Question re: Repairing winter tree damage +propagation

15 years ago

I live in the greater Seattle area and we just had a freak snowstorm over Xmas that dumped large quantities of heavy snow on my trees and shrubs. This is something they're not used to. One of the trees that sustained damage was a Blue China Spruce about 10' high. Several of the upper branches broke off from the weight of the snow. They were unusual breaks because the branches made a clean disconnect right where they join the trunk. It's almost like the base of the branch popped out of a socket. I've got the several branches sitting in a bucket of water. I have two questions:

Given the clean nature of the breaks, is there any hope of repair by re-mounting the branch bases in the sockets and binding them together?

2) Is it possible to take the healthy-looking branches and propagate new little trees from them? And, if so, how? (I do have a heated greenhouse if that's any help.)

Here are some pictures:

Typical branch, about two feet long...

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Closeup of broken end...

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"Socket" on trunk...

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Comments (8)

billyboy_gardener
15 years ago
Hi,

I've done quite a bit of work with trees here in Southern, NY.

I think you're better off wrapping the damaged trunk with burlap to protect if for the rest of the winter. There may also be some type of tar substance that you can place over the wound before you wrap it; that I've never tried.

I do know that it's almost impossible to root out evergreen cuttings; so you can probably rule that out.

Someone else may be able to help you as far as grafting at least the large lower branch back on. I don't know if that will be possible.

The tree will survive, most likely, just the way it is, although aesthetically, it may not look as good.

Hope this helps.

Bill
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
15 years ago
I'm going to disagree with Bill :-) The simple answer to your questions is 1) NO and 2) MAYBE. There is a very narrow timeframe involved (i.e., 24 hours) in being able to successfully repair a broken branch before the tree begins the process of compartmentalization and sealing off the wound. And I've never heard of this done with branches that have 'popped out of the socket' or have been severed completely. These appear to be very clean breaks, well within the branch collar, and should heal up/calluse nicely on their own. You certainly do not want to paint with tar or any other wound sealant - it is unnecessary and not advised. Wrapping the tree is not necessary either, although you may want to make sure you are attentive during any further snowfalls this winter. PNW snow tends to be very wet and very heavy and conifers in particular are easily damaged by the weight. Make sure there are no other heavy accumulations on these and any other evergreen trees or shrubs.

As to the success of growing conifers from cuttings, it is widely done and very common. Most of the named cultivars of conifers are propagated from cuttings. Hardwood cuttings taken in winter are perhaps not ideal for this purpose, but it certainly won't hurt to try, especially since you have a greenhouse at your disposal.

Here is a link that might be useful: conifers from cuttings
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
i will disagree with both

no.. it is not repairable .... how can you expect to heal that little area.. with all the weight hanging outwards ...

NEVER seal a wound ... trees heal themselves ... anything you think up is CONTRARY to nature.. EXCEPT perhaps some recommendation of a fungicide.. but that guy isnt around to tell you about that ...

propagation would be limited to grafting... which as dax noted... its too late ...

IMHO .. you have two choices... give the tree a few years to deal with it all... and IGNORE it ...

or get rid of it.. because you cant stand to look at the damage ....

one other alternative... cut off most of the plant.. and train one of the low branches back to vertical ... and watch it re-grow.. but again.. that will take a decade.. and the issue remains whether you will be happy looking at it for that long ... and then.. whether you will enjoy messing around with it..

mother nature is a cruel mistress .... and there really isnt anything we can do about some of her freak storms ...
good luck

ken
kudzu9
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the advice. Actually, the tree looks ok despite the loss of several branches, and I think the damage will be camouflaged in a few years by nearby branches. In fact, it appears that there are a few spurs in the vicinity of the breaks that may decide to grow out. The damage happened when I was out of town for Xmas week and couldn't get to things; hopefully, this won't happen again.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
15 years ago
Ken, I'm curious to know what in my post you disagree with :-) I never said the broken branches were reparable, nor did I recommend treating or painting the breaks....quite the opposite. And propagation by cuttings taken from the broken-off branches is certainly possible, if not readily likely to succeed at this time of year.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
hey gal ... the #2 MAYBE part ...

personally .. i wouldnt invest money is HAVING it propagated [grafted] since the time has elapsed ...

and i wouldnt bother fooling around with trying to root them... since much technical equipment [greenhouse] is the best method ...

everything you said was correct... i was just adding the emphasis that to the homeowner ... SAVE YOUR MONEY ... move on

ken
botann
15 years ago
Optimum time for rooting a cutting of Blue China Fir has just passed. I start them from cuttings all the time in the Fall. They root pretty easy for me. I have a bottom heat cutting bed covered with lath. No greenhouse. Automatic misting system also, although I haven't had to use it lately.
They are prone to lose branches in heavy snow or ice. It gives them an exotic look rather than a symetrical look.
They sprout readily from the trunk when cut.
They are a messy tree when larger as they drop branchlets, rather than needles. I have probably 15 over 30 ft. tall scattered about my garden.

{{gwi:324845}}
billyboy_gardener
15 years ago
Hi Everyone,

Guess I'm still learning. I didn't know about the 24 hour window for grafting, but that seems to make sense.

Well, I learned some things from this post. I hope your tree fills in and is as beautiful as ever in the years to come!

I'm growing Giant Redwood Sequoia's here in Hinsdale, NY and they are prone to losing their branches under the weight of snow and ice, too. The first winter they take a beating, but after they get established, they really take off.

Bill

Question re: Repairing winter tree damage +propagation

Comments (8)

billyboy_gardener

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

kudzu9
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Question re: Repairing winter tree damage +propagation

Comments (8)

billyboy_gardener

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

kudzu9Original Author

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

botann

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