Can a Split Tree Be Saved?

No matter how much you care for your tree, various elements can still damage it. One of the problems you’ll often have to deal with is split trunks, and you might find yourself asking, can a split tree be saved?

In this article, as Indian River’s professional tree service company, we delve deeper into what causes split tree trunks and how to fix the issue. 

What Causes a Split Tree Trunk?

Several factors can cause your tree’s trunk to break in half:

Temperature Fluctuations

If you live in a temperate climate region, your trees are prone to trunk damage from temperature shifts. How does this work?

Tree trunks contract during cold weather and expand when the temperatures go up. The constant change in size causes vertical cracks along the trunk. We call these frost cracks, and they also often occur in areas that experience constant cold weather. 

Physical Damage

Physical forces from human activities and natural elements can also cause trunk damage. For example, trees in the backyard can suffer a split trunk due to tornadoes, earthquakes, and other natural calamities.

Lighting strikes not only split tree trunks but can also burn them. You can also accidentally hit the tree in your backyard, causing it to split when working with heavy machinery. 

Disease and Pest Attacks

If you don’t address disease and insect attacks early enough, they might end up causing cracks along your tree’s trunk. Carpenter ants, long-horn beetles, termites, and other wood-eating insects can bore holes through the trunk. 

These holes can be so many that they weaken the trunk and split it entirely. The holes can also act as entryways for pathogens that lead to secondary infections, which weaken the tree over time and eventually cause the trunk to split. 

How to Repair a Split Tree Trunk

If you’ve been asking, can a split tree be saved? The simple answer is yes. When your tree’s trunk breaks in half, it doesn’t mean it’ll die. 

Here are a few tips to fix a broken tree trunk:

Remove the Damaged Parts

The first step to repairing a damaged tree is to eliminate all the affected parts. You can remove the bark edges before cutting the wound off. This helps promote faster healing and enhance nutrient uptake. 

Reattach the Broken Parts

You can reattach the broken parts and seal any openings to prevent pest attacks. A duct tape can do a great job for minor breaks and provides additional support for faster healing. 

Bolting

This remedy is ideal if your tree is split in half vertically. Drill at least three holes into the affected area. Afterward, insert bolts to hold the loose parts together. Ensure you’ve firmly secured the bolts for strong support. 

Contact Your Local Tree Experts for Assistance

Can a split tree be saved? Yes, if you work with a professional arborist from King Tree Management. We provide a wide range of services, including:

• Stump grinding
• Tree removal
• Tree trimming and pruning

Call us at (772) 633-1939 for a free estimate or to learn about reviving a dead tree.