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Restoring trees with broken tops

seagrape with broken branchesThis large seagrape tree lost most branches on one side of the tree. If you judge that there are no conditions at the base of the tree that make it a potential hazard then it can be restored.

Treatment: If this tree will be retained in the landscape, then it is best to make clean heading cuts on appropriate broken branches in the canopy now, before it sprouts. Allow these branches to resprout for a couple years. Then begin a restoration program that manages these sprouts back into a structurally strong canopy.