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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

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Saturday - February 28, 2015

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Problem Plants, Shrubs
Title: Repairing the split trunk of a TX mountain laurel
Answered by: Guy Thompson

QUESTION:

I have a fairly large mountain laurel that I just realized has a split down the trunk. Is there anything I can do to save it?

ANSWER:

If the foliage on both sides of the split seem green and healthy you should be able to save the shrub. This web site demonstrates the most common approach involving a metal bolt installed through both sides of the split to draw the two sides together. The bolt will remain there and the shrub will seal itself around it.
 

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