Is This Salvageable?

[SwampCat]

Brand new June Gold peach tree. Was putting in a limb spreader and split the main crotch. Can I salvage - and best method - or just go ahead and cut off right fork?

 

[Native Hunter]

Sure, just tape it up with some electrical tape and by the end of the season it should be healed back. You might want to put something like a piece of thin plastic between the tape and bark to keep the tape from sticking to the bark.

 

[Mortenson]

Or just use the non sticky side of the electrical tape. That's how I do it for grafts.

 

[Barndog56]

I'm guessing that's pretty low on the trunk, where it would have to support lots of weight during fruiting years? If that's the case it will probably always need some extra support even after it heals. As such I'd probably remove it and notch buds where I want branches. And try and spread future branches earlier.

 

[bigboreblr]

You should prune with me. Did a few of those whammies at home.

Sealit back together right away. I do grafting tape then sticky side out elelctrical tape over it with some grafting tape exposed on the very top / bottom.

I would not save that right side. Leave a bud or two, then keep that new branch growth in chec for this upcoming year. Trim it back so it doesn't get bigger. Just want to heal that half, then prune away next season.

I wonder if we should avoid doing limb spreading until active growing season. I did that to a macoun and several galarina. I am thinking more vigorously growing varieties should be avoided spreading limbs offseason atleast. Galarina, williams pride, freedom, and maybe liberty on the list of my trees atleast. Only have saturn donut peaches at home. However, peaches do not live very long lives. So naturally they're all vigorous. I prepped the planting spot better than the average tree at my home. However, those peaches are by far the fastest growing thing thing I have.

 

[Bill]

That looks exactly like something I'd do...