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derry n.h u.s.a.

Two years ago we planted a 6ft tall weeping cherry in out front yard,well today i noticed it has a massive split on top where 4 or 5 limbs intersect (the very top of the tree)At first i thought the kids might have jumped on the tree while playing,but after closer examination,i chalked it up to my own stupidity,ya see i throw the snow there and i buryied all the branches,locking the long brances in ice packed snow,and as winter progressed the tree grew and split the top open maybe 2 1/2" down.Does anyone have a remedy or advice,would filling the split area with grafting wax help? any advice would be appreacheated.Thanks john

2/18/2003 5:22:35 PM

Webster, NY

If you can carve or grind down the split as smooth as possable, and seal it, that should help keep desease and insects out. The grafting wax should work all right.

2/18/2003 5:58:22 PM

Montoursville, PA

John....that is a nasty for sure. The only thing that will grow and heal will be callus where cambium layer can meet cambium layer. The misplacement of wax that would cause seperation of cambium to cambium would be counter productive. Maybe whip the main trunk with strong cord to get as many cambium layers against each other as you can and then wax. Keep an eye on it. The major heal will take place this summer.

Here's the kicker. If the break and tear is deep maybe consider cutting the top off and grafting in all new limbs. Cut off the least possible. The tree will never grow up from the graft. That will always be your high point save a limb that may go up a little and then weep. A skion graft would be a piece of limb with about two buds grafted into your top. These would be cut from last years limb growth.

2/18/2003 6:32:22 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

John,

I'm a certified Arborist (CT#62451). The tree didn't grow. The snow was compacting below the ever increasing weight of the ice that held onto the branches. As the ice dropped beneath the compacting snow, the branch split.
Minor splits may be recovered by new cambial growth. But the underlying heartwood will always be split (it's no longer alive so it can't regrow). So the tree will always be weaker in that area than was intended.
At only 6 feet tall, I would replace it. Move the split tree to another area of your yard where it doesn't contribute to the landscapes "grand scheme" (and won't be a heartbreaker if remediation efforts fail) & get a new focal point. You can then experiment with braces & cables without detracting from your homes "curb appeal".
I follow the "Alex Shigo" compatmentalization therum whereby mosy efforts to seal cracks actually foster their developement. In other words, leave the crack open to air dry. Wood decaying fungal pathogens actually LIKE the environment created by common wound dressings. Too humid within the sealed area.
Watch the convalscing tree for other forms of stresses like inmsects & disease. And if normal growth resumes this spring, give it a little shot of early summer NPK fert. Then keep an eye out for drought, high winds, etc.
Good Luck
Steve Jepsen

2/18/2003 7:10:57 PM

derry n.h u.s.a.

Thanks for the advice guys,i dug beneath the lowest branch and releaved some stress on the split area,tomorrow i will use some coated tie wire (no wax) and a couple small pieces of rubber to cushion the bark area.I should be able to get it pretty tight,i will keep an eye on the new buds to see if they stay alive till spring,if not i will replace it.Thanks again.John

2/18/2003 8:16:43 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

Hey John, nice to know that piece of your background. I followed some years ago one arborist course Alex Shigo gave in Monza, Italy. Was very interesting.
Don

2/19/2003 1:42:31 AM