Expert: Jim Hyland - 3/15/2009

Question
Recent snow damaged a main branch of this historic 150yr tree. Altough the majority of the tree is standing this one branch sheered off near the main, leaving an open wound on another branch. Can it be reattached? Can or should the other branch wound be repaired or allowed to heal? Anthing would be worth trying to save this tree as it's very historic and beautiful...one of the oldest on the east coast.

THX

Answer
No the branch can not be reattached. The best thing to do is where the branch broke off at the trunk- cut any loose bark off and any wood that is sticking out from the wound and then spray the wound with an insecticide called Merit. This will keep borers from entering the fresh wound. The branch that was broken off and has a wound prune off any of the dead part and if the limb is large spray this wound also. The tree over time will heal over the wounds. I would not use any type of wound dressing these slow down the healing process. Check with your local nursery for Merit.