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Broken branch Pieris Forest Flame
Neighbours cat used my pieris as it's landing site when leaping down from next door tree. I'm wondering what to do about it now. I doubt I can do anything other than trying to take some cuttings from the snapped-off branch. Bit fed up about it to be honest but not enough to fuss over it.
Any ideas anyone? Can cuttings be taken do you think?
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Looks like you should just cut off the broken branch and let the shrub regrow.
BUT - if for some reason that isn't what you want to do - two years ago the same thing happened to a small daphne shrub in my garden. Actually it wasn't cat damage, it was husband damage - size ten feet on my baby plant. He was determined to put it right, so he bandaged the half-broken bit back into place with another stick as a splint, wrapped a couple of layers of garden twine around it like a bandage, and (much to my amazement) it grafted back onto itself and is now completely healed. I'm not saying it will work for you, but perhaps it is worth a shot if it worked for me!
Maybe erect a bamboo wigwam over it to protect it from jumping cats for a bit - perhaps the cat will find another route
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Yarrow- I 'd try and 'push' some of the other branches across with supports to cover the gap. The supports won't be seen since it's an evergreen.
Rosie- great result! I've done that kind of thing with smaller branches and even 'bandaged' sweet peas etc but I'd have cut off a branch that far gone.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Just a light cardi today Verdun - it's going to be warm
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Dear Everybody who posted a reply: thanks so very much for all those thoughts and options. I will opt for all - a clean cut, cover the gap with existing branches and put in short cane supports. Oh Rosie31 wouldn't it be great if I could bandage but I think everyone is right in that it's too thick and solid a branch for me to make a dedicated effort and have success. And Verdun - I do feel like waiting for an opportunity ...but of course us civilised gardening folks would never contemplate such things would we!!!?!!
I think a little wigwam and something to keep the little ..... at bay would be a good idea allso.
Thanks everybody.
Update from last year (2013). I did as suggested last summer and tied the branch together with a little soft pad with garden wire holding it together and it seems to have done the trick really well. It melded (not sure if that's a word!)together and has produced bells for the first time. The green foliage I think needs a feed though but not sure.
What a great result, congratulations. I'd have never of tried that so glad it worked.