Magnolia split limb options

[Dadatwins]

Looked at a large Southern Magnolia with some ice damage on a main lower limb. The vertical limb is about 8" diameter and 20' long. Tree is about 24" DBH. x 80'. Limb has vertical split 2' from trunk, running about 3' long towards tip. Split is almost perfect through the center of the limb. Damage is a week old. Removal of the limb will create large hole in the front of the tree. Not a good option. Tree is original planting at house over 80 years old. Homeowner wants to keep as much as posible to retain character of landscape. I know they are fast growers but the hole that removing this limb will create will be vast for a while. My plan is to lighten tips to get strain off break, did that today. Next I will add a few thru bolts into the limb to close the split. I know these are soft wooded trees but my hope is that the limb will hold long enough for some more growth from the other areas of the tree will fill in the opening. Any thoughts or suggestions on this plan? Did not have camera to get a before shot but will have it during next phase.

 

[treeclimber101]

Looked at a large Southern Magnolia with some ice damage on a main lower limb. The vertical limb is about 8" diameter and 20' long. Tree is about 24" DBH. x 80'. Limb has vertical split 2' from trunk, running about 3' long towards tip. Split is almost perfect through the center of the limb. Damage is a week old. Removal of the limb will create large hole in the front of the tree. Not a good option. Tree is original planting at house over 80 years old. Homeowner wants to keep as much as posible to retain character of landscape. I know they are fast growers but the hole that removing this limb will create will be vast for a while. My plan is to lighten tips to get strain off break, did that today. Next I will add a few thru bolts into the limb to close the split. I know these are soft wooded trees but my hope is that the limb will hold long enough for some more growth from the other areas of the tree will fill in the opening. Any thoughts or suggestions on this plan? Did not have camera to get a before shot but will have it during next phase.

i saw this article with pics of the trees in china, they use metal straps to repair and brace trees, the good thing that the straps are adjustable, and every couple of years they can be moved to reduce further damage to the tree and prvent the tree from swallowing the strap , also its not pemanent . The whole thing looks pretty simple to make and you can wrap the inside with rubber.

 

[treeseer]

So bolt away; sounds like a no-brainer.

SM limbs can be guyed to fill gaps, using arbor-tie.

Root invigoration too of course.