Question
Split Tree
I have a tree that is 5-10 years old & we just noticed that one of it's two main branches has a long crack begining at the crotch of a third branch. I need to know whether the tree should be taken down or if it can/should be saved. If it should be saved, how do we deal with the crack?
I've enclosed a picture including the canopy of the affected tree, the tree at a distance & the crack up close.
AnswerThe foliage of the trees look healthy. I would install a bracing Rod through the forks and tighten them so the forks can not separate further. Bracing rods are long threaded bolts with washers and nuts that can be installed through a limb. First drill a hole the size of the bolt and insert the bolt through the two limbs and tighten enough so they bolt will hold the fork from splitting further. I would use at least 2 spaced up the trunk (3 would be better). IF you can not find a long enough rod then eye bolts and a cable with a turnbuckle to tighten with will work as well. Here is a web link to this method.
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:s9GUqpw1dXUJ:harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort/p...
This maybe too large a job to handle and if so I would call a local arborist and ask what they would charge to brace the tree limbs.
