Rado
1457005659
Posted 1461798552
Reply with quote #1
I'm goona make this quick. Tree is 5 yrs old in pot... Root pruned it 2-3 months ago and built a sip container for it. This was my first tree ever. Trunk split today... Wtf! Is it dead? Scratch bark.. Still green. Do trees ever survive splits?
Chapman
1267669490
Posted 1461801499
Reply with quote #2
It can survive splitting. You can pull it back together and tape and brace it so it can't split again, or you can remove the less desirable section and keep the best portion of the tree.
hoosierbanana
1287901146
Posted 1461802065
Reply with quote #3
Got a picture? Sounds like frost cracking...
Rado
1457005659
Posted 1461802200
Reply with quote #4
Here's the damage...
Attached Images image.jpeg (667.91 KB, 135 views)
hoosierbanana
1287901146
Posted 1461803495
Reply with quote #5
I've never had one that big, smaller cracks have healed over OK.
Rado
1457005659
Posted 1461804252
Reply with quote #6
Yeah it's the real deal bout three inches tall and half inch deep at its deepest point. I've been working on setting up funeral arrangements. Visiting hours will be Friday for those of you that would like to come and say a prayer.
tmc2009
1305513080
Posted 1461805219
Reply with quote #7
I'd just take a putty knife and try filling it with wood putty.
Rado
1457005659
Posted 1461805724
Reply with quote #8
I've been doing some research...tree could be too dry, growing too fast. Shocked from too much trimming... I've Read about glue and paint and putty but also read that these methods may or may not work. What works? People on here have talked about splits before but theres not much follow up of tree survival. Just assuming all the trees died?
FigTrees2013
1371525269
Posted 1461805985
· Edited
Reply with quote #9
You don't want to girdle it with a tie. You could try getting a bolt and drilling a hole through the trunk (this will never heal, but if it works the tree will grow around the bolt and will eventually become embedded in the trunk). Get two large washers and put one on either side of the trunk. On the end side of the bolt, attach a washer and tighten until the tree comes back together. Essentially sandwich the trunk between two washers and tighten until it comes back together. You can eventually loosen it a bit or remove it and fill the smaller hole. Wax the exterior so that it doesn't dry out.
Rado
1457005659
Posted 1461807542
Reply with quote #10
That's definitely within my realm of expertise but sounds way too involved and I feel like that could cause even more damage? I'm really not sure what I'm gonna do yet? Prob leaning towards something easy like glue or just do nothing and see what happens...anyone have a survival story of a split trunk?
Chapman
1267669490
Posted 1461809782
· Edited
Reply with quote #11
I assumed you were talking about a split due to a weak crotch causing it to split into 2 sections before you posted your picture. As far as your problem, I would probably fill the crack with grafting wax and put a couple zip ties until it hopefully heals and then remove the zip ties.
Rado
1457005659
Posted 1461811180
Reply with quote #12
That sounds interesting? Has this worked before for you? Guess I should try something...
FigTrees2013
1371525269
Posted 1461812491
· Edited
Reply with quote #13
I don't think that the wood will fill in naturally since wood grows from the outer layers, not the inner ones. New growth always comes from underneath the bark, rather than the center of the tree. I really think it's advisable that you try to close the split. A wedge graft might work -- it's certainly an interesting idea.You may also want to encourage suckers to grow up from the root base and start over with the trunk? Or maybe air layer the whole tree, by trying to root it right above the split? Use a gallon plastic jug?
PeterC
1442348302
Posted 1461813318
Reply with quote #14
I wonder if a wide hose clamp over material to protect the bark would work?
Porfirio
1437660802
Posted 1461813482
· Edited
Reply with quote #15
I would try to close the gap as much as possibleWorm Drive Hose Clamps. Once closed use 4 or 5 wood screws long enough direct on the tree to hold it together .Once the screws are in place you can take the Worm drive hose clamps off so you can patch the crack with grafting paste. screws will not harm the tree.
pawpawbill
1362180380
Posted 1461816617
Reply with quote #16
Lag screw, carpenters and bone surgeons do it. Compresses the 2 sides together. No chance or girdling
jdsfrance
1376988473
Posted 1461841061
Reply with quote #17
Hi,
Rado
1457005659
Posted 1461879642
Reply with quote #18
The trunk is so hard and strong nothing is bringing it together... The clamps just dig into it....
Rado
1457005659
Posted 1461879804
Reply with quote #19
If the scratch test still shows its green could it still be alive? It's not budding... Still dormant. Any test to see if it's alive?
