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I recently discovered this crack in my (maple?) tree's branch; it has been like this for at most 2 weeks. Can it be left alone to heal? Does it need help, and if so what kind of help? (Google/reddit suggest taping or bolting it shut) Or does the branch need to be removed? What negative effects can this have on the tree if left as-is?

tree branch with crack through the middle

This branch is about 1 meter above the ground, and 3 or 4 meters in total length (including smaller branches off of it). I could fairly easily remove the branch myself if needed. There is a small fence underneath that could be damaged if it falls.

Cloudy
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If you do nothing it is highly likely that the branch will break at some point in time in the future. Sooner if there is bad weather such as high winds or later as the branch grows larger and heavier.

You can fix this with at least two bolts. You would need stainless steel bolts and nuts and washers. Unless the bolts are stainless they will rust. It is likely you will need a helper to support the branch as you are drilling and repairing it.

If this was my tree I would cut the branch off a few inches away from the main trunk. The tree looks healthy and other branches will grow into the area where the broken branch is.

In all cases if you are not sure you can do the work safely get an arborist.

kevinskio
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It is possible that it will recover. I dont think that tape woukd be strong enough. You could try bolting it with a couple of bolts. But use large washers, as large as you can get or make up.

It cant really make it worse. It is hard to say what would happen if left as is.

  • It could survive just fine.
  • It could start rotting.- The gap could get wider.
  • It could make a new habitat for some lifeform.
Rohit Gupta
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Rather than bolting through, doing more damage in the process, you could strap it with stainless steel hose clips (best known in the UK as Jubilee clips). These are available up to hundred of mm in diameter, and most - but not all - brands can be unscrewed completely, wrapped round, and reassembled. You'd use several, with one at each end of the split or even on apparently intact wood, and then a few spread along the length of the split. They can be tightened in turn, a little at a time, to pull the branch back together.

If you really want to keep the branch, you might additionally look at supporting it further from the trunk than the damaged section, but you'd need to consider lateral forces. There are also supporting techniques that brace one part of the tree using other stronger parts. Both of these options but especially the latter would probably need expert help

Chris H
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