Trees are an integral part of our homes and play a crucial role in our survival. We, including wild animals, all need oxygen, food, and shelter, and trees can provide us with all of these. Also, the contribution of trees in adding value to our homes cannot be ignored. The collective influence of a well-tended landscape dramatically impacts the economic value of any property. We all know that a one-day storm can wreak-havoc to our trees, from broken branches to torn bark.
But the question is: Can you repair a broken tree branch?
When your trees are injured by storms, strong winds, as well as accidents, broken branches does not necessarily mean that the tree can’t recover. Like in humans, trees usually have an immunity response to any wounds, be it a torn back or a broken branch. This enables the trees to seal the vascular system vessels in the injured area to avert the spreading of bacteria that causes decay. If the tree has an adequate number of vigorous branches, then it will recover. However, homeowners can help the trees recover from all this. One way is by repairing the broken branches to maintain the elegance and aesthetic value of the tree.
Will a Broken Branch grow back?
Anytime your tree suffers a broken branch; you would probably assume that it will grow again with time. However, this may never happen, and you would be making the wrong assumption. Several factors determine whether the branch will grow back or not. If the branch was detached from the trunk wood, then the branches will take an extensive period for them to grow back. There are also high chances of the branch never growing again. If the branch is split in the tree trunk, the injury to the tree trunk usually destroys the capability of the tree to produce new branches. On the other hand, if the broken branch was detached from the branch wood, then the branch has higher chances of growing back.
What to do when your tree has a Broken Branch
If your trees suffer a broken branch, then here are some of the things you should do:
- You should prune all of the small broken branches to avoid additional damage. Once the broken branch leaves an open wound, various pests see this as a call to settle in. This, in return, causes more harm to the tree as it needs more strength to recover.
- You should not try to prune big branches or branches that are too high from the ground.
- Prune the broken branch at the point where it joins the tree trunk or the larger branch. If the bark is torn, and there are protuberant pieces of wood, cut off the branch and try to smoothen the wood with a saw.
- For injuries like the ones noted in numbers one and two, you should consider calling a specialist to ensure that the tree recovers appropriately and everyone is safe.
Saving a broken branch that is still attached using a tape
If a tree branch cracks, then its chances of surviving remain high for as long as it remains attached to the tree trunk. With a little help, the cracked limb can restore itself to its former stature. One way you can do this is by using the electrical tape or grafting tape to hold the cracked branches together. For as long as a good contact between the cracked limb and the tree trunk is maintained, then the wood would get attached after some time.
Tree trimming and how it benefits the tree
This refers to the process of removing all the damaged branches. Homeowners can also trim their trees to remove the branches that are not healthy. Also, trimming of all the weak and unhealthy branches makes it possible for the tree to produce new strong and sturdy branches that can endure heavy storms or strong winds. Therefore, from all this, homeowners are advised to prune their trees from time to time. Normally, younger trees are supposed to be pruned regularly. They are supposed to be pruned every 2 or 3 years. On the other hand, mature trees can be pruned after a period of 3 to 5 years.
