Have a pruning problem, what should I do?

Question

I prunned a large branch off of a birch tree, starting to saw from the top down. When I got about 3/4 of the way through the branch, it began to fall, splitting the main trunk of the tree with it. If you picture taking a lowercase "y" and pulling the left branch down, and splitting the bottom part, this is what happened. Only 1/4 of the diameter of the trunk is split, about half a foot down. I can't pull it back apart, but where the branch used to be I can see a gapping split across the face of the removed branch stub. Is this a big problem for the survival of the tree? Is there something I should do? I've seen people screw splits in trees back together, with wood screws, is this a good idea in this case? Let me know, it just happened...

Answer 1

When you have a ragged tear like this it's usually a big problem. The best thing you can do at this point is try to use your saw to clean up the split as good as possible. Ragged tears are invitations for insect infestations and fungal diseases.

Once you get it cleaned up as good as you can spray it with an aerosol can of TreeKote to give it a chance to heal while it keeps out insects and fungal spores. In about a year, if it's still going, take off the old TreeKote and see if it's healing. If not spray it again for protection.

In the future anytime you are going to puune a medium to large brance the first cut should always be on the bottom side of the branch, about 1 to 1.5" out from the trunk, and about 1/4 way through the branch. This is so if it starts to split it will break off where you made that bottom cut rather than splitting further down.

Answer 2

If I were you, I'd call a local tree nursery or university extension for advice. Maybe even the DNR could help.
Good luck!