Hurricane gusts, masses of snow, lightning and thunder cause tree trunks to break like matchsticks. This guide is all about the question of how best to deal with a broken tree trunk. You can find out how to save a tree with a broken trunk here.
Can you save a broken tree trunk?
Saving a broken tree trunktree care measuresand apruningSaw off thick branches, wrap any bark injuries with black foil, and cut off a severely damaged crown at the base of the crown. A completely broken tree trunk remains in the natural garden as a deadwood biotope.
Why did the tree trunk break?
Common causes for a broken tree trunk areStorm damage,Lightning strikeandSnowfall.
To withstand strong winds, trees sway back and forth with their elastic trunks. This process reduces resistance and pressure on the rootstock. This strategy reaches its limits in severe storms and hurricane force winds. Large trees are a popular target for lightning. Lightning often travels deep into the tree trunk, which then breaks off. If the winter snow load gets out of hand, large branches and entire tree trunks break like matchsticks.
Is a broken tree trunk dangerous?
Whether a broken tree trunk poses a danger is determined by thetree sizeand potentialrisks to traffic safety The broken tree trunk of a majestic winter linden tree goes a different risk potential than that of the graceful globe maple.
If in doubt, you should contact aTree expert His trained eye can detect whether falling branches, whipping twigs or wind throw pose a danger to people, the garden, the house and the car. It won't go unnoticed by an expert if the stability of a broken tree trunk is compromised and could cause disaster in the next storm.
What to do to get a broken tree trunk?
To preserve a tree with a broken trunk,tree care measuresin combination with arepair pruning are the best way. These options have proven to be effective:
- Crown is still partly there: Saw off branches that are at risk of breaking on Astring.
- To improve stability, thin out the crown and make it smaller.
- Wrap cracks in the tree bark and large areas of peeled bark with black foil (€12.00 on Amazon) and jute.
- Cut off a severely damaged crown at the base of the crown to activate new shoots.
- Tree trunk has completely broken off: leave the trunk in the garden as a deadwood biotope.
Tip
Repair storm damage in stages in summer
If the tree falls victim to a summer storm, restraint in pruning is recommended. Severe pruning further decimates the already reduced leaf mass. In August and September, deciduous trees use their leaves to create reserve materials for the next shoot. To ensure that as much leaf volume as possible is retained for this process, only cut the bare minimum on the damaged tree in the summer and postpone the maintenance cut until late winter.
