Bolting a tree?

root

Hello,, I have a maple that has two tops, you know the dreaded V split into two main tops. The V starts from the main trunk about chest high. The tree is 6 yrs old,,and I know I should have cut one side off when it was young. The V split is starting a crack down the center of the trunk. I put bolts thru the trunk just below the V with nuts and washers on each side to bring it together. the trunk is about 10 inches wide. Will this work.? Will the tree heal and grow together around the bolts.? I figured the bolts may kill the tree or it may gow over them. I know,,the only real answer,,cut it down and plant another. The tree is now about 20 ft high. Thanks.

Jeff Darby

Welcome to Treeworld,

Pictures allways help when asking advice as we can have a look and give advice based on the quality of your pictures representing the tree in question.. here is a link to a thread discussing V and U crotch strenght including a tree with pictures a little bigger than yours to look at and ponder on..V and U shaped Crotch Strengths, included bark| codominant stems etc

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Eric Frei

For a 6 year old tree it sounds bad.

Just because you bolted it doesn't mean the defect will go away, the tree will continue to grow with that V union. It will grow over the bolts (occlude them). But the stems will continue to grow in diameter and push each other apart perhaps above the existing problem area.

"But hang on, you guys bolt and cable trees", you say.

Sure. But some mature trees have little growing to do whilst yours is just tiny (6 years old). The issue is the V fork will not go away but there is a way of pruning that hopefully over years will change that V fork.

You pick the less dominant side, the inferior side, and reduction prune it ... to subordinate it. The other side then becomes more dominant. You ensure this keeps happening for years and slowly over time the union will change and the fork will become a collarless union, might even develop a collar, then you prune the limb off.

The greatest concern is when both sides of the V fork are about the same diameter. Over time by subordinating one side the ratio of 50/50 will change. When one side of that fork is say 30% and the trunk side 70% then things are getting better, and soon at say 75/25 you prune the whole branch off.

Now this is why it is best to do that at 1 year old or better still, do not by that sort of stock.

Pictures can really help .... and removing the tree is an option.

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root

Thank you much for your detailed advice. One last question. What would happen if I just cut the whole lesser side off at once? Too much truama to the tree Isuspect. I also plan on planting another tree near it. I like maples. What kind of maple is best? I have a couple sugar/Red maples. Do they tend to do this too. I know the oaks are good, but I am near 60 and want shade before I go into a Nursing Home! Thanks again.

Jeroen Shiran

Pictures would help, but at 6 years old I think it is o.k. to completely cut the lesser codominant. Young trees grow much faster and can deal with this sort of trauma much better then older trees. Proper mulching would help as well to give it an extra boost to deal with the wound.

I have done this to 6 year old trees and they bounced back fine.

caits

All real good advice!

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root

Thanks to you all! I am going to plant another tree in the same area just in case this one does not make it. I like Maples,,what is a good,strong variety to plant?

Brent Ferris

Leave room for the trees to grow -- so minimum 15 feet apart, more if room allows. Silver maple should grow quickly and provide decent shade, even when you decide to retire elsewhere 40-60 years hence - LOL.

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root

The tree I am bolting is a Silver Maple. As far as maples go,,I thought they were a less favorable/Crummy,,Tree. I thought the"Hard", Maples like Sugar Maple, Red Leafed variety were better? Or am I way Off.? Thank you though..

Brent Ferris

Silver maple grows faster - Red maple, and Manitoba Maple are also considered soft maples. Sugar, Rock and Norway are hard maples. You had said you wanted the tree to grow fast, and provide shade quickly. So Silver or Manitoba will do that, live reasonably long, tolerate many soils and growing conditions. Maples are generally considered good trees - but how they are judged depends on the assessor.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)