Question
Tree
We have a maple tree in our backyard that began growing from a seed from the maple tree in the front yard. It has grown quite tall and is approximately 6-8 inches in diameter. It seems to have developed a split in the truck where the tree branches off into two large limbs. The split seems to be more than 2ft in length and growing.
Can we save it? It provides some wonderful and nearly the only shade we have in the backyard.
We aren't sure of the type of maple but it could be a silver maple.
AnswerI would install a bracing Rod through the forks and tighten them so the forks can not separate further. Bracing rods are long threaded bolts with washers and nuts that can be installed through a limb. First drill a hole the size of the bolt and insert the bolt through the two limbs and tighten enough so they bolt will hold the fork from splitting further. I would use at least 2 spaced up the trunk (3 would be better). IF you can not find a long enough rod then eye bolts and a cable with a turnbuckle to tighten with will work as well. Here is a web link to this method.
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:s9GUqpw1dXUJ:harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort/p.
This maybe too large a job to handle and if so I would call a local arborist and ask what they would charge to brace the tree limbs.
