Question
Oak tree split trunk
During a recent storm, I lost one of four large limbs on a very large oak tree. This limb measured over 10?in diameter, and split the trunk of the tree down to the ground. Is this tree salvageable? The trunk measures over 20?in diameter. Is there a possibility of banding the tree with an adjustable steel band?
AnswerIs it salvageable--it depends on the health of the remaining crown. The problem is the tree now has a crown that is heavily weighed to one side which can make the tree subject to being blown down toward that side. The tree will always have pretty hash lean look to it. If ther is nothing the way the tre is leaning that would be damaged IF the tree fell I would leave it alone.
The split--banding will not help the dead fork will continue to decay and the live side will not heal good and could allow decay fungi to enter the trunk. I would cut the fork off as low as you can assuming the crack is to ground level. This will allow the live fork trunk to heal. The tree will grow over the wound over time the same as if it were a branch cut off.
To me the main concern is the one sided look of the tree and the weight leaning that way. If you want to keeop it do so but I woudl recommed that you fertilize the tree with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb of fertilize per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and water in ggo. I would ferrtilize now and again in mid summer and agian after the leaves fall.
