Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Saturday - April 03, 2010
From: Denton, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Texas ash tree splitting in Denton TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have a Texas ash tree that's splitting in its center and need some info re cable tie or other techniques to fuse the crotch together. I have temporarily placed two bands of plastic cable ties just below the crotch but I think it also needs repairs above the crotch area to stabilize and fix it permanently.ANSWER:
Since we have no personal experience in such an operation, we found several websites with explanations and instructions on materials and procedures to be used. The best advice we found in all of them was from The Gardener's Forum Splitting Tree:
"Whether a tree needs only one cable for support, or several cables and bracing rods for repair, the procedure requires expert judgment in choosing the right materials and locating them properly in the tree. The job may also be dangerous, and is best done by a crew of two or three people. It is recommended that a professional tree service be called in to cable valuable trees or to repair a split trunk or crotch."
That would be our first thought-find an expert in this job, unless your tree is very small or not particularly valuable to you. In Texas, trees are pretty important assets, not to be messed with by people who are not trained. The other sites we turned up were:
eHow How to Repair a Split Tree
The Homeowner's Tree Book Repairing Tree Wounds
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Repairing Storm Damage
Because we don't know the size or maturity of your Fraxinus texensis (Texas ash), we can't possibly advise on which of these procedures would work best, except for the one about hiring an expert arborist, one trained and licensed to do this kind of work.
From our Native Plant Image Gallery:
More Trees Questions
Can Monterrey Oak be topped into a bush from Austin TX
June 16, 2013 - I received a suggestion to use Monterey oak as privacy hedge by topping the small tree and letting it bush. I can't find any pictures or info on this being done though.
view the full question and answer
Tree for a Missouri yard
March 10, 2012 - Our front yard tree died. We have landscaping that needs shade. We are in Zone 5, looking for a fast/medium growing shade tree that does not produce anything that falls into the grass and will allow t...
view the full question and answer
Problems with Eastern hemlock in Greenville SC
July 02, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have a beautiful, young, 5 and a half foot tall Eastern Hemlock. I purchased and planted it two years ago in the fall. It has been doing very well all this spring. And ne...
view the full question and answer
Problem with unknown tree in Austin, Texas
July 23, 2013 - Have recently moved to Austin, Texas and have a tree in my backyard that has been dropping leaves and one major branch appears to be dead. That branch has hard rust colored sap circles (about penny si...
view the full question and answer
Plantings for beneath a red oak in Lubbock TX
February 23, 2012 - What would you recommend to plant in a two tiered raised bed facing west, totally blocked from the east, thus receiving only the afternoon sun? A 21 year old red oak sits in the middle of the upper ra...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |