My first tree to possibly give me some figs had a little accident. Someone was using the hose and pulled it over the pot and broke a limb. Don't worry, they were dealt with swiftly and with much wrath. One of the branches is broken at one of the trunks. The other branch that shares this trunk is the one with figs on it. Is there any hope for the baby figlets? I figure I'm going to have to cut off branch that it broken and reroot it. Oh, and it's a brown turkey. Sorry it's dark. I never get all the farm chores before dark...

Thanks,
Jeff

If the figs are on the branch to the left, they will be fine. OK as fine as BT can be.

if the figs are on the broken branch to the right, there is not much to so except cut it off. They won't likely mature very well.

I would wrap it up right away as tight as you can, stake it for wind. Even if the branch does not make it that is a nasty wound and would be much better if you can get it healed some.

I can't see under the leaf where the broken stem is but it looks like there's probably enough of an attachment that the branch to the left should do well.

What should I wrap it with? Thanks for the advice. The figs are on the left branch that is still attached well. I've never tasted a fresh fig, so hopefully BT will be amazing just due to lack of comparison ;-)

Plastic stretchy tape like surveyors use or plastic wrap and then twine or duct tape or something like that. It should not dry out. I guess it would be best to remove most of the broken branch so it will not wilt as fast, prune back more if it looks like it is collapsing after a sunny day.

Sooner or later something would have split those two branches.  Typical of a bad fork.  Not a criticism, but when you grow a tree/bush with branches coming out at, or very near the same section of main stem, this is the result.  Branching like those in the photos will always be weak, and prone to splitting, or, cracking from wind, rain, snow, hoses, etc.

Brush up on your rooting skills and then you'll have two trees....maybe.  That's the good part.


Frank

There is enough cambium attachment to keep the limb alive until an air-layer roots. Tape the branch so the wound is closed. Black electric tape works well (sticky side out, please) as does any of the other suggestions. Then support the limb with a stake, and air layer above the repair. The other limb should be fine.

I had a similar break in a potted tree due to some strong winds in a thunderstorm about 3 weeks ago. I moved the major branch back to its original position and I added some supports.I started an airlayer above the point of damage.The leaves have not wilted nor have the figs dropped so I think that the airlayer is going to work.

In your case,I would get someone to help hold the right side branch in its original position while you tape the damaged split(I use cheap electrical tape).Don't lift the branch up more than once or you will cause more damage to the small strip of bark that you have left.  Have 3 supporting stakes in a tripod position that can be attached to the damaged branch after taping the break.I use electric fence wire or nylon string to tie to the supports. Place your airlayer above the break a few days later if the branch isn't wilting badly.

I was writing and editing and I had a similar solution as James.

Good Luck!

Frank is right about the bad fork. I learned that one the hard way with a beauty cherry tree this summer. For me luckily it was high up and it split while I was testing it for strength, so I was able to cut the branches and wire the split before it continued down the whole trunk. 

I hate the dichotomy of the hose. Bringer of life and death.
I bet your tree will ripen those figs earlier due the stress, and I also agree there is enough bark attached to keep the branch alive.

Great! I'll try the air layer. Thanks for all the help. You guys are the best.

Jeff

I agree that you should wrap the two pieces back together and treat them as if they were a graft (i.e. seal tightly & make waterproof).  I'd be willing to bet that the two sections will grow back together, although, I wouldn't count on a great crop of figs this season.  Good luck!

Thanks for all of the advice. I've got it all fixed up. I'm going to go ahead and air layer the branch that broke along with a couple others that aren't in good places. I bought this tree at a local nursery this summer as my first fig. I'm learning lots about pruning (the hard way at times LOL).

Jeff

Some fig fanatic was doing you a favor in helping you get rid of BT.  Consider yourself lucky that you didn't waste time and money on it.  Now that it's happened, toss the whole thing out and try a better variety.

farowyn is that karambola (starfruit ) in the background? 2nd pic to the left

Not growing starfruit. There are some ferns, a rhododendron, and a black walnut sapling (we have those everywhere). I'm not sure which one you're looking at, Elin.

Jeff

just for curiousity.. I am trying to grow  a star fruit tree but no fruits yet and tought maybe you know the variety.

btw my wife bumped into a palm tree and half the tree was cut to its length and its living till today... car wasnt hit bad also... wife is alright :)