel cable run through drilled holes to plates on a huge old Osage Orange that had some huge "branch-trunks" that divided from the main and were in danger of splitting the tree fully down. The tree "ate" its plates and is much more stable with the cables. How did the Grevillea Orange Marmalade shrub do? I think you could always prune the top of any woody species back a bit every season, so as to decrease the top weight, while the trunk of it recovers some structure.

Aullwood Audubon Center in Ohio had great luck with steel cable run through drilled holes to plates on a huge old Osage Orange that had some huge “branch-trunks” that divided from the main and were in danger of splitting the tree fully down. The tree “ate” its plates and is much more stable with the cables.

]]> By: Scott http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-37762 Scott Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:13:12 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-37762 Do you have any follow up pictures? Do you have any follow up pictures?

]]> By: Ed http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-37755 Ed Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:31:17 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-37755 I have a flowering cherry tree that has a split trunk from a wet snow fall in Oct with leaves on the tree. Split is about about 1 foot long at the apex of the main branches. Is there anything I can do to save this tree? I have a flowering cherry tree that has a split trunk from a wet snow fall in Oct with leaves on the tree. Split is about about 1 foot long at the apex of the main branches. Is there anything I can do to save this tree?

]]> By: Heather Sansom http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-36978 Heather Sansom Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:06:35 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-36978 The recent storm gale force winds in Queensland (Australia) has taken out our much-loved 3 metre high Grevillea Orange Marmalade which lines the driveway along with five other shrubs of the same species. The force split the trunk ast ground level and carried the broken off section about 10m in the wind. This basically took out the whole of the rear foliage and branches of the shrub, leaving only the front half. Before we could get to it this weekend and try and save it, the winds picked up again last night and have split the remaining branches higher up the trunk. I am concerned about how to save my tree/shrub without inflicting anymore trauma to it. What would you suggest I do? My husband wants to repair the trauma from last night and leave the tree the base of the trunk trauma to sort itself out. I have tried to explain that in doing that, it could become diseased as it's broken off below the surface of the ground, and that by leaving only half the trunk in place, future growth would render the tree top heavy, unstable, or beyond salvageable repair. I would like to know the best way to tackle the trunk at ground level. Some of the roots are above ground and look to be in stable and strong condition. If we angled the blade and cut it off just above ground, what are the chances of the tree regrowing from the base? I can send pictures via email attachment if this would help? And I thank you for any advice you can offer us to save this beautiful native shrub. Heather The recent storm gale force winds in Queensland (Australia) has taken out our much-loved 3 metre high Grevillea Orange Marmalade which lines the driveway along with five other shrubs of the same species.

The force split the trunk ast ground level and carried the broken off section about 10m in the wind. This basically took out the whole of the rear foliage and branches of the shrub, leaving only the front half. Before we could get to it this weekend and try and save it, the winds picked up again last night and have split the remaining branches higher up the trunk.

I am concerned about how to save my tree/shrub without inflicting anymore trauma to it. What would you suggest I do? My husband wants to repair the trauma from last night and leave the tree the base of the trunk trauma to sort itself out. I have tried to explain that in doing that, it could become diseased as it’s broken off below the surface of the ground, and that by leaving only half the trunk in place, future growth would render the tree top heavy, unstable, or beyond salvageable repair.

I would like to know the best way to tackle the trunk at ground level. Some of the roots are above ground and look to be in stable and strong condition. If we angled the blade and cut it off just above ground, what are the chances of the tree regrowing from the base?

I can send pictures via email attachment if this would help? And I thank you for any advice you can offer us to save this beautiful native shrub.

Heather

]]> By: Rob http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-36746 Rob Wed, 25 May 2011 04:40:32 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-36746 How's your tree doing? How’s your tree doing?

]]> By: MARVIN SANDERS http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-36537 MARVIN SANDERS Mon, 04 Apr 2011 01:34:55 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-36537 I HAVE A LARGE SUNSET MAPLE THAT SPLIT IN THE MIDDLE ABOUT 12 FEET OFF THE GROUND. I PUT A COUPLE OF METAL STRAPS WITH CLAMPS AND BOLTS AROUND BOTH BRANCHES TO HOLD THE BRANCHES FROM SPLITTING MORE FROM HIGH WINDS. THE TREE IS DOING FIND BUT I MIGHT HAVE TO PUT ANOTHER STRAP&CLAMP BECAUSE THE TREEE IS STARTING TO GROW OVER THE STRAPS. CAN I PUT FOAM OR CEMENT BETWEEN THE SPLIT FOR MORE SUPPORT OR WHAT SHOULD I DO? I HAVE A LARGE SUNSET MAPLE THAT SPLIT IN THE MIDDLE ABOUT 12 FEET OFF THE GROUND. I PUT A COUPLE OF METAL STRAPS WITH CLAMPS AND BOLTS AROUND BOTH BRANCHES TO HOLD THE BRANCHES FROM SPLITTING MORE FROM HIGH WINDS. THE TREE IS DOING FIND BUT I MIGHT HAVE TO PUT ANOTHER STRAP&CLAMP BECAUSE THE TREEE IS STARTING TO GROW OVER THE STRAPS. CAN I PUT FOAM OR CEMENT BETWEEN THE SPLIT FOR MORE SUPPORT OR WHAT SHOULD I DO?

]]> By: Sarah http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-36280 Sarah Sat, 04 Dec 2010 14:57:55 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-36280 One of my favourite small Japanese maples just got badly split by heavy snow on one of the main(2) branches... am reading this with interest! Does this type of mending work for this type of tree? For now I have strapped the tree and am waiting to see what the weather brings. One of my favourite small Japanese maples just got badly split by heavy snow on one of the main(2) branches… am reading this with interest! Does this type of mending work for this type of tree?
For now I have strapped the tree and am waiting to see what the weather brings.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-36192 Kevin Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:07:14 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-36192 Am trying to bolt trunk of large red maple. Not fully grown but large and wanting to do what I can to bolt at or near base where split has been growing. Can anyone tell me what type of bolting to use? Do I use a screw bolt or just run through and put on washers and nuts on either end of where bolted thru? Is one better or worse than the other? Am trying to bolt trunk of large red maple. Not fully grown but large and wanting to do what I can to bolt at or near base where split has been growing. Can anyone tell me what type of bolting to use? Do I use a screw bolt or just run through and put on washers and nuts on either end of where bolted thru? Is one better or worse than the other?

]]> By: Brian http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-36097 Brian Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:50:36 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-36097 Back in 1965 when I was about 8 years old, my father did something that was unheard of and actually quite clever when after a lightning strike, one of the 12 maples that surrounded the property was split in half. Although the tree wasn't fully grown, it was mature. My Dad enlisted the help of my handyman uncle and together they pulled the tree back together with a couple of 3/4" diameter steel bolts with flat washers and nuts. As the years went by, the heads of the bolts and the nuts completely became engulfed by the bark and the tree survived with the other eleven for at least thirty years. Eventually all were felled by wood borers but I'll never forget how impressed I was with my Dad for saving that tree with hardware and elbow grease! It can be done! Back in 1965 when I was about 8 years old, my father did something that was unheard of and actually quite clever when after a lightning strike, one of the 12 maples that surrounded the property was split in half. Although the tree wasn’t fully grown, it was mature. My Dad enlisted the help of my handyman uncle and together they pulled the tree back together with a couple of 3/4″ diameter steel bolts with flat washers and nuts. As the years went by, the heads of the bolts and the nuts completely became engulfed by the bark and the tree survived with the other eleven for at least thirty years. Eventually all were felled by wood borers but I’ll never forget how impressed I was with my Dad for saving that tree with hardware and elbow grease! It can be done!

]]> By: Tall55 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-36088 Tall55 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:16:53 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-36088 I have a Moptop robinia that was accidentally cut with a chain saw about half way across the trunk (which is about 15cm diameter) well below the graft. Any suggestions as to what I could put in the gap? I would really like to save it as it is a great shade tree in the summer. I have a Moptop robinia that was accidentally cut with a chain saw about half way across the trunk (which is about 15cm diameter) well below the graft. Any suggestions as to what I could put in the gap? I would really like to save it as it is a great shade tree in the summer.

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