Question From:
Andre Dsouza in Fulham Gardens, Fulham Gardens South Australia
Nature of problem:
Lemon tree branch split. Can it be repaired
Type of Plant (if known):
Lemon (Eureka)
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
Label wire split young branch, I suspect when we had strong winds
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
clay/loam
How often do you water the plant:
once a week being a young plant.
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
all day
How long since you planted it:
Planted in December 2017. Young plant
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
Prepared hole with mushroom compost, some potting mix wiht exisitng clay/loam
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
outdoors
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
n/a
Upload photo if available:
Other Comments:
Bought young tree from Bunnings in December 2017. Plant is healthy. The branch that is split is important as this is the upright branch that I want to shape the tree as it grows so that there is now branches below 1m to 1.5m from the ground. The split has dried a bit. Is there a way I can get it to bind so that the strength of the branch is restored? I tried taping it but it was of not help.
Answer:
Hi Andre, As an arborist, I must say that this is a bad injury: if you tape it up, it may appear to heal and then fail later on. Earlier action would have helped. Taping is the only solution. I suggest that you get some budding tape from a hardware store or a nursery. Tape it tightly several layers thick, and support it higher up with rope or string between the branches. Monitor it closely to detect swelling around the tape. If swelling occurs, remove and replace the tape. After about 6 months, remove the tape but leave the string/rope support in place. Good luck. Don
