Personally, I think you're better off just removing it. If it has an intact vascular connection and is still alive, it could survive, but it will always be weak and require support.

If you want to save it, though, you could apply a small drop or two of super glue to the wood at the wound site, carefully hold together a minute or so to set, then tape up the wound and prop up the branch. But, realize in the process of trying to fix it, you could also sever what connection is left and kill it, I've done this more than once when trying to save a broken limb.

We can't help you without a picture of the branch and damage. Sometimes, damage like that can be fixed, but other times not. Also, in many instances such a loss is not an important one for the tree.

I'm not so sure that I could use super glue on the broken ends, though. Seems like that would be toxic to the tree and maybe impede the healing process. I have heard of people taping broken branches, though.

Did you call the company from which your purchased the tree for advice?

I've used super glue on live wood, it doesn't hurt the tree. I've used used it on cuts on myself -- it hurts like you-know-what, but it works. They use the exact same cyanoacryllate glue in emergency rooms and doctor's offices to seal small or superficial wounds in lieu of stitches.

That being said, I wouldn't try this on a very small twig, say less than half an inch, because there just isn't enough surface area there to give a good bond. When I've used it, it has mainly been on larger wounds where a branch has split and separated leaving an intact vascular connection in the bark. You need enough clean, dry surface area in the wood to allow the glue to bond properly.

Tie up the branch so it is supported in its original position.
Wrap the whole area of the break very tightly with grafting tape, so the two parts of the break are in close contact in their original position. Leave for around three months, and if you're lucky the break will have mended and be just as strong as before. If you haven't got grafting tape, a long, half-inch wide strip cut from a polythene bag will do just as well.
I've tried this several times (a large collection of potted citrus!) and it usually works if the two parts fit back together properly and they haven't dried out.
Can't say I've tried superglue - does it form an impermeable layer? I guess anything that stops the flow of sap and nutrients across the break would impede healing.

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughtful answers. I'm going to try and let the branch heal just for the experience. I've got superglue. We also used it in the vet clinic where I worked, when doing spays on feral cats. There was no way we could be sure we could trap the cats again and they didn't take kindly to captivity until sutures could be removed. Once, the vet glued his glove to a cat. That was funny. We teased him about really being attached to his work. :)

I am wanting to root the rootstock from the tree down the street and then see if I can graft one of the branches, or whatever gets grafted onto rootstock, to it so I can have a clone of the tree because of its awesom productivity and strenght. I thought if I could fool around with this broken branch, I might get a feel for working with grafting. Or not. It's not that big a deal, but I would like it if I could repair it.

Why would it always be weaker after that? When a bone knits, that joint is stronger than the rest of the bone. I know a tree isn't a bone.

Would it help to rough up the surfaces a little with an emery board? This is not a new break--Even so, the broken over part of it is still alive.

Vivian

Duct tape might be a little difficult to remove. If you want to get into grafting I suggest finding some grafting tape. Once you learn the basics of grafting, the rest is simple.

Mother nature usually does the rest of the work for you:-) If you connect everything correctly, most of the time the graft IS GOOD! Ive seen guerrilla grafters(people experimenting on public trees on the sidewalks or in shopping centers) basically cut a branch cut the scion, stick it in the cut, tape it and walk away. 2 weeks later they return and remove the tape and all is well.

Well, I considered everything people told me and cut the branch off. I don't think the tree will miss it and it was wilting, so off it came.

Thanks again,

Vivian

Any chance this can be repaired? We zip tied the branches that were still connected back and are hoping for the best...

No. If that is snow on the ground and that is actually a citrus tree than it is dead. Sorry if I seem blunt but citrus trees won't survive in snow/ cold like that.

It's a willow in the Northeast, some branches are still alive and hoping that the split ones will take, all zip-tied back together for now, we'll know in a couple months if the split ones take when the tree flowers or not