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Broken branches at top of tree

This oak can be restored. Broken branches are relatively small in diameter and they are near the top of the tree. Before deciding to restore, check for conditions in the tree that are not obvious in this photograph that could put this landscape at risk.

Treatment: If you decide that the tree can be restored back to a reasonably sound condition then clean the canopy now. Do nothing else at this time. In a couple of years sprouts will be several feet long. Manage the sprouts over a period of years to develop good structure back into the tree. This process can take several prunings over five years (or more) to complete. (Photo courtesy of Norm Easey)

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