Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

How to Seal the Crotch of a Damaged Tree

split tree image by Dave from Fotolia.com

Ornamental and shade trees are frequently damaged by storm winds and the weight of ice and snow, particularly if they are soft-wooded varieties or if the tree is structurally weak and splitting under its own weight. Assess whether it's worth it to try to save a large, mature tree with a split crotch. If you decide to go ahead, there are a number of things you can do to repair a split crotch. The goal is to pull the sides of the split together and let the tree self-seal.

Step 1

Reduce the weight on the branch that is splitting from the crotch by pruning a third of its foliage away with pruning shears. If the split is low on the trunk of the tree, prune upper branches from the weaker side.

Step 2

Raise the weaker side of the tree to join the sides of the split together. If the tree is large, use a block and tackle. If the limb is small, lift and secure with cable or a length of clothesline. Think of it as putting a broken arm in a sling.

Step 3

Get several long, threaded brace rods with nuts for either end at the hardware store. Drill a hole through both sides of the split using a drill bit that is 1/16th-inch larger in diameter than the rod. If the split is deep, install more than one brace rod.

  • Reduce the weight on the branch that is splitting from the crotch by pruning a third of its foliage away with pruning shears.
  • If the limb is small, lift and secure with cable or a length of clothesline.

Step 4

Install the rod, tapping it through the hole with a hammer. Cap both ends with nuts, and screw them down tight with a wrench.

Step 5

Carefully cut away loose or torn bark from the sides of the split with a sharp knife. Seal with pruning paint to prevent the bark from drying out over the next few months as the split seals and heals by itself.

Related Articles

How to Use Felling Wedges
How to Use Felling Wedges
How to Transplant a Cedar Tree
How to Transplant a Cedar Tree
How to Bolt a Double Trunk Tree
How to Bolt a Double Trunk Tree
How to Repair a Broken Weeping Willow
How to Repair a Broken Weeping Willow
How to Prune Beech Trees
How to Prune Beech Trees
How to Prune an Italian Cypress
How to Prune an Italian Cypress
How to Repair the Joints on Concrete Front Steps
How to Repair the Joints on Concrete Front Steps
How to Use a Brick Hammer
How to Use a Brick Hammer
How to Fix a Broken Japanese Maple Limb
How to Fix a Broken Japanese Maple Limb
How to Remove Tree Bark
How to Remove Tree Bark
How to Fix a Patio Umbrella
How to Fix a Patio Umbrella
How to Keep Squirrels From Damaging Lead Vent Pipes
How to Keep Squirrels From Damaging Lead Vent Pipes
How to Build an Air Log Splitter
How to Build an Air Log Splitter
Garden Guides
×