The first winter snowfall hit really hard here in Alberta and our ornamental crab apple tree has huge branches that got weighed down with snow and have broken almost off from the main part of the tree. Do we remove the broken branches fully and just leave the area where the break occured or do we have to apply some kind of sealer on the wounds? Any help is really appreciated!!
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Thank you Mary Anne and Foxxy for the clear instructions. I will get my husband to cut them off carefully. I hope the tree will fill in next year again. They were 2 very large branches coming from the middle of the tree.
I can't believe how much snow we got here these last few days. It looks like the middle of January here! :(
Yes Mary Anne is right and if you cut off the branches on an angle with the cut facing down it will help as water has less chance of getting inside to cause rot.
Hi, FHG, how big are the branches? and did they fall and pull the bark down on the underside? You need to remove each broken branch, and I would saw-trim the bark and bent branch from underneath, so the bark doesn't pull down further onto the trunk (are you with me there? I mean don't let the weight of the branch force the bark to tear away from the trunk, along the length). Take a pruning saw and cut upwards at the bottom of the branch to sever whatever remains of the branch that is still attached to the trunk. You could cover the wound with pruner's paste or wax, if you like, but I would just leave it, unless there is a big upward split where water could get in, and sit in it, and therefore create a nice spot for rot. It should heal up on its own.