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/ Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:23:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Administrator http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-35906 Administrator Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:25:53 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-35906 I would prune yours vanrijn. I should have pruned mine as the growth got too heavy for the wood. Trees will often end up temporarily bent because of wind storms, but they straighten back up on their own with time. It sounds like that isn't the only factor for you though, your canopy may be too weighty. Best to err on the side of caution lest your tree end up like mine did. I would prune yours vanrijn. I should have pruned mine as the growth got too heavy for the wood.

Trees will often end up temporarily bent because of wind storms, but they straighten back up on their own with time.

It sounds like that isn’t the only factor for you though, your canopy may be too weighty. Best to err on the side of caution lest your tree end up like mine did.

]]> By: vanrijn http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-35893 vanrijn Fri, 04 Jun 2010 02:32:26 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-35893 I'm lucky enough to have two Forest Pansy Redbuds. I planted them in Fall 2008. Last night we had a severe thunderstorm. This morning I noticed the larger tree (which is more exposed) was leaning. At first I thought it was the weight of the rain on the leaves (it was still raining). But it hasn't straightened back up. It seems like the canopy may be too heavy for the slender single trunk to hold upright. What would you advise? I don't want the tree to snap! I’m lucky enough to have two Forest Pansy Redbuds. I planted them in Fall 2008. Last night we had a severe thunderstorm. This morning I noticed the larger tree (which is more exposed) was leaning. At first I thought it was the weight of the rain on the leaves (it was still raining). But it hasn’t straightened back up. It seems like the canopy may be too heavy for the slender single trunk to hold upright. What would you advise? I don’t want the tree to snap!

]]> By: gardener girl http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-35674 gardener girl Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:52:15 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-35674 What are you guys thinking, putting bolts and straps and shellac on a tree?! I'm amazed at the abuse people put their trees through. The tree will do just fine with a little, or a lot of, judicious pruning, and let nature take its course. There is a lot of good info out there on how to keep a tree pruned for its long term health. BTW, your tree will probably be around a lot longer than you will, and you might consider what someone else would do with it a hundred years from now! What are you guys thinking, putting bolts and straps and shellac on a tree?! I’m amazed at the abuse people put their trees through. The tree will do just fine with a little, or a lot of, judicious pruning, and let nature take its course. There is a lot of good info out there on how to keep a tree pruned for its long term health. BTW, your tree will probably be around a lot longer than you will, and you might consider what someone else would do with it a hundred years from now!

]]> By: Administrator http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-35654 Administrator Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:09:06 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-35654 I would not want to put shellac, or especially urethane in a wound which you hope to close. Use it only to seal an area of torn bark that will be exposed. I wouldn't use urethane even on that though because it is not a natural substance and I don't know how it might affect the tree. The last thing you'd want to do is poison the tree. With a tear or a split you hope that eventually the two parts grow together, and if you create a barrier between them you'll hinder that. I would not want to put shellac, or especially urethane in a wound which you hope to close. Use it only to seal an area of torn bark that will be exposed.

I wouldn’t use urethane even on that though because it is not a natural substance and I don’t know how it might affect the tree. The last thing you’d want to do is poison the tree.

With a tear or a split you hope that eventually the two parts grow together, and if you create a barrier between them you’ll hinder that.

]]> By: Bill Fuchs http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-35653 Bill Fuchs Mon, 29 Mar 2010 01:12:08 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-35653 We have a muli-stem paper birch, approximately 25' tall, 3 major stems. During the ice storm 2 months ago, the one stem bent almost to the ground. Next morning removed ice and snow and it appeared to return to 10' off of the ground. However, during spring cleanup today, I noticed an approximate 12" long by 1/2" twisting split that is approximately 4' off of the ground. I like the idea of bolting and am thinking of using stainless steel, as it also does not rust. As the split is similar to a tear, should I fill this with shelac or polyeurathane prior to bolting? Thanks! Bill We have a muli-stem paper birch, approximately 25′ tall, 3 major stems. During the ice storm 2 months ago, the one stem bent almost to the ground. Next morning removed ice and snow and it appeared to return to 10′ off of the ground.

However, during spring cleanup today, I noticed an approximate 12″ long by 1/2″ twisting split that is approximately 4′ off of the ground.

I like the idea of bolting and am thinking of using stainless steel, as it also does not rust.
As the split is similar to a tear, should I fill this with shelac or polyeurathane prior to bolting?

Thanks!
Bill

]]> By: Lisa http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-35620 Lisa Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:47:57 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-35620 I don't believe the crack starts underground, but I'll check it out. It was suggested to me that I fill the crack with plain portland cement to prevent insects access, but I'm not sure how I feel about that. I think the shellac may be the better way to go. I'm also planning on removing two large branches from the side opposite the crack, which is the windward side. This will balance the growth on the tree, I just hadn't removed them because I like the wild look of the branches framing my view. Any thoughts? Wish us luck! (Me and the tree) I don’t believe the crack starts underground, but I’ll check it out.
It was suggested to me that I fill the crack with plain portland cement to prevent insects access, but I’m not sure how I feel about that. I think the shellac may be the better way to go.
I’m also planning on removing two large branches from the side opposite the crack, which is the windward side. This will balance the growth on the tree, I just hadn’t removed them because I like the wild look of the branches framing my view.
Any thoughts?
Wish us luck! (Me and the tree)

]]> By: Administrator http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-35618 Administrator Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:15:55 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-35618 That is a really big juniper. The crack starts at the base, but then terminates at the top? Does it start above the ground or below the ground? If it starts below the ground you may have a rot or other issue below ground. But if it starts above ground, goes for 5 feet, and then stops... that shouldn't harm the tree too badly. It is technically no worse than what male deer do to trees every year. The more important thing is to identify what, if anything, is causing the crack, and try to deal with the cause. You could also use the bolt solution mentioned above ti help prevent it from getting much wider or higher up the trunk. You will need to find some very large bolts though. That is a really big juniper.

The crack starts at the base, but then terminates at the top?

Does it start above the ground or below the ground?

If it starts below the ground you may have a rot or other issue below ground.

But if it starts above ground, goes for 5 feet, and then stops… that shouldn’t harm the tree too badly. It is technically no worse than what male deer do to trees every year.

The more important thing is to identify what, if anything, is causing the crack, and try to deal with the cause.

You could also use the bolt solution mentioned above ti help prevent it from getting much wider or higher up the trunk. You will need to find some very large bolts though.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-35617 Lisa Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:30:52 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-35617 I have a large (approx. 40' tall) Juniper tree that has a crack in the trunk, starting at the base and going up about 5'. The crack is about an inch wide and almost 10" deep at the base, 5" toward the top, til it ends. I really would hate to loose this tree. Is there any hope? I have a large (approx. 40′ tall) Juniper tree that has a crack in the trunk, starting at the base and going up about 5′. The crack is about an inch wide and almost 10″ deep at the base, 5″ toward the top, til it ends. I really would hate to loose this tree. Is there any hope?

]]> By: Craig http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-35425 Craig Sun, 07 Feb 2010 09:59:21 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-35425 Thanks for the tips - my kids were climbing my favorite tree in the garden yesterday, and split a large branch - I followed your advice, and bolted twice, once above the vee and one right through the middle, and sealed the lot up. I've set up a temporary strapping brace, as well as a crutch support for the bough. Now it is wait and see it it works - so far the leaves don't seem to be wilting, and there was a fair amount of bark that didn't tear, and I'm really hoping it can be saved. Is there any advice on feeding the tree while it recovers that could assist with the process? Thanks for the tips – my kids were climbing my favorite tree in the garden yesterday, and split a large branch – I followed your advice, and bolted twice, once above the vee and one right through the middle, and sealed the lot up. I’ve set up a temporary strapping brace, as well as a crutch support for the bough. Now it is wait and see it it works – so far the leaves don’t seem to be wilting, and there was a fair amount of bark that didn’t tear, and I’m really hoping it can be saved. Is there any advice on feeding the tree while it recovers that could assist with the process?

]]> By: Administrator http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-34893 Administrator Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:53:34 +0000 http://www.gardeningblog.net/2009/12/15/how-to-fix-a-tree-with-a-split-trunk-from-wind-damage/#comment-34893 If you've read this post you know my thoughts. If the tree is young enough or small enough that you can use a bolt, I'd use one. Anything that is pressed up against the trunk of a tree for long periods of time will wound it and could trap moisture next to the bark which can allow fungal infections to get hold. Even with pipe insulation, as the tree moves in the wind that'll rub and blister. And any such strapping around a Y will tend to slip down anyways. You could try a strap if you don't want to drill, inspect it after a week maybe. You can always undo a strap (but drilling is forever). For such a young tree though, I think you'll be drilling. The bark is thin, the branches are supple, I don't think it'll stand up well to a strap. If you’ve read this post you know my thoughts. If the tree is young enough or small enough that you can use a bolt, I’d use one.

Anything that is pressed up against the trunk of a tree for long periods of time will wound it and could trap moisture next to the bark which can allow fungal infections to get hold. Even with pipe insulation, as the tree moves in the wind that’ll rub and blister. And any such strapping around a Y will tend to slip down anyways.

You could try a strap if you don’t want to drill, inspect it after a week maybe. You can always undo a strap (but drilling is forever). For such a young tree though, I think you’ll be drilling. The bark is thin, the branches are supple, I don’t think it’ll stand up well to a strap.

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