Wind damaged young maple tree : Grows on You

France

Wind damaged young maple tree, any chance of recovery??

last week one of our young maples keeled over, its crown was actually touching the ground, the stem is 3/4 broken through.
i lifted it back up pressed the two halves together again and secured it to 2 stakes, now it cannt move at all. this picture was a quick first aid job.
i only removed it's supporting stakes this spring, as it had been supported for 5 years and it was time to stand on its own.
has anybody ever tried this operation?
the leaves have gone a premature red but otherwise she seems fine....
there is some growth coming from the base if she doesnt make it but i would like to save the whole tree

7 Jul, 2011

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wind damage

Answers

Tugbrethil

That sort of thing doesn't usually work unless you can bind it together within 5 minutes of the break. Since it wasn't broken all the way through, it may still heal from the intact part, but that will take at least 5 years, also, and the trunk will always be weak at that point. If it was me, I would cut off the trunk cleanly, just above the new growth.

8 Jul, 2011

Kildermorie

As you said it seems OK apart from early autumning, I would try strong duct tape around the break to strengthen the tree. All having the stakes that higher above the break is that it will snap again in wind. I would also thin out the canopy to lessen the amount of water required and lessen any potential wind damage.

If it survives summer and comes back next spring, I would change the duct tape in April and check if it is clean of disease.

Otherwise do what Tugbrethil has said and cut above growth below the break.

8 Jul, 2011

Resi

yes miracles dont really happen any more do they, but i was still hoping

anyway thanks Tug and Kildermorie, she's already ducted up and fingers crossed now

8 Jul, 2011

Tugbrethil

Best of luck! : )

8 Jul, 2011

How do I say thanks?

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