Tragedy strikes

[Barndog56]

Ok, maybe tragedy is a bit much, but this kind of ruined my day. It seems my prized peach tree decided to split in two down the center trunk, right where the laterals branch out into the open vase shape.


I have another set of laterals about 3 feet below that, so I guess I'll be cutting the trunk just above that. I can't see any way to repair that split that would hold up under a full fruit load.

 

[Catscratch]

I've seen trees held together with clamps and come-a-longs that withstood KS winds for years. I bet you could come up with something that would hold it together. Maybe a bolt or two? A box of 2x4's around it?

 

[cavey]

Bolt through the split; I-lag bolt through/into the upper branches leaving the I out a bit for growth, chain wire or ratchet strap through the eyebolts and see what happens... if you are worried about the i lag pulling out in time- I-bolt through and use large washers - with time if the tree makes it it will grow around it holding fast. It will always want to split there so there are not many options other then cutting back or getting creative.

 

[Prof.Kent]

Ahhh...nothin' a little duct tape can't fix.

 

[4wanderingeyes]

Cut the weak side off and let the other side be the dominant branch. It will take a year or two to recover, but if you don’t, it will always be weak, and can happen again at anytime.

 

[WTNUT]

Well, what have we decided to do about this. I lost a peach tree this year as well, but mine just died on me. No splitting.


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[mikmaze]

you want to see tragedy? I'll try to get pics of the chestnut trees that the bear ripped the branches clean off at 8 feet off the ground, 1.5 inch caliper branches, ripped from the main trunk. Bear tag in hand!

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

I've seen people throw a chain around a branches like that to keep them together. It's not pretty, but it sure seems effective.

I'd likely just pick one half of the split and keep it and cut the other side off. It will balance itself over time. I'd also look at the rest of the crotch angles so that is less likely to repeat itself later.

 

[Barndog56]

I think I'm going to try the bolt approach, and see how that goes. I can always cut away if it appears that isn't working. I'll post pics afterwards. Thanks to all of you for the advice.

 

[Barndog56]

Got her fixed. After looking on google the threaded bolt and washer solution seems to be used a lot, even on huge trees. When I prune I may remove one of the laterals on the right side of this pic to even up the weight on both sides of the split.

 

[Catscratch]

Cool!

 

[John-W-WI]

That's a monster split. I like your bolt solution, but I would cut one side or the other off in next couple years if it were mine.

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[Telemark]

Will you let the tree grow around the bolts?