Veseys

Gardeners’ Forum: “Preventing a Maple Tree from splitting”

• Preventing a Maple Tree from splitting

  Posted by Marilyn Goodwin on Monday, June 8, 2009 12:03 AM ADT

  After the last ice storm this winter we noticed our large maple tree appeared to be splitting at a "Y" on the trunk. My husband put a strap around the "Y" and racheted it tight to help hold it together while the ice was still on the branches. Now I am nervous about taking off the straps and was wondering what could be put on the tree in place of the straps . It is a beautiful tree and I would hate to see it break.

  • re: Preventing a Maple Tree from splitting

    Posted by Nata;ie on Sunday, July 26, 2009 12:35 AM ADT

    We had the same thing happen to a 40 year old green ash in our yard two years ago. We purchased a long piece of threaded rod, very large diameter washers and bolts for the ends of the rod at a local big box hardware store. We used a rachet tie down (like for holding down a tarp on the bed of a truck)to pull the split together then used a large diameter bit to make a hole on each branches about 2 feet up from the split. We then threaded the rod though, put the washers on the outsides and bolts on tight. We also added eye hooks and a chain between the the branches up another 4 feet or so from there. Anyway, it had held well and our arbourist was quite impressed at the work. You really cannot see the work unless you know to look for it. We decided it was worth the try rather than losing 1/3 of the tree.