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Snapped branches

GardenStudentGardenStudent Posts: 48
in Plants
Hi, my red robin Louise tree keeps having branches snapping like this (this is the 3rd time now). I’ve had the tree since about the middle of July. Is there a reason as to why they keep snapping and is there a way I could fix this branch onto the tree (it’s still connected as you can see but only slightly)? 

Posts

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I think you will have to find out what is causing the damage. It could be strong wind, pigeons, animals or even younger members of the family, playing. That branch cannot be saved, I'm afraid. Just a thought: are the branches unusually long and lax, snapping under their own weight? Sometimes young plants are 'forced' and grow rather leggy but weak. They do sort themselves out after a while.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Do you have woodpigeons in the area?  I find they like eating tender young leaves on trees, and sometimes, in order to reach the most tender leaves at the tips of the branches, they’ll try to perch on twigs which will not bear their weight ... and they snap ... 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Some insider knowledge there @Dovefromabove 😂 I've seen our silly pigeons do that. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Yep 😂 @amancalledgeorge
    our amelanchier has been ‘pruned’ by overweight woodpigeons ... hasn’t spoiled the shape tho’, thank goodness 😅 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    One of my many garden entertainments is watching the downward passage of pigeons as they misjudge the rigidity of branches in the neighbours v large leylandii, not once but many times  :D 
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
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