About 2 weeks ago, I noticed that a medium-sized branch on my potted lemon tree had torn 2/3 through. The weight of an unripe lemon (which has since been removed), together with gusts of wind, probably caused the damage. To save the branch, I splinted it with toothpicks, wrapped it in masking tape and then with strips of horticultural fleece. To my astonishment, this very branch is showing leaf buds! Is it then possible that the tear will mend, i.e. knit together like a broken bone? It seems like this might be the case, but what do you think?
2006-06-19 23:21:18 · 2 answers · asked by corvuscorax 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
If done properly, yes. Often it is done with limbs from other fruit trees and is called grafting.
2006-06-20 01:45:05 · answer #1 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it may mend but it won't ever be as strong. The living part of a tree branch is the bark. Your branch wasn't completely broken, so it was still attached by a strip of bark which is what is feeding the branch now.
For it to knit completely, you should have matched the broken pieces together closely and very soon after the break occurred. From what you say, it's unlikely that you did and the branch will probably not be strong enough even to support its own weight.
It would be better, really, to take the branch right off, clean up the wound with a sharp knife and cover it. Bark will eventually grow over the wound.
2006-06-20 18:11:54 · answer #2 · answered by Owlwings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋