# Tree surgery question/help **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 8, 2009, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-surgery-question-help/480371 "2009-01-08T14:13:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-surgery-question-help/480371/1 "2009-01-08T14:13:51Z")
I have an apple tree that is a rather prolific producer; so much so that when I looked it over to figure out how to prune it for the year, one of the main limbs had split the crotch from the weight of the fruit and was hitting the ground. That limb has to go. I have a chainsaw and know how to use it, so this will be a DIY job. What I don’t know is the optimum place to cut, or what the current thinking regarding patching tar to cover the cut. My instinct is to cut directly through the split to eliminate as much splintered wood as possible, then paint the cut with tar to seal it. Opinions and advice? ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-surgery-question-help/480371/2 "2009-01-08T14:17:14Z")
No tar! I know that much. I’ll see if I can get my tree-surgeoning husband to give more details. ---
**Author:** ![masterofnone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@masterofnone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/masterofnone)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-surgery-question-help/480371/3 "2009-01-08T14:35:44Z")
I can’t really tell you where to cut without seeing it, but splitting at a crotch is usually due to a narrow crotch angle. You want branches coming off the main trunk at close to 90 degrees. Narrow crotch angles make the bark pile up in the crotch as the branch and trunk grow, leading to rot. It’s much easier to remove or open these branches when they are small than to repair the damage once the crotch splits. To reduce the chance of damage due to the weight of the fruit, go through and remove every other fruit when they are about dime sized. This will also improve the quality of the remaining fruit. And I’ll second **emilyforce** ’s no tar reccomendation. Trees heal themselves quite well without it. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-surgery-question-help/480371/4 "2009-01-08T15:04:28Z")
mr emilyforce recommends the following resources.[ul] [li][On painting/tarring cuts](http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/tree_pruning/wounddressing/index.html)[/li][li][On the proper cut](http://www.sunshinenursery.com/GardenNotebook/articles/pruning_guide.htm)[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![dqa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dqa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dqa)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-surgery-question-help/480371/5 "2009-01-08T21:12:57Z")
From **emilyforce** ’s second link, > [@](#): > > Do not prune your tree by cutting off a branch flush with the trunk… this type of cut removes the branch collar leaving a larger, oval wound. Remember, the branch collar is the trees number one defense and so should always be left intact. I’m not sure from the OP, but it sounds like the branch may have broken away some of the trunk. While those links describe how to prune a branch in an ideal world, what is the best approach if part of the trunk has split? ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-surgery-question-help/480371/6 "2009-01-08T21:25:06Z")
Whoa - **Vunderbob** hold that chainsaw. I grew up with an apple orchard and split trunks are something that happens not from the weight of the apples [unless it is a small tree] - Apple trees can be lifted back up, bound, and live quite happily for years to come. We had one that was bound before we moved into the house back in the early 70’s and the tree had grown around the bind. I’m assuming you don’t know anyone with a grafting machine? Would you even want to graft any of the fallen limbs? Is the half that broke completely dead as far as you can tell? How long ago did it happen? What kind of apples are they? ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-surgery-question-help/480371/7 "2009-01-09T14:41:53Z")
Bump - I’m worried about the tree. Has the surgeon already done his deed? ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-surgery-question-help/480371/8 "2009-01-09T15:54:12Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > Bump - I’m worried about the tree. Has the surgeon already done his deed? Not yet, but the day’s still young. 😃 I’ll post a picture of the tree and the split crotch later, when I have a chance to take them. ETA: you can graft a 6" diameter limb on an apple tree? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-surgery-question-help/480371/9 "2009-01-09T16:10:55Z")
No you can’t graft a 6" diameter limb, but you may be able to tie it off. Being winter the tree is dormint anyway, but if that limb is viable tying it off, it will regrow. Even if you don’t tie it off and you do chop it, you can still “dress” the area so new shoots will form by using [treekote](http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=1968). Specially formulated for pruning and grafting. If you really want to do some magic you could chop it, and graft a bud from a different apple tree and create your own “ **Vunderbob** ” apple variety. 😃