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Can I save a pleached Red Robin with split trunk?

crunchie1967crunchie1967 Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Storm Eunice has partially snapped one of my pleached Red Robin plants at the bottom of my garden. It was one of seven put in 2 years ago. Each plant is 12 feet high with a square bamboo frame on the top half.

The bamboo upright has snapped and the Red Robin has bent and split. There is only about a third of the width of the plant still attached. There are  6 branches below the split which still look ok to me.



For the time being I have lifted it back into position and secured it in place with a wooden stake and some old ties and socks.

Is there anything I can do that may help it survive above the split? Will the branches below the split eventually cover the whole frame?

Any help or ideas much appreciated and thank you in advance.

Colin

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I doubt that bit will survive. All you can do is prune the damage off and train new growth into the frame. I'm afraid trussing it up is usually counter productive, although I can understand why you're concerned.  :)

    The problem with pleached trees generally is the staking. Eventually, the plants cover the frame so they become less dependent, but in the initial years, they're always going to be vulnerable to windy weather - even normal winds at around 50 mph strength. 
    If you were planting a single specimen of any tree, you would stake it on the angle, lower down, so that the plant strengthens itself properly, and damage therefore doesn't occur. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    It is worth trying to save the branch. I have repaired a witchazel with a similar injury when a tree fell across it.
    Find someone to help you. 
    Remove all of the socks, ties and cord.
    Push the branch back into position. It is essential to get the broken areas into contact with each other.
    Tape the branch into position, using electrical tape. You will probably need to use a Y stake to support the branch.
    It is important to cover the whole injured area with tape to avoid rainwater getting in and causing rotting.
    Do not touch the repair for at least 4/5 years. You can then see if healing is taking place, you may need to retape it for another year or two. A large fat callous should hopefully develop.
    I did a similar repair on the witch hazel 23 years ago and the bush is still going strong.
    I think there is enough bark and stem to keep the branch on your tree alive. You can but try. Plants are amazingly resilient.
    Good luck.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I was going to suggest the same @ Joyce Goldenlily, it's worth a try anyway.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I wonder if the ties were a little tight it's something to keep a eye on in the future. Trees need to be able to move a little in order to grow and I think the same would apply here. I do hope you are able to do this repair successfully.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    Is the bottom picture how it is now? If it is then it really needs to be gently manipulated back to where it was and held there. It's hard to tell from the picture but it looks like that right vertical stem sat higher up next to the split.
    Is there any chance of some more pictures to show how it's sitting and where it was? If you can get the connection snug together where it used to be and maybe tie it up with grafting tape, you may have a chance but from that initial picture (if I've interpreted it right), i think it might be difficult and it may be more beneficial to follow Fairygirl's advice.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    crunchie1967 said:
    Storm Eunice has partially snapped one of my pleached Red Robin plants at the bottom of my garden. It was one of seven put in 2 years ago. Each plant is 12 feet high with a square bamboo frame on the top half.

    The bamboo upright has snapped and the Red Robin has bent and split. There is only about a third of the width of the plant still attached. There are  6 branches below the split which still look ok to me.



    For the time being I have lifted it back into position and secured it in place with a wooden stake and some old ties and socks.

    Is there anything I can do that may help it survive above the split? Will the branches below the split eventually cover the whole frame?

    Any help or ideas much appreciated and thank you in advance.

    Colin
    P.S.
    You need something like a broom handle to use as the upright stake. Rub off any new shoots growing near the damage to clear the area.
    I think I would reduce the leaves on the damaged branch by at least 50%
  • crunchie1967crunchie1967 Posts: 5
    Thank you everyone for your comments. Above the split the leaves are already wilting so I think I will go with Fairygirl' suggestion and try to train the new growth. Thanks again everyone.
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