Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Crossing/rubbing tree branches

longylonglongylong Posts: 54
in Problem solving
HI  I've been looking at this tree today in one of our gardens and I noticed a few areas where the branches have crossed and seem stuck together.

I wondering if I should recommend that one of the branches should be removed to stop the rubbing but I'm not sure if i expose the area that has been rubbed together will the tree be more prone to infection/disease etc?

Thanks


Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    Don't worry about those large main branches - you'll do more harm than good by cutting any of those.  They may even be in the process of 'fusing' together.  Smaller branches (judging by the size of the leaves) like in your last pic should be tackled but if that's a cherry tree you should really wait until early-mid summer to lessen the risk of silver-leaf disease.  Having said that, there's a gaping wound there which will never heal while the wind is constantly rubbing them together, so I would take one branch out now (probably the one which is supporting the least canopy above or would affect the shape of the tree the least when removed.)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • longylonglongylong Posts: 54
    Thanks Bob. Not sure on the tree type but will do some research.

  • jamesharcourtjamesharcourt Posts: 465
    Hi @longylong I recently had this dilemma with a fairly mature tree.   I decided in the end to leave it because both branches produced healthy foliage and I think the opportunity to remove crossing branches is earlier in the tree's life.
Sign In or Register to comment.