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Need help with branch training

Pompous Maximus

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I am looking into helping my mother in law with her Apricot tree. I haven't been here in years, and would have intercepted earlier. Here on vacation now and have discovered this issue.

She currently has a main branch coming into conflict with an outside masonry pony wall. Currently it seems the branch is resting on corner of the masonry wall and has a pretty substantial gouge. Being a main branch we would like to lighten the load a bit by trimming some of the unnecessary smaller branches from it and trying to secure and encourage the branch to grow away from the wall.

Really we need about 2 or 3 inches in height, and just a few degrees longitudinally and the branch would be in the clear.

1. Can this be done with propping the branch and then guying it?

2. Should we wait until Spring to trim and guy?

3. Any recommendations other than the above?

4. Is the nuclear option best, that is, just cut it off? I'd hate to lose such a substantial branch.

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
i cant really help without a picture ...

if its injured.. it should come off ... period ...

might try the fruit forum as to timing issues ... but if you are there now.. that might be the default ...

ken
wisconsitom
7 years ago
My first impression is that should you succeed in tweaking this branch away from that wall, it will be a most temporary success. Branches grow, they get heavier, they bear fruit (presumably) and whatever bit of lifting you are able to engineer will shortly be not enough. I too would profit from a photo.
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PRO
Caldwell Home & Garden
7 years ago
go ahead and trim the branch, we need a picture.
Pompous Maximus
Original Author
7 years ago
Here is a pic. Best angle I could procure.

Looking at it more closely I am thinking it is way too far gone at this point. Thanks for the info so far!
PRO
Caldwell Home & Garden
7 years ago
yes, don't see much you could do with that. You could always 'top' it. (Did I just say that?!) I would just remove it completely.
Pompous Maximus
Original Author
7 years ago
I have never gone after a big one like this. I understand I would snip it at the base, How do I dress the cut? With the typical readily available salve? Do I wrap or cover the cut?
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
start way out.. and start removing hanging weight ....

you are going to remove the branch beyond the wound ... and the Y below .... back to the trunk ...

then making a proper branch collar cut at the trunk .. do you know what that means????

trees heal themselves.. encapsulate ... they do not need you to go dreaming up some goo to slather on it ...

leave the cut to dry .. stay dry.. and heal itself ...

a sawzall with a TREE BLADE ... or a tree saw would make the job much easier... this is not a dry lumber saw type of thing ... see link for wallyworld version [4th pic] .. i saw one for 7 bucks in the tractor supply sale bin last week ...

in the long run.. a properly pruned tree is much better than a wounded tree ...

ken

https://www.google.com/search?q=folding+tree+saw&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
Pompous Maximus
Original Author
7 years ago
Yeah, I am familiar with branch collar cut, just never have done it. Thanks for the info. She does have a fold-able tree saw.

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