Branch damage to a monkey puzzle tree

Discussion in 'Araucariaceae' started by krc, Aug 8, 2006.

  1. krc

    krc Member

    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Stevenson, WA, USA
    My husband accidently backed into our monkey puzzle tree with his truck while turning around near it and broke off a section of one branch--not completely sheared off--we tried to tape it up in hopes that, miraculously, it may mend itself--what are the chances of that and if hopeless, what should I do to try to save the branch and the trees' beautifully symetric shape? It is approx. 8 ft. tall and has been planted for 3 years.
     
  2. markinwestmich

    markinwestmich Active Member

    Messages:
    543
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
    Depending upon how well you set the branch and how quickly you did it, it just might recover. Sort of like setting a bone and using a splint to keep it from moving. It might take just like a graft.

    If it does not, your tree will have a little "character", I guess. Perhaps with some luck it may shoot out some branches and fill in the "hole".
     
  3. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

    Messages:
    11,417
    Likes Received:
    501
    Location:
    Britain zone 8/9
    It is unlikely that the break can be mended - there'll be too much weight acting on the branch for the splinting to hold.

    However, Monkey-puzzles usually shed their low branches naturally anyway as they grow taller, so in a few years you'll not be able to see the damage any more.
     

Share This Page