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Branch split and cracked

cracked branch

This branch split and cracked down the center but was still attached to the tree with the tip hanging on the ground. A pruning cut removed the portion of the branch still attached to the tree. The parent branch on this young tree was cracked back to the trunk (look closely for the crack at the base of the branch in the photo).

Treatment: The cracked branch should be removed back to the collar now if less than about 40% of foliage was removed with the storm. If more than 40% was removed in the storm, or if all the foliage was removed from the same side of the tree, then wait until next year to remove the cracked branch. This will allow the branch to contribute to the tree's recovery by supplying sugars from photosynthesis.