Question
Hello, Mark.  I'm so glad I found you, though my question is about Hopi Crepe Myrtle tree/shrub out of your growing zone.  Please feel free to tell me to look elsewhere!

I planted a Hopi Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Hopi') last summer in the side yard of my house, and it was growing beautifully...until today.  (FYI -- this Hopi is considered a semi-dwarf shrub expected to grow to 7 ft. tall and 10 ft. wide in Zones 6-9.)

Since it's a summer flowering shrub, I pruned it moderately this past spring with success, and today was just doing a little touching up, pulling off some suckers near the base.  Then I noticed a branch I hadn't paid much attention to earlier growing inward into the rest of the shrub.  I knew that limb's direction wasn't good and would create a problem later on, but didn't want to prune it off entirely since the branch is a considerable part of the plant and I thought it would be a shock.  Since its limbs are quite flexible, I thought I could simply "rearrange" the errant limb and help guide it in a slightly different direction.

Of course, nature knew better and I accidentally split that limb in half vertically at its base (almost like a wishbone) where it goes into the ground.  The break is about one inch long on a branch that's about an inch in diameter.  Hard to describe...but if you can picture it, the Hopi sprouts out from about 4-5 branches at its base.

My question is, is there any way I can bind the base of the limb tightly and hope to fuse the two pieces back together, perhaps sealing the cut with something to prevent pests and bleeding?  The limb is still stuck in the ground and because it's a clean break, it fits together well with its other half.  Or do I need to remove the whole branch, exposing an unsightly (and probably unhealthy?) hole in the tree?

I feel very bad that I potentially ruined this beautiful tree/shrub that was my pet project!  Any suggestions you may have would be very welcome.  Thanks in advance!  Susan

P.S. The tree/shrub is currently about 3 ft. tall.  

Answer
All you can do is try. You can get some tree wrap, and some old panty hose. I say panty hose, as that does not seem to damage plant bark as much. use it to tie the two branches together, as they were suppose to be. then useing the tree wrap, gently wrap the area that is broken. if the area is to small, it shouldnt be a problem, but wrap if you can. if te branches were large enough, I would say you could even screw them together with a nut and bolt, but that doesnt sound to be the case. I wouldnt say cut it out yet, try and save it, if that doesnt work, you will know, as the branch will die, then cut it out. Good luck.

Mark