Damaged Dogwood Branch

deweydiablo · 25th March 2008, 06:22 PM

Hello all,

I have a Dogwood in our backyard, about 20 feet tall. About a week ago, we noticed a branch was split. The tree is showing signs of budding, including the damaged brach. Normally I would remove the damaged branch, but this one comprises about 33% of the tree that faces our yard. As you can see the branch actually split in the middle. I was wondering if I could wrap the split area and pull both sides back together. Would it heal itself? Any other suggestions to possibly keep this branch. Thanks.

newguy18 · 25th March 2008, 06:43 PM

First off welcome and second you could prune it back to where it comes off of the leader[at the union] so you can keep the other one or have an arborist drill and install threaded rod and nuts to hold it togther but i'm not sure many do this practice anymore. your best bet is to remove the branch while its small so the tree can heal.

Treelore · 25th March 2008, 07:25 PM

Can't see the pics!

Ekka · 25th March 2008, 09:14 PM

Just cut ot off neat the next largest branch as shown, cut properly though, no bark tearing and correct angles etc.

Treelore · 25th March 2008, 09:47 PM

By using stainless steel bolts or threaded rod and some soft malleable cable with picture eye hooks or small lags you may be able to screw that piece back together and support it from higher in the tree. Definitely worth a shot before removal of the limb especially with ornamentals as they are so valuable. If in time you see it is not taking, refer back to previous posts for best removal method of limb. I have had success with bracing torn limbs like this nearly 6 weeks after the tear so anything is possible.

treeseer · 25th March 2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treelore

By using stainless steel bolts or threaded rod and some soft malleable cable with picture eye hooks or small lags you may be able to screw that piece back together and support it from higher in the tree. Definitely worth a shot before removal of the limb especially with ornamentals as they are so valuable. If in time you see it is not taking, refer back to previous posts for best removal method of limb. I have had success with bracing torn limbs like this nearly 6 weeks after the tear so anything is possible.

yes removing it would be a waste.

Ekka · 25th March 2008, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treeseer

yes removing it would be a waste.

Hope Dendro didn't overlook this.

osb_mail · 26th March 2008, 01:15 AM

This by no means is a small branch for dogwood I might even consider this a mature tree or at least close . Dogwoods usally dont get much over 20 feet depending on the type .It might be worth trying to save the branch by reducing and bolting it might be a fun do it yourself project . Reduce a little bolt it through and see if the branch live if not cut it off you .Would not be out more than a few bucks and some time .

treeseer · 26th March 2008, 11:17 AM

thanks eric for blowing up the picture; dendro's peepers don't peep like they useta without his hand lens.

even so, a shred of intact cambium can grow, and even torn cambium can graft and reconnect. if braced the path for circulation would be less strained--except for the hole.

A 1/4", .5cm bolt should do. or could use 1/8" cable and wirestop fasteners. first you could spiralwrap some arbortie further out the branch and guy it back to the stem, aka a soft support system.

why did the branch break?

Ekka · 26th March 2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treeseer

why did the branch break?

Looks like it was severely weighted, looks like an over extended branch anyway, I'd say snow/ice coz the break looks straight down not twisted as wind usually does. And that's a bare branch (no leaves) so likely it could have been frozen brittle too.

Also, look at the trunk going in the ground on pic 1, this things buried.

Look at the form of the other trees around too in the pics ... no formative pruning anywhere I can see.

deweydiablo · 26th March 2008, 03:44 PM

I am not sure why the branch broke. I am not sure when it broke either, some time within the past two months I am pretty sure. We bought the house about 4 years ago, and the previous owner was a widow and I think she let the home go a few years prior to selling it to us. She moved to Florida. The property is about 8 acres and has a whole bunch of unique things growing around. Tree wise, there are over a hundred. When we first moved in, I had a tree company come out and look around. They gave us a price to do work on the property, the total bill for pruning around the property was over $20,000 We had about a dozen fruit trees, these two dogwoods, and a crab apples pruned and addressed. I think they did the best that they could with the dogwood, but I do not really know that much about what "could be done". We since have been working on some ourselves. The area around the dogwoods was completely over grown, and I have been working to clear it out and get in under control. There are about 4 wild cherries growing right behind the dogwoods, and they all flower in early spring, quite beautiful. The base of the tree only has about and inch or two of mulch, and no additional ground added. That was they way it was when we bought the property. I very much appreciate the advice that members take the time to give. I am hoping to work on this branch this weekend, and maybe I can post some of the other things that need done.

osb_mail · 26th March 2008, 11:30 PM

20 grand in tree work wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ekka · 27th March 2008, 12:34 AM

$20K, I'll come micro sew that branch together forget the bolts!

Holy Dooley's, that's even cover airfares and freight from Australia.

osb_mail · 27th March 2008, 12:52 AM

20 grand to prune some a 12 fruit trees A few crabs and some dogwoods . Well in that case cut them all down . For that price you could have probably 4 times that many trees planted . They must have gave you a bid for lifetime of care for your trees . Yeah now it makes sense 12 fruits trees and some ornamentals lifetime care bill =$20,000 dollars

deweydiablo · 27th March 2008, 04:06 AM

I meant 20K for the whole property. We spent about 1500 on the fruit tress, dogwoods, crab apple, and a few other things. I think I was over charged, but I haven't brought my self to search out a qualified tree person since we had that work done.

Ekka · 27th March 2008, 06:37 AM

Well, you in a safe place now to get some advice.

With that sort of volume you might want to learn how to do a fair bit yourself, seems many trees are easily reached with pole pruners etc.

Also you dont always prune fruit trees like you do ornamental trees.

Just ask and check out the place, in this forum there's lots of info about all sorts of stuff pertaining to trees.

Tree Information, facts and online seminars (sub forum) - Tree World

redstree · 27th March 2008, 12:31 PM

If the loss of that branch would destroy the profile of the tree then I would try to save the limb. I have had good luck putting trees damaged by wind or ice/snow back together again.

Since Dogwood, Cornus floridia, is a hard wood that has excellant screw holding capability I would first pull the limb back into position with a light cable and then install several galvanised or stainless steel wood screws or threaded rod depending upon the actual diameter. When the screws or rod is installed be sure to install one screw at each end of the split to prevent the split from lengthening, then install more along the length of the split, depending upon how long the split is. Since the dogwood is so hard it is important to be sure to pre-drill each hole 1/16"(1.6mm) undersized before threading in the screws or rod. By threading in the supporting screws instead of using nuts and washers you damage less of the cambium layed of the branch.

Good luck. As others have said. If it does not work you can always cut it off later. But I think it is definitely worth trying to save it if it is an important branch.

If you are looking for a different arborist in your area you can always go to the ISA, International Society of Arborculture, web site and check for members of their organization. International Society of Arboriculture

25th March 2008, 06:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,646	Re: Damaged Dogwood Branch First off welcome and second you could prune it back to where it comes off of the leader[at the union] so you can keep the other one or have an arborist drill and install threaded rod and nuts to hold it togther but i'm not sure many do this practice anymore. your best bet is to remove the branch while its small so the tree can heal. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

25th March 2008, 07:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Treelore Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brisbane Posts: 112	Re: Damaged Dogwood Branch Can't see the pics!

25th March 2008, 09:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Treelore Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brisbane Posts: 112	Re: Damaged Dogwood Branch By using stainless steel bolts or threaded rod and some soft malleable cable with picture eye hooks or small lags you may be able to screw that piece back together and support it from higher in the tree. Definitely worth a shot before removal of the limb especially with ornamentals as they are so valuable. If in time you see it is not taking, refer back to previous posts for best removal method of limb. I have had success with bracing torn limbs like this nearly 6 weeks after the tear so anything is possible.

26th March 2008, 01:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
osb_mail Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 201	Re: Damaged Dogwood Branch This by no means is a small branch for dogwood I might even consider this a mature tree or at least close . Dogwoods usally dont get much over 20 feet depending on the type .It might be worth trying to save the branch by reducing and bolting it might be a fun do it yourself project . Reduce a little bolt it through and see if the branch live if not cut it off you .Would not be out more than a few bucks and some time .

26th March 2008, 11:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
treeseer Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SE USA Posts: 567	Re: Damaged Dogwood Branch thanks eric for blowing up the picture; dendro's peepers don't peep like they useta without his hand lens. even so, a shred of intact cambium can grow, and even torn cambium can graft and reconnect. if braced the path for circulation would be less strained--except for the hole. A 1/4", .5cm bolt should do. or could use 1/8" cable and wirestop fasteners. first you could spiralwrap some arbortie further out the branch and guy it back to the stem, aka a soft support system. why did the branch break? __________________ Guy Meilleur \| Forensic Arborist \| Better Tree Care

26th March 2008, 03:44 PM	#11 (permalink)
deweydiablo I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3	Re: Damaged Dogwood Branch I am not sure why the branch broke. I am not sure when it broke either, some time within the past two months I am pretty sure. We bought the house about 4 years ago, and the previous owner was a widow and I think she let the home go a few years prior to selling it to us. She moved to Florida. The property is about 8 acres and has a whole bunch of unique things growing around. Tree wise, there are over a hundred. When we first moved in, I had a tree company come out and look around. They gave us a price to do work on the property, the total bill for pruning around the property was over $20,000 We had about a dozen fruit trees, these two dogwoods, and a crab apples pruned and addressed. I think they did the best that they could with the dogwood, but I do not really know that much about what "could be done". We since have been working on some ourselves. The area around the dogwoods was completely over grown, and I have been working to clear it out and get in under control. There are about 4 wild cherries growing right behind the dogwoods, and they all flower in early spring, quite beautiful. The base of the tree only has about and inch or two of mulch, and no additional ground added. That was they way it was when we bought the property. I very much appreciate the advice that members take the time to give. I am hoping to work on this branch this weekend, and maybe I can post some of the other things that need done.

26th March 2008, 11:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
osb_mail Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 201	Re: Damaged Dogwood Branch 20 grand in tree work wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

27th March 2008, 12:34 AM	#13 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,830	Re: Damaged Dogwood Branch $20K, I'll come micro sew that branch together forget the bolts! Holy Dooley's, that's even cover airfares and freight from Australia. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

27th March 2008, 12:52 AM	#14 (permalink)
osb_mail Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 201	Re: Damaged Dogwood Branch 20 grand to prune some a 12 fruit trees A few crabs and some dogwoods . Well in that case cut them all down . For that price you could have probably 4 times that many trees planted . They must have gave you a bid for lifetime of care for your trees . Yeah now it makes sense 12 fruits trees and some ornamentals lifetime care bill =$20,000 dollars

27th March 2008, 04:06 AM	#15 (permalink)
deweydiablo I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3	Re: Damaged Dogwood Branch I meant 20K for the whole property. We spent about 1500 on the fruit tress, dogwoods, crab apple, and a few other things. I think I was over charged, but I haven't brought my self to search out a qualified tree person since we had that work done.

27th March 2008, 06:37 AM	#16 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,830	Re: Damaged Dogwood Branch Well, you in a safe place now to get some advice. With that sort of volume you might want to learn how to do a fair bit yourself, seems many trees are easily reached with pole pruners etc. Also you dont always prune fruit trees like you do ornamental trees. Just ask and check out the place, in this forum there's lots of info about all sorts of stuff pertaining to trees. Tree Information, facts and online seminars (sub forum) - Tree World __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors