damaged branches

Discussion in 'Gymnosperms (incl. Conifers)' started by gardengals, Jun 25, 2007.

  1. gardengals

    gardengals Member

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    Location:
    Charlottetown, Canada
    I have a young blue spruce (3-4 feet tall) purchased last fall that has sustained damage - split branches. I don't know the cause, and wondered what I should do. It is obvious the split is killing the branches (no new spring growth). My question is should I prune - and if so, where should the cut be? Or is there a means to "bandage" the wounds? Regrettably, the branches are next to each other and pruning will leave a gaping hole. What, if anything else can be done?
     

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  2. jaro_in_montreal

    jaro_in_montreal Active Member

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    Location:
    S-W Quebec
    Yes, if discovered early enough, a damaged branch like that can be "bandaged".
    I had similar damage on a very small (young) pine earlier in the spring (I think it was caused either by a squirrel or an aggressive starling), but I simply pulled the broken branch back up to the trunk, and tied it in place with a tie-wrap, like you use for garbage bags, preventing it from sliding down, by tiying the back side of the loop just above a healthy branch.
    A couple months later (now), the branch is fine, with new growth proceeding almost as fast as the undamaged branches.
    I guess its really not much different from grafting, except that the fit is perfect.
     

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