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Split Maple Tree

Name: Charles Ripperdan  City:

Question: We have an older hard maple tree that seems to be splitting down the middle. How can we bind it to keep from splitting further?

Name: wendymp@nb.sympatico.ca | Date: October 21, 2004, 5:10
Answer: I do not have an answer for a split maple tree. I was looking for a solution for a friend, who has the same problem. She has two large trees at either side of her driveway, and one of them is splitting. If you find out any solutions, please let me know, or a site where I can find out. Thanks so much, Wendy Post, Saint John,NB

Name: dug | Date: November 19, 2004, 6:11
Answer: I have had good luck using 1/2" cable, not around the trunk itself, but 15 or so feet up the tree. You can get much better leverage up there. Pull two opposing main branches together with a come-along, then attache the cable with cable clamps. Get the cable as tight as possible before attaching the clamps and removing the come along. I used old fire hose (cotton jacket, rubber lined) to protect the tree from the cable, but I am sure there would many other things you could use to keep the cable from digging into the tree. We have done this on Mulberry trees, and Afghanistan Pines---never on a maple...